Online Tools>Articles>How to Give a Motivational Speech

How to Give a Motivational Speech

Words are powerful. They can create experiences, take your audience to new heights and shift how they think. That's what a motivational speech does. It goes beyond informing and convincing. A good motivational speech moves people emotionally. Most motivational speeches contain these elements:

  • Use of stories - usually the hero's journey
  • Passion
  • Inspiration to make a positive change
  • Emotional experience that moves people to take action
  • A challenge to think differently

Most importantly, motivational speeches link back the message to the current reality of the audience.

Let's examine some of my favorite motivational speakers:


Martin Luther King wraps his talk around a higher cause that changed the world. He employs repetition of his powerful message"--I have a dream " and skillfully uses alliteration-"not the color of their skin but the content of their character." He's a master of language and speaks emotionally from the depths of his soul.



Oprah Winfrey speaks with clarity and emotion. Although she's giving an acceptance speech, she inspires with her message, her reference to others, and by being a living example of her message.



Joel Osteen uplifts his audience with his sincere and dynamic message of recognizing your higher purpose and quotes scripture to build his case for living your best life.



Elizabeth Gilbert disarms her audience with true disclosure by sharing her vulnerbilities and fear of failure. This creates trust and a bond with the audience.



Lisa Nichols transforms her audience through her personal stories of tragedy into triumph. With great sincerity and a dynamic delivery she interacts with the audience and you feel she is talking just to you.



Les Brown has a clarity of purpose and uses his incredible story and common sense solutions to wake people up to their greatness. His passionate message of the hero's journey and powerful vocal skill make you uncomfortable accepting mediocrity.



Who motivates you? Send me an email to let me know.

See/Hear Diane in action

See Diane

Knockout Presentation Video Videos As seen on CNN

Hear Diane

Podcasts | Radio | Press Kit

Articles

Client Testimonials

I found the Present with Power program content extremely relevant and useful, especially the piece on persuading your audience. I used your techniques the following day to persuade our senior staff group to approve an employee recognition committee proposal.... and it worked! I now keep your outline at my fingertips.

Director
HIP Health Plan of New Jersey

Thank you for the marvelous presentation, Dealing with Difficult Audiences. To be candid, we've come to expect good presentations. So we're pretty stingy with standing ovations; they are truly rare indeed. Well, you certainly earned your standing O! Great information, well-presented with a masterful use of audience involvement. You made the information come alive with relevance, personal examples, and memorable strategies. Based on what I learned at your session, I am almost looking forward to my next hostile audience!

Don Blohowiak
Vice President
Liberty Bell Speakers Association

Top-notch, skilled coach. Insightful, direct, constructive feedback. Encourages and recognizes improvements/successes, as well. Relaxed, but very constructive coaching. Takes what can be an uncomfortable experience (recording yourself on video) and makes it a constructive tool.

P.K.
Merrill Lynch