Every successful speaker I know has a message they want to share with the world. It’s the reason most of us get into the business in the first place. The sad truth is less than 1% of professional speakers will ever reach a worldwide audience. Even with the reach of the internet, most speakers are saying the same thing in the same way and the message isn’t unique enough to gain a substantial international following. So the question is; how are you different? Are you a unique, one-off original, personality speaker or a commodity speaker regurgitating Think and Grow Rich and The Secret? What makes you different from the other 50,000 speakers attempting to break into the big time of the business? Watch this short video I filmed today in Sydney, Australia and I’ll look forward to your comments. Steve Siebold ( 2:08 )
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Steve, Great stuff! It gave me a lot to think about for 2011.
Good point SS. It seems that almost every speaker, in every country these days, ends up reciting what was brought to life by the Secret… the laws of the Universe.
I don’t understand how you become an expert on this topic? Or how the Universe hands out its “Certificate of Achievement” once you’ve done its course?
If you want to know about the Laws of the Universe watch the Secret. Or beyond the Secret. Then get on with your life.
Speak about something that people want to hear about. Do your research, work out what that is, then go do it.
Thanks SS… you’ve taught me well.
Regards
Steve, congratulations on a marathon of a tour!
I played the video, and have a question:
Does the MESSAGE have to be different, or can it enough to deliver an old message in a new way?
Here’s why I ask:
Most of the articles I write, or the presentations that I give, don’t contain any ideas that haven’t been written or articulated before. But I always try to present familiar ideas through a personal experience, or a unique metaphor that will resonate with people. I connect the story or the metaphor back to the “heard it before” concept, and people seem to listen.
So, does the message have to be different, or can it be enough to present a conventional concept, in an unconventional way?
Thanks Steve, and safe travels home!
Jim
Steve,
like always great question. I would hope that my political ideas are enticing enough to be different.
I am also starting to work on some vignettes and done some research to come up with unique spin on team management.
Let’s see what the future will hold on either of these ideas.
Mike J.
The reason (I feel) that most speakers are all using the same material as you say Steve ‘think and grow rich.secret etc. Is because this method of creating personal success works. Goal setting works, changing inherited bad habits and beliefs works, creating a passion for success, using determination persistance and purpose all work. The message that all the speakers are using which are linked to Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn,Bill Gove, Anthony Robbins is a proven method. So yeah why not speak about that which works. The subject is not the problem. The difference can and will be made by a speaker who can while still using a proven philosophy adds his/her own unique method of putting the message across.
i will be in OZ next year standing right where you are cheers John
Steve,
I believe you have absolutely captured a truth hear. Isn’t it like marketing in general – differentiate or die. If we are in the ‘me too’ space, where’s the value in that? I felt this was true, but thanks for encapsulating and emphasisining it so well. It’s a message to integrate into our future speaking endeavours.
Paul O
Right on, John –
A speaker can be a lot like a gourmet chef…
Many chefs will prepare the same nutritional meal for their customers, consisting of the same key ingredients. But different cooks will use different spices, different preparation techniques, and serve the meal differently.
Each diner leaves his or her respective restaurant having consumed the same nutrients, but each chef produced a different dining experience.
Geat question Steve, Thank you.
It makes perfect sense to boil it down, what is actually being said. Most timeless truths we already know, I think the speaker who can draw out that inner wisdom, make the connection to their audience, so they fully understand it, even if they have heard so many times before, makes them finally get it; it’s powerful. The speaker has to believe in, be passion about what they are saying and walk the talk, will make the difference in the world. Saying, acting & belief are three amigos!
Happy Thanks Giving to my brothers & sisters in the U.S
Edward Michael Raymond, from Canada, EH! 🙂
Like Allen I’d like to send regards to Dawn. She helped me identily myself as The Tailored Speaker.
Denise Fowble
Yes, I’ve been considering this for a longggg time and I’m still trying to find that uniqueness, what differentiates me from others. Any thoughts?
What – someone already wrote “Think and Grow Rich” – damn, that was going to be the title of my next book. OK, I will change the title to “Realize your Broke” (OK, so that was my fun moment).
Steve is right on – the big question is – “are you right on?” We all have something to say but he is right, is it what “the world wants to hear” ???
While there are many great book titles, a book written in the 90’s, “Die Broke”
wow, when I heard that title I just had to read the book. The counter to that was “Die Rich” — the list goes on, so many great book titles that really catch the eye of “the world.” Note: the key is “book title” — if you don’t have a book, any book, good luck getting a speaking gig.
Hey Steve that is always a thought I’m sure in a lot of speakers minds, but you know what I believe? I believe that its not the topic its the speaker that massages the mental of every willing person laying on that massage table waiting to be served a good relaxing mental massage. Now get this as well, the real kicker is that for each mental massage therapist (motivational speaker) it’s who can keep his client from coming back needing more mental massage the longest. (If the massage is of quality it will sustain)
Basically, all massage therapist do the same thing but the key is who has the right grip on the right sour muscle at the the right time your client (audience) needs it. So we are talking timing, impact and presence. The massage doesn’t change just the hand positioning and pressure. So I say to all speakers out there 2 things, keep on motivational speaking even if it sounds like “The Secret” (which has never been a secret just an author who squeezed a little harder near the shoulder blade LOL) people will always need to hear you and people like to listen to those they feel they already know, so get into their homes “WRITE A BOOK!!!” God bless from the next world renowned motivational speaker…LOLBIS (laugh out loud but I’m serious)