• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER » What Should A Motivational Speaker Demo Video Look Like?

in BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

What Should A Motivational Speaker Demo Video Look Like?

Last updated on January 22nd, 2019 at 01:57 pm

What should a motivational speaker demo look like?

What should a motivational speaker demo look like?

The Importance of a Demo Video for a Motivational Speaker

There is no question about it – video is critical to the success of a motivational speaker.  The speech is your product. The video is how they test drive your product. Buyers don’t often believe what you say you will do. They believe what you SHOW them you will do. Videos don’t often lie.  So, yes, you must have video if you want to be a successful motivational keynote speaker.

One Video?

Most speakers invest in one good video, often referred to as a sizzle reel. My business model doesn’t allow for just one demo video. There are too many sides to what I do, too many different areas of story, comedy, and content, too many different types of audiences, and too many different reasons that people bring me in to solve different issues. Focusing on one will exclude the others.  Instead of one demo, I’m a fan of a gallery.  Give them many clips to choose from, and have the clips titled in a way that is easy for them to hop around and find the clip that pertains to the subject that they are interested in. It allows me to showcase many different sides of my personality and my content.  End users love it, for they often have the time to sit down and watch videos. Bureaus will often find it cumbersome and less workable in the format that they pitch speakers.  Bureaus will often ask me what videos are best to show this client, and I can pick my favorites.

What Do You Put In The Video?

Your website has already told them what you do, and (hopefully) how you will help their people on Monday. So telling them again in front of a camera might not be the best use of your video footage. What they really want is to see if you’re any good, see how the audience reacts, and to see what the experience is that you create, and whether you are a good fit for their group.   As much as we like to think we fit everybody – we don’t.  So here are some things you want in your video…

  • Clips of you ENGAGING and ENTERTAINING the audience – playing with them, interacting, getting them involved, making them laugh, you looking silly and having fun. Show them the fun part of your program. These live clips are the most important part of a demo, and they should be seen as quickly into the video as possible.  Pictures are good too.
  • Clips of your most thought-provoking content nuggets. Choose the tweet-ables – the power phrases – as opposed to long drawn out content. Shorter is better. Show them what kind of message or content you will be delivering from the stage.
  • Include some pictures of you in your most impressive venues, and other types of pictures (headshot, selling product, interacting with crowd) that set a mental picture of a successful, fun, engaging, credible, professional speaker.
  • Testimonial video is GREAT. They believe what others say about you, more than what you say about you. A short testimonial quote will work too.
  • Include some your impressive happy clients. Show them the places you have been.
  • Include your phone number, email and website – easy to read – at beginning and end. Make it easy for them to reach out to you right away.

Remember that live clips of you at your best, is the most important thing for them to see. Everything else is gravy. And lump gravy at that.

Video Can’t Out Shine a Poor Product

There are plenty of flashy videos out there with great bells and whistles – flashy music, graphics, theatrical voice-overs, canned audiences, animation, and other tricks that speakers use to make themselves look better than they really are.  But buyers are usually more savvy than that. They’ve been burned with speakers who showed up quite different from their video.  I’ve spoken with many bureaus and clients who say that all that flash is really just annoying clutter, and doesn’t impress them. What impresses them is a good speaker with a good message. So if you’re having trouble finding the right video, it might mean that the speech needs a little more work.

If you want to take your speech to a new level – connect and engage on a deeper level – add more power and humor to your stories – then come find me. Join me at Story Crafting Camp (www.StoryCraftingCamp.com) or check out my online training at Kelly’s Story Impact Academy.

 

Related Stories:

  • 12 Tips for Creating a Motivational Speaker Demo Video
    How to Create Motivational Speaker Demo Videos that…
  • funnymotivationalspeaker
    How To Look Like A Ten Thousand Dollar Speaker
  • Motivational Speech Auditorium
    What Does A Motivational Speech Look Like?
  • iman_woods-look-like-bettie-page
    How to Look Like Bettie Page - Behind the Scenes
Kelly Swanson
Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, motivational speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and cast member of The Fashion Hero television show airing on Amazon Prime. She is also the author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale, The Land of If Only, The Story Formula, and The Affirmation Journal for Positive Thinking. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines, keynote speaker for the International Toastmasters Convention, and has keynoted major conferences and corporate events from coast to coast. She just launched her one-woman show Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale in theaters, and it is being booked all over the country. In July of 2022, she was inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« Is Your Speech a Book Report or an Experience?
Audio Interview Tips »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT