• 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 » Keynote Speakers Need To Know Their Story

in BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Keynote Speakers Need To Know Their Story

Last updated on March 13th, 2019 at 05:49 pm

Motivational keynote speaker Kelly Swanson speech Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale

Keynote Speakers Weave Their Own Life Story Into The Truths They Want To Share With That Audience

Stories are a vital part of a motivational speaker’s presentation. But many keynote speakers see stories as additions to their content, without ever really putting together the story of who they are. Your life story is what separates you from other speakers.

It is the story of how you were raised, the people who influenced you, the trials and triumphs you faced, the message you feel called to share with the world, and the reason you are standing here today on this stage. It is your story.

And the audience wants to hear it.

Keynote Speakers Don’t Just Have One Story. They have as many stories as they have life experiences.

Sometimes keynote speakers think they have just one story –  how they ended up in that wheelchair, how they conquered cancer, how they climbed Mount Everest.

While this one story may have been a defining moment in their lives, there are many other stories present that are just as valuable, and just as applicable to your audience. Use them.

A Keynote Speaker’s Story Should Cover The HighLights, Not Every Detail.

Sometimes speakers think that their story  must include every detail starting the moment they were born. The audience doesn’t care about all those details. Every detail you add will make your story heavier. Audiences don’t like heavy stories that give them a lot to keep track of. Stick to the highlights – and only those details needed to tell the story.

Focus on the highlihts of your life, not the trivial.

Appreciate Your Story. It Was Given To You For A Reason.

Sometimes we think our story is not as exciting as someone else’s, and we hestitate to share it. Share it anyway. If your life experience is something that someone else can relate to, then you story has value. Some of my most powerful stories are about simple people, living ordinary lives, and facing very typical challenges.

Not everybody in your audience can relate to climbing Mount Everest – but they can relate to trying to get their kid to listen to them. Think of the Seinfeld show – a show about nothing – yet every mundane situation was something that most of us could relate to. Brilliant. And it was the secret to their success.

Here’s an example of one of my stories:

I was the kid you threw things at on the bus. Most days I prayed not to be noticed. I spent my whole life trying to get a seat at the cool kids’ table – trying to be like you, act like you, have what you have – to blend in. When I became an adult, I realized that the things that made me weird, were actually going to be the things that would make me great. As a kid, if you stuck out you were dead. But as an adult, if you don’t stick out, you’re dead. And now I’m here to show you how to come out of your comfort zone – to embrace what makes you unique – and to show you that it’s not about getting a seat at the cool kids’ table. It’s about knowing your seat is perfectly cool – just the way it is.

Keynote Speakers Include What That Story or Experience Taught Them

Make sure your story includes what you learned from that experience. This is important, and will connect to the truth you are sharing with that audience. All stories are about something that changed you in some way.

Kelly

Kelly Swanson
Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, motivational speaker, published author and TV personality who is passionate about helping women harness the power of their stories to connect, influence, and get the results they dream of accomplishing. Laughing the whole way, Kelly teaches women how to master the art of connection through the power of strategic storytelling. You can find her on The Fashion Hero show airing Fall of 2017 on Amazon Prime or on her website MotivationalSpeakerKellySwanson.com.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and 8WD or Kelly will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Related Stories:

  • My 21 Favorite Tools as a Keynote Speaker
    My 21 Favorite Tools as a Keynote Speaker
  • Six Secrets To Becoming A Wildly Successful Motivational Speaker
    Six Secrets To Becoming A Wildly Successful…
  • What Makes You A Motivational Speaker
    What Makes You A Motivational Speaker
  • Boot Camp For Keynote Speakers
    Boot Camp For Keynote Speakers
Tell your friends!

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!

« Dream Advice: Why You Should Not Give Up on Your Dreams
A Tale of 2 Indias: The World Before Her »

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

  • Winter Solstice Celebrations: What to Do With 1 Minute More?
  • 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
  • 6 Tips to Avoid Get Rich Quick Scams as a Public Speaker
  • A Dream to Spread MLK’s Message of Love
  • Best Goal Setting Advice that Actually Works
  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
Catherine Hughes on Dealspotr
Catherine Hughes
@8WomenDream
Let’s collaborate
Powered by Dealspotr

Looking for more?

8 Women Dream Products8WD Founder Catherine HughesActivist Lisa Powell GrahamArtist Iman WoodsArtist Sue Faith LevyAuthor Karen AlanizAuthor Rayne WolfeBig Dream InterviewsDream Big Guest ContributorsFind Your DreamFind Your Passion and PurposeHealth Coach Heather MontgomeryInspirational QuotesMotivational Speaker Kelly SwansonSuccessful Goal SettingWorld Traveler Natasha von GeldernWrite A Book

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.

Categories

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

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2022 ·

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
Posting....