This article will discuss some of the biggest mistakes you can make in your motivational speaking career.

Ignoring the importance of the Introduction

If I were to decide what the most important part of the speech is I would say that it has got to be the introduction.

No matter how great speech is, if you cannot grab interest in your introduction, your speech content will potentially fall to deaf and very bored ears. Have you ever heard of the saying, 'First impressions last?' Well, this absolutely applies to motivational speaking.

For motivational speaking the keyword is 'motivate'. It is imperative that you motivate and arouse the interest of your audience from the very start of your talk. Use a great quote or an inspirational story and own the stage! Create a catchy, sense-awakening, intriguing introduction.

Successful introductions generates great momentum that you can they carry throughout the speech. The audience will be receptive and it will make your job easier since you can follow up much better.

Giving general speeches

At least to some degree, modify your speeches to suit your audience. Giving the same exact speech you presented to college kids at a corporate event would be plain stupid. You would just end up looking laughable.

Do your job and research your audiences, even for just a bit. Give appropriate motivational lessons. If your audience is composed of teens, deliver your speeches with their personalities in mind and make your stories and examples relevant.

Giving tailor-made speeches will make the audience feel that you are the right speaker for them because you connect on a personal level. So when giving speeches, make an effort to relate to your audience and let them know you empathize with their situations.

Moralizing too much. Not telling stories.

Avoid too much moralizing. Motivational speakers with 'messiah complex' tend to moralize and become self righteous and audiences tend to get turned-off.

To avoid this, give brief teaching lines and support it with stories. Stories are fun and they can teach lessons in a subtle way. The audience enjoys listening to stories while picking up some teachings along the way. Even Jesus made use of parables to teach his followers.

Giving too complicated and too many points

If you want to motivate people, give them clear and concise points. Make your outlines to a minimum. Ideally, give 3 points because people tend to remember only 3 things. But if you have to go more than that then give points no more than 5.

Outline your speeches well and plan your delivery. Too many talking points cloud the audience's minds. So, remember KISS. Keep It Simple and Sweet.