Are You Looking for a Motivational Speaker or Inspirational Speaker?
Looking for a professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, or youth motivational speaker can be challenging. Do a search on the words motivational speakers, youth motivational speakers, teen motivational speakers, professional speakers or inspirational speakers and the results returned will be staggering.
So how is a person supposed to know if she has chosen the right professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, teen motivational speaker, youth motivational speaker, or college speaker for her conference or event?
What if the speaker is your motivational keynote speaker, keynote college speaker, or keynote youth speaker? Does he set the right tone for your event?
Will he take a true genuine interest in your organization so that his message will embody the theme of your event and the mission of your organization? Will he relate to your attendees --professional or students and youth?
Is the speaker professional enough?
Is the speaker motivational and inspirational enough?
Humorous enough?
So that brings us to...
The Million-Dollar Question:
How do you know that your professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, college speaker, or youth motivational speaker will deliver even more value than what your paying? You should have a huge ROI on your investment, shouldn't you?
Unfortunately world-class professional speakers, college speakers, or youth speakers are not always easy to come by, while sub-par keynote speakers, professional speakers, motivational speakers, and inspirational speakers come a dime a dozen.
They are a professional event planner’s worst nightmare. And for event attendees…well… let’s just say it’s more exciting to watch a tree grow.
What about youth motivational speakers, teen motivational speakers, and college speakers?
It’s pretty much the same deal. A top-notch youth motivational speaker is a rare thing as well. And... an incredible college speaker doesn't come a dime a dozen' either.
So what are the indications that you have found an engaging...dynamic...professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, college speaker, or youth motivational speaker?
Keep mind that this is a two-pronged situation- Ability and professionalism.
Ability
One of the first things is that there’s an immediate mental and emotional connection between great motivational speakers, inspirational speakers, or youth speakers and the audience. This connection has a lot to do with an incredible stage presence. Even on the phone these same charismatic qualities will be obvious. Look for them when you talk to the speaker.
A great professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, or youth motivational speaker is a master storyteller that takes his audience on a fantastic journey. He delivers high content with high energy and high impact that leave his audience feeling SELF-Empowered and SELF-Motivated.
Professionalism
Here’s a big one. Is he high or low maintenance? The last thing you need when planning an event is another pain in the butt. Any reputable motivational keynote speaker, inspirational speaker, or youth motivational speaker should have a page on his website just for you and other meeting or event planners.
And of course the big question is how do you know that the speaker can do what he says he can do. Clips of him in action, which should be readily available, are a start but you need more.
Every professional motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, or youth motivational speaker has testimonials, but testimonials aren’t always good enough. You want professional speaker references.
Choosing the right motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, or youth motivational speaker can be challenging but there is one thing you can do that is guaranteed to help you breath a sigh of relief...
One thing that will help you sleep better the night before your event...
(Warning: shamless plug approaching.)
One thing that will have event attendees coming up to you and saying, “Wow! What a great inspirational motivational speaker.”
That one thing is…
Hire Al “The Inspiration” Duncan
Copyright © 2007 Al Duncan Enterprises All Rights Reseverd.
Click here to request Al as a professional motivational speaker or inspirational speaker for your next event.
Click here to request Al as a youth motivational speaker or teen motivational speaker for your next event.
(World-Class Motivational Speaker -- Al "The Inspiration" Duncan travels from Atlanta, Georgia)
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Al Duncan Enterprises, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Motivational Speaker
Al "The Inspiration" Duncan
"Al Duncan is an incredible speaker who brings a powerful spirit and great heart to your group. People will go home energized and excited. Al weaves stories like David Copperfield does magic. Al's one of the best I've ever heard. A great speaker for your next meeting. They'll be talking about him for months to come!"
Dr. Kevin Hogan
International Best-Selling Author
"With the motivational speaker arena saturated, it is rare and refreshing to find an individual who has the true gift and ability to captivate and engage their audience. Al Duncan is one of those rare finds... As a practitioner within the sector of higher education, I'm often challenged with promoting the 'soft' skills that are vital to people’s success in a fun and exciting manner. Thank you Al 'The Inspiration' Duncan for brilliantly helping me to achieve this goal!"
Wendy Wilson
Director of Communications
Albany State University
Hey! Check out my latest Self-Development Articles
What’s more important EQ or IQ?
Q: I’ve been reading a lot about emotional intelligence. The pros and cons. In your opinion what’s more important EQ or IQ?
A: Eight years ago, when I first started devouring everything I could get my hands on about Emotional Intelligence, I was convinced that EQ was far more important than IQ. I’ve even written an article or two that vehemently argues the point.
But now- hundreds of books, psychology journals, articles and research papers later- I’m careful about making claims that EQ totally crushes IQ. Here’s why.
Think about your car. What’s the most important part of your car? If you’re like most people, you said the engine or the transmission.
To that I respond, “What about the tires?” I’m not suggesting that the tires are of comparable significance to the engine but let’s take the following example into consideration....
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"It's not often one can say they've stumbled across a sure thing. But in your case I'm glad to say, "You are a sure thing".
'The Inspiration' is so apropos because you really know how to connect with your audience. What a wonderful talent!
Your presentation, and the audience's response to it, is exactly what one hopes for as a speaker. Your speeches have the right mix of entertainment and education, are upbeat and inspiring, and you make for a great way to start the day.
Whenever you speak, it is a sure thing that it is going to be a great speech. Maybe you should be called Al 'The Sure Thing' Duncan."
Dwayne G. Smith,
Writer, Speaker, Storyteller,
Toastmasters International's
2002 World Champion of Public Speaking
___________________________________________________________
"Al, I want to take this time to thank you for a wonderful presentation, a wonderful evening and most of all for inspiring us. What a prefect fit! The students were elated as well as the faculty and staff of IMU.
I want to also say that your inspiring message not only achieved our expectation but reached into our personal lives and with much gratitude I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to working with you and again, thanks."
Robin B. Chamberlain, RDCS, FASE
Executive Director
Institute of Medical Ultrasound (IMU)
New! Building Self-Confidence in Five Steps
“If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you have started.” – Marcus Garvey “Mr. Duncan, I was so nervous! My heart was racing and I was sweating. I couldn’t think straight.”
I was just finishing up a lecture on effective networking when Tiffany, a junior economics major at Yale, began telling me a horror story about her experience at a career fair.
“I don’t know what was wrong with me”, she continued. “I knew I was qualified but when I was walking toward the Executive Director [of a company she wanted to work for] I just kept thinking about all the ways that I could mess things up. It was like my self-confidence just disappeared.”
Tiffany’s story is not unique. In fact, many people are feeling overwhelmed by the need to achieve, the complexity of competition, and a fear of failure or rejection. As a result their self-confidence is like...
click here to read the rest of this article
Al Duncan ~ World-Class Motivational Speaker ~ Youth & College Speaker ~ Self-Development Expert
"America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate"
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"Mr. Duncan,
It was a pleasure hearing your lecture last week at St. John's University. In addition to the energy and motivation you carried throughout your lecture, I thought the content, delivery, and the ability to engage the audience was more impressive... "
Vito Spano, CLTC
Partner
New York Life Insurance Company
"Greetings Mr. Duncan!
I just wanted to take the time to say 'THANK YOU' for coming to Grayslake, Illinois and being the keynote speaker for the 1st Generation Youth Leadership Summit at the College of Lake County.
You definitely exceeded our expectations with your powerful, insightful and motivational story. The youth who were in attendance really enjoyed your speech. You are truly a hidden gem, but there comes a time when ALL gems have to shine!
There are many people who claim to be motivational speakers but only few can hold the title and claim full ownership.
Mr. Duncan, your participation was truly a connection that was meant to happen. We are all still flying high on your plane of inspirational guidance.
Please continue to pour into this generation as I am sure you will definitely make a great impact around the globe. I wish you the best and I hope that we will be able to connect in the near future as we continue to provide services for our target audience, which is low-income, first generation pre-college students. Blessings to you!
Best regards,"
Michele Vaughn
Student Development Specialist II Enrollment Services
The College of Lake County www.clcillinois.edu/platinum
"Al,
It was a pleasure meeting you and being able to be in your workshop, which I really enjoyed...I actually have gone to your blog and I'm going to use your networking questions. I'm about to be one of your blog's biggest fans."
Michelle Mensah
Howard University
School of Business
Mr. Duncan,
Thank you for being the keynote speaker at the Army Reserve Southeast Regional Youth Leadership Education and Development Summit and Army Reserve Teen Panel Meeting.
You captured our teen's attention and had them taking notes, which is no small feat considering all of the distractions today's youth have.
Your enthusiasm and engaging manner set the tone for our meeting and positively impacted the lives of those youth in attendance. Thanks again for your inspiring message.
Misty Rivon
Regional Coordinator
Army Reserve Child and Youth Services
"Outstanding, Energetic, Terrific. Al is a master speaker who has a gift for motivating and inspiring. His style is personal, entertaining and thought provoking. Al really has THE gift!"
Tonya Reiman
The O'Reily Factor
How to become a motivational speaker
Q: I am a current student at International Coaching Academy. I am looking to make a career change from teacher to college speaker. I have a BS in human development and learning and an MS in leadership and policy studies. I have already quit my day job so I am a bit panicked about income. My question to you is about marketing yourself. I have been told that a brochure is the way to go, but I don't have a model to emulate. I was wondering if you had one or even a better idea about how to get started in the business. I know it is a lot to ask for without even knowing you, but your website was informational and it seemed you were on top of your game. How about sharing your expertise?
Q: I am interested in becoming a youth motivational speaker. What can you tell me about how to get started? Any books or articles you would recommend?
A: Here are 9 steps anybody can use to get started in the professional speaking industry...
click here to read the rest of this article
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Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger
One of the most popular movies of all time is Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Beast, who used to be a prince or something of that sort, had great difficulty in controlling his manners and his anger.
Although there was a charming gentleman inside of him who knew the right way to behave, Beast often felt powerless and believed that there was little he could do in regards to his behavior. After all, he was a beast, right?
Eh…not quite.
Many people have a similar problem. They think things like-
“Well, that’s just how I am” or “What problem? I don’t have a problem.”
Why do people do this? Because it’s easier to make excuses about behavior than it is to change behavior. Think about that.
Taming the Beast is no joke. Therefore, before we talk about these 9 keys for mastering your anger, here are a several things you should know:
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