I was interviewed by Canvas Rebel regarding my journey of becoming a motivational speaker and making a full time living as a creative. Some of the original article is below.

The full article can be found here: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-stacy-pederson/

(There's is much prettier. :) )

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacy Pederson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacy below.

Stacy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Earning a living has been a slow steady process I started over thirty years ago. I discovered I was a, “Creative” by winning essays for local competitions as a child. I even one a real life lamb! I went to college on a full ride talent grant to study theatre. I then made money here and there with acting gigs and teaching acting. I s...

I had so much fun shooting this with the fabulous, Corey, and the RVS Small Business Network Show.

You can watch the full episode here: https://rvasbn.com/featured-interviews/boost-your-business-speaking-with-humor-and-authenticity/

Below is a recap:

Welcome to another episode of The RVA Small Business Show with your host Cory Mosley. In today’s segment, we are joined by Stacy Pederson, Speaker Coach, and Funny Motivational Keynote Speaker.

Stacy is a well-known expert who helps speakers add entertainment value to their speeches.

WHEN IT COMES TO AUTHENTICITY, FOR ME, ON STAGE IS BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE TO MAKE MISTAKES, TO BE MYSELF, TO SHARE MY STORY, TO NOT ACT LIKE I HAVE MY LIFE ALTOGETHER. -STACY PEDERSON

Speaking: More Than Just Words

You’ve probably attended dozens of seminars or business events. Remember that one speech or presentation that had you hooked? The odds are that it wasn’t just the content but the speaker’s delivery that made ...

Do the slides in your presentation look like the first photo?? 😴

👉In the world according to Stacy, you are missing out on incredibly VALUABLE real estate when it comes to having your audience understand and retain what you are sharing.

Slides can help reach your visual learners in a way no other part of your speech can. When they walk away, they may not remember the stats you shared on your slide. However, your visual learners can walk away with an image representing your point burned into their brain.

🎬Pictures also trigger an emotion which also helps seal your message. I can share with you the stats of how over 80% of workers are burned out, unengaged or feel like they are in survival mode. OR, I can share the second image. Which slide will impact your audience more? (Rhetorical question…The second is an actual slide of mine, btw.)

😳If your slides are littered with bullet points, re-iterate what you are already sharing, of are filled with graphs and stats, you may want to reevaluate ...

Speaking is NOT about standing in front and providing a bunch of information. People don’t remember information.

 If I asked you to name what you learned in 3^rd grade about American History, many of you won’t remember a single piece of information.

 If I asked you to share what the bully on the playground said to you that year, you probably remember it down to exact way he or she said it.

 Why? People don’t retain information strictly from facts. People retain information depending on the feeling attached.

 This is why creativity – the use of humor, visuals, stories, etc., are so important in your talk. Creativity sparks emotion.

 I like to think of creativity as a cake. The layers of the cake are your content. The frosting is creativity. It is what ties your talk together and makes it fun, enticing, and memorable.

Most of us don’t want to eat an entire cake of frosting (unless it’s buttercream…then maaaybe…) We want just enough frosting to add the fun and appeal. The same is ...

Watch Video Here: https://youtu.be/R-Yx007763k

Can't get hired because you don't have video? Can't get video because you can't get hired? Here's an easy hack to break out of the, "I need a demo reel" loop.

Link to video mentioned: https://youtu.be/2yZgvFtdx54

Elephant in the room: OBVIOUSLY NOT shot at the same time as the thumbnail photo was taken. The thumbnail makes it look like a 5 star restaurant, but then when you open it and it's just ramen.

WHICH is what anyone who has ever been in a relationship with me has also unfortunately discovered....

Here's some resources if you are wanting or already are a speaker: -Blog Post: "How to Improve Your Speaking on Camera With These 4 Easy Tips" https://rb.gy/rz0spx

-Get a Free Guide on "10 Easy Ways to Look Good and Feel Great on Camera" https://rb.gy/rz0spx  

Social Media: Website: StacyPederson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacypedersoncomedy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacypedersonofficia...

You're finally going to do it! After humming and hahhhing - you're FINALLY going to shoot THAT VIDEO!!

Except, now you're staring at your closet finding your next reason to procrastinate.

What on earth should you wear???

Never fear. Stacy's here. Below are several "wardrobe" tips I've learned through the years of being on professional sets.

So put back the "some day I'm going to fit back into that dress" or ratty rock t-shirt from 2013 back in the closet. You're going to wear this instead:

1.Who Are You Trying to Portray?

No - seriously which part of you are you wanting to portray?

Examples:

-My expert/professional side

-My likable "I'm just like you" side

-I don't take "no for an answer" side

-My glamour side

-My fall apart side

If you want to show off your expert/professional side, don't film yourself in your 2015 polo covered in cat hair.

If you want to be relatable and show off your "I'm just like you side", do NOT film dressed perfectly and gorgeous. We, as an a...

https://youtu.be/Q4FjFg1mWpk

Ever wonder what life is like for a motivational speaker? Get ready with me the morning of doing a virtual presentation. I show you my virtual set up, and how I get ready to present.

You can also get my FREE guide to looking good and feeling great on camera if you are venturing in to make your own videos or virtual events: https://www.boringtosoaringspeeches.c...

Booking Inquiries: StacyPederson.com

Mentioned: Nars Foundation: https://amzn.to/3glsX6D

Brio Logitech Camera: https://amzn.to/3v3GxRH

Microphone: https://amzn.to/3zdI2zZ

Ring Light: https://amzn.to/3v74LKQ

Stand for Ring Light and Also Camera: https://amzn.to/3w9mq5R

Sound Foam Panel: https://amzn.to/3pBs5PJ (WAY more than I paid. As I mentioned, I got mine on Facebook Marketplace and they are much larger. Sound

Curtains: Vocalboothtogo.com

Update 2024. I have my EXACT sales process I use on, "The Bash" (formerly Gigmasters) available on my on-line course section.

You can find it here: https://app.kajabi.com/admin/offers/2149585513/checkout

**(Update-See Bottom of Post for Update Regarding My Experience With Each Through Covid.)**

I often see questions or threads regarding the validity of two online booking website, “GigMasters” and “GigSalad”. I’ve belonged to both for several years as a speaker and clean comedian and here is my honest experience and advice on investing in either.

The Difference I Found Between the 2 Sites:

GigSalad:

-Easy platform to use

-Most often much lower paying gigs compared to GigMasters

-Most gigs are direct inquiries so you are not competing against other people to be booked

-Easy to target certain areas of the country

-I met REALLY nice people who booked me through this platform that have become dear friends. Not sure why this site draws really personable people, but it does.

Above is a video that gives an overview of my morning routine for when I do motivational speaking for out of state events.

I have different routines I've developed over time. One for later in the day events, night events, in-state, out of -state etc. If you are new speaker or performer who is starting to travel you will develop your own over time.

I remember googling and trying to find ANYTHING that could give me an idea of what to do when I traveled. I found nothing. That's why I made this video.

If you'd like more videos on public speaking, performing (behind the scenes), then you can watch the video here and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/vKg69eDLIjc

Kindly, Stacy P.

You thought you did pretty good when you were speaking and THEN you watched yourself back….

And now you’re googling because you hated everything you saw in your video. I'm glad you stumbled onto this blog post, because I totally understand how you feel.

First, good job for making a decision to get better instead of folding up the ‘ol laptop and quitting. Second, there is a LOT that can be worked on but for this blog post we are only focusing on 4 things.

(When you get to # 4, you’ll see why.)

 So - quiet on the set – let’s get started.

1. It's normal to hate yourself on camera.

Even famous actors hate themselves on camera. (Think Joaquin Phoenix storming out of an interview because they showed a clip of him. He refuses to watch himself.) 

Unless you’re narcissistic, you don’t normally stare at yourself all day long every day to know what you actually look and sound like. You’re just walking around being you. When you see yourself on camera it’s a shock because you had no ...