A Blog Designed to Help You Become a Better Speaker

I recently emceed an event with a variety of motivational speakers. Some of the content was brilliant—authentic, personal stories delivered with heart. But as I watched from the wings, one thing stood out clearly: a few speakers had something more.

I’ve written about it before, but it remains one of the clearest differentiators on stage.

It’s the “It Factor.”

For years, I’ve tried to define exactly what the “It Factor” is—because audiences feel it, meeting planners want it, and every speaker chases it. While I do believe some people are naturally wired with it, there’s one element that seems to be at the core:

Energy.

Not frantic, nervous energy. Not forced enthusiasm. I’m talking about a deliberate, grounded energy that expands beyond the speaker and fills the entire room. It’s the kind of energy that can carry a story, a song, or a speech—no matter the pace, tone, or emotional range.

And here’s the catch: most speakers unintentionally leak their energy.

When you’re excited or ...

As motivational speakers, our ultimate goal is not just to entertain or inform — it's to inspire action. Whether you're helping an audience navigate uncertainty, embrace change, or overcome personal obstacles, the power of your message lies in its ability to move people into action.

But how do we, as speakers, tap into the psychology of our audience to create lasting impact? The answer lies in understanding the emotional and cognitive responses that drive human behavior.

1. Appeal to Emotion, Not Just Logic

The human brain is wired to respond to emotions before logic. While facts, figures, and logical arguments are important, they don’t move people the way emotions do. Research in neuroscience tells us that people are more likely to take action based on how they feel in the moment, rather than what they think.

As a speaker, your goal should be to create an emotional connection. You want your audience to feel something — whether it's excitement, empathy, or inspiration. When you e...

You got the rejection email. You were in the running, and THEN they went with someone else. Not only did they go with someone else, but you know that someone else—and you’re a better speaker.

So why did they hire that person instead of you?

Coming from the acting world, I can tell you there are a few reasons you may not have considered as a speaker.

1. Your Marketing Assets Aren’t Good

You can be an amazing speaker, but if you have a boring headshot where you look like everyone else, a so-so demo reel, and an uninteresting talk title, they’ll glaze right over you.

In acting, the headshot is everything. There has to be something that stands out—usually the expression, the eyes, or the colors. The same is true for your photo. If you have the typical boring gray or blue background headshot with your arms crossed in a suit… snooze.

You need something—whether it’s a standout demo reel, humor in your email, or a talk title that makes people do a double take—to get them to look at y...