Professional Speakers are Like Superheroes

The second question a speaker is often asked if they don't explain what they do initially is, "What's your topic?" This is a question that has baffled me for years while growing my speaking business. If my topics are marketing, management, and motivation, I can always include change, creativity, entrepreneurship, self-management, relationships, or writing. And more. I understand why we must focus on one or two topics, but so many of them are interrelated.

When I think of professional speakers (most speakers motivate during many of their talks anyway, you know), I relate them to superheroes because they have the ability to make big impacts in the lives of many. Have you ever met a superhero known for only helping one person at a time? Saving only one life at a time? I have not.

Speakers have a variety of skills that often far exceed those of a traditional expert or leader. Speakers have hidden "utility belts" with tools that can inspire, educate, and challenge both good and evil.

To remain competitive, speakers are often encouraged to have very specific topics and to be focused in a specific niche. They are even supported in creating their own niche, if possible. You may find someone like Mike Rayburn, "The World's Funniest Guitar Virtuoso." This is a superhero with whom I've had the pleasure of working and besides having great character and communication skills, he's got a powerful weapon as well as the unique ability to use it competitively.

We've got professional speakers whose topics include inspiration and motivation. Speakers like Jackie Pflug who survived death during an airplane terrorist attack or W Mitchell who survived both a motorcycle accident as well as a plane crash. These passionate and talented individuals can probably relate their experiences to anyone who has faced challenges big or small.

These days, I feel that many people consider themselves authors and many less consider themselves professional speakers. The National Speakers Association continues to support experts who speak without ignoring the others who speak. At what point, however, does a person become an expert? How many degrees, publications, books, or years of experience is necessary to save the day? Sometimes, I bet the question decision makers ask is not, "Which expert is available to speak?" but, "Which speaker is available?" Even superheroes can't be in two places at the same time.

Which reminds me - I've got to get to work. If you need me, use the signal.