GPS Your Way To Becoming a Dope & Successful Speaker
In the saturated speaking industry, it can often feel like you're trying to find a needle in a haystack. There are so many voices out there all competing for the same mic. So how do you stand out? In this week's episode of BORN TO BE DOPE, I had an invigorating conversation with the remarkable Kareem Ellis, shedding light on this very puzzle.
Know Your Value and Divine Assignment
One of the most striking points Kareem made in our talk was about knowing one's value and only accepting opportunities that align with your divine assignment. He likened it to setting up a GPS - if you're not clear about your destination, you'll find yourself lost and sidetracked by detours that don't serve your ultimate purpose.
The Comfort Zone is a Casket
Kareem shared a powerful analogy about the comfort zone. He likened the comfort zone to a casket, saying it only holds dead things and could severely hinder your growth. I couldn't agree more. Comfort can be a slow killer of progress and success. Surround yourself with people who are ahead of you, pushing you out of the comfort zone and into greatness.
Stand Out Through Originality
The speaking industry is loaded with talent, but many fall into the trap of duplicating what's already out there. Originality is key. Kareem emphasized that the legacy speakers we admire were successful because they knew how to be original in an unoriginal world. Find your unique branding or gimmick and stick with it.
Eliminating the "Speaker Hoen" Syndrome
Kareem also cautioned against becoming a "speaker hoen", that is, trying to speak on any and every platform without a clear, focused message. He recommended finding a mentor to help shape and sharpen your skills and keep your message consistent. Expertise, social media proof, and a clear focus can help you secure those high-paying corporate gigs.
Building a Multi-Language Speaking Profile
As a keynote speaker, Kareem branched out into coaching and training. He advises that to truly monetize your topic, you need to be versatile in your offerings—be a keynote speaker, coach, and trainer. Understanding whether you fit into the corporate speaker lane or the seminar speaker lane can significantly affect how you monetize your message.
Spirituality and Delivery
Given Kareem's spiritual background, he's successfully incorporated spirituality into his speaking without alienating corporate audiences. He advised delivering your message in a calculated, non-offensive way, just like you would trick a child into taking medicine by pretending it’s an airplane—effective and gentle.
Learn More
There's so much more we covered in this episode, and I encourage you to tune in and soak up all the wisdom Kareem shared. Don't forget to subscribe to Ryan C. Greene’s BORN TO BE DOPE podcast on all platforms! Follow us on Instagram at @iamborntobedope or https://www.instagram.com/iamborntobedope/ and keep up with me, Ryan C. Greene, at @rygsisdope or https://www.instagram.com/rygsisdope/
Until next time, keep being dope and making your mark in the world!
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