Travels From
United States
- Send an email
- Call now
- Bookmark
- prev
- next
Video
Video
Location
-
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
City
Greensboro
State | County | Province
North Carolina
Join My Community
Speaker Bio
Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, motivational speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and cast member of The Fashion Hero television show airing on Amazon Prime. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines. And she just launched her first one-woman theater show Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale? currently being booked in cities all over the United States.
Do your people need a boost of motivation and encouragement?
Do they need help adapting to stress and change?
Do they need to raise their level of influence to have more impact?
Do your people have an important message, but are struggling to be heard?
Do you wish you could find a speaker who isn't just more of the same - who has an unconventional approach - where every program feels written just for you?
Where your people laugh themselves silly in the process?
Could your conferences use a lot more energy and authenticity?
And somebody who sends them away with lots of resources to continue the experience, like ongoing support, co-branding, digital resources, and a follow up virtual chat with your people? Want an experience they will always remember, with a message they'll never forget? Then your people need Kelly Swanson!
Who is Kelly Swanson? What's her street cred?
So she's like a cross between Mark Twain, Dolly Parton, and Carol Burnett. But there's really nobody else like her.
She's author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale, The Story Formula, and coming soon: The Persuasion Principle: Talk Less. Sell More.
When she's not out charming the world with her stories, she's teaching people in business HOW she does it. Kelly is not only a masterful storyteller, she's a masterful teacher. She has developed a system that will help you take your message and wrap it in story, to reach a higher level of influence and impact. She takes you to that magical place where the art of story meets the business of persuasion.
Book her today and see why so many people are singing her praises.
Full Bio: OneSheet
Keynote Topic #1
- The importance of Emotional Connection
- Six ways to connect with those you serve
- How to use Story to create buy-in
- What is Story and how does it work
The Story-driven LEADER
The Story-driven LEADER program will help establish that our role in leadership is to serve as the conductor – setting the tempo and tone – making sure everybody is playing nicely together. But too many of us focus on processes and procedures – forgetting that people need more.
According to the latest Gallup poll, 73% of employees are disengaged at work. And if nothing changes, that number is predicted to rise to 86%. Can you imagine a world where 86% of your people have checked out, they just haven’t left yet?
Leadership is not about telling people what to do, but inspiring them to want to do it. True leaders create fans, and Kelly will teach you how to create employees who buy-in to your vision. In this high-energy program, Kelly teaches you how to maximize the value of your leadership platform by going from manipulating to motivating – from communication effectively to connecting deeply – from telling people what to do, to making them want to do it.
Be the leader people want to follow.
Keynote Topic #2
- Learn Kelly’s Six Secrets to Creating An Emotional Connection
- Learn simple networking skills that focus on creating common ground between you and your buyer
- Learn how to be a storyteller of your brand – tell the story of your product – and tap into the story of your buyer – even when you don’t have time to tell a story.
The Story-driven CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Story-driven CUSTOMER SERVICE Program will help you discover the six secrets to connecting with people on a deeper level – to go from customers to raving fans – by connecting through your story to theirs.
There’s no question about it, excellent customer service isn’t just about delivering a quality product with a smile. It’s not really about the product at all. It’s about the experience you give your customer the moment they have contact with your brand, and long after they leave your building. That’s how you turn a customer into a raving fan.
So how do we create an experience they never forget?
By focusing not just on what you do, but how you make them FEEL.
Kelly Swanson has spent 20 years as a motivational speaker studying this very thing – how to create an experience for strangers so that they remember her brand for years. And now she will share those secrets with you.
In this high-energy, laugh-filled, story driven program, you will shift your perspective in how you see yourself, your service, and the people you serve. You will learn the art of Story Driven Customer Service. And it WILL make a difference.
Keynote Topic #3
- How to communicate with authenticity
- How to use story to be more powerful
- Basic delivery tips
- Basic presentation skills
- How to get over fear and build confidence
- How to stand out among other presenters
The Story-driven COMMUNICATOR
My Story-driven Communicator Program will help you learn how to conquer the fear of speaking in public or in front of a group, and some simple story crafting and delivery techniques that are much more persuasive and authentic and easier to deliver than a crafted speech.
This program is not for the person who speaks as a profession, but must speak in their profession.
Wish you were a better public speaker?
If you’re here, it’s probably because you don’t speak as a job, but have to speak FOR your job. And it terrifies you.
If you’re here, it might be because you lack confidence – feel stupid in front of people – are afraid of boring people – aren’t sure how to craft your words – or simply need some encouragement.
Whatever the reason, I am glad you came. It is my job to help you find your voice, share your story, wow your audience, and have a great time doing it.
You might be thinking, “But you don’t have any idea what it’s like for me. You’re a professional speaker. You do this for a living. I don’t.” Well it might surprise you to know that in the beginning, I was terrified. I wasn’t a good public speaker. I felt like an idiot giving talks. I didn’t know what to say or how to say it. I WAS A MESS.
I wasn’t born a natural speaker. I had to learn how to be. I had to learn how to have confidence – how to memorize words – how to be comfortable in front of people – how to persuade and convince – and how to keep the attention span of people who don’t have one. SO I GET IT.
But I did it. Not only did I do it myself (unlike many coaches out there) I actually created a successful speaking business, which isn’t easy. A speaking business driven by word-of-mouth.
What makes me different?
Let’s face it, there are a LOT of public speaking coaches out there. Tons of articles. Books. Training. Companies, Associations and Clubs that claim to make you better at public speaking. Lots of websites filled with fancy stock photos of people holding their arms out to a standing ovation.
Yuck.
Yet with all this access to all this information, most presentations still suck.
Why is that?
Because they’re all being taught the same basic communication and presentation skills that people were teaching fifty years ago.
This isn’t the 50s anymore. In fact, the way we communicate isn’t the same as it was even five years ago.
Now MORE THAN EVER we are living in a crowded noisy world where everybody is shouting to be heard about the noise.
No matter what platform you have – what message you bring – what end result you desire – you had better do more than just communicate effectively.
You had better CONNECT and provide an EXPERIENCE they don’t forget.
This isn’t about delivering a polished presentation. Yuck.
This is about influencing and persuading people in a real emotional way that has lasting impact.
That goes WAY beyond basic presentation skills.
That’s about connecting.
And that’s where I’m different than most people you meet teaching the same thing. I have spent fifteen years learning how to entertain and engage an audience – encourage and motivate them – get them to take action – and get them to buy what I’m selling.
I bring skills in both CRAFTING and DELIVERING a presentation that truly stands out from the rest.
I know how to give your words more power – and make you more authentic on the platform.
And it’s actually easier than you think.
Topics
Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale (Theater Show or Speech)
The Story-driven LIFE
The Story Formula / Persuasion Principle
The Story-driven TEAM
The Story-driven COMMUNICATOR
The Story-driven SALES PERSON
The Story-driven CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Story-driven LEADER
Expert On:
Humor, Motivation, Strategic Storytelling (for marketing, sales, leadership, business owners and entrepreneurs), Mindset.
Speaker Associations / Accrediations
NSA (National Speaker’s Association)
WeSpeak Global
01/03/2022 at 11:40 am“Working with Kelly was an absolute pleasure this last year! As the Event Manager of 15+ events that Kelly spoke at in 2019, I always looked forward to seeing her smiling face. Not only was she incredibly kind and easy to work with from a logistics standpoint, our audience truly related and enjoyed her keynote presentation!”
Margaret Lecey
Event Manager
WeSpeak Global
12/19/2021 at 11:40 amYesterday was amazing! Through storytelling I was able to land 27 Brides that want to have a consultation. Largest number ever! I made several cry tears of joy and gave several others goosebumps. And all I did was tell the story we worked on in your session.
You have unlocked something in me that I use to be so passionate about. Something I was really good at and I can’t thank you enough! You are an amazing person and storyteller. We all were so fortunate in having you at the Huddle. I can’ wait to read the book you gave us. I hope you have a blessed week.
Kindest Regards,
Chris Dedman, DJ/Owner
WeSpeak Global
12/12/2021 at 11:41 amOur recent Medina County Women’s Conference was a great success, and that success was due, in part, to our outstanding speaker line-up! Thank you so much for accepting our invitation to be an integral part of our program. Describing you and what you brought to all in attendance is not an easy task, but at this moment, two words come to mind: PURE JOY! We could not have asked for a more perfect keynote address. Kelly, you are one of the best we have ever heard! We all left that day with smiles on our faces…thinking of your stories and life experiences, and we will remember you and your message for…well…forever.
Susan Denton and Sandy Kunkel And ALL Members of Sisters, Inc.
WeSpeak Global
12/03/2021 at 11:46 amThank you for your presentation at the Ohio Assisted Living Association’s Fall Conference. Your presentation was very well received, with mostly all fives on your session evaluations (with five as the highest rating). Participants commented that you were “Excellent!”, “Very motivational” and your presentation was a “Great start to the day!”
Sara Kaminski
Ohio Assisted Living Association
WeSpeak Global
11/18/2021 at 11:47 amKelly Swanson was a real treat at our Convention. She had the audience belly-rolling with laugher.
She has a way to connect with people – not just with humor but also sympathy and encouragement.
Kelly really learned about our industry and the people she was addressing. She even wrote us a
poem that had everyone on their feet requesting a copy. There has been such bad news spread to
so many industries this past year, but it was a delight to have Kelly at our conference to give them a
boost. Honestly, the best speaker we ever had.
Amy Bryson
NC Association of Long Term Care Facilities
WeSpeak Global
11/12/2021 at 11:41 amKelly did her research and delivered a targeted message that had us laughing (really hard) and thinking while totally mesmerized. The “formula” she developed will provide us a guidepost for crafting our own compelling messages going forward. I keep getting stopped in the hallway by people who attended, wanting to thank the team for bringing her in. The timing was perfect. We really needed to let loose and laugh. Kelly made a wonderful impression.
Sue Hoff
Research and Development, Amway Headquarters
WeSpeak Global
11/08/2021 at 11:50 amWe certainly had a fun time with you yesterday, and we appreciate all you did to make our event
REMARKABLE. Everyone was very awed and inspired by your presentation and information. You kept it lively for 75
minutes which is an unbelievable task.The top educator of Novant saw me afterwards and was very
complimentary of your information relating to Novant’s core values.She said you had them exactly.
We did tell her we met with you beforehand and shared them. So THANKS for bringing them out.In
the surveys I reviewed, you were the tops by far.
Beth C. Wilson
Novant Health
WeSpeak Global
10/27/2021 at 11:47 amWorking with Kelly is totally enjoyable. She is very professional, client-friendly, and people-pleasing. But don’t take my word for it. Clients tell me that she is hilarious, genuine, hilarious, warm, hilarious, engaging, hilarious, personable, fun — did I mention that she’s funny? Audiences love her womanly antics — she is oh, so relate-able. Women go home with a spring in their step, and a smile on their lips. As a speakers bureau, I’m only as good as each speaker I send out there, and the only thing that Kelly makes hard for me, is to find someone the next year that they will love just as much. —
Barbara Christenson
Founder, The Speak Well Being Group
WeSpeak Global
09/22/2021 at 11:40 amI wanted to reach out to you to thank you for being our Keynote Speaker for Day 1 of the CASBO Annual Conference. I appreciate your message and how well you incorporated your story to our members in their various roles in School Business/Operations and our theme of Mentor, Vision and Purpose. You were extremely engaging and did a great job for your live presentation without having an audience present. Thank you again!
Jamie Dial
CASBO President 2021
WeSpeak Global
09/17/2021 at 11:46 amKelly Swanson is a dynamic speaker who blends humor with a strong message on how to be the best you can be. Kelly spoke at this Administrative Professionals Conference a few years ago and the evaluation comments asked for us to bring her back again very soon. For the 2015 Conference, we asked Kelly back and the audience loved her just as much this time! This audience connects with Kelly immediately. In my role as the event planner for this conference, Kelly is a pleasure to work with on the details and making sure we meet the needs of the audience. She is focused on the best experience for the participants.Here are some of the great comments we received about Kelly from our 2015 Administrative Professionals Conference: She is wonderful – so uplifting and down to earth. I loved Kelly Swanson! She has mastered merging comedy with motivational speaking. Kelly is an incredible speaker.
Becky Garnett
Program Director I Creative Careers and Personal Enrichment
WeSpeak Global
09/05/2021 at 11:42 amKelly Swanson isn’t just one of the best storytellers in the National Speakers Association, she is an artistic genius; a story-crafter par excellence. She understands how to take apart a story and put it back together so that when you deliver it your audience is with you every step of the way. She is generous of spirit, authentic, funny, and a delight to work with.
Dr Helen Turnbull, PhD, CSP, CEO Human Facets
WeSpeak Global
08/27/2021 at 11:41 amI just finished reading the second set of evaluations (week two) and just like week one, the attendees found you to be amazing and simply the highlight of the convention. Time and time again the forms listed you or things you said as the most important take away they had from the convention. As a speaker, one does well if they can get people to remember a few things they say. But, if one can change a life through a message, there is no higher praise than that. Thanks for being part of our program. Best wishes in all your future activities. You have a gift!
Jeff Harrold
Chairman & CEO, Auto-Owners Insurance
WeSpeak Global
07/11/2021 at 11:40 amKelly Swanson was a huge hit as the keynote speaker in our 2019 conference line-up – over 30 in all. Kelly has the perfect blend of talent, energy, insight and humor to inspire audiences. Her message of the power of storytelling is desperately needed in our field (government IT officials). I appreciated that Kelly adapted her presentation to include extra audience interaction, which required a great deal of improvisation to engage our attendees and deepen understanding. She excelled! Kelly is a complete professional in every way. My team loves working with her and she is now a lifelong friend. I highly recommend Kelly without hesitation for any type of event in which you want your audience to be motivated, educated, enlightened and entertained.
Jack Mortimer
Senior Vice President – Events
e.Republic
WeSpeak Global
06/07/2021 at 11:42 amHaving Kelly Swanson as our featured speaker for our Pink Power Speaking Tour was….a true pleasure, a riot, a lot of fun and a just a hoot! Kelly personally talked with us prior to the whirlwind tour of 7 events to make sure her presentation met our needs and included the key messages and points we needed to share with our varied audience. She created video greetings and helped us promote and connect with social media prior to the events and after. Whatever happened during our speaking tour, she adapted and just rocked with it…nothing seemed to phase her! She immediately connected with our event attendees, our volunteers and our staff. She made us laugh til we cried and still made us think and connect. For myself and some of our other staff who traveled from event to event and heard her presentation 7 times in a row – we still laughed – every time. She’s that funny! Not only did we find an incredible speaker when we chose Kelly Swanson – we also found a friend!
Sherry Brisson-Jones
Event Coordinator, Vidant Health
WeSpeak Global
05/05/2021 at 11:41 amThank you Kelly for a very inspirational, funny, and practical talk. You have kick started something in our organization that will make a profound difference in our culture.
Tri Tang
Carolinas Healthcare
Duncan Hesketh
06/11/2020 at 4:38 pm“Huge thanks for your stupendous presentation at APA’s 34th Annual Congress! I had already heard you were an amazing humorist, and you exceeded my expectations. “Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale” was masterfully crafted and outrageously entertaining. In the midst of the laughter, there was a subtle yet poignant grace through your vivid characters. You are an artful storyteller! APA’s members were mesmerized as you took over 2000 people on a journey, which was more relevant to our theme than I could have imagined. We look forward to having you back in the near future!”
DAN MADDUX
Executive Director
American Payroll Association