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Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson

FUNNY MOTIVATING PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU… Reach a Higher Level of Productivity Passion and Purpose, to Sell More, Lead Better, Form Stronger Teams, Engage Employees, Market Your Brand More Effectively, and Turn Customers Into Fans.

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Price range

  • $15,000 - $20,000
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Expert

  • Attitude
  • Change
  • Comedian/Comedienne
  • Communication
  • Female Speakers
  • Humor
  • Motivation
  • Spouse Programs
  • Storytelling
  • Stress
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  • About

    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 is also author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale, The Land of If Only, The Story Formula, and The Gutsy Girls Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines, keynote speaker for the International Toastmasters Convention, and has keynoted major conferences and corporate events from coast to coast. Kelly’s wacky wit and powerful stories have charmed hearts and tickled funny bones for over 15 years. In addition to her role as a funny motivational speaker, Kelly teaches people how she does it by sharing what she has learned about connecting and engaging to have more influence in business, through the use of one tool – strategic storytelling. Sharing her own powerful journey through story and the formula she discovered, you come to that magical place where the art of story meets the business of persuasion.

    Kelly says:

    Hi. Welcome. Glad you’re here. It means our paths were destined to cross. I’m honored that you are spending this moment with me. I know you’re busy, so let’s get right to it.

    No matter what program I create for you, my goal is the same – to make you laugh A LOT. Then laugh some more. To make you feel valued, challenge you to think differently, and leave you better than I found you. My methods are a little wacky, I’ll give you that. It’s just that I like to shake things up a little. If I’m going to talk about having the courage to be different in a crowded market, then I think I should go first. So if you’re looking for a commercial corporate “package” I’m not it. If you’re looking for a Subject Matter Expert who will wrap your information in a truly unique life-changing way – and make your people feel like they’ve just made a new friend – then, bingo, I’m it. If I’m going to teach you how to connect, then I should show you how to connect. If I’m going to teach you the power of story, then by golly I’m going to show you the power of story. You know, the whole “walk your talk” thing. Sorry to ramble, but it’s important what makes me different.

    People have hired me for over 20 years for a lot of different reasons. Some want the show lots of humor, lots of motivation, the stories they love, and a message handcrafted for their audience. And, boy, do I love to bring the show. Opening and Closing Keynotes are my thing. And I’m one of those rare breeds who likes to stick around. So let’s talk about ways I can add value beyond the keynote. Some of my most life-changing work happens in the hallway after the keynote.

    Some audiences want content centered around personal development and motivation – topics like self-esteem, confidence, attitude, rewriting your inner script, reaching a higher level of passion, productivity, and prosperity. I’ve been doing that for years. I’m pretty good at it. It’s the basis of my book Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale. It’s the reason I was brought on as a celebrity mentor in three episodes of the Reality TV Show The Fashion Hero – to teach the models how to love who they are on the inside and to teach them how to connect on camera and tell their story. Wow what an adventure! I’ll tell you more about that later if you’re interested.

    Others come to me wanting help with their people skills. Topics like team building, leadership, patient relationshipsemployee engagement. Because this is what I have learned to do on a stage as a motivational speaker, I can teach you how to do it too.

    Other audiences come to me because they heard I’m the go-to person on Strategic Storytelling, or because they are looking for a fresh approach to improving sales presentations, pitches, speeches, and any other platform where their words are used to persuade and convince. And, wow, do I love to talk about strategic storytelling in business. It’s why I wrote The Story Formula and created Story Impact Academy. I love to take peoples’ pitches and stories and presentations and breathe new life into them. I love showing them how easy it is to use that tool in their life and in their business. I love watching their eyes light up when they finally get my story formula and don’t need me anymore. My workshops and boot camps are crazy high-energy “Kelly off script” and people love them. I can even bring my boot camp to your company! Or you can take your adventure online in Story Impact Academy!

    I know it sounds like I’m a jack of all trades – but I’m really not. I’m an obsessive rabid fan of one trade – one tool – that believe it or not, applies to ALL OF THIS – story. From the storyline running through your head, to your employee story, to your customer story, to your brand story. It all fits.

    I love using stories in my programs to teach. Not just because they are entertaining and engaging, but because that’s the tool I use to connect, teach, and inspire. Science has proven that our brains are wired to learn through story, not data. Information can’t move people to action. But story can. It’s my gift. It’s my secret weapon. And soon it will be yours.

    And don’t forget THE LAUGHTER! It really is my cutting edge and unique selling proposition. I know you’re thinking “she wasn’t that funny in this letter” but, shoot, I had a lot to say. Can you imagine how long this would have been if I added jokes?

    Thanks for visiting, and until we meet again, stay on the funny side! 

  • Video Clips
  • Topics

    Keynote OR Breakout | Audience Participation | Educational | Entertainment | Humorous | Inspirational | Motivational

    Follow Kelly on a journey through the power of story as it played out in her own life – ending with the four pillars to find passion, purpose, and confidence to set goals and reach them – and to create a winning mindset – laughing the whole way.

    The ability to get the life we want, reach the goals we set, and achieve beyond our wildest dreams, depends on how we see it.  Our ability to reframe difficult situations, think positively instead of negatively, and control the inner script running through our head, is vital to our success and happiness.  Attitude is everything, and you are always the one thing you can control in life. Kelly’s programs are not meant to help you see what to change but change what you see.

    Kelly learned to change her own life through story.  She learned how to overcome shyness, and feelings of doubt, and a lack of confidence. She learned how to turn being the weird kid into using that weirdness to create a business she never imagined.

    What makes Kelly different from all the other speakers making the same claims, is that Kelly uses humor and story to do it. Story is the highest form of motivation, leaving an emotional footprint on your audience that will truly help them change their perspective in a lasting way.

    Kelly believes that content and entertainment can exist at the same time. You shouldn’t have to choose between the two. From talking to herself in the mirror, to delighting you with her chub rub story, Kelly takes the pains in her own life and finds strength in them. And in so doing, helps you find yours.

    Keynote | Educational | Humorous | Motivational

    Staying Passionate, Productive, and Peaceful during times of stress and change.

    A hilarious and powerfully motivating program based on Kelly’s book Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale? which focuses on busting the negative mindsets that block our path to peace and prosperity. Kelly’s witty, sassy, take-off-the-face-and-get-real approach will make you laugh, make you feel validated, and challenge you to change the storyline running through your head – for more confidence, higher self-esteem, and a faster path to the life you want. Laughing the whole way.

    • Pick Your Topic Area(s):
    • Six Steps to Rewrite Your Inner Script
    • How to Boost Confidence and Raise Your Game
    • Killing the Inner Critic
    • The Four Pillars to Reach Your Goals (See, Believe, Do, Trust)
    • How to ReFrame Your Stress
    • How to ReWrite Negative Story Lines
    • Getting Re-Engaged in the Vision
    • Finding the Strength to Lead with Power
    • Finding Balance and Peace in an Overwhelming Work Schedule

    Perfect for groups looking for something refreshingly unique, with lots of humor and motivation.

    Keynote | Educational | Humorous | Motivational

    Connection and Engagement through Strategic Storytelling

    A deep dive into the art and business of strategic storytelling, as it pertains to your method of influence. Based on Kelly’s book, The Story Formula, you will walk through a proven blueprint to help you increase your level of influence and persuasion by connecting on a deeper level with those you serve.  Whether you are a salesperson, a customer service rep, a leader wanting to relay a vision, HR wanting to engage employees, a financial planner wanting to speak the language of your client base, a non-profit trying to raise awareness for your cause, an executive wanting more power on the platform, or anyone who wants to get people to do what you say- then Strategic Storytelling is your greatest tool. This is your chance to learn from the master.  Kelly’s programs are high-content, high-energy, and high-laughs.  Not only does she tell you why stories work, she shows you. Learn the secrets to improve the power of your words to go from manipulating to motivating. It’s all about connection.

    • Pick Your Topic Area(s):
    • Connecting in Customer Service
    • Story Selling (Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Leadership)
    • Teaching Leaders to Inspire
    • The Science of Story
    • The Importance of Connection in this New Economy
    • Six Secrets to Connect
    • Five Words to Radically Change the Customer/Patient Experience
    • The Three Stories You Should Be Telling To Connect
    • How to Craft a Compelling Strategic Story
    • How to Deliver a Compelling Story
    • Audience Hot-Seats to Get Story Feedback
    • The Anatomy of a Presentation
    • How to Engage Employees Through Story
    • Strategic Storytelling for Branding and Marketing

    Perfect for groups looking for more information on Strategic Storytelling, delivered in a highly entertaining, funny, engaging way – customized to fit the group and their desired mode of influence. Groups who have hired Kelly to help them with strategic storytelling:  Financial Planners, Non-Profits, Healthcare (Leadership), Educators and Trainers, Sales People, Speakers/Toastmasters, Research and Development (Product Stories), Executives (Presentation Skills), HR (Employee Engagement), Branding/Marketing Groups, Economic Forums, Business and Association Conferences. Kelly has even helped Pastors prepare for their sermons.

    Keynote | Educational | Humorous | Motivational

    Handwritten Masterpieces Created Just for Your Audience

    Can’t get enough of Kelly’s stories?

    Hearing Kelly speak is awesome, but watching her do pure storytelling as a concert, is SIMPLY MAGICAL.

    Hilarious. Captivating. Deeply Moving.  Just a few of the words used to express what people feel when Kelly takes them to Prides Hollow, her magical little town about a mile and a hair past nowhere.  Whether it’s Crazy Man Harry sitting on the corner of Route 29,  Bitsy’s crazy idea at Myrlene, Vyrlene, and Shyrlene’s House of Beauty, Buster’s Fishing Mishap, Old Man Wither’s dying request, or the Beauty Pageant gone bad thanks to Wade and Bo Jr and a homemade tater gun – no matter what the story, the characters will charm you, you’ll laugh yourself silly, feel renewed by the message, and by stepping into their stories, you find yourself stepping into your own.

    These shows are handwritten with care and customized to fit your event, your audience, and the message Kelly feels led to deliver.  No matter what story you get, you’ll never want to leave. Experience storytelling at its finest.  The perfect addition to an event, for the group has seen everything.  Here’s an example of a story Kelly wrote for a group of speakers at that National Speakers Convention.  Wouldn’t you like a story of your own? All you have to do is tell Kelly about your event and your group, and she’ll do the rest.

     

  • Testimonials
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    “It was wonderful having you as our speaker at the IL Statewide APA Conference this week. I heard so many positive comments from the attendees of how you really motivated them to make a change for the better in their jobs and in their personal lives. There was laughter and good tears in the audience! It was so amazing to see the impact that you made within our payroll community in just a matter of minutes! After your morning half hour session, the attendees were so eager to hear you speak again at lunch. They also appreciated that you took the time to meet with them afterwards too. I wish you the very best as you touch the people’s hearts one conference at a time!”

    American Payroll Association/Chicago
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    “Kelly Swanson provided the perfect closing to our event. Her ability to use storytelling to motivate and encourage a group of business professionals is remarkable. We laughed until we cried and left the event ready to take on the next project. We look forward to using her again and again.”

    Virginia Bankers Association Courtney F.

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It was wonderful having you as our speaker at the IL Statewide APA Conference this week. I heard so many positive comments from the attendees of how you really motivated them to make a change for the better in their jobs and in their personal lives. There was laughter and good tears in the audience! It was so amazing to see the impact that you made within our payroll community in just a matter of minutes! After your morning half hour session, the attendees were so eager to hear you speak again at lunch. They also appreciated that you took the time to meet with them afterwards too. I wish you the very best as you touch the people’s hearts one conference at a time!
American Payroll Association/Chicago