Kelly Swanson
Award-Winning Storyteller, Connect, Influence, and Get Results, Author
Topic Categories:
- Author of The Story Formula™ and WhoHijacked My Fairy Tale
- Quoted by Our State Magazine as “One of North Carolina’s funniest women”
- Expert on the art and business of story to connect, influence, and get results
- Huffington Post Contributor
- Cast Member of The Fashion Hero Reality TV Show, Airing in 2017
- Creator of Prides Hollow and the wacky cast of southern characters who have charmed audiences from coast to coast
- Has two chia pets, three bedazzlers, and a hair dresser who is a drag queen, which explains the hair
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
KELLY SWANSON is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, author, motivational speaker, and creative muse. She has been described by Our State Magazine as one of North Carolina’s funniest women. She uses hilarious comedy, powerful stories, and a wacky cast of southern characters to make people laugh, remind them of their value, and show them how to stand up and stick out in their lives, businesses, and communities. Her shows have delighted audiences from coast to coast, from board rooms to cruise ships.
As Kelly says it best:
I was the kid they threw things at on the bus-the one who never fit in. I spent my childhood and most of my adulthood trying to blend in and not be noticed. I thought success came when you looked like everybody else. But it’s very tiring living according to other peoples’ expectations. And very boring. So one day I dusted off those gifts I had been given, stepped out of my comfort zone and on to a stage. And I’ve never looked back. And guess what. As it turns out, it’s not so bad being different after all. In fact-it’s EVERYTHING. I have learned that it’s not blending in that makes you successful-just the opposite. It’s those who stand out among the crowd who are remembered. So now I want to share my journey with you-to take you from blending in to flying above your comfort zone. I want to show you the behaviors and mindsets that I had to break, the new attitudes I had to adopt, and the many ways I’ve found to set myself apart in a crowded market. Are you in? I hope so. Now get ready to STAND UP AND STICK OUT!
Kelly’s Journey…
Kelly’s journey has taken her…
…from the shy kid who turned red if you looked at her, to the opening act for Loretta Lynn and the laughing roar of a sold-out audience
…from the kid who wrote stories under the covers by flashlight, to the author of three books, numerous recordings, and extensive online publications
…from writing and telling stories to sleeping relatives at family reunions, to a career as a professional storyteller landing on the stage at the National Storytelling Festival
…from the kid voted most likely to set her eyebrows on fire, to the recipient of awards from the National Parenting Publications and the Film Advisory Board of Hollywood for quality family entertainment
…from the one who was told that it was a nice dream but don’t think you can actually make a living doing that, to being the featured performer for Holland America Cruise Lines
…from being the last one chosen in dodge ball, to being a highly sought after creative coach helping people take their creativity to a higher level
…from the kid who was humiliated and laughed out of cheerleading tryouts, to a career as a motivational speaker and comedian – the ultimate cheerleading job
…from feeling like an outcast and trying to blend in, to embracing what makes her different and teaching others to embrace what makes them different
…from learning to use laughter to deal with the obstacles life threw at her, to using her laughter to heal hearts all over the world.
And now her journey has put her here – in your path – to deliver a message – an opportunity she does not take for granted. So thank you for listening. Because this conference isn’t about Kelly – it’s about YOU. Kelly is so excited to be here today at this Winter Leadership Conference to make you laugh, help you see the difference you have made in the lives of others, and to show you how to be the leader you were born to be. Conferences are a treasured opportunity to gather together and remember your common story – the story you all share – to help you form a stronger bond. To walk away refreshed and renewed and closer. Why? Because we’re always stronger together.
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 story line running through your head – for more confidence, higher self-esteem, and a faster path to the life you want. Laughing the whole way.
- 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
Perfect for groups looking for something refreshingly unique, with lots of humor and motivation.
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 sales person, 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Want to bring Kelly Swanson to your next event? Please tell us a little about your event, and we will get back to you shortly!