There are, in fact, three main types of speakers for events, though most people don’t realize the difference between them. Any professional can be a speaker, but motivational and keynote speakers are typically considered to be the same. While there are many similarities between them, there are subtle differences, also. Therefore, it’s important to know the difference to find what you’re looking for during your next event.
Platform
These types of speakers are trying to sell you and your group stuff that you may not need. While it may seem strange that they are so popular, and people want to hire them, they make up about 90 percent of the speakers available to consumers. This means that you only have a 10 percent chance to find someone worth note.
If you have no money to spend on speakers, then your best bet will likely be platform speaking though you should expect lower quality. These people are typically only interested in making money by trying to sell your group items or services.
Key-note Speaking
This type of speaking is much different. These speakers can motivate, inspire, lead and overcome adversity and sometimes they do all together. While it’s easy to understand leadership and overcoming adversity, motivation and inspiration can be more complicated. With motivation, they are telling people what they already know they should do. This can include doing their job correctly and trying harder. Inspiration is about telling people to do something they haven’t considered before. This can include working towards a promotion or asking for a rise.
Many times, a professional keynote speaker is someone famous, but that isn’t always the case. Famous to you may be a movie star or music mogul, but fame for speaking events isn’t the same field.
Motivation
Motivational speakers can be key-note or platform speakers, in essence. While you will likely try and find motivation speakers that work hard to motivate your group into being more productive, but they may attempt to sell their goods, such as DVDs of them at other events or CDs of his uplifting message.
For the most part, you’ll want to stick with those who wish to help others because that is their passion, not to try and sell your group more stuff that they likely don’t need.
A professional motivational and keynote speaker can help with any significant event, but it is important to learn the differences between various kinds of speakers. Visit the website of Doug Dvorak, CSP to find out more about how he can help.
