09 Aug 09 The New Speaker

The most popular kind of speaker over the last 20 years or so has been the motivational speaker. So much so that it seems if you have heard one these days you have heard most of them. The unusual ones make enough money to break the rear axle on a Brinks truck, and so they should, but they are out of the range of most ordinary keynote addresses.

For those who want to hear new voices that clients can afford more easily, try these ideas for keynote speakers.

Author’s Guilds

Lots of people believe they have a book inside them, and most do. A keynote address from an author can inspire them, even if the address has nothing to do with writing and publishing–their common need to write brings them together. But chances are the speech will be at least partly about the trials of becoming a known author. And one thing is for sure: an author will have no trouble coming up with a speech that will appeal to your group–they make their living in much the same way.

Teachers

Every school district has a store of teachers who have much to say, and say it well. Many of them are in local speaker’s clubs. You could do a local community a good turn while saving the client money by hiring one of their teachers to speak at your keynote address.

Students

What? A young person giving a keynote address? Well, why not? And you don’t need to comb the high schools looking for its valedictorian, either–you can find highly skilled public speakers in the speech clubs, student government, and even in the dregs of the classroom. Again, you are doing the community a good turn. And many of the students are looking towards careers like those they will see in the audience–they will have a few things to say to them that may be unique and thought-provoking for all.

Of course, there are many other places you can look for a different kind of speaker. Retirement homes are rife with people who have something to say, as are the kitchens of fast food restaurants, lifeguard stations at public pools, architect firms. Try to find the speaker in everyone and you will find a gem somewhere.

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