Inspirational speakers are orators who make a living by giving speeches intended to inspire and uplift those who listen. Speakers of this type can work in a variety of settings, giving speeches aimed at a broad audience or a specific market within a particular industry or culture. For an additional fee, a speaker may offer seminars or workshops to go along with their speech.
Many people mistakenly believe that a motivational and inspirational speaker are the same person. While there are some similarities between the two, each serves a different purpose. A motivational speaker’s goal is to enlighten, inform, and persuade people to take a specific action as a result of his or her presentation. While an inspirational speaker aims to educate and inform, the ultimate goal is to provide general support that encourages people to reconsider their lives and attitudes. As a result, the inspirational speaker’s words not only inspire, but also encourage people to apply general principles to their own situations in their own unique ways.
A keynote speaker at a business convention, conference, or a celebration such as a retirement dinner is one of the settings where an inspirational or motivational speaker can shine. The inspirational keynote speaker may choose to take a serious approach or keep the speech light and fun, depending on the overall tone of the event. In general, speeches at these types of events are kept to a shorter time limit than in other settings, usually between twenty and thirty minutes.
An inspirational speaker may take center stage at a seminar or workshop and give a presentation that lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. Depending on the situation, the speaker may take a brief break from the presentation to address the audience, then return to finish the speech. This strategy is especially useful because the interlude can be timed to coincide with a key point that the speaker wants the audience to remember from the event. When everyone has returned to their seats for the rest of the speech, the speaker can expand on that point, reinforcing its importance and increasing the likelihood that the audience will remember the speech’s main point.
In order to become an inspirational speaker, no formal training is required. A powerful speaking voice that carries well in large spaces, strong language skills, including clear enunciation and a versatile vocabulary, and the ability to be at ease in front of a crowd are all beneficial in this line of work. By making eye contact, using gestures and facial expressions, and generally drawing the audience into the flow of the speaker’s words, the best speakers are able to connect with people in the audience.
Choosing to be an inspirational speaker as a career can be a lucrative decision. Speakers with strong reputations or who have established themselves as authorities in their fields can command high fees for appearances at conferences and other high-profile events. In addition to live events, an increasing number of inspirational speakers sell recordings of their speeches and host teleconferences designed to motivate and inspire people who are willing to pay a flat fee to attend.