Professional speaking has in recent times become very big business. There are very many different kinds of speakers and telling them apart can be tricky for most. We have motivational speakers, business speakers, keynote speakers, after dinner speakers, conference hosts, presenters, guest speakers and many others bearing other kinds of titles and labels. There is lack of clarity when determining what these individuals do and which category suits each one of them. All kinds of speaking require an individual who will practice, has talent, does research, is able to apply humor, possesses a high level of intelligence and a couple more attributes. While the basics of all these forms of speaking are the same, there are certain differences among the different groups. For example, after dinner speakers cannot be classified as keynote speakers although they are in a position to give a keynote speech.

All speakers need to be very eloquent, humorous, quick thinkers and very knowledgeable. They also need to know how to present their talks to the different groups that they come across. But there are some small differences in the way each of these speaking professionals’ works. In a session with several speakers, a keynote speaker is also regarded as the main speaker. They will almost always be a well respected and versed individual who is extremely knowledgeable in a specific field. Keynote speakers are often the last to speak during a speaking session and are normally allocated the most time to deliver their speech. A keynote speaker is expected to give a speech that is informative, engaging, entertaining, relevant and memorable. Hiring a professional keynote speaker can be an expensive affair. There are keynote speakers, who will render free services if addressing professional bodies to which they are members.

After dinner speakers are often the only invited speakers and their main role is often to entertain guests at events. They are expected to play a complimentary role and are not the main attraction of the event unlike the keynote speakers. After dinner speakers need to present an entertaining talk that is also informative in a casual manner. This is in contrast to the formal speeches that are sometimes quoted by authors of professional publications as presented by keynote speakers. Quoting of speeches by after dinner speakers in publications rarely happens.

Although they should be well informed, an after dinner speaker is not expected to educate his audience as much as a keynote speaker. An after dinner speaker will often be invited to parties, fundraisers and other such events. Seminars, symposiums and other such meetings especially where the audience is from a particular professional organization are the most common forums where keynote speakers are invited. An after dinner speaker can be invited to be a keynote speaker at an event. There are however fewer keynote speakers who will take on after dinner speaking. Hiring an after dinner speaker is just as expensive as getting a keynote speaker. You will rarely find an after dinner speaker who does it for free unless they are at a charity event.