“ That is why some speakers go towards motivational as opposed to content. It requires a lot of footwork with the ever changing rules of engagement, tools, and techniques. Content teaches you things; it adds value. Motivational makes you feel good. With motivational speakers, some of them have been seeing a decrease in companies hiring them. When a company is cutting their budgets, they will usually keep content speakers. These speakers will teach their employees tangible things that could possibly benefit the bottom line.”
Numerous people were commenting on Crystals’ statuses about Karen’ s book and immediately bought the book themselves from Crystal’ s recommendation. This prompted Karen to call Crystal and personally thank her for promoting the book, which started their connection.
Karen, touched by Crystal’ s selflessness started working with her on her speaking business. Crystal learned from Karen that speaking is like acting. She told me
“ You don’ t just talk and people like you. People have a misconception that others want to hear about you because you’ re unique; this is not true. People want to hear about their story, through you. How does it benefit them”?
This, is very wise advice for an aspiring speaker.
Social media played a huge role in Crystal’ s success as a speaker. The planners of events would find her videos on YouTube and ask her to speak. The nature of social media is that people begin to feel like they know you and are comfortable reaching out even if you Ve never met. Crystal’ s break into speaking internationally came through social media in the form of YouTube. Ghana was looking for people from the US who could speak on technology and social media and found Crystal through her video. After hearing her speak, Crystal signed a contract and was flown to Ghana as the International keynote speaker at Women 2.1 Summit in 2012.
Crystal shared that her day is full of reading and research to maintain current in her field and relevant as a content speaker.
“ Most people don’ t know what it takes to become a professional speaker. It is expensive. If you’ re going to be really good, you have to study it. If you want to speak to grow your consulting business, you can just read some books, but if you want to get paid to show up on that stage- that’ s a totally different animal. You have to become a student of the industry”.
Crystal Washington
“ That is why some speakers go towards motivational as opposed to content. It requires a lot of footwork with the ever changing rules of engagement, tools, and techniques. Content teaches you things; it adds value. Motivational makes you feel good. With motivational speakers, some of them have been seeing a decrease in companies hiring them. When a company is cutting their budgets, they will usually keep content speakers. These speakers will teach their employees tangible things that could possibly benefit the bottom line.”