Thinking about hiring a speaker for an event but you’re just not sure how much it will cost? Key Speakers Bureau helps event planners find and hire keynote speakers, negotiate the most favorable terms and coordinate logistics. With over 30 years of experience, we can explain what motivational speakers cost and why. These are the factors to consider:
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Generally, speakers charge a speaking fee per speaking engagement (not per minute, not per hour).
Is it less expensive to hire a speaker for a virtual event than for an in-person event?
Typically a virtual speaking event (either to a live audience or via a pre-recorded speech) will cost 10-50% less than their fee to travel to an in-person event.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
A speaker’s fee quote typically covers a standard 60-minute keynote speech or moderated conversation. If you only want a 15-minute speech, the fee will most likely stay the same. If you want a morning speech and another in the evening, that can count as a full day event. It may carry a 1.5-2x fee increase.
What other types of activities will speakers participate in and how much will it cost?
Many speakers will do more than deliver a standard keynote. Other formats and activities can help you get the most out of their appearance at your event. In addition to delivering a speech, you can hire many speakers for: half-day and full-day training and workshops, breakout sessions, meet and greets, Q&A’s, panel discussions, emcee and event moderation, or marketing activities in addition to a speaking opportunity. Some speakers will even promote your event on their social media channels. Others will create a marketing video you can send to attendees to build excitement and drive ticket sales.
Sometimes speakers include these additional activities in their standard fee. Other times, the fee goes up depending on the type and length of the activity. Please tell our team about every activity you want. We’ll keep those requests in mind when we suggest speakers and negotiate your contract.
Do non-profits or schools receive discounts on speaker fees?
A few speakers have different rates for non-profit organizations or educational institutions but this can vary. Our team will request specific pricing once we know more about your event and your top choices for speakers.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
Not as much as you would think. Whether your audience consists of 20 or 500 people, this usually doesn’t affect their fee. However, speakers are more likely to charge a premium if you plan to record the event for future use. The same goes for a live stream to a large audience across multiple regions. Tell your agent about recording plans early in the ideation process. Many speakers do not allow recording or replay. Those who do often set guidelines for how you can use a recording and how long you can keep it.
Travel expenses and other costs
Speakers traditionally quote travel expenses separately from the speaking fee. How speakers handle travel and expenses varies. Normally, the client pays for the speaker’s airfare, hotel, ground transportation, meals and incidentals. The speaker usually books their own airfare and home-city ground transportation. The client books ground transportation in the event city and hotel accommodation.
Here are the three primary ways travel expenses are handled:
1) Speaker invoicing – Some speakers are happy to book all or part of their own travel expenses and then invoice the client for expenses incurred leading up to and during the event.
2) Travel buyouts – Most speakers prefer travel buyouts which range from $1,000 to $5,000. The buyout covers origin ground transportation and flights. If you are booking a high-profile speaker, it is possible this will be much larger due to private jet expenses, hair and makeup, travel companion expenses, etc.
3) Travel is included in the quoted speaking fee – Although less common, there are some speakers who handle their own travel and will include these expenses in their quoted speaking fee.
Here is an example of a standard travel and expense requirement: $2,000 travel buyout in addition to the appearance fee to cover airfare, home-city ground transportation, meals and incidentals. Client to book and pay for hotel accommodation and professional event-city ground transportation.
Deposits and securing a booking
Some speakers have their own unique payment requirements. However, the industry standard is: If the event is taking place within one month of booking, the full balance will be due soon after signing the agreement. If the event is a few months out, speakers will request a 50% deposit along with the signed agreement. The balance is due at least two weeks before the event.
What do motivational speakers cost at different budgets?
There are many entry-level speakers who are eager to give an excellent hands-on keynote for under $10,000. However, this fee range will typically not get you a world-renowned, seasoned motivational speaker. If your budget is under $10,000 but you want a wider pool of well-known speakers, consider a virtual or pre-recorded speaking engagement. It can cut down on costs.
A budget of $15,000 to $100,000 is a sweet spot. You can hire a speaker with notoriety who is accessible and hands-on for your event. Most great speakers are happy to join a planning call and customize their talk to your unique goals.
Celebrity speakers with a household name rarely consider in-person offers for less than $100,000 plus travel expenses. Speakers above that fee level typically prioritize the career that made them famous. High demand means they need more incentive to take on speaking invitations. (think the Obamas, Tony Robbins, Oprah, Brene Brown, etc.)
Additional tips and takeaways
• Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees. Virtual speaking rates can be 10-50% cheaper than in person rates.
• There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
• Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
• When browsing our speakers, it’s easy to see where speakers are located or “traveling from,” or you can narrow your search to a specific state to keep travel costs down.
• You can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker if they have a personal connection to your organization, mission, or the event location (does this give them a chance to visit their hometown?) Consider adding a cover letter to your speaking invitation, with the help of your Key Speakers Account Advisor.
• Be upfront about what you will need from the speaker – such as recording permission, promotional requests, the activities you want them to participate in – so that Key Speakers can pair you with a speaker that checks all your boxes.
• Speaker bureaus like Key Speakers guide you through the booking process and help you negotiate the best deal.
Now that you know what motivational speakers cost, try our advanced search feature. Use the fee slider to see which speakers fall within your event budget and desired category. Or reach out through our contact form and we’ll pair you with an agent who can build a custom shortlist around your event goals and budget.