Motivational or Keynote Speaker Cost

Typical costs:

• Motivational or keynote speakers vary in price range based on their experience and the length of the conference or event.
• In general, professional speakers (non-celebrities) range from $1,500 to $30,000 for an event. For example, Pro Speak has most of its speakers available in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. This list includes published authors, business gurus and Olympic champions, among other speakers who are experienced at delivering a motivational or keynote speech. For a higher fee starting at $30,000, author Don Peppers speaks at events. Global Speaker Force^[1] reports that most professional speakers charge $2,500 to $7,500 for a 90-minute presentation and breakout sessions, which are smaller, more focused discussions held at a conference.
• Celebrities and accomplished authors often charge $50,000 or more to speak at an event. For example, Discovery Channel star Bear Grylls^[2] speaks at events for a $50,000 minimum. He also travels from Europe, with travel fees to be paid by the client. Former First Lady of the United States Laura Bush, represented by the Washington Speakers Bureau^[3] , speaks for a $70,000 fee, according to Speaker Wiki^[4] .

• The keynote speaker delivers the initial message at a conference or event, according to Motivate Speech^[5] . This keynote speaker sets the stage for the rest of the event and should be able to communicate ideas through a dynamic delivery in order to teach and inspire conference attendees.
• If agreed upon, the keynote speaker may also be available to lead workshops or breakout sessions, interacting with conference attendees on a more personal level.
• Motivational speakers deliver messages to inspire a crowd, and their duties are largely the same as a keynote speaker, although they may not deliver the very first message at an event. It is common for a motivational speaker to share stories about overcoming obstacles to succeed in life or their involvement in significant world events. An example is motivational speaker Matt Long^[6] , who served as a New York City Firefighter on Sept. 11, 2001.

• Travel expenses for the speaker are additional and include lodging, transportation and meals. These fees vary widely based on the location and length of the event, as well the speaker's distance from the event.

• A speakers bureau is resource for selecting and hiring a motivational or keynote speaker. These organizations maintain relationships with a variety of speakers, negotiating contracts and securing travel arrangements on the client's behalf. All American Speakers Bureau^[7] and Premiere Speakers Bureau^[8] are both accredited by the Better Business Bureau. There is typically no extra cost to a client who purchases or books a speaker through a speakers bureau, because the speaker pays a fee to the bureau for the referral.
• Ask for references and look online for reviews of previous speaking engagements. These are often available directly from the speakers bureau.
• The National Speakers Association^[9] is the dominant trade group for professional speakers in the United States. NSA provides a searchable database of professional speakers by area. There is also a chapter listing ^[10] with a local contact for each state.
• The Premiere Speakers Bureau lists 10 steps to find the right motivational speaker and hire them for an event. Lily Walters^[11] lists 10 tips for negotiating fees with a speaker.
• Global Speaker Force^[12] provides a sample letter that an organization might use to invite a keynote or motivational speaker.

1.  www.globalspeakerforce.com/motivationalkeynotespeaker
2.  www.internationalspeakers.com/topic/89/motivation
3.  www.washingtonspeakers.com/speakers/speaker.cfm?SpeakerID=6437
4.  speakermix.com/laura-w-bush
5.  www.motivatespeech.com/motivational_keynote_speaker.html
6.  newrochelle.patch.com/groups/schools/p/motivational-speaker-long-came-back-from-tragedy...
7.  www.allamericanspeakers.com
8.  premierespeakers.com
9.  bureau.espeakers.com/nsas/search.php
10.  www.mynsa.org/CHAPTERSGROUPS/Chapters/NSABoasts40Chapters.aspx
11.  www.motivational-keynote-speakers.com/negotiatefees.html
12.  www.globalspeakerforce.com/motivationalkeynotespeaker/letter-to-invite-keynote-speaker

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