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. 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^[7] 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 ^[8] 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^[9] lists 10 tips for negotiating fees with a speaker.
• Global Speaker Force^[10] 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-tr...
7.  bureau.espeakers.com/nsas/search.php
8.  www.mynsa.org/CHAPTERSGROUPS/Chapters/NSABoasts40Chapters.aspx
9.  www.motivational-keynote-speakers.com/negotiatefees.html
10.  www.globalspeakerforce.com/motivationalkeynotespeaker/letter-to-invite-keynote-spe...

Check Out All Costs for Small Business		How Much Do Business Cards Cost?		How Much Does Office Cleaning Cost?		How Much Does an Event Photographer Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

In case signing up was a resolution, we cover the cost of diet plans. Need help uncovering your driveway? You may need a snow removal service. The CDC recommends it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year. Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Garden all winter long with an indoor greenhouse.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Radiologist Fee Paid: 350.00 Any radiologist reading your mammogram will be at least $350. They have 11-13 years of training after high school before they begin work. If they are not board certified, watch out. Most are and it beats getting cancer... [more] -Lowes Fan Mammogram Cost DIY Ceiling Paid: 50.00 We bought a house with a cheap paint job. The ceilings were sprayed the same color as the walls. During COVID I painted the ceilings and a bathroom. A 120 square foot room took me about 4 hours (2 coats)... [more] -Lowes Fan Painting an Interior Cost DIY vs Installed Small Deck Paid: 3000.00 We paid $1300 for materials and $1700 for labor on a 100 square foot composite deck plus a redwood gate. It took 30 hours, done last year. My husband built a 100 sf heart redwood deck for about $1000 in materials in 2019... [more] -Lowe's Fan Redwood Deck Cost Colposcopy with biopsy Paid: 756.00 This service was wayy to expensive in my opinion. For a 20-25 minute total visit I had to pay out of pocked 756 - 187 to OBGYN, 229 to pathologist, then 340$ for facility fee or the hospital. I don't even know what that charge was for... [more] -D S Colposcopy Cost Bilateral Diagnostic Mammogram and Third Mammogram Paid: 1389.66 My 2021 bill, still in shock! Weill Cornell, in-network provider, billed my insurance $908 for a bilateral diagnostic mammogram, and $712 for a third mammogram one breast... [more] -GinaF Mammogram Cost shoulder mri Paid: 8000.00 Seriously, 8K for an MRI before all the secret insurance kicks in. I was stuck with a 1200 bill and my insurance is pretty good. This is insane for a 20 minute procedure with no nurse assistance... [more] -stevej45 MRI Cost