HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE A SPEAKER AT AN EVENT?

When you’re planning a conference, seminar, or other event, booking engaging speakers is often one of the biggest line items in the budget. Speakers can elevate an event and provide immense value to attendees, but they don’t come cheap. So what kinds of speaker fees should you expect to pay?

The truth is, speakers command a wide range of fees depending on their level of expertise, demand, and industry. Factors like audience size, location, and travel logistics also impact costs. Here’s an overview of typical speaker fees:

The Big Names Command Top Dollar
For headline speakers who are highly recognizable names or celebrities, fees start at around $10,000 at the very low end and can skyrocket well into the six figures for the most in-demand personalities. For example, former presidents commonly earn $100,000 to $300,000 per speaking engagement. Iconic business leaders like Bill Gates have earned upwards of $500,000 for a single keynote.

Established Experts Earn Mid-Range Fees
Subject matter experts, leadership speakers, and other specialists who aren’t necessarily household names but are highly respected in their fields typically command fees of $5,000 to $20,000 per event. Experienced management consultants, professional coaches, bestselling authors, and accomplished executives often fall into this mid-tier range.

Up-and-Coming Talent Offers More Affordable Options
For event organizers on tighter budgets, up-and-coming speakers provide lower cost alternatives. These may be aspiring speakers just starting to build their speaking careers or local subject matter experts willing to accept $1,000 to $5,000 speaking fees for portfolio-building opportunities. Young entrepreneurial personalities popular on social media sometimes accept budget-friendly fees too.

Some Speakers Do Free Talks With Revenue Sharing
At the lowest end of the spectrum, some speakers will take on free or low-cost ($500 or less) engagements where they’re allowed to sell books, courses, or services on-site and keep those revenues. For these self-employed speakers and coaches, the event exposure is their main incentive versus the fee itself.

In addition to speaker fees, be prepared to budget for travel costs like airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals if those expenses aren’t included in their quoted rates. The total speaking costs quickly add up, especially for high-profile, in-demand talent or events requiring multiple speakers.

When mapping out your event budget, aim for realistic estimates on speaker costs within whatever range fits your organization. With careful planning, you can make speaker investments that truly wow audiences and deliver solid returns.