WHAT SHOULD I CHARGE AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR SPEAKING FEES?

If you’re an expert in your field and have been invited to give a keynote speech, you may be wondering how much to charge for your time and expertise. Determining an appropriate fee for a keynote speaking engagement requires considering several factors.

Speaking Experience
One of the primary things that will influence your keynote speaker fee is the level of experience you have as a public speaker. If you’re a highly sought-after speaker with a long track record of delivering successful keynotes at major events, you can typically command higher fees than a less experienced speaker. Someone just starting out may need to accept lower fees initially to build their portfolio and reputation.

Travel Requirements
The location of the event is another key consideration. If the keynote requires traveling across the country or internationally, the organizers should cover all travel costs like airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and meals. Many keynote speakers build travel expenses into their fee rather than having them billed separately.

Audience Size
Keynote fees often take into account how many people will be in attendance. A speech for a large audience of over 1,000 people at a major industry conference will typically cost more than a smaller event with a few hundred local attendees.

Preparation Time
Depending on the topic and complexity of the presentation, some keynote speeches require significant upfront preparation in terms of research, creating slides, preparing remarks, etc. Speakers often factor in this time investment by quoting a higher fee for a speech requiring more work.

Video Recording
Many event organizers request permission to record the keynote speech, which allows them to reuse and monetize the content for things like promotional videos or an online course. If this is the case, the keynote speaker fee should account for this extended use and rights.

For someone with 10+ years of experience who is highly sought-after, keynote speaking fees can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or much higher for the biggest names. Someone with less experience might quote $5,000 – $10,000. Newer speakers just starting out often accept $500 – $2,500 for local gigs to build their portfolio.

The key is quoting a fee that is fair based on your experience level, while also accounting for the preparation time, audience size, travel requirements, recording rights, and your unique value proposition. With proper negotiation, both parties should feel like they are getting a reasonable deal.