Is It Worth Hiring a Virtual Keynote Speaker?

Motivational speakers and executive coaches have prospered through virtual keynote delivery. By uploading their TED Talks and training classes, they can digitally access far more clients than by relying on in-person presentations alone. But for you—the executive, marketing professional or event planner—are virtual keynote speakers worth hiring? And are the booking fees comparable to hiring a live or in-person professional speaker?

Making the best decision largely depends on the type of event you plan to hold. Online events such as webinars benefit greatly from a recognized virtual speaker. On the other hand, live events such as conferences often find a hybrid mix of in-person and remote presentations to be advantageous. Let’s look more carefully at when it’s worth hiring a virtual speaker and steps you can take to make your event a success.

When should I hire a virtual speaker?

Webinars have grown in popularity in recent years, having proven themselves to be a powerful marketing tool. With customers and prospects scattered across regions, the nation or even the world, digital events provide the most cost-effective means of client education, retention and prospect development. In fact, in a 2021 Demand Generation Benchmark Survey Report, 53% of respondents found webinars “generated the most qualified leads for the top of the funnel,” and 42% found that they “[converted] and [accelerated] leads at the middle and late stages of the funnel.”

Nothing beats kicking off your digital event quite like a virtual keynote speaker. Top professional speakers benefit your event by:

Adding name recognition and excitement to your digital event
Driving higher signup and attendance rates
Priming your audience through inspiring and motivational keynotes
Enhancing your brand through association with the best leadership speakers today

Of course, the keynotes themselves add their own value. Top speakers provide professional delivery and proven expertise in everything from personal branding and self-care to real estate and finance. That is, they provide the same benefits as an introductory speaker for your live corporate event. Plus, you can book a virtual speaker to deliver your keynote live or prerecorded. You might even choose a mix, offering something such as a prerecorded keynote plus a live Q&A period.

Best of all, a virtual keynote speaker can actually engage your attendees better than a professional speaker at a live event. That’s because staff, customers and prospective clients can easily ask questions through direct messaging. This allows you to screen questions and discover what it is your clients most want to know.

Can I hire a virtual speaker for a conference or other live event?

Yes. You can benefit from a virtual speaker at your live event, too. These hybrid events take advantage of both in-person and virtual presentations, providing the best of both worlds. First, you provide your attendees the opportunity to engage in hands-on training, product awareness, breakout sessions and person-to-person networking. But you also can offer your guests the top speakers from anywhere in the nation—or the world.

Some multi-day live events have become very creative in making the best use of the hybrid model. For instance, a high-ranking corporate officer may kick off your first and final day while your high-profile virtual keynote speaker delivers an address on a day in between to keep the energy alive and the momentum going.

What does it cost to hire a virtual versus a live speaker?

The cost benefits of hiring a virtual keynote speaker can be exponential. That’s because no matter how large your live facility is, you aren’t limited. With a virtual event, you can have as many staff, clients and prospects in attendance as your marketing and communications teams can deliver. Email blasts, newsletter links, social media and search engine advertising can each scale your event without added cost.

For a virtual corporate event, of course you need a digital keynote speaker. They set the tone while adding excitement, expertise and professionalism to your event. If your corporate event is hybrid, booking your professional speaker to deliver their keynote address virtually may save you money on booking fees.

But with virtual delivery being so popular, a lower fee is not always the case. The most important thing is to book your preferred professional speaker well in advance. See the Success Speakers Bureau website for current virtual keynote speaker availability and rates.

Is it easy to book my next virtual keynote speaker?

It’s never been easier. The world’s top motivational speakers and coaches are available through trusted booking partners. Not only do top speaking talent agencies help you choose the right speaker, but they also handle all the booking details for you. That way, you can get back to doing what you do best—planning your next virtual event!

Browse the perfect keynote speakers for your virtual event, or drop the Success Speakers Bureau a note with your virtual or live event needs. With speakers such as Grant Cardone, Anne Grady, Anthony O’Neal and Allison Graham, we’re sure to have the right speaker for you.

Business Speakers, TED Speakers

Top TED Speakers to Book for Your Next Event

by Cecilia Meis

January 6, 2023

TED speakers offer unique advantages when you’re booking a motivational speaker for your next corporate event. Whether seeking a keynote speaker for a conference or as an executive coach, you know TED speakers provide the chops and professionalism it takes to deliver exactly the address you need. After all, because the vetting has already been done for you, you can be sure that you’re only booking the best. Motivational speakers with a TED delivery to their name have proven that they:

Engage audiences both in-person and as remote keynote speakers
Offer something of unique and lasting value
Have the professionalism it takes to engage your audience
Provide additional name recognition for your event

Plus, TEDx and TED Talk speakers have another added benefit: it’s easy to check out their past keynotes. Professional style, subject matter and delivery all matter when hiring your next keynote speaker—but so does the ability to deliver under the pressure of millions of online viewers. That is why we have provided you with a list of some of the best Ted Talk speakers available to book for 2023.

Shawn Achor

TEDx speaker, top self-care motivational speaker and happiness expert Shawn Achor knows the science of mental fitness. A New York Times bestselling author of both The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, he is also “one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between happiness and success,” according to his website. His 12 years of experience teaching positive psychology at Harvard not only earned him more than a dozen distinguished teaching awards, but led him to speak as a keynote expert for Intel, the NBA and other top brands. In fact, Achor has worked with over one third of existing Fortune 100 companies. With public speaking deliveries made in over 50 countries as well as for the Pentagon and the White House, Achor’s message has proven to be engaging and impactful for any audience.

More than 25 million people have benefitted from Achor’s TEDx Talk, “The Happy Secret to Better Work.” For further insight into Achor’s engaging style, see his other TEDxBloomington address, “The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance.”

Mel Robbins

TEDx alum Mel Robbins authored the No. 1 bestselling book The 5 Second Rule, as well as six No. 1 audiobooks on Audible. An Ivy League-educated lawyer and mother of three, this life coach and professional event speaker also hosted the nationally syndicated Mel Robbins Show. More than half a million students have benefited from her online mindset training courses, gaining the confidence and courage they need to succeed in life and in business. Additionally, her focused understanding of human nature, business savvy and entertaining delivery have led her to speak for Chase, Kellogg’s, Microsoft and countless virtual corporate events.

Robbins captivated her TEDx audience in San Francisco on the subjects of navigating mental clutter and getting the satisfaction you want out of life. Watch her TEDxSF presentation “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over.”

Nataly Kogan

TEDx speaker and in-demand international keynote speaker Nataly Kogan has delivered addresses for Google, Allstate, GE Capital and other major companies and brands. Her message of optimizing emotional fitness to elevate leadership led her to found Happier Inc. and create her Happier @ Work™ and leadership programs, utilizing her Happier Method™ to grow emotional fitness. Her most recent book, The Awesome Human Project, continues her lifelong mission of helping others reduce stress, express gratitude and find both joy and success in life in order to become the most awesome humans they can be. Kogan has also held executive positions at Venture Capital Fund, McKinsey and Microsoft.

Kogan shared her message of finding happiness in work and in life at a TEDx presentation in Boston. Learn more about her exciting style and message of purposeful living and resilience by sampling her TEDxBoston presentation “Sharer of Joy.”

Rory Vaden

When Douglasville, Georgia, welcomed Rory Vaden for a TEDx delivery, they received more than an inductee into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. They heard from one of the world’s leading experts on productivity and upgrading your performance. Vaden has put his expertise to work in numerous bestselling books including Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success and Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time. A leader in the psychology of self-discipline strategies, Vaden has been featured in SUCCESS Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and other outlets for his invaluable insights. As a professional speaker, companies such as Cargill, Merck, True Value and Google have invited him for his brilliant and engaging keynote addresses.

Join more than four million viewers and see Vaden’s TEDxDouglasville presentation, “How to Multiply Your Time.” You’ll never forget his powerful message, and neither will your audience.

Alexia Vernon

Women’s leadership expert and top executive coach Alexia Vernon serves as founder and president of Step into Your Moxie, a certified women- and disability-owned business. Here, she assists organizations and brands develop better communications and training strategies to unlock new opportunities and build company growth. A TEDx alum and popular broadcaster of Moxielicious®, Vernon is also author of the award-winning book, Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Her empowering message has served her as a top keynote speaker at institutions such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Washington State University, Zappos and even the United Nations. She assists leaders in pushing through their discomfort to develop the best mindset to achieve their goals.

A virtual speaking trainer and leader of the Spotlight Speakers Collective, Vernon delivered her powerful TEDxWilmingtonWomen address, “A New Paradigm for Feminism,” in Wilmington, Delaware.

Karen M. Allen

Mindset expert, 2023 Top Female Speaker and TEDx speaking alum Karen Millsap Allen empowers audiences to live better. She developed her transformational mental exercise, Stop & Shift, to break individuals out of the negative thought cycles holding them back from happiness and success. Her healing methods have been sought by clients such as Sprint, Hubspot, Google, Wawa and other top global brands. At her professional speaking presentations, Allen draws deeply from personal tragedy, loss, coping and eventual growth using proven methods of positive psychology. Her style, experience, wit and humanity combine to make her one of the top motivational speakers today.

Allen spoke for TEDx in Orlando, Florida, on loss, coping, resilience and personal growth. Don’t miss her TEDxOrlando talk, “Use Your Tragedy to Change the World.”

Jon Levy

Every company needs to build two things to grow: relationships and trust. That is why so many corporations trust relationship expert Jon Levy. A behavioral scientist and author of the New York Times bestselling book You’re Invited: The Art and Science of Connection, Trust, and Belonging, Levy built his reputation on results-driven networking acumen. His singular expertise in cultivating influence led him to create The Influencers Dinner over a decade ago, an event which has hosted myriad industry leaders including Olympians, executives and musicians. Levy has spoken for companies including Google and Poptech, and has been featured by news outlets including CNN, Forbes and Business Insider for his brand-building and networking insights.

Get a taste for what Levy has to offer your next event with his TED Salon talk, “What Makes Us Influential?”

Business Speakers, Corporate Culture, Entrepreneur

25 Questions to Ask a Guest Speaker about Leadership

by Cecilia Meis

December 9, 2022

When you book a top leadership speaker such as Carey Lorenz or Trent Shelton for your event, time is precious. You booked your keynote speaker for their proven knowledge and experience in enhancing growth and development, but you only have their ear for a short time. And while there may be no such thing as a dumb question, you do want to come prepared.

Great questions to ask your leadership speaker are not overly broad or specific. Vague questions may lead to stock answers and even platitudes. At the same time, overly-specific questions that apply to a narrow situation will lack meaningful takeaways for both you and your audience. You want to ask your professional speaker and successful businessperson questions that will provide lasting value over multiple situations.

Here we have provided 25 questions to consider asking your executive coach or leadership speaker to challenge them and get the most from your time.

Leadership style

While no two leadership styles are quite the same, accomplished leaders have faced similar issues. From real estate mogul Grant Cardone to Tomcat fighter pilot Lohrenz, many successful leaders have developed their leadership styles under high pressure. Take advantage of that knowledge by asking:

How has your leadership style evolved over time and why?
What attributes most helped you become a successful leader, and what do you look for in others?
How do you balance inspiring teams to innovate while also maintaining order and the need for standard procedures?
Please name a current leader that you admire. What about their leadership style do you like most?
What is your overall philosophy of leadership, and what are its overarching benefits?

Leadership lessons for building a positive corporate culture

Successful leaders surround themselves with others who share their vision of success. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak had little in common, but they shared a dream for Apple. But as a company grows, it becomes more complicated. Additional staff and, in fact, entire corporate divisions present challenges to maintaining a unified corporate vision. The best leadership speakers have met the challenges and built excellence. While you have their attention, consider asking them:

What advice do you have to balance building a positive internal culture while also remaining 100% client-focused?
How do you handle a situation where someone serves as a valuable company asset, but also displays a negative attitude around others?
What have you found to be the most useful tools or methods in helping teams and cross-teams bond?
What methods or processes have you used to make every employee at any level feel that they are part of the same corporate team?

Communications and conflict resolution

If you face internal strife that holds back company growth, odds are it involves cross-team communications meltdowns. Sometimes, actual conflicts arise among staff and management and across teams. Too much of your valuable time may be spent putting out fires rather than doing what you do best—meeting consumer demand and growing the company. Step back and think broadly. Questions to consider asking your booked leadership speaker may include:

What steps do you take when a team leader consistently performs at or above your expectations, but several of their staff find them difficult to work with?
What has been your most difficult situation where separate but interdependent teams communicated poorly, and how did you resolve it?
Marketing and product development [or others pertinent to your situation] can have very different understandings of objectives. What has worked best for you to improve cross-team cohesion and communication?
Companies sometimes need to pivot. How do you communicate transformational change so that every employee understands their value in meeting new goals?

Evaluating your team and addressing low performance

Every level of leadership demands performance evaluations. They may occur formally every month, six months or each year. Payment compensation or promotions may depend on them. And while employee reviews are stressful for your staff, they are stressful for you, too. After all, you want to make the most of the situation to grow your company and encourage employees with potential. Sometimes, low-performing workers present a particular challenge. Learn what you can from your leadership coach or speaker by asking:

What questions have you found most valuable in a one-on-one performance review?
When an employee who has proven valuable in the past appears to underperform, how soon do you act and what actions do you take?
Please tell us about a time you had to let an employee go due to poor performance. What first steps did you take, and would you address the situation differently in retrospect?
Tell us about a time you were faced with a talented employee intending to leave the company, but you managed to pull them back as a valuable asset. What worked best?

Setting goals and following through

Company goals aren’t a company wish list. They are reasonable, actionable expectations within a timeline. When new data presents itself, goals may even change—sometimes drastically. Experienced leadership speakers have been through it. Take advantage of their leadership experience in keeping teams on the same page by inviting feedback with questions such as:

What advice do you have for keeping multiple teams on the same deadline schedule?
When a new opportunity presents itself, how have you best rallied your team around meeting new goals?
When is it important to communicate new goals throughout every level of the company, and how do you communicate them?
Tell us about a time you found a particular manager or team not meeting their goals, and how did you get them back on track?

Leadership lessons in developing resilience and facing setbacks

Even with well-aligned goals, a cohesive team and the best planning, we all face setbacks—both individually and as a company. The strongest leaders aren’t the ones who never failed, but those who failed and came through stronger. Your leadership coach or speaker has assuredly experienced setbacks, yet they worked through them. They became stronger. Learn from their experience in overcoming personal and professional setbacks by asking:

Please tell us about a time you failed to meet an important goal or objective. What initial steps did you take from there?
What procedures or company programs have you found most effective in helping associates build optimism and resilience?
When you or a team member takes a calculated risk that fails in its objectives, what are your next steps?
Was there ever a time when a major project appeared at the brink of collapse, and how did you lead your team through it?

Photo by ZIDO SUN/Shutterstock

Business Speakers, Keynote, Virtual

How Much Does a Virtual Keynote Speaker Cost?

by Cecilia Meis

December 2, 2022

Company events and trade conferences are fun. You meet new people, get some networking time in and learn the latest industry news. You might even share dinner or have after-hours drinks with some of your new friends and contacts. And at truly memorable events, you hear from top motivational speakers in industries from social media marketing to personal finance. The most influential of these public speakers will not only invigorate you, but change the way you look at your business.

But for event planners, it’s more complicated. Choosing the best motivational keynote speaker is especially critical. Will this be an event that changes lives and entire corporate ecosystems? Or will your speaker leave people heading to the lobby to pick up the last juice box? And with the pandemic came the question, “Can or should we have an event at all?”

But with crisis comes opportunity. While the technology has been there for more than a decade to book a virtual event speaker, only recently has hiring a remote speaker become truly mainstream. The best keynote speakers in real estate, women’s leadership, executive coaching and other industries have moved their game to the virtual realm to reach ever-expanding audiences.

With pandemic restrictions winding down, corporate event planners face new questions:

Does it cost less to book a virtual speaker?
What are the advantages to hiring a remote versus an in-person speaker?
Are the best speakers available for virtual engagements?
Does booking a virtual speaker affect the terms of agreement?
What is a hybrid company event, and how can we leverage it to our best advantage?

How much does it cost to book a virtual speaker?

The cost of hiring a speaker varies greatly depending on the talent involved, as well as their schedule. A typical median price for a professional speaker to appear live at your event may be around $60,000, with higher-priced celebrity speakers charging $200,000 or more.

Hiring a virtual speaker can save you money, but variables such as the speaker’s own preferences, availability and terms of service come into play when calculating cost. For instance, some speakers simply charge for the speaking engagement itself rather than taking travel time into consideration. That is in part because with a virtual event, they must handle technical issues such as studio setup, sound, lighting and other technical matters themselves rather than relying on the venue.

What are the advantages of hiring a virtual keynote speaker?

In the age of Zoom, many events occur digitally—and the advantages can be enormous. It allows all clients, staff and other invited guests to attend. Whether at home, the office or on the road, everyone can benefit from your hired speaker. Rather than paying for a venue, you can put the money toward hiring the best speaker available. Plus, digital means that your reach is limitless. With a simple email blast, you can invite anyone—including prospective clients—to learn about you and your company.

If your event is in person, such as with a conference, you can still hire a virtual speaker. That is, they present remotely for your gathered audience between live events. This sort of hybrid event may reduce speaker fees, as discussed above. It may also greatly widen your options for hiring the best public speaker available.

Hiring a virtual speaker can also make detail planning easier, though this final point is less of a consideration. Top booking agencies such as the Success Speakers Bureau will handle all of these matters for you, whether you choose to hire your speaker for a virtual or in-person presentation.

Are there disadvantages to booking for a virtual event speaker?

If you plan to hold a live conference or event, weighing whether to book an in-person or virtual speaker can pose a challenge. Some people simply learn better from an instructor or coach who is physically present. Also, booking a top speaker to appear live at your event can create more excitement among your audience and buzz in your community. This may be especially true for top celebrity speakers. And in some cases, you may want to take advantage of your speaker’s presence further by reserving executive coaching workshops or other top level meetings.

But coaching sessions and meetings can be booked digitally, too. Just include them in your terms of agreement as you would with a live speaker. Plus, at a large event, there’s a good chance that your guests will be watching an in-person speaker on a large projection screen, anyway. As long as your event has made time for your guests to move, mingle and engage in live demonstrations or workshops, a virtual keynote is a great option for your hybrid event.

How can I further reduce booking fees and still get the best speaker for my event?

The most important step you can take in getting the best keynote speaker for a reasonable fee is to plan far in advance. Begin researching keynote speakers at a year out and have someone booked six months prior to your event. That’s not to say you can’t make last minute choices, but you may not have as much of a selection of top speakers.

While planning in advance isn’t the easiest thing for everyone, the Success Speakers Bureau can help. We’ve created a list of the top speakers and executive coaches available for both in-person and virtual events. Browse the list by topic with the assurance that our 125 years of business engagement and leadership-building experience provides you with only top professionals. Or, simply contact us with your event needs and preferences. Not only can we assist with making the right choice for your event speaker, we’ll handle the booking details, too.

Photo by fizkes/Shutterstock

Business Speakers, Celebrity / Entertainers, Personal Finance

Speaker Spotlight: Anthony O’Neal and the Power of Financial Education

by Cecilia Meis

November 25, 2022

Living debt-free and financially secure requires fiscal know-how and economic acumen. But it takes self-awareness and a positive mindset, too. Just ask No. 1 bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree Anthony O’Neal.

From his popular podcast The Table with Anthony ONeal to keynote speaking engagements, O’Neal has helped millions of individuals maximize their assets, pay off their debts and save for the retirement they deserve. Yet, his holistic approach to finding financial freedom goes beyond mere accounting and investment. His message embodies an overall grace, mindfulness and spirituality that reaches his audiences at their core. In this process, his followers develop the skills needed to live a purposeful and financially secure life.

When you book O’Neal for your event, you get a financial speaker your colleagues will never forget. That’s because he reaches people in ways few other keynote speakers can. Here’s how.

O’Neal knows finances.

O’Neal has proven his expertise in all things financial. From paying off credit card debt and student loan obligations to assisting entrepreneurs in maximizing their revenue, there is no doubt about his talents. But his number one self-stated mission is assisting others in living a secure, debt-free life. This provides two key benefits for your company:

1. Financially stable associates make stronger, more resilient employees.

Financial security creates stronger, more attentive and resilient employees. They are happier and more focused. Those facing debt, on the other hand, are more distracted. They may need to take second and even third jobs that leave them worn out and less mindful. Even something as basic as calls from collectors might leave them less focused.

Employees facing financial hardships may even come to resent their work. They may apply for new roles or seek yet-unearned raises. But even if you paid them more, it would not necessarily help. Without a change in behavior, they’ll likely keep making the same mistakes that led them into debt in the first place.

O’Neal guides your teams and associates toward financial security using proven methods. He is an expert in areas including student loan debt, retirement savings, personal investment and budgeting. With his motivational presentations, he helps your employees to lead happier, more secure lives.

2. His lessons apply to your corporate finances, too.

As with an individual, a company burdened with unmanageable debt can become distracted. It can lose sight of its core mission and values and take unnecessary risks. Even during a revenue growth period, unmanageable debt can make a company less attractive to investors, too. O’Neal’s best strategies for personal financial freedom have a way of leaving their mark on the entire corporate culture, including your CFO and other executive leadership.

While O’Neal speaks at a personal level, his lessons are equally applicable to institutional finances. His “Entrepreneur’s Blueprint” online course, for example, speaks to business needs and the value of personal branding.

Audiences know—and love—O’Neal.

“I’m so grateful that God has placed this mission in my heart to help others reach their goal of mental, spiritual and financial freedom.”

—Anthony O’Neal

O’Neal reaches his vast audiences by keeping his virtual and in-person presentations real, relevant and relatable. His common sense approach to communications connects to audiences, yes, but combined with his uplifting spiritualism and focus on the individual, he reaches people at an unforgettable level. In assisting people to take control of their futures, he transforms lives.

Plus, as a rapidly emerging celebrity speaker, O’Neal brings excitement to your conference or corporate event. People know him from top-selling books such as Debt Free Degree and Destroy Your Student Loan Debt. They also know him for his appearances on Good Morning America, CNN, Essence, Rachael Ray and other popular media outlets.

But while his global reputation precedes him, O’Neal remains down-to-earth. His personable style builds trust with your staff. As O’Neal says, “You deserve a life of abundance, so let’s take the first step together.” This welcoming demeanor, along with his warm, approachable presentation style, has ensured his success as one of the most in-demand financial speakers today. They make him a coach, a friend and a guide in your journey to personal fulfillment.

Ready to book O’Neal?

The SUCCESS Speakers Bureau has made it easier than ever to book O’Neal for your next corporate event.

In fact, our select catalog of motivational speakers includes top names in sales, real estate and finance such as Sharon Lechter, Grant Cardone, Tom Corley and others. Whether you’re seeking a top finance management speaker, executive coach or a TEDx influencer, SSB is here to assist. On top of that, we’ll handle the booking logistics for you! Simply message us with your event needs and ambitions, and SUCCESS will put its 100 years of leadership and relationship-building experience to work to find exactly the right speaker for you.

Business Speakers, Professional Development

Top Leadership Speakers to Book in 2023

by Cecilia Meis

November 18, 2022

The best corporate leadership speakers for 2023 do more than inspire your leadership to reach new heights. They provide actionable, transformational direction that allows your executive team to grow into their roles and thrive. Trusted by brands including Google, Viacom and Capital One, they inform leaders how to best manage transitions, become stronger communicators, and lead global institutions toward a brighter and more profitable future.

Carey Lohrenz

Former U.S. Navy lieutenant Carey Lohrenz knows the pressure of leadership in critical situations. She also knows how to develop a team that can achieve the complete trust and perfect execution necessary to handle those situations. As the first female to pilot an F-14 fighter, she flew combat-ready missions around the globe. She then applied her mastery of top performance under pressure, error reduction in dynamic situations and team management to the high-stakes world of corporate leadership.

As a public speaker and business strategist, Lohrenz’s clients have included Cisco, Toyota, Deloitte, The American Heart Association, Expedia and many others. To learn more about her background and leadership philosophy, check out her bestselling books Fearless Leadership: High Performance Lessons From the Flight Deck and Span of Control.

Dan Thurmon

Speaker Hall of Fame inductee Dan Thurmon has delivered thousands of addresses across the globe for entrepreneurs, educators and Fortune 500 companies. Known as a show-stopping keynote speaker, Thurmon’s messages of activating your teams to build resilience and achieve peak performance have resonated with clients such as Chase, Walmart, Pfizer and others.

Thurmon is also the founder and president of Motivation Works Inc. Here, he assists corporations in navigating through change with confidence and strong leadership for stellar bottom-line and personal outcomes. His two books, Success in Action and Off Balance On Purpose, along with his video coaching series and podcasts, have assisted millions in improving their corporate leadership skills.

Tasha Eurich

TEDx speaker and organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, Ph.D., approaches leadership development through scientifically tested methods. Add that to her always exciting, relatable and engaging style, and you can see why she has become one of the most in-demand speakers and coaches in the business world. From startups to Fortune 100 companies including Google, Walmart and Salesforce, Eurich has assisted leaders and teams in achieving and exceeding their goals.

Eurich’s first book, Bankable Leadership, debuted in the top 10 on the New York Times bestseller list and her follow up, Insight, has received amazing reviews from popular media and Amazon readers alike. Her expertise in organizational culture has helped tens of thousands of leaders to become more self-aware and build lasting alliances and influence.

Cy Wakeman

Globally recognized thought leader and expert keynote speaker Cy Wakeman brings a reality-based approach to leadership. Her message of ditching drama in favor of personal accountability, sharpened focus and self-reflection has built her a client base that includes Google, Viacom, NBC Universal, NASA, Pfizer, Johns Hopkins, Keurig, Merrill Lynch and countless others.

Wakeman has been voted among the top 100 leadership professionals to follow on Twitter for seven years in a row. She authored the bestseller The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace: Know What Boosts Your Value, Kills Your Chances, and Will Make You Happier and serves as president and founder of Reality-Based Leadership. Get a feel for her speaking style and knowledge as a leadership expert on her YouTube channel.

Dave Ferguson

Executive coach, author and speaker Dave Ferguson specializes in the areas of leadership and personal development. In fact, his background includes more than 25 years in corporate management roles for Fortune 500 companies in the sectors of banking, investment and real estate.

Ferguson has adopted and honed a no-nonsense approach to leadership throughout his career. From the U.S. Air Force to corporate leadership to executive speaking and coaching, he has applied his mentorship and team management skills to assist companies in thriving in the face of any unique challenge.

Trent Shelton

Trent Shelton achieved his childhood dream of playing in the NFL, but his career as a wide receiver ended abruptly due to injuries. A master of resilience, Shelton found his calling one day while speaking at a church event. He began making short videos for social media, and today his uplifting messages of personal empowerment reach millions around the world.

Founder of the Christian-based non-profit RehabTime Organization, Shelton’s message for leaders is that change begins within. Faith, mindset and self-care each play a role in his always engaging and often hard-hitting keynote addresses. Great leadership begins with building a stronger, more confident self. This influential author of Straight Up: Honest, Unfiltered, As-Real-As-I-Can-Put-It Advice for Life’s Biggest Challenges will get you there.

Lee Marie Jacobs

Great leadership must work beyond short-term gains. For lasting impact, you have to have energy management to make that leadership sustainable. Author, entrepreneur and leadership speaker Lee Marie Jacobs knows the formula to get you there.

This powerhouse author of Beautiful Money has made her mark as a clinical nutritionist and wellness advocate. As one of our top women’s leadership speakers, Jacobs flawlessly melds leadership expertise and wealth creation with better health and mindfulness. She also serves as a teacher and coach on Insight Timer, one of our top mindfulness apps. Learn more about her on her YouTube channel.

John Addison

Georgia native, University of Georgia Bulldog and Direct Selling Hall of Fame inductee John Addison brings common sense, humor and leadership expertise to every address.

The former co-CEO of Primerica proved essential in reshaping its culture and skyrocketing profits during its break from Citigroup. Today, Addison serves as the CEO of Addison Leadership Group Inc. and travels worldwide as a leadership speaker and consultant. His book Real Leadership: 9 Simple Practices for Leading and Living with Purpose delivers the same business acumen and hometown insights that you can expect from his speaking engagements.

How you can book the best corporate leadership speaker available.

Finding a great virtual speaker or in-person leadership coach is easy. But finding the right speaker for you, your organization and your goals can prove more challenging. Don’t leave your decision to chance. The Success Speakers Bureau can assist you in making the best choice for your next leadership coach or speaker.

We provide more than end-to-end booking. We put our 125 years of experience in relationship-building to work for you. Contact us with your needs, and we will work to find the best leadership coach or speaker for your event.

Business Speakers, Corporate Culture, Executive Coaching, Professional Development

Top Executive Coaching Speakers to Book Today

by Cecilia Meis

November 11, 2022

Hiring the right executive coach assists your leadership in turning the corner from mediocrity to top-notch success. In fact, the best business coaches and keynote speakers transform entire corporate cultures through motivational lessons and actionable guidance.

From virtual leadership programs to in-person seminars, the Success Business Bureau has you covered. Let’s look at some of the top executive coaches available today:

Ricky Mendez

Executive coach and corporate culture authority Ricky Mendez specializes in transforming failing and unexceptional businesses into something great. His background includes serving as president, VP of sales and COO of companies across southern California. In the process, he has overseen more than a half billion in sales by implementing his “Mindset and Prosperity Planning” and sales programs.

As a coach and founder of MPower Prosperity, Mendez mentors executive leaders of companies like American Residential Services, Costco, Home Depot and Sears in methods to build amazing corporate cultures while increasing revenue. Whether coaching leadership or speaking for a corporate event, he inspires the development of a growth mindset throughout the company by using practical, teachable methods.

Alexia Vernon

Women’s leadership expert, author and TEDx speaker Alexia Vernon has earned her renown as a sought-after female executive coach. Dubbed the “Moxie Maven” by the White House Office of Public Engagement, she fuses an array of media with methods to enhance the depth of client development. These methods include virtual retreats focused on sales and publicity, coaching calls and workshops, in-person retreats and her MOXIELICIOUS® mastermind.

A truly transformational corporate speaker and coach, Vernon assists entrepreneurs and business leaders in defeating self-doubt and developing growth mindsets. The result is improved performance, productivity and happiness. Her award-winning book, Step into Your Moxie, offers the same humor, candor and accessibility as her coaching and speaking style. Vernon has also contributed to media outlets and publications including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, Entrepreneur.com, Women’s Health Magazine and others.

Daren Martin

Known as “The Culture Architect,” executive coach and bestselling author Daren Martin takes business consulting to new heights with measurable results. Drawing from his experience as an entrepreneur and his Ph.D. in psychology, he crafts his consultations to specifically meet your individual business needs and goals. As Lockton Dunning Benefits CEO Bruce Sammis said, “Daren Martin changed the trajectory of our company, we would not be where we are without him.”

Martin guides you through the best methods to access and retain top talent, achieve superior sales and establish customer service that “wows” your clients. But, most importantly, he gained his reputation by vastly enhancing company cultures. Employee performance, loyalty and engagement improve with his guidance as you achieve new bottom-line heights. His Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, A Company of Owners, provides a strong, cogent sample of the methods he uses to assist you in meeting your objectives.

Johnny Quinn

Are you ready to take your organization to Olympian levels of performance? Former Olympic bobsledder Johnny Quinn has helped brands such as Toyota, Verizon and many others do just that. An executive speaker and coach, Quinn assists businesses of all sizes in securing the gold. He connects with audiences with the same confidence and warmth whether coaching virtually or in-person, and his mastery of storytelling never fails to engage.

A successful entrepreneur, Quinn owns the Johnny Quinn Agency—Farmers Insurance, which assists families throughout Texas. That experience of ownership, operation and sales allows Quinn to provide the motivational lessons of resilience and leadership you need to move your enterprise forward.

Jairek Robbins

Performance coach Jairek Robbins has reached millions of people across more than 120 countries with his passion for helping people. To date, this bestselling author of LIVE IT! has assisted a plethora of clients in achieving scaled corporate growth. So what makes Robbins’ message powerful enough to provide training to Harvard University, the USMC, BMW, UBS and Major League Baseball teams?

Commitment. An awardee of the Congressional Award Gold Medal, Robbins has provided more than 400 hours of community service, invested hundreds of hours in personal development and physical fitness, and ran multiple marathons. Even Deepak Chopra has raved about his commitment to health, fitness, resilience and personal growth. As an executive coach, Robbins helps business leaders bridge the gap between who they are today and what they can be tomorrow.

Stephen Hilgart

Ready to improve your business strategy and achieve new levels of optimal performance? World-renowned Stephen Hilgart provides the ultimate performance training with an engaging and energetic style.

A national trainer for Robbins, he shares strategies for personal and professional achievement with hundreds of audiences. As an executive coach for numerous Fortune 500 Companies, Hilgart has reached hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and business leaders through his workshops. In each case, he delivers the inside experience and strategies to amplify your growth potential. To get a sense of how he can positively impact your leadership team, check out Stephen Hilgart’s YouTube videos.

Dave Ferguson

International coach and author Dave Ferguson drives personal and corporate growth through executive leadership training. He learned these leadership skills in the U.S. Air Force and through the founding of his own executive training organization. Today, Ferguson is trusted by Fortune 500 executives to assist them in improving communication while helping them grow into their roles.

Author of the international bestseller Boss or Leader, Ferguson earned his business acumen through 25 years of leadership roles in banking, investing and real estate. These rapid pace, results-oriented roles—plus high-stakes military service—make him uniquely qualified in the field of executive coaching. He provides clarity in the storm, helping you and your corporate team gain the insights you need to succeed.

How to book your next executive coach

The Success Speakers Bureau simplifies the entire process of booking your next executive coach. From choosing the right professional for your growth needs to all additional planning, we are here to help. Simply contact us to book your next executive coach or keynote speaker, or browse our curated list of available speakers and executive coaches.

Branding, Business Speakers, Celebrity / Entertainers

Speaker Spotlight: Natasha Graziano Builds Growth Mindsets

by Cecilia Meis

November 4, 2022

Top female motivational speaker and mindset coach Natasha Graziano improves companies and lives. Drawing from neuroscience and ancient wisdom, the bestselling Be it Before You Become It author propels millions in the corporate world and beyond to the top by teaching them how to tap into the powers within. In the process, she helps millions to achieve their goals and takes companies to new heights.

But what exactly sets her apart from other major influencers and mindset speakers? And why should you book Graziano as your next in-person or virtual keynote speaker?

Graziano delivers keynotes that resonate across audiences.

Graziano wasn’t preordained to become Forbes Magazine’s No. 1 motivational speaker under 40. She earned it. Graziano was a broke single mom before transforming her life and becoming a top celebrity public speaker. At one time, in fact, she even faced homelessness. Graziano builds upon this life-changing experience in her keynote addresses so that even star-dazzled audiences relate to her instantly. They understand that her success—and theirs—requires some work.

But her relatability goes beyond her personal journey. Graziano’s proven methods to build a stronger, happier lifestyle appeals to both the scientific and spiritual among us. Her M.B.S. Method™ (meditational behavioral synchronicity) is rooted in ancient wisdom as well as modern neuroscience, and the result is truly transformational. Its practice leads to the removal of self-defeating thoughts, the ability to attract more positive people and stronger spiritual alignment.

Graziano leads as a digital branding expert.

Though a young influencer and speaker, Graziano nonetheless brings vast experience to enhance your digital brand story and marketing game. At present, Graziano:

Hosts the Law of Attraction podcast with over 100 million views
Has more than 15 million followers across social media platforms
Is a proven expert on gaining followers on Instagram and beyond

That is, Graziano’s expertise in digital communications and branding is more than a speaking topic. She has developed her personal brand using proven methods through teachable wisdom and hacks that will get the most from your digital communications efforts.

While Graziano’s in-person celebrity appearances deliver an unrivaled warmth and humanity, she excels at delivering virtual keynote presentations, too. Her unique ability to reach across the miles with her podcast led her to be featured in Wealth Insider, New York Weekly, Economic Journal and other popular outlets.

Graziano boosts top brands.

Professionalism matters. You need a motivational speaker who delivers on time, every time. That’s where Graziano comes in.

Trusted by top brands throughout industries and across continents, her notable clients include names like Poosh, Vogue, Forbes, Marie Claire, Influencive, Elle, Mindvalley, Business Insider and many others. Other top thought leaders have taken note of her abilities as well, including Grant Cardone and Daymond John.

Her speaking topics clearly address your company growth goals.

You want a top woman speaker. But you also need someone whose message aligns with your corporate goals. As a trendsetting thought leader and successful entrepreneur herself, Graziano has designed her speaking programs to meet the needs of your growth goals. Let’s look at her three most in-demand keynote addresses:

Accelerate your Authority Online and Have More Impact, Influence and Income

Online authority builds lasting revenue for traditional business models. But for digitally based companies, digital clout is critical. In this presentation, Graziano explores how to:

“Tell your irresistible story.”
“Become a recognized expert.”
“Grow your Instagram following.”
And more!

How to Gain a Million Followers and a Million Dollars in Under a Year

Gaining online followers is vital to any enterprise, and Graziano has the experience. Your audience will learn how to:

“Use instagram to optimize your business to reach hundreds of thousands of leads for free.”
“Become a digital leader online and offline.”
Earn new clients and create pre-launch buzz.
And more!

The 5 Pillars to Achieving Your Goals Faster with Natasha’s Proven MBS Method™️

A cornerstone of Graziano’s growth model, the MBS Method™️ assists countless corporations and employees in achieving their best success. Her five pillars will guide you and your company to:

Remove self-limiting beliefs.
Move from trying to obtain growth to achieving daily improvement
Become a powerful creator of your own reality.
And more!

Ready to book Graziano for your event?

Even if you are undecided about who to choose as your next guest speaker, the Success Speakers Bureau is here to assist you. Simply contact SSB with your virtual or in-person speaker needs, and we’ll do more than help you choose the best speaker for your event. We’ll also manage every step of the booking process so you can focus on other details.

And if you’re still browsing, explore our catalog of top motivational speakers with specialties including Women’s Leadership, Personal Finance, Corporate Culture, TEDx Speakers and much more.

Business Speakers

Top Female Speakers to Book in 2023

by Cecilia Meis

October 21, 2022

Booking a top female keynote speaker makes sense. For millennials and Gen Z especially, booking a female motivational or business speaker says that you—and your company—are not adverse to change, and that you are willing to engage your audience with new, fresh ideas and diversity.

Whether hiring a female speaker for an in-person or virtual presentation, you only want the best. Your guest speaker must captivate and motivate your audience, but they also need the real-world experience required to impart wisdom of lasting value. You want someone who matters. With those ideals in mind, let’s look at some of our favorite female speakers for hire in 2022.

Anne Grady

Resilience expert Anne Grady has earned a global reputation as a top female speaker. Her consulting company, the Anne Grady group, is even certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Along with her business skills, her personal experiences have influenced both her keynote addresses and overall resilience. For instance, it was her son’s severe mental illness that led her to research and better understand neuroscience, and her cancer experience that built upon her personal strength and emotional endurance.

Grady’s fast-paced and engaging addresses help your executives and staff build the leadership skills and resilience they need for success. Some of these speaking topics include “Building Resilient Leaders,” “Developing a Growth Mindset” and “Harness the Power of Emotional Intelligence.” Grady has been trusted by major brands such as Google, Lockheed Martin, Univision, General Mills and many others.

Courtney Chakarun

Recently named Chief Marketing Officer for eXp World Holdings, Courtney Chakarun is a world-class leader in the realms of digital branding, personal development, and both corporate and personal growth. Her model of decentralized decision-making perfectly suits today’s digital landscape and her deliveries assist companies in scaling their assets for accelerated and continued brand amplification and growth.

Chakarun is a former CMO of Roostify, a digital lending platform in the real estate space with over $30 billion of monthly home loan processing. She has also held marketing leadership roles with CoreLogic and General Electric. In each position, Chakarun’s digital marketing acumen and ability to leverage decentralization for scaled growth played major roles in her success.

Erin King

Persuasion is key to making sales. But effective, persuasive communication skills are also required in leadership, strategic planning and marketing. In fact, using better persuasive communication techniques can assist us in nearly every aspect of our professional lives.

Communications expert and top female speaker Erin King electrifies audiences with a tried-and-true message of communication skill both online and off. In fact, this best-selling author of Get More Yes has been trusted by organizations ranging from Disney and ABC to Merck and Siemens. Her dynamic and humorous style engages any audience from the start, and using her trademarked “PUB” method, King guides attendees to gain courage and level up both personally and professionally.

Natasha Graziano

The right mindset will transform your life. But communicating that fact effectively and understanding the science behind such transformation remains elusive for many. Motivational coach and celebrity speaker Natasha Graziano brilliantly communicates the changes we can make in our lives for personal and professional growth. In fact, not only has Business Insider named her a top female mindset coach, Forbes has ranked her as the top female motivational speaker under 40.

Graziano combines ancient wisdom and neuroscience in her personal development message to build stronger, more resilient leaders. As a social media expert, she puts her skills to practice in her own life, having earned more than 12 million followers on Instagram alone. Trusted by Marie Claire, Mind Valley, Vogue, Poosh and other top brands, Graziano’s speaking topics include:

“Accelerate Your Authority Online and Have More Impact, Influence and Income.”
“How to Gain a Million Followers and a Million Dollars in Under a Year.”
“The 5 Pillars to Achieving Your Goals Faster With Natasha’s Proven MBS Method™️.”

Karen M. Allen

LIfe’s ups and downs, and our own negative thoughts, hold us back. Few understand the harm of a negative mindset as well as TEDx speaker alum Karen Allen. Following the loss of her husband, Allen took charge of her pain by studying psychology and the best post-traumatic growth methods. Today, she is passionate about sharing what she has lived and learned about empowering oneself to reach their full potential through a positive mindset. In fact, the powerful mental exercises she has developed led her to write two books: Stop & Shift and Now What?

Founder of the 100% Human movement, Allen engages audiences at a very personal, human level. No two keynotes are exactly alike, but she brings the same professionalism, wisdom and charm to each. Allen is trusted by clients including YouTube, Travelers Insurance, AT&T, Kaiser Permanente and many others.

Kindra Hall

Stories shape the world around us. They are the basis of our morals through fables, and they influence our understanding of others, our communities and even ourselves. No speaker knows the power of storytelling in business the way entrepreneur and business speaker Kindra Hall does.

Hall is the best-selling author of Stories that Stick, president and chief storytelling officer at the Steller Collective consulting firm, and a contributing editor to SUCCESS magazine. In each role, she develops leaders who will better communicate the value of their company and products through strategic storytelling. Her keynote addresses include “Choose Your Story, Change Your Life: Rewriting the Stories You Tell Yourself” and “Stories that Stick: The Irresistible Power of Strategic Storytelling.” One of the most sought-after speakers by global brands, Hall is trusted by Berkshire Hathaway, Hilton Hotels, Facebook, Target and many others.

How can I book a top female speaker?

The SUCCESS Speakers Bureau proudly invites you to research all of our keynote speakers before your next event. Speakers on this list, as well as Mel Robbins, Susy Batiz, Alexia Vernon and others, are among our most in-demand female speakers. Along with other featured speakers such as Jay Shetty, Kelly Cardenas and Robert Herjavec, each offers a unique programme to fit your needs and electrify audiences.

Plus, we make booking easy. Simply contact us with your needs, and we’ll assist you with choosing and booking the best speaker for your event.

Business Speakers, Celebrity / Entertainers, Health & Wellness, Personal Development

Book a Speaker for Your Holiday Event

by Cecilia Meis

October 14, 2022

The holiday season often includes events, seminars and retreats for your corporate teams. Alongside the excitement of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other holiday celebrations, the coming new year reminds us to leave old habits behind and mindfully embrace healthier lifestyles. It’s no surprise that this is the perfect time of year to book a motivational speaker.

But whether hiring a speaker for a virtual appearance or booking them for a live presentation, you’ll want someone with a message that hits the right tone for both your company and for the season. Let’s explore some ideal speaker categories from the Success Speakers Bureau that will motivate your teams and bring out their best over the coming year.

Personal development

Along with good cheer, the holidays can bring a lot of stress. After all, many people are trying to juggle both work and family planning, and others are coping with sadness or loneliness. Even those of us who love the holidays will admit they can be overwhelming!

Personal development speakers empower your employees with the confidence that comes with resilience. TEDx speaker alum Anne Grady quite literally wrote the book on resilience—several, in fact, including Mind Over Moment and Strong Enough. Motivational speaker Dan Thurmon, on the other hand, entertainingly teaches employees the path to success through facing and coping with their fears. And youthful influencer and best-selling author Jay Shetty, always a hit with the crowd, endows your corporate audiences with a message of inner peace that is so welcome during the holidays.

Health and wellness

New Year’s resolutions usually involve working on our health and well-being. Whether that means eating more nutritious foods, achieving greater wellness through exercise or practicing meditation for improved mindfulness, the new year provides an opportunity for growth. But we also know that our resolutions seldom remain fulfilled. Much of that has to do with the fact that we simply don’t have the skills or best practices for sustained health and wellness.

With employee wellness programs growing in popularity, the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your workplace health initiatives. Motivational speaker Mo Brossette, for instance, knows the power of nutrition and movement in helping us keep focused and accomplishing our dreams. Likewise, Shawn Stevenson improves your corporate culture with an inspiring message of the power found in fitness and nutrition. And Karen M. Allen provides the tools needed to feel and live better through a more positive mindset. Trusted by Google, The Women’s Foodservice Forum and many others, Allen’s talks are always personal, captivating and informative.

Personal finance

Holiday cheer usually comes at a (literal) cost. Gifts, travel and meal expenses not only affect your employees’ personal lives, they can impact employee performance. Many of your employees may lack proper money management skills, and no time brings that home quite like the holidays.

Better personal finance skills provide a holiday gift for your employees that lasts year-round. Not only that—by preventing employees from being distracted or depressed by debt, it also helps corporate culture, unity and productivity. Financial expert and professional speaker Anthony O’Neal has helped more than a quarter million readers with his book Debt Free Degree, plus another 15 million with his The Table with Anthony ONeal podcast. Similarly, financial literacy expert and best-selling author Sharon Lechter brings her exciting and personally empowering message of better money management to every event. And guest financial speaker Tom Corley never misses with his insights on the habits that separate the wealthy from those struggling financially.

Celebrity speakers

When considering a guest speaker for your corporate holiday event, you might also consider booking a celebrity speaker. They bring a sense of excitement to your event that is ideal as you close out the year. It’s a wonderful gift to your employees to keep the mood up. Plus, their range of expertise and topics makes it simple to find the perfect speaker to suit your corporate messaging goals.

Mindset coach and social media influencer Natasha Graziano always entertains and lights up a crowd with her transformational message of personal growth. Likewise, Shark Tank host, author and entrepreneur Daymond John brings headliner star power to your event, as well as a motivational message of self-empowerment and success. Meanwhile, crowd-pleaser and memory champion Ron White shares the secrets of a better memory with an exciting presentation honed from appearances on Good Morning America, Superhuman on Fox and, of course, countless speaking engagements.

Booking your speaker for the holidays

We’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of the top-name speakers available to book through the Success Speakers Bureau for your company holiday event. With more than a century of experience building relationships with leading coaches, trainers and entrepreneurs, SUCCESS has leveraged our contacts to bring you a growing list of the top speakers in the world.

Best of all, booking your next speaker during the holidays—or at any time—has never been easier. We handle the logistics for both live and virtual guest appearances so you don’t have to. Simply drop us a note with your speaking engagement needs or questions, or contact us via email. With just that step, you’ll be well on your way to making your organization’s event as fun and memorable as you dreamed!