Keynote Speakers for Charity Events and Causes

Today’s top keynote speakers include the most diverse, dynamic and creative people on the planet. These are experts with passion. Their unique life experiences have led them to hold deep commitments to advocate for causes and charities close to their hearts. Nonprofit organizations, foundations and companies seeking genuine advancement of community missions each benefit from booking public speakers committed to their goals of societal improvement.

Mental health awareness, veterans advocacy, women’s leadership and LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion can each play a role in our professional and personal lives. Whether fundraising for a foundation or simply raising awareness to build a stronger workplace, you want the best keynote speaker possible. Let’s look at some of the top professional speakers certain to bring real, lasting value to your event.

Mental health advocacy expert speakers

Employers have made employee mental health and well-being a high priority in recent years. Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Salesforce and Microsoft have implemented their own mental health programs. Similarly, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General includes workplace well-being on its list of “priority areas.” Better mental health in the workplace has a positive, cascading effect that includes higher productivity, fewer sick days taken and lower employee turnover.

Bestselling author of Mind Over Moment and two-time TEDx speaker Anne Grady delivers the goods from lived experience. Grady’s journey began when her son was diagnosed with severe mental illness and autism, leading her to study neurodevelopment and the human brain. Companies including United Healthcare, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Univision have used her speaking services to build stronger, more resilient leaders.

A true mental health advocate, Grady allocates portions of her book proceeds to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Texas. Whether seeking to raise mental health awareness for a charitable event or to improve resilience within your corporate ranks, Anne Grady stands out among mental health advocates and speakers.

Learn more and check booking availability for Anne Grady

Veterans advocacy keynote speakers

Business and personal development speakers who served in the military bring unique perspectives. More than that, they embody rigorous training and experience in team building and decision-making under intense pressure. Keynote speaker Carey Lohrenz, for instance, served in the U.S. Navy as the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter pilot. The fundamental leadership and risk assessment skills she learned while working on an aircraft carrier have led her to work with companies such as Dell, Paypal, Cisco and many others.

But veterans face unique challenges, too. Post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties adapting to civilian life have left many veterans in the cold, sometimes literally. Health and wellness motivational speaker Mo Brossette made veteran assistance his personal cause. Prior to his departure from the company this January, he championed for veterans as the director of mindset at the Adaptive Training Foundation. There, he assisted disabled veterans through his “Redefine” program, a nine-week mental and physical training program.

Learn more and check booking availability for Carey Lohrenz

Learn more and check booking availability for Mo Brossette

Women’s leadership & empowerment advocates

Women are rising in the business world. This is great for them and for companies: Research published in Financial Innovation shows that more women serving on board positions benefits the price-to-earnings ratio, and that an increase in board diversity “may enhance productivity, creativity and innovation” within the company.

Women’s leadership and empowerment keynote speakers leverage these facts to create stronger, healthier and more dynamic leaders within your company ranks and your community. Consider keynote speaker and women’s leadership advocate Suzy Batiz.

As an entrepreneur and empowerment advocate, Batiz has been featured on publications including CNBC and Fast Company, and was named by Forbes as one of “America’s Richest Self-Made Women.” But that wealth and celebrity did not come easily for her. Not so long ago, she faced poverty, bankruptcy, and sexual and domestic abuse. She also survived a suicide attempt. Her transformational journey to successful founder of Poo~Pourri and supernatural required resilience, grit and determination. As a keynote speaker, she knows the hard road to personal empowerment and ultimate wealth. Her emotional, dynamic and always uplifting presentations inspire women to channel their creativity and brilliance.

Learn more and check booking availability for Suzy Batiz

The benefits of LGBTQ+ advocacy guest speakers

Over the past decade, the LGBTQ+ population in America has doubled to just over 7%. Some estimates are even higher. But even if LGBTQ+ represented fewer people, it would not matter in terms of individual rights in a free, individualistic-driven nation. Minorities of any size produce some of our most inspired perspectives, innovations and cultural advancements. Yet LGBTQ+ individuals face difficulties not so different from our veterans. Years of exclusion and worse have led to symptoms of depression and anxiety and acts of self-harm.

Enter Mally Roncal. She’s a celebrity keynote speaker, makeup artist and LGBTQ+ community ally. As the founder of Mally Beauty, she’s also a highly successful entrepreneur who went at life in her own way and with her own style. A mother of three and author of Love, Lashes, and Lipstick, Mally loves all things glam. Her career as a makeup artist to the stars has led her to travel the world and practice her art with the likes of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. She has made it her mission to help all people see the beauty in themselves. In this way, she builds confidence, resilience and purpose for everyone she meets. Collaborations with celebrities including RuPaul have brought Roncal and her company into the spotlight in bold new areas, including drag culture and leadership. Booking “positivity preacher & spiritual cheerleader” Mally Roncal guarantees that everyone at your event will feel good about themselves and each other.

Learn more and check booking availability for Mally Roncal

Business Speakers, Keynote, Sales

Find the Best Sales Keynote Speaker for Your Event

by Cecilia Meis

January 24, 2023

What is a keynote speaker?

You may have heard singers, such as a barbershop quartet, play a single note before singing. That establishes the key for the next song. Similarly, a keynote speaker sets the tone for your conference, convention, seminar or other event. For that reason, they typically speak first following an introduction. A second keynote speaker may speak last, effectively bookending your event.

Guest speakers, on the other hand, more often go into deeper detail regarding the substance of your event. The top sales speakers on this list and offered for booking by the Success Speakers Bureau may serve either or both of these roles.

How does a motivational sales speaker benefit my event?

Perhaps more than any other team in your company, sales departments require two very different skill sets. First, they require the ability to remain motivated. Salespeople, such as real estate agents or industrial marketers, may experience prolonged “dry spells.” The best motivational sales speakers have been there. They are masters at both reinvigorating your team and providing them the tools they need to gain resilience in the face of obstacles.

Second, salespeople require skills that go beyond conventional training and product storytelling. Time-tested best practices in communication, influence and knowing when to listen and when to “close the deal” come into play. Keynote sales speakers have both the background experience as sales leaders themselves and the gift for conveying their talk compellingly while entertaining your guests.

Who are the top sales keynote speakers to book today?

The Success Speakers Bureau provides dozens of the world’s top sales, real estate, financial and motivational keynote speakers. Browse our extensive speakers list to find the best fit for you. To get started, here are some of our top keynote sales speakers today.

Jeffrey Gitomer

Sales trainer Jeffrey Gitomer provides some of the most riveting and in-demand sales keynote addresses of the 2020s. In fact, he has earned the titles of Certified Speaking professional from the National Speakers Association and was inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame. With a message of “Disrupt and Dominate,” he provides addresses that your teams can immediately turn into money.

Book now, or learn more about Gitomer.

Justin Owens

Atlanta-based sales speaking and training superstar Justin Owens brings the experience you need in a keynote address. In fact, Owens himself has generated more than $30 million dollars in sales. A thought leader, author and entrepreneur, Owens has become an in-demand keynote speaker by sharing the sales and exemplary leadership strategies that brought him to lead multimillion-dollar organizations.

Book now, or learn more about Owens.

Mel Robbins

International bestselling author of The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins has earned her spot as one of the most booked keynote speakers in the world. Namely, she provides your audience with actionable, science-backed tools to achieve their sales goals. Plus, her engaging style has led to her hosting the No. 1 education podcast in the world, The Mel Robbins Podcast. A master motivational speaker, Robbins has worked with top brands such as Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase.

Book now, or learn more about Robbins.

Grant Cardone

Keynote speaker Grant Cardone is the bestselling author of 11 business books, including The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure. He built that success on solid experience through his real estate investment firm, Cardone Capital, which has raised over $1 billion in total funds. With experience in both the real estate and automotive industries, Cardone knows sales like no other. His 10X Growth Conference has grown into the “world’s largest business training event for sales and marketing,” according to the website. A master speaker and sales educator, he also founded the Grant Cardone Foundation to assist underprivileged youth in gaining financial literacy.

Book now, or learn more about Cardone.

Simon T. Bailey

Former Disney Institute Sales Director Simon T. Bailey has used his more than 30 years of experience to assist more than 2,000 companies in achieving their goals. His award-winning speaking style engages audiences while challenging them to achieve their dreams through self-actualization and personal empowerment. In fact, he joined the ranks of Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown in SUCCESS magazine as one of the top 25 people to help you change your life. When not delivering jaw-dropping keynote addresses, Bailey serves as a board member with the U.S. Dream Academy and the Orlando Health Foundation.

Book now, or learn more about Bailey.

Bob Burg

Keynote sales speaker and bestselling author Bob Burg stands as a leading authority on relationship marketing and gaining influence. His book, Endless Referrals, is considered a timeless sales classic. A member of the National Speakers Association and inductee into their Speaker Hall of Fame, Burg delivers his keynotes with a unique balance of force and wit. Clients include real estate and financial firms, direct sales organizations, franchises, national trade associations, insurance companies and more. In each case, he helps build an effective sales approach in an entertaining, impactful style for every client.

Book now, or learn more about Burg.

How can I book my next sales keynote speaker?

You have a lot riding on your sales event. Beyond simplicity in booking, you need reliability, confidence and professionalism. You need a booking agency with a history in working with the best and most reliable business leaders.

For more than 125 years, SUCCESS has worked with and connected the top thought leaders, motivational planners and business leaders. Along with the keynote sales speakers listed above, we also work with Jim Cathcart, Terri Sjodin, Chris Widener and many, many others. Just drop us a note, and we’ll connect you with the best available, professional speaker for your event. And if you decide we have the right, nationally-recognized speaker for you, we’ll handle all the booking details.

Ready to get motivated to meet and exceed your sales goals? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube for the latest news, interviews and inspirations!

Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational

Why Hire a Motivational Keynote Speaker?

by Cecilia Meis

January 13, 2023

When hiring a motivational keynote speaker, your goal is the motivation of your audience. You want a professional speaker who kicks off your event in the best possible way, of course. But the long-term goal is one of transformational growth.

Consider the data. Statistics on workplace engagement show motivated employees are more engaged, while “low engagement teams endure turnover rates that are 18% to 43% higher” than their highly engaged counterparts, according to Gallup. Above all else, motivational keynote speakers enhance that engagement and increase the sense of purpose among your audience. That means activating deep, personal engagement not only during your corporate event, but for years to come.

But is it worth it to hire a motivational speaker? To answer that question, we’ll look at the role they play, the types of motivational speakers available and when (and how!) to book one.

What is a motivational keynote speaker?

A keynote speaker does more than kick off your event. Like a musician or singer in a troupe, they set the key or tone of your conference, convention or virtual event. Unlike a guest speaker who may dig into the nitty-gritty of highly specialized topics, a professional keynote speaker provides an overarching message.

This ability to introduce and frame the theme of your event in a message that uplifts the audience makes motivational speakers especially valuable as keynote speakers. Like the opening theme of a great movie, they excite and invigorate everyone in attendance. They open minds through wisdom, performance and humor, preparing your audience to receive more information.

What kinds of motivational speakers are there?

As with any profession, motivational speakers develop areas of expertise. This expertise includes learning and training, but it goes beyond that. They often develop wisdom based on deeply personal, transformational experiences, which may include anything from personal tragedy to intense military training and service. Additionally, backgrounds in overcoming poverty, severe health issues and even abuse often play an equally important role in their motivational keynote speeches by providing deeply personal and emotional narratives.

Just a few of the many types of popular motivational keynote speakers include:

Women’s leadership

Cultivating women’s leadership within your organization makes bottom-line sense, and women’s leadership keynote speakers such as Suzy Batiz bring out the best in your female workforce. Drawing from their personal experiences of working and fighting for success, women’s leadership motivational speakers encourage your leaders of tomorrow.

Self-care and well-being

Motivational speakers with specializations in self-care and well-being understand human performance. That is, we cannot perform optimally when we don’t care for ourselves—without care, we break down. Motivational speakers such as Karen M. Allen and Shawn Achor open your event with motivational messages of finding happiness in ourselves and in our work.

Health and fitness

Getting motivated to eat well and stay healthy may be one of life’s most difficult challenges. It’s also one of the most important. Fitness makes us feel and perform better in every area of our lives. Keynote speakers specializing in nutrition and health have the knowledge of what it takes to take your team to the next level. Nutrition experts such as Mo Brossette and Trent Shelton do more than deliver motivation to stay fit. They provide high-impact changes in mindset and lifestyle that amplify teamwork.

Personal development

Resilience, creativity and communication skills each involve—in fact, require—personal development. High-demand keynote speakers such as Jay Shetty and Anne Grady embody the importance of that development. Their messages of continual growth in the face of adversity drive audiences to become better, stronger people, which in turn creates a happier, more productive work culture. Suitable for nearly any live or virtual event, personal development speakers stimulate your audience to learn more while cultivating maximum engagement.

Motivational keynote speakers have other specialties, too. Sports, sales, real estate and financial speakers—among others—can each meaningfully help you kick off your event with humor, deep truths and excitement.

When should I book a motivational speaker?

We are all familiar with keynote speakers kicking off live, in-person conferences, conventions and corporate celebrations such as groundbreakings or product kick-off events. But motivational keynote speakers assist with virtual events such as client product education programs and prospective sales outreach events, too. Just as a keynote speaker kicks off your live event in a booked convention area, they serve the same important purpose for your virtual event. And with the popularity of hybrid events, some speakers may appear from remote locations to tie together multiple, regionally-based events.

Whatever your needs, the most important aspect is that you research and book your motivational keynote speaker in advance. We recommend starting the process up to a year in advance and—when possible—no later than six months prior to your event. This guarantees choices for access to your preferred professional keynote speaker.

Is it worth it to hire a motivational keynote speaker?

Booking a motivational speaker absolutely adds value to your event. Yes, their keynote addresses are uplifting in and of themselves. Yes, they provide emotional impact and add critical takeaways. But just as importantly, they make your ensuing presentations more memorable by providing an overarching context. Professional keynote speakers open your audience’s minds, better enabling them to receive important messages throughout your event.

From there, your decision to book a motivational speaker is one of cost-benefit analysis. We have provided data on the price of professional keynote speakers and the cost of virtual speakers specifically for a deeper dive. In either case, the most important thing you can do to get started is to work with a reputable booking agency such as The Success Speakers Bureau. That way, you are not only assured of a wide choice of keynote speaker experts, but you will also save on your time-benefit analysis, too. That’s because SUCCESS will handle all of the booking details and arrangements for you.

Learn more about us, or simply drop us a note to get started!

Business Speakers, Keynote, Sales

Speaker Spotlight: Erin King Delivers “Yes” with Digital Persuasion

by Cecilia Meis

January 9, 2023

What word do you most want to hear from customers, prospects, colleagues or even your boss? In each case, the word is “yes.” That single syllable affirms that you got the sale, the appointment, the cooperation or even the raise. Yes = Success.

But getting to “yes” requires more than a compelling communication style that holds people’s attention and drives outcomes. To successfully influence others to the point of action, you need a combination of clarity, brevity and purpose. Most people find this mix a challenge both personally and professionally. That’s where sales expert and master of digital persuasion Erin King comes in.

Booking King as your next event speaker or virtual trainer means that you get more than a sales and digital communications expert. You get someone whose dynamic presence and actionable message transforms audiences. In fact, Plexus Worldwide lauded her by stating, “Erin’s session had the highest engagement of any speaker at our global summit.”

So who is King? And why might she be the best keynote speaker to book for your next event?

King’s mastery of digital sales

As a world-renowned professional speaker, sales trainer and author, King helps audiences learn the “gift of gab” through the science of digital persuasion.

King’s background includes her former position as CEO and founder of the marketing firm Socialite Agency and current position as the chief digital officer of Strikepoint Media. She also authored the Amazon bestsellers You’re Kind of a Big Deal: Level Up by Unlocking Your Audacity and Digital Persuasion: Sell Smarter in the Modern Marketplace, in which she details her “PUB method” of digital sales and communications. King knows that in the online world, you have less than three seconds before someone forms an opinion about you and your message. Not only does she tell you how to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, but her methods teach you to grab and hold the attention of prospects and clients alike.

King’s talents, however, reach far beyond a monitor and keyboard. As a top keynote speaker and trainer, she draws upon her very public—and very physical—background competing in World Irish Dancing Championships and playing NCAA Division One lacrosse. Kristen Montgomery, vice president of Global Events at Younique Products, raves, “I’ve hired Erin for multiple conventions over the years and she kills it every single time.” As an event or marketing director, you can be assured that King’s delivery and professionalism will come through with every workshop, virtual training session or keynote address.

Topics covered in King’s keynote addresses

King’s expertise in digital sales and online engagement transforms audiences through classic humor one moment and deeply motivational anecdotes the next. Her addresses are customized too, fitting your company’s branding needs and desired outcomes.

Her presentations assist your audience in developing several key mindset components adaptable to any rank and position. These include:

Audacity: facing the world with a certainty of who you have been, who you are, and who you are destined to become
Courage: building the resilience required to overcome defeats and challenges while remaining resolute in your goals
Leadership: developing concrete goals and the steps needed to achieve them through proactive and informed decision-making

The result? “Our global sales force began using the PUB method for immediate, measurable results,” says George Pla, an executive director for Merck Pharmaceuticals. “Erin’s like a modern Dale Carnegie.”

King’s media appearances and notable clients

Widespread media appearances—including NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, CNN and ESPN—as well as King’s own On Your Terms podcast with SUCCESS, make her both exciting and familiar to audiences, and speak to her professionalism under pressure.

Likewise, major national and international brands have benefited from King’s live keynote addresses, virtual training sessions and workshops. Some of these major clients include Adobe, Disney, the Oscars, the U.S. Navy and Zyia Active, alongside many more.

Booking King as your next keynote speaker

Are you ready to learn exactly how to communicate in the digital marketplace? If so, there has never been a better time to book King. From world-renowned and customized live keynote addresses to virtual training and full-day workshops, King will assist you and your team in achieving the sales and digital reach you need to compete.

Hear more “yes” in your life from your prospects and clients, both online and off. Simply contact the Success Speakers Bureau with a short note about your keynote speaking or leadership training needs. We’ll put our 125 years of experience to work helping ensure your event is the success you need it to be!

Or, browse our full list of live and virtual speakers. From motivational and productivity speakers to top hosts and emcees, we provide the best business speakers for your convention, conference or other event.

Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational, Uncategorized, Virtual

Is It Worth Hiring a Virtual Keynote Speaker?

by Cecilia Meis

January 6, 2023

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, 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, Keynote, Personal Development

Top Personal Development Keynote Speakers [2022]

by Cecilia Meis

September 30, 2022

Seeking to hire a personal development speaker to improve the health, resilience, creativity and interpersonal skills of your organization’s teams? Look no further—SUCCESS Speakers Bureau presents nine of our top picks for inspiring personal and organizational transformation.

Jay Shetty

World-renowned speaker, podcaster and motivational coach Jay Shetty didn’t always know success. The former monk has experienced corporate rejection, career dissatisfaction and even financial instability. Yet Shetty not only endured—he thrived. Today, the lessons he learned in finding peace and purpose infuse his every keynote presentation, and he has assisted countless top organizations including Google and NASDAQ. His wisdom, charisma and humor shine through in every presentation with topics including innovation, mindfulness, creativity, branding and more.

Natasha Graziano

Personal development can be transformative. Most often, it is not so much about changing yourself as it is finding yourself. Celebrity speaker and mindset coach Natasha Graziano knows this process intimately. Once homeless and broke, the Be it Until You Become It author and trending celebrity speaker experienced transformation at the grassroots level. Now, Graziano has delivered timeless addresses alongside speakers like Mark Cuban, Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone and Tony Robbins, and has worked with top brands including Estée Lauder, Nord VPN and BetterHelp.

Anne Grady

Personal development requires proven methods in building resilience. Recognized as a leading resilience expert, Anne Grady has inspired hundreds of thousands of people across industries to take ownership of their lives and improve performance. As both a virtual and in-person keynote speaker, she draws equally from her personal research in neuroscience and her master’s degree in organizational communication. This combination, along with her mastery in connecting with audiences at a personal level, has made her one of the most in-demand professional speakers today.

Sam Silverstein

Understanding the keys to personal accountability resembles planting a seed. It not only grows individually, it also has the power to change the environment around it. Sam Silverstein leads as an expert in personal accountability, and the transformation he inspires can lead to a better work culture and lasting growth and sales throughout your organization. Called an “accountability guru,” Silverstein has authored such books as The Success Model, Making Accountable Decisions and No More Excuses, among others. Always engaging, his keynote addresses take on topics that include leadership, healthcare, personal development and accountability.

Karen M. Allen

Better individual health and an improved mindset transforms individuals, teams and entire corporations. Karen Allen, keynote speaker and founder of 100% Human™, has more than proven her expertise in the transformative power of mindfulness and positive mindsets. She has worked with Google, AT&T, Lockheed Martin, Experian and many other top corporations to showcase proven methods in building positive psychology and better overall well-being. Her resilience-building addresses build upon two frameworks: “Stop & Shift” exercises to build resilience and “100% Human” guideposts to create a human-centric professional culture.

Neil Pasricha

Living intentionally seems as though it should come naturally, yet the circumstances we experience—and how we cope with them—can lead us to just “going along” with life as though we are in a dream. Neil Pasricha wants you to reclaim intentional living and experience your life with purpose. A leading authority in intentional living, Pasricha helps individuals in your organization cope with failure, build resilience, experience gratitude and reclaim their most mindfully aware lives. Author of The Happiness Equation and You Are Awesome, Pasricha speaks at institutions ranging from Shopify to Harvard. His Ted Talk, The 3 A’s of Awesome, has been viewed over three million times.

Mo Brossette

Mind, body, movement and nutrition are more than connected. They make up who we are, and these intricate connections impact our overall well-being and performance in every aspect of life. Four-time Ironman Triathlete and nutritionist Mo Brossette not only speaks about feeling better—he helps audiences live better. The clarity of mind that comes with better health and nutrition assists teams and entire organizations to achieve peak performance, creativity and functionality. With a strong, healthy mind, communications improve, along with overall well-being. As a keynote speaker, Brossette helps get you there.

Dan Thurmon

Better health and wellness improve our focus, creativity and even overall productivity. Always energetic, Dan Thurmon lives what he teaches. He has assisted corporations like Google, Microsoft, Chick-fil-A and Firestone in achieving optimal performance even at times of transformation. Thurmon has provided thousands of presentations worldwide, helping employees embrace success and achievement in the face of their personal fears and inhibitions. As founder and current president of Motivation Works, Thurmon coaches major brands, educators and even world leaders in purposeful leadership.

Keynote

How to Hire the Right Keynote Speaker for Your Next Event

by SUCCESS Speakers Bureau

June 24, 2022

A great keynote address stirs an audience, taking attendees from disinterested to engaged. Just as importantly, the right keynote address adds unity and cohesion to your event. Hiring the wrong speaker can leave your audience flat or even confused.

Hiring the right motivational speaker for your corporate or fundraising event is critical to overall event success. While every portion of the day will be remembered, the perfect keynote address can tie everything together into a single and inspiring message. A lot rides on finding the right person. How do you go about hiring a speaker who will make your event both memorable and successful?

Start with the theme of your event.

Event planning can be complicated, and it’s easy to get lost in details. You need to plan everything from breakout sessions to catering. Finding the right keynote speaker means taking a step back from those planning details and asking yourself simple questions:

What is this event about thematically?
What do I want my audience to come away with in both the long and short term?
Are there gaps in my event plan that need to be addressed?

Hiring the best motivational speaker provides an opportunity to refocus energy and enthusiasm while providing a clear theme for your company event.

Keep your audience in mind.

Examine your invited audience. Will board members be in attendance? Are IT professionals part of the group who will listen? Is the public invited? Because even if you want to impress the CEO, they will be looking to the reactions of your general staff in attendance to gauge success.

Crowd dynamics are far different than normal workplace dynamics. Hierarchies of rank break down. If a particular message gets your work crew or marketing staff laughing or on its feet, others of all ranks will follow. Consider who can speak broadly enough to your entire audience and relate best to them. Demographics such as age and ethnicity can play roles, too. Find someone who will appeal to your audience universally.

Research the best motivational speakers available.

Resources such as the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau and SpeakInc make finding the right motivational keynote speaker easier. Rather than searching the entire internet from scratch, these sites have assembled the top professional speakers and provide biographical data. With simple searches by interest and industry, you can find speakers who will motivate your audience and make your event come to life. Best of all, they filter out the nonprofessionals and no-shows who can throw your event off track.

From here, your job is not only easier but fun, too! Investigate your top few choices. Visit their websites. Learn not only what they say to their audiences, but how they say it. Do you want humor, or a more solemn event? Watch a few of their TEDx Talks or listen to their podcasts to ensure they hit not only the right content but tone.

Once confident in your short list, simply return to the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau or other resource and check for the availability of your desired keynote speaker. Their booking agents will make the arrangements easy. More importantly, you’ll hire a qualified speaker you can depend on for your corporate, fundraising or public event.

Photo by Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Keynote

How to Hire a Speaker for Your Event

by SUCCESS Speakers Bureau

May 13, 2022

Hiring a keynote speaker can feel like the most daunting task when planning an event. Whether you seek a celebrity speaker to help raise institutional funds, a motivational speaker to advance sales or a business speaker to support your team in coping with change, you need a professional. In fact, that single keynote presentation often determines overall event success.

That’s a lot of pressure for an event organizer.

But the task does not need to be daunting. By keeping certain considerations in mind, and following a step-by-step approach, you can all but guarantee a positive, fun and motivational company gathering. Let’s look at some best practices in hiring the right speaker for your next business or charitable event.

Get to know your event: set goals, objectives and outcomes first.

As an event planner, the most stressful part for me always came at the opening strategy stage. Don’t rush yourself at the beginning. Talk with other organizers, managers, employees and anyone else with a stake in the event. Give yourself time to fully understand how the day or afternoon will unfold. That is, the timing, space and intended purpose of the guest speaker.

Separate goals, objectives and outcomes. An immediate goal may simply be hiring a speaker, but think of objectives and outcomes, too. Define them. Is your objective to inspire your audience or to promote a cause? Is it to create better communication in your company or to entertain attendees between working break-out sessions?

Then, consider your intended outcomes. Perhaps you seek to enhance creativity in a company that has become complacent, or to increase donations for longevity of a program. While you haven’t begun thinking of particular speakers yet, getting a sense of objective and outcomes will assist you in the process later.

Define your time and budget.

Two things matter most in event planning: time and budget. And both are in short supply!

Once you’ve defined your objectives and outcomes, you can better address the role of your guest speaker. Consider how much money you have to spend and the amount of time you can a lot. There will certainly be moving pieces, and you may have to revisit scheduling and budget several times during the planning process. For instance, you may first desire a keynote presentation at a certain time for a certain price. But later, the person you want costs a few dollars more and is only available at another time. You will need to shift things around as you go, but it’s important to start with a working plan.

What kind of speaker will be most useful and memorable to attendees?

If you already have a fair sense of the above steps, you will be surprised at how easily the rest falls into place. You are now ready to consider the kind of keynote address you would like to have for your company event.

You will face certain pressures. Everyone from the CEO to coworkers will have an opinion on who you should hire as a speaker. So might the caterer you spoke with! Take in their suggestions, whether informally or at meetings. Jot down every idea. You’ll revisit them later.

Most importantly, think as though you were any other attendee. Consider what kind of speaker will be most relevant and engaging to your audience. Your audience may consist of employees, outside guests from the public, or both. Revisit your objectives and outcomes. The speaker you’d want for a public groundbreaking ceremony will engage very differently than a speaker for an internal sustainability initiative.

Research your guest speakers.

Believe it or not, you’re already mostly there! By now, a fuller picture has formed. You should have a clear idea of your audience and where to guide them. Now, you can begin looking more deeply at specific guest speakers.

Revisit the lists you made earlier from the suggestions of others. Make phone calls, send messages and get on the internet. That is, follow every lead and source as you search for available guest speakers who align with your goals. Check out their availability. More importantly, visit their websites and available media. A guest motivational speaker who interests you almost certainly has Ted Talks and other media available on hosting sites like iTunes, YouTube, Spotify and others. Gather a sense of them. Do they align with your purpose? Do they interest you personally? If not, you will almost certainly find several other “suggested” speakers along a similar vein.

Mostly, keep a strong balance of the subjective and the objective when researching media. On one hand, they should be exciting. You want someone who is motivational and subjectively “grabbing” your attention. Objectively, you also need to look critically at whether a particular keynote speaker has the right familiarity with your event’s defined objectives and outcomes.

Begin contacting potential speakers.

In most cases, you will not contact your guest speaker directly. Rather, you will work through a booking agent.

Yes, if your event is small or purely of local interest, you might be able to reach out to a “local celebrity” or internal guru yourself. But for a memorable event, you need an experienced motivator and thought leader. And “experienced” usually means that they are busy!

Don’t let that worry you. In fact, working through a booking agent will make your job easier.

Booking agents have been through this routine before, hundreds or perhaps thousands of times. They will work with you on scheduling to meet your timing, budget and event needs. Just don’t be afraid to express your specific objective and outcomes to the booking agent. It’s better to find out now rather than later that the speaker you initially chose doesn’t exactly suit the subject matter you intend for your keynote address.

Keep your eyes on the prize and remain versatile.

Every event—whether corporate or foundational—has dozens of moving parts. Each piece is an opportunity for something not to work out as perfectly as you planned. A caterer brings the wrong meals. An assistant you depended on calls in sick. And, in rare cases, your keynote speaker arrives late.

Flight delays happen. Things go wrong. Planning is everything, but only if you remember that part of planning is knowing that everything won’t go exactly as you imagined. Remain versatile. Have backup and contingency plans. Be ready to think on the fly throughout the day and smile the whole way through.

If an audience needs to be engaged for an extra 10 or even 20 minutes, don’t be caught off guard. Instead, rehearse, know your available resources and be ready to take charge of your event personally when needed.

Get started hiring your event speaker.

Event planning does not need to be hard, but it is up to you to make it easier. And in the process, take your event from good to great.

We will assist you in hiring the best event speaker available. SUCCESS Speakers Bureau provides a growing list of dozens of top international speakers from a spectrum of industries and backgrounds. Plus, each speaker is searchable by keyword, saving you time. After that, booking your guest speaker has never been easier. All it takes is adding the time of your event plus your contact information.

Make your next event the best one yet. Check out the dozens of bestselling authors, motivational speakers and the top business leaders SUCCESS Speakers Bureau has to offer.

Photo by GaudiLab/Shutterstock