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Top Motivational Speakers in Los Angeles
Business Speakers, Motivational

Top Motivational Speakers in Los Angeles

It’s no surprise that Los Angeles offers some of the most recognized motivational speakers in the world. After all, LA is known for producing top talent and setting tomorrow’s trends in style, health and wellness. Plus, as a major destination for business travelers and vacationers alike, it hosts some of the most exciting and high-profile conventions and conferences in the world. When you plan to hold an event in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, keep that “California vibe” going by booking local talent to deliver your keynote address. 

Here are some of our favorite motivational speakers in Los Angeles County:

James Whittaker 

Financial planning expert and motivational speaker James Whittaker wants you to Win the Day®. Armed with experience in running a company with more than $2 billion under management, this Los Angeles resident has personally advised Olympic gold medalists, billion-dollar CEOs and Special Forces operators. In each case, he helps his clients develop bulletproof plans for success through his personal motivation techniques and acute financial savvy. Whittaker’s bestselling motivational books include The Beginner’s Guide to Wealth and Andrew Carnegie’s Mental Dynamite, which was released in conjunction with the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

Whittaker’s engaging speaking style makes him unmatched as a top financial speaker in Los Angeles. Topics include “Win the Business: How to 10x Your Influence, Income and Impact” and “Win the Influence: How to Create, Manage and Leverage High-Level Relationships.” Check out Whittaker’s Win the Day® podcast on platforms including Youtube, Spotify and Apple for a glimpse of what this LA-based keynote speaker will provide for your event.

Christopher Chapman

Mindset expert and LA resident Christopher Chapman motivates audiences to embrace both their courage and curiosity on the road to success. In fact, his background includes 14 years at the Walt Disney Company as a designer, global creativity & innovation director, and innovation catalyst. Currently, he serves as the co-founder, president and head of design at Imaginology, a design studio for daring collaborations at the “frontier of impossible.”

Chapman’s motivational keynote addresses are valued across the globe for their positive and sometimes rebellious attitude. A master storyteller, his public speaking topics include:

  • Innovation
  • Creativity
  • Workplace Culture
  • Storytelling
  • Design Thinking
  • Leadership 

Tan Le

California-based keynote speaker Tan Le founded Emotiv in 2011 to “empower individuals to understand their own brain and accelerate brain research globally” using electroencephalography (EEG) hardware and software. An award-winning inventor, Le is also a highly sought-after speaker for her work in the understanding of the human brain as we adapt to merge with developing technologies. A popular TED Talk speaker, Le has been noted as one of the “most influential women in technology” by Fast Company and has been recognized by National Geographic as a top innovator and entrepreneur.

While Le and her company’s advancements exist in the realms of science, she makes her presentations relatable to her audience. Terms such as “bioinformatics” not only make sense but also become personal through Le’s delivery. In this way, she details how individuals and their unique communities can thrive and survive as humans seek personal value and happiness in the digital age.

John Salley

Tarzana, California, resident John Salley has lived the California lifestyle in the healthiest, most exciting ways possible. This NBA veteran of multiple teams, including the LA Lakers, has offered his talents as a top television host and actor. But he has found his ultimate voice more recently as a motivational speaker and wellness advocate. A vegan chef, wellness master, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Salley has made it his life’s mission to advocate for better health.

Salley’s message of personal reinvention through healthy living, mindfulness and a vegan diet has motivated millions to become stronger, healthier and more focused. He is actively involved in advocating for organizations focused on boosting children’s nutrition and fighting against animal cruelty and diabetes.

Oya Thomas

Inspirational speaker Oya Thomas began her career at age 10 as a singer and actress and launched her own modeling and talent management agency while still in her teens. This combined business drive and understanding of performance has made her a rising star among inspirational speakers in Los Angeles and beyond.

Yet, Thomas remains down-to-earth as a women’s speaker, delivering addresses for women’s groups and churches as well as major brands and institutions such as PayPal, Showtime, the NAACP and others. In each keynote delivery, she offers her unique talent as a “soul-centered strategist.” Her book, The 5 Star Points for Success: Manifest Your Dreams, Live Your Life’s Purpose, carries a coveted 5-Star total review on Amazon.

Ashley Stahl

Ashley Stahl begins with a simple question: “What should you do with your life?” In this way, her career as a bestselling author, motivational keynote speaker and career coach is not so different from her career as a counterterrorism expert. She does the reconnaissance, learns the facts and then directs best actions from there.

A TEDx speaker, this Los Angeles-based author of You Turn: Get Unstuck, Discover Your Direction, and Design Your Dream Career has supported clients in 31 countries. Every time, she assists both individuals and companies in building confidence and finding fulfillment while achieving their goals. Stahl has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and other major outlets.

Booking a keynote speaker for your LA event

Booking an LA-based speaker for your keynote address helps keep that local color and excitement going throughout your event. But that doesn’t mean you should disregard other options. Professional speakers travel worldwide, of course. Plus, virtual deliveries have become standard practice, putting nearly any speaker at your fingertips.

As part of your research, be sure to check out The Success Speakers Bureau. Our huge collection of professional keynote speakers and executive coaches is easily searchable by the type of speaker you need including sales, health and fitness, marketing and much more. Or simply contact us with a note describing your event needs. We’ll put our 125 years of networking and relationship-building to work for you. Together, we’ll not only find the right speaker for you, but we’ll even handle all of the booking details. Booking the best motivational speaker for your Los Angeles event has never been easier!

Is It Worth Hiring a Virtual Keynote Speaker?
Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational, Uncategorized, Virtual

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:

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.

Find the Top Motivational Speakers in the United States for Your Next Event
Motivational

Find the Top Motivational Speakers in the United States for Your Next Event

A growing number of organizations both big and small have learned the benefits of hiring a professional speaker. They breathe new life and enthusiasm into an organization, reaching employees at a personal level and inspiring leadership, creativity and resilience in the face of challenges. Best of all, learning how to hire a professional speaker for your corporate event is surprisingly easy.

Finding the best speaker for your event may seem daunting at first. To help get you started, we’ve compiled some of our favorites among the most powerful and authoritative motivational speakers in the U.S. today:

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins has assisted more than half a million students in improving their mindset and building courage and confidence through her online courses. This best-selling author of The 5 Second Rule relies on both science and personal experience to challenge students and attendees to be their best. 

At one time, Robbins found herself $800,000 in debt. Today, her message of happiness, fulfillment and resilience has made her one of the most in-demand motivational speakers in the U.S. This TEDx speaker has worked with top companies such as Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase as well as veterans organizations and medical establishments, and she brings her savvy, motivational speaking style to every keynote speaking engagement.

Anne Grady

Building resilience is key to personal and professional success, and Anne Grady stands above the crowd as an expert in the field. A popular TEDx speaker and entrepreneur, Grady goes beyond encouragement and motivational speaking by sharing the science to back up her approach to struggling through even the most adverse challenges.

One of the most in-demand speakers in the U.S., Grady has been featured in news outlets throughout the nation including Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine and Fox Business. Founder of the Anne Grady Group, she assists organizations in better understanding resilience and improving performance.

Tony Robbins

When it comes to sheer star-power, it’s hard to top Tony Robbins. As one of the most famous motivational speakers in the U.S. today, he is also known as an author and philanthropist. Some of his motivational books include Unlimited Power, Awaken the Giant Within and Unshakeable.

As an expert in company culture, Robbins has worked with everyone from U.S. presidents to rock bands as well as leading corporate brands. Robbins has been named one of the top six business leaders in the world by American Express and one of the top 200 business gurus by Harvard Business Press. As a coach, he motivates leaders to “unleash the power within.”

Suzy Batiz

No one knows the power of resilience and motivation better than someone who has powered through the hardest times to reach success. Motivational speaker, entrepreneur and author Suzy Batiz has done it all. Poverty, abuse and bankruptcy are in her past now as she assists others on their own personal paths to success.

A transformative speaker, Batiz takes audiences on a journey to help them realize that truly, anything is possible. Relying on both outcome-based evidence and intuition, Batiz’s brand of motivation stands alone. She motivates audiences to stop waiting and take control of their own lives from top to bottom, and that message of resilience has inspired millions to do the same. Apart from live speaking engagements, Batiz has also been featured on CNBC as well as Forbes, Fast Company and Entrepreneur.

Rory Vaden

A business speaker and expert in motivational psychology, Rory Vaden has delivered keynote addresses for Google, Aflac, Merck, Intel and others. He’s also the best-selling author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. Vaden’s TEDx talk, “How to Multiply Your Time,” remains popular with more than 4 million views due to his engaging style and methods-based approach to prioritization and time management.

A popular podcaster, Vaden’s passion remains in coaching leaders and teams to achieve beyond their known limits. Vaden’s keynote programs speak to the heart of improving business culture and performance with topics such as “Multiply Your Time,” “Rock Solid Reputation” and “Influential Personal Brand.”

Chris Widener

When it comes to truly engaging audiences, Chris Widener understands the value of humor. His style captivates audiences with his relatability and then, as only a master keynote speaker can do, he leaves you with timeless, actionable truths.

A former representative for the state of Ohio, Widener is a member of the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame. His dynamic style has made him a highly-demanded speaker in the U.S., Canada, and beyond, and his clients include Cisco Systems, Microsoft and the Harvard Business School. Yes, he remains one of the most relatable speakers around, engaging every member of the audience from CEO to intern. Author of more than 20 books including Secrets to Life and Happiness and The Art of Influence, Widener speaks honestly throughout the U.S. on topics such as the power of integrity, optimism, service and excellence.

Daren Martin

You should already know Dr. Daren Martin for his best-selling book A Company of Owners: Maximizing Employee Engagement. If you do, you know that he’s a gifted expert in inspiring employees and transforming corporate culture. And as a top U.S. motivational speaker, Martin brings that same invigorating brand of high-octane inspiration to your employees at a deeply personal level.

Named “The Culture Architect” by top leaders in business, Dallas-based Martin has spoken for audiences globally. In each case, he brings his background of business success, team management and executive coaching together in a dynamic presentation to reverse negative mindsets and optimize teams.

Book your next keynote speaker in the United States

Finding the right motivational speaker requires planning, diligence and research. Most of all, it requires starting with trusted sources.

The Success Speakers Bureau provides more than top U.S. keynote speakers and simple booking. It brings 1 1/4 centuries of credibility, legacy and professional trust. Search from dozens of top motivational speakers in the U.S. today and feel confident in choosing only the best with the support and ease you expect from Success.

5 Top Self-Care Motivational Speakers to Give Your Team the Lift They Need
Motivational, Personal Development

5 Top Self-Care Motivational Speakers to Give Your Team the Lift They Need

Self-care means taking the time and energy to stay physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy. That includes everything from eating well to an exercise regime and time outdoors. It also involves setting aside time for meditation and getting enough sleep. The personal benefits of self-care compound for each of us in a short time and we become healthier, happier, more resilient and less fatigued.

Self-care activities enhance our relationships, too. While we might spend time away from others for personal care, we learn to better live in the moment. We become less irritable and respond better to the needs of others. Simply put, we feel more refreshed, supportive and ready to handle challenging situations.

And isn’t that what you want from your staff and leadership teams?

Personal care for employees is good for business.

Hiring a self-care keynote speaker for your next corporate event does more than energize your team in the short-term. It can instill a sense of personal purpose for your employees that spreads throughout the organization, and it lasts. A healthy, happy, more resilient team not only gets along better, but is more productive, healthier and more creative.

Hiring a personal care speaker has grown in popularity in recent years among top and emergent organizations for each of these reasons and more. But if you want to find a truly effective speaker, where do you start? And what speakers are available for your next event? Here’s a list of our favorites to get you going.

Who are the top self-care speakers available today?

Allison Graham

Allison Graham helps leaders and teams to overcome frustration and work anxiety through a three-part problem-solving framework. The result of this step-by-step approach is higher team optimization with less stress and burnout. Her book Take Back Your Weekends outlines the thought patterns that lead to frustration and anxiety and helps readers meet challenging times with resilience. Graham has spoken professionally since 2006 and her presentations are renowned as some of the best in the industry, combining a conversational style with evidence-based key takeaways.

Allison Graham Quote: “We need downtime to recover. When we work for hours on end, even when we’re on a roll, performance can dwindle.”

Karen M. Allen

Founder of the popular 100% Human movement, mindset expert Karen M. Allen empowers individuals and teams through a deep and personal understanding of positive psychology and post-traumatic growth. Her skill at engaging audiences has become widely renowned. She has spoken for TEDx and has a client list that includes top companies such as Google, AT&T, Women’s Foodservice Forum, Experian and many others. She has also been featured in Forbes and SHRM Magazine as well as on Good Morning America and MSNBC. As a self-care speaker for your team, Allen is one of a kind.

Karen M. Allen Quote: “It’s my big, bold mission to help people get unstuck and let go of that problem-free life they’ve been taught to expect.”

Nataly Kogan

Emotional fitness leads to better leadership. No one understands this better than Happier Now and Gratitude Daily author Nataly Kogan. A globally renowned expert on the nexus of resilience and leadership, she is also the founder of the Happier Method™ and CEO of Happier. As a global keynote speaker, she engages audiences with wit and charm while helping them improve their emotional fitness through evidence-based methods. Whether overcoming adversity or even the latest work challenge, Kogan’s vision of self-care and gratitude helps any team feel stronger, more resilient and courageous. 

Nataly Kogan Quote: “Gratitude reminds us of all that is good amidst the difficult.”

Shawn Achor

Author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, keynote speaker Shawn Achor delivered a Ted Talk that has become one of the most popular of all time. In fact, his address “The happy secret to better work” currently stands at 24 million views. This engaging and informed speaker spent 12 years at Harvard, earning multiple teaching awards and publications. He is considered one of the world’s leading experts on happiness and success, with his research featured on covers of The Harvard Business Review. This author of Big Potential has served clients ranging from the U.S. Treasury to the NFL, bringing his message of positive personal growth and leadership to millions of engaged listeners.

Shawn Achor Quote: “Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it’s the realization that we can.”

Suzy Batiz

Do you ever feel stuck in life? So have individual members of your team. It’s natural, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay in that dark place. Speaker Suzy Batiz challenges her audiences to understand that anything is possible. A success story in her own right, Batiz understands the despair of poverty and abuse. From that darkness, she transformed herself into an entrepreneur who embraces life at its most purposeful. Named one of Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women in America, Batiz has been featured in CNBC, Fast Company, Forbes and many other publications as well as popular television. Her message of growth, resilience, transformation and success speaks to all audiences, making her one of the most sought-after and effective self-care speakers available today.

Suzy Batiz Quote: “What you focus on creates your world.”

Photo courtesy of Susie Batiz

How a Real Estate Motivational Speaker Can Reduce Agent Burnout and Reinvigorate Teams
Motivational, Real Estate

How a Real Estate Motivational Speaker Can Reduce Agent Burnout and Reinvigorate Teams

Leadership speakers for real estate conferences and other events are in high demand—and there’s a reason.

Today’s firms face a growing challenge: high turnover rates among their agents. In fact, the turnover rate among real estate agents grew from 35% in 2016 to 49% in 2020 according to Zippia. Each agent or broker lost means a new one must be trained. Worse, the connections that your agent built over time need to be repaired and rebuilt. Many are lost entirely.

Most agents quit for obvious reasons, such as difficulty networking and failure to develop leads. Not giving up requires enormous determination, self-discipline and, most of all, motivation. That is where hiring a successful real estate motivational speaker at your next conference can help.

Keynote speakers make a difference at your next real estate conference

Someone fresh to the real estate game may feel on top of the world. After all, they took their courses, aced their tests and obtained the license they sought. Many have bachelor’s and even master’s degrees. Plus, they just landed their first job with a great real estate company. It seems nothing can hold them back!

Yet, those first weeks prove challenging. Weeks turn to months and even years, and some of the best leads—the ones your agents nurtured with love and care on weekends and after-hours—fall through with a phone call. More often, they fall through with an email or prolonged silence. For many, burn out sets in even before that first sale.

Leadership speakers have been through these trials, too. It’s one thing to off-handedly say that persistence wins the race, but it’s another to hear it from someone who has been there, often having struggled for years. A great real estate motivational speaker will connect with your audience through true, relatable stories that can have your team both laughing and crying in the same breath.

Team members who may have felt isolated and ready to give up will bond not just with the speaker but with each other. While competition often brings out your agents’ best performance, the shared experience evoked by a great real estate speaker provides the needed fuel and comradery to keep going.

The best real estate speakers inspire through their own success

Every great story has an arc. And while your speaker knows the difficulties faced by their agents, they also know the road to success. That achievement in itself will inspire your team.

Sales coach and speaker Grant Cardone started his career in auto repair sales. He faced many trials including addiction. Today, he is the best-selling author of The 10X Rule and Dominate Your Market with an estimated value in the billions due to his business and real estate acumen and perseverance. Trainer, coach and speaker Ben Fairfield, on the other hand, didn’t enter the world of real estate until 2005. Then this Idaho native spearheaded the largest Century 21 franchise in the world.

These great real estate speakers won’t need to brag. Their success speaks for itself and inspires your real estate sales team to aim higher and remain focused. They know the accomplishment that comes from never giving up.

Look for practicality in your speaker

The right business speaker has more to offer than inspiration and star power for its own sake. You need someone familiar with real estate who will know the how of agent success, too. On top of relating the trials and tribulations of their own journeys, a great speaker will offer practical methods for success including:

  • Presentation tips & networking advice
  • Advanced use of digital media
  • Low/no cost advertising
  • Navigating and leveraging open houses for success
  • Lead follow-up tips and more

Easily find a great motivational speaker for your real estate event

Real estate company events are unlike any others. From international conferences to local and regional showcase events, you will find an unusual mix of prospective buyers, sellers, media and investors. Many speakers will be involved, and finding the right keynote speaker who can captivate and motivate all audiences is critical. And if you are a real estate firm owner, manager or event organizer, you need someone to motivate your team and hold them together for the long haul.

Online speaker services such as BettsWorks and The Success Speakers Bureau assist you in finding the top motivational speakers for your real estate conference or other corporate event. These leadership sites not only narrow your search to the best speakers available, but they ensure that booking top talent is just a few clicks away.

Photo by BalanceFormCreative/Shutterstock

How Much Does a Professional Keynote Speaker Cost?
Motivational

How Much Does a Professional Keynote Speaker Cost?

Although the cost of hiring a professional speaker varies widely, you can narrow that price tag down to a reasonable range. Let’s clear up what that speaking fee range is and how you can get the most for your dollar. We’ll start at the top.

Who are the highest-paid public speakers?

The highest-priced speakers tend to be highly visible, particularly in the realm of global politics or fame as a business mogul. For instance, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton have reportedly earned up to about half a million dollars for speaking engagements, while Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump have each commanded a price of $1 million or more. Similarly, Al Gore has been estimated to earn between $100,000 and $1 million per speaking engagement.

But don’t let those price tags worry you. These are the highest fees of some of the most publicly visible people in the U.S. Suffice to say, the combination of high public recognition and political or economic influence equate to higher fees. For your convention or other corporate event, you likely want a speaker who is more niche.

What can I expect to pay for a professional event speaker?

In some ways, the formula of “influence plus recognition equals higher speaking fees” that makes Richard Branson or Oprah Winfrey so costly plays out across the board. A celebrity speaker may run between $25,000 and $100,000.

A relative newcomer, on the other hand, may charge only $1,500 to $5,000 while top professionals may charge $5,000 to $10,000 or more. Other factors can come into play, such as location, venue and immediate availability. Still, the largest determinant of a speaker’s fee really boils down to popularity. A renowned speaker will be in higher demand, and therefore will likely charge a higher speaking fee.

What should I look for in a motivational speaker to get the best value?

If you have a large corporate budget, you will likely prefer to hire a top-tier professional capable of grabbing headlines at your event. But it’s not simply a case of “you get what you pay for.” Remember, every celebrity speaker started out as a newcomer at one time.

If you have a smaller budget, it just means that you have to research a little more. Look carefully at the speaker’s public media such as TEDx talks, YouTube videos and professional websites. Ensure that their subject matter, style and mission align with your needs. You might find just the motivational speaker you need to inspire your team or public guests.

Also, don’t narrow your list too tightly before contacting your preferred speakers or their booking agents. Once you are down to between three and five, begin reaching out. You may find that some of them are simply unavailable for the time or location that you have in mind. Also, as with any entrepreneurial pursuit or commodity, public speakers have fluctuations in demand, creating fluctuations in fees. An underbooked speaker whose fees press your top budget limit may charge less than an overbooked speaker whose fee is often lower.

It’s about more than money.

Finally, effectively communicate your exact needs at this booking stage. For instance, a professional speaker who seems overbooked may happen to be in your city or region at the time of your event. Or perhaps your event involves a cause they are intimately interested in that would lead them to consider scheduling you in. Professional speakers are dynamic people with deep passions about their work. While money is involved, try not to think of the arrangement simply in terms of a transaction. Be ready to sell the speaker or booking agent on how your event aligns with their mission, who your attendees will be and why your event will enhance the speaker’s portfolio or cause.

Photo by TheVisualsYouNeed/Shutterstock

Top 10 Motivational Speaker of All Time
Motivational

Top 10 Motivational Speaker of All Time

Motivational speakers have moved audiences for millenia. But the digital era has created a golden age of public speakers never seen before.

When the first Ted Talks were posted online in 2006, relatively few people had heard of them. Within just 3 months, they reached more than a million viewers. Speaker websites, social media and easier means of hiring keynote speakers provided new and exciting platforms for top talent. Let’s pay tribute to 10 of the best from this exciting and ongoing era.

Deepak Chopra

No professional speaker’s name is more synonymous with motivation than Deepak Chopra. Associated with New Age idealism, his holistic, metaphysical worldview has inspired millions with nearly 100 published books including The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential. A highly in-demand personality to this day, he has earned the Toastmasters International Top Five Outstanding Speakers award as well as a Carnegie award for great immigrants.

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins became a best-selling author of both The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule for a reason. It’s in her uncanny ability to bring the same personal, uplifting and useful advice to print and audio as she brings to her keynote addresses. The talk show host offers a practical, science-based approach to her motivational speeches, serving clinical professionals as well as top brands such as JP Morgan Chase and Microsoft. When it comes to inspiring organizational transformation, Robbins earns her place among the top motivational speakers of all time.

Bob Proctor

Considered by many an early architect of the modern motivational speaking movement, Bob Proctor was also a renowned self-help author. He believed that positive self-image plays a critical role in success. This view carried over into his numerous books including The Secret Science of Getting Rich and Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life. He became one of the most in-demand speakers for corporate seminars across North America. Canadian-born Proctor passed away in 2022 at age 87, but his influence will last for generations.

Anne Grady

Resilience expert Anne Grady takes a scientific and compassionate approach to helping others stay strong and motivated. A two-time TEDx speaker, Grady has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as nonprofits to build resilience and improve performance among managers and teams. Her speaking style flawlessly interweaves humor, inspiration and hard truths, making this Mind over Moment author one of the most truly inspiring motivational speakers available today.

Gary Vaynerchuk

If you use Facebook or LinkedIn, you’re probably familiar with Gary Vaynerchuk. This serial entrepreneur and motivational speaker earned his place as a master of social media and one of the most influential personalities across platforms. A five-time best-selling author, his works include Twelve and a Half and Crushing It! This prolific and dynamic speaker has also been named by BusinessWeek as one of the 20 people every entrepreneur should follow.

Daymond John

Staying motivated during tough times challenges even the top business leaders. Motivational speaker, entrepreneur and television personality Daymond John excels at keeping you focused and on track. This Shark Tank host founded and serves as CEO of The Shark Group, a brand management and consulting firm. His own early business challenges inform his keynote address with a stated goal to “help you avoid making the same costly mistakes that I’ve made.” John has also authored numerous books to keep you on track including Rise and Grind and The Brand Within.

Zig Ziglar

Prior to his passing in 2015, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar spoke at events alongside presidents and prime ministers. He also served as a sales coach and entrepreneur, bringing a deeply-rooted ethical take to his business approach. One of the most-quoted keynote speakers of all time, his religious roots played out in his caring for others. His more than 30 published books include Sell Your Way to the Top and Goals: How to Get the Most Out of Your Life.

Echkhart Tolle

Profundity does not need to be complicated. Eckhart Tolle provides a simple yet enlightening keynote experience, guiding listeners to lead a more fulfilled life through inner peace. A highly sought speaker worldwide, he can reach audiences in German and Spanish as well as in English. He also authored the best-seller The Power of Now and A New Earth, both of which are renowned for their spiritually-driven motivational influence.

Les Brown

Former state congressperson of Ohio Les Brown implores his audiences to stop and tell themselves, “I have greatness within me.” Reaching audiences of up to 80,000, he also coaches Fortune 500 CEOs, small business owners and not-for-profit companies with his positive message of personal success and corporate growth. He has a particular gift for finding commonalities among us, allowing him to reach audiences regardless of background or nationality. His best-selling books include You’ve Got to Be Hungry and The Greatness Within You.

Karen M. Allen

No motivational speaker list is complete without 100% Human™ movement founder Karen M. Allen. This relative newcomer has come in hot with a client list that includes Google, Travelers Insurance, the Women’s Foodservice Forum and many more. A favorite among millennial audiences as well as more seasoned business leaders, her keynote addresses focus on equipping individuals to develop and nurture healthier mindsets for both personal and professional growth.

Photo by G Holland/Shutterstock 

Why Hire a Motivational Speaker?
Motivational

Why Hire a Motivational Speaker?

Hiring a motivational speaker for your company requires investment. That means the cost of planning, coordination, space and time away from the job for your employees.

However, hiring the best thought leader available provides lasting value for the company. A 2016 study of employee engagement found that up to 70% of employees are disengaged at work. Can booking a thought leadership speaker help reinvigorate your team? With employee turnover rates reaching new highs, there’s never been a better time to hire a motivational speaker. Here’s why.

Fresh perspectives increase company innovation.

Companies rely on consistency and processes by necessity. Complex processes are needed for planning and reliable delivery of products and services.

Yet maturing companies also face the danger of falling into hardened systems that lack innovation. The top keynote speakers have an understanding of your industry, but they also understand people. They motivate both individuals and teams to look at their workday and relationships with fresh eyes. That is, they widen an employee’s perspective in ways that lead to company innovation and progress.

It can enhance team unity and enthusiasm.

Corporate thought leaders understand what motivates individual employees and drives them to success. Just as importantly, they understand team dynamics. A single employee may feel energized at a company event upon hearing a quality keynote speaker, but that enthusiasm will grow tenfold when they see fellow co-workers sharing in that excitement.

Every manager knows that employees can bond either negatively or positively. Negative bonding centers around complaints or dissatisfactions which are either internal or external. Positive bonding occurs when a team shares in excitement and enthusiasm for mutual growth within the company. Inspirational people provide that positive sense of exuberance and empowerment.

Employees experience a break from routine and time to bond.

No matter how interesting or exciting work may be, it can become a grind. Work breaks are often spent in solitude or running errands. Vacation usually means time away from work—and from fellow employees.

Hiring a motivational speaker for an event provides a break from the ordinary workday. Nearly every employee looks forward to the opportunity. Although these events are structured, employees often see them as a welcome break from the usual. Just as importantly, events featuring top public speakers provide an opportunity for co-workers and teams to meet in ways they normally wouldn’t. Best of all, they will meet under highly positive circumstances.

Booking a motivational speaker shows your employees you are invested in them.

A 2012 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 93% of employees who felt valued report they are motivated to do their best work. Compare that statistic to only 33% who felt undervalued reporting similar motivation.

By booking a thought leader or celebrity speaker, you send a clear signal to your employees:  you are invested in them not only in the present, but for their future growth in the company.

Plan ahead with a post-speaker strategy.

Thought leadership speakers create enthusiasm in the workplace. They enhance creativity, team cohesiveness and help your employees feel valued. That is, true to the purpose, your employees will come back feeling motivated.

Yet that exuberance won’t last forever without support. Be sure to make the most out of your employees’ renewed enthusiasm. Schedule post-speaker team meetings both within and across teams, as well as one-on-one. Consider surveys with open-ended questions to learn how the motivational speaker enhanced your employees’ individual outlooks. Plan ahead, and be ready to tap into that renewed energy.

Photo by Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

The Best Motivational Speakers to Know in 2022
Motivational

The Best Motivational Speakers to Know in 2022

Whether booking a motivational speaker for a grand opening keynote address or to inspire your employees, you want to make the best choice possible. Do you want the star impact of a top celebrity? Or do you seek inspiration for executives from a first-rate leadership speaker? For that matter, you might want to hire someone industry-specific such as a real estate or health and wellness speaker.

With so many options, it’s helpful to start with a list of some of the best motivational speakers available. Here, you will find 16 top motivational speakers with a variety of backgrounds from a wide range of industries. So start scheduling. And get motivated!

Anne Grady

A leading global authority on resilience, Anne is also an entrepreneur and author of Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, and 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work: Transforming Your Life One Week at a Time. Her approach to coping with challenges and overall health and well-being are grounded in both personal challenges and research. When her son was diagnosed with severe mental illness and autism, she dove into researching brain development and neuroscience to find answers.

This scientific inquisitiveness grounds her inspirational and enlightening approach to personal growth with plenty of grace, humor and strategies to meet any adversity. Grady is a two-time TEDx speaker and has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Fox Business and other news outlets nationwide.

Notable Quote: “Getting in a rut is dangerous; after all, a rut is just a grave with no ends.”

Mel Robbins

A leading business speaker and authority on confidence-building and planning, Mel Robbins has become one of the most booked speakers in the world. Her productivity planner, The 5 Second Rule, became an international bestseller with four additional #1 best-selling audiobooks on Audible including The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit.

As an entrepreneur, her online courses have changed the lives of over a million students with a 99% approval rating. Her nationally-syndicated daytime talk show, The Mel Robbins Show, has likewise inspired audiences with better tools for building courage and taking control both in work and in life.

Notable Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Trent Shelton

Former NFL wide receiver Trent Shelton knows how to get your attention and hold it, inspiring people with his candid and deeply motivational short videos. His 2019 book, The Greatest You: Face Reality, Release Negativity, and Live Your Purpose, enjoys a nearly five-star rating at Amazon as does his 2020 book, Straight Up: Honest, Unfiltered, As-Real-As-I-Can-Put-It Advice for Life’s Biggest Challenges.

When an injury cut his NFL career short, he chose not to lose sight of his dream and instead turned his setback into a global message of empowerment. He founded the Christian nonprofit Rehab Time, a global-facing institution with a message of positive change and life improvement. Reaching millions through his uplifting message, Rehab Time also includes workout groups and Shelton’s own inspirational speaking engagements.

Notable Quote: “If you’re afraid of struggle, then you’re afraid of growth. You have to go through it to get to it.” 

Jay Shetty

With a background in business and as a Hindu monk, life coach Jay Shetty brings a unique perspective to his message of peace and inner growth. The #1 New York Times best-selling author of Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day inspires readers and listeners alike with a message of well-being and sustainable fulfillment.

Forbes named Shetty to their 30 Under 30 list as a game-changer in media, and People Magazine has named him as an influencer to watch. Creator of On Purpose, named to Apple’s Top 20 Podcasts of the Year in its first year, Shetty’s inspirational videos have garnered him more than 4 million subscribers.

Notable Quote: “We must keep the promises we make to ourselves so that we can keep those that we make to others.”

Grant Cardone

When it comes to speaking engagements, Grant Cardone knows his business. Through hard work and entrepreneurship, Cardone now owns and operates seven privately held companies and the private equity real estate firm Cardone Capital.

The New York Times best-selling author of The 10X Rule also established the 10X Growth Conference, now among the largest business and entrepreneurial conferences in the world. With a massive following as a speaker, Cardone is known for his crowdfunding acumen and has been voted the top marketing influencer to watch by Forbes. His business and sales educational platforms have inspired more than nearly 400,000 users with their message of personal accomplishment in the worlds of business, finance and real estate.

Notable Quote: “As long as you are alive, you will either live to accomplish your own goals and dreams or be used as a resource to accomplish someone else’s.”

Kindra Hall

President and Chief Storytelling Officer at Steller Collective and a former Director of Marketing and VP sales, Kindra Hall knows intimately the power of strategic storytelling. Her influential books Stories That Stick and Choose Your Story, Change Your Life, among others, explore the way stories can influence both sales and our personal outlooks in life and goal changing ways.

Hall’s clients include Hilton Hotels, Tyson Foods, Target and Berkshire Hathaway, and she has even served as a guest faculty member at Harvard Medical School. A former contributing editor to SUCCESS magazine, Hall is a highly sought-after keynote and guest speaker by some of the most trusted brands across industries. Her motivational speeches inspire teams and individuals in improved means of communicating their messages through better storytelling

Notable Quote: “A single purpose story has the ability to unite entire teams of people and reconnect them to the deeper meaning of their work.”

Iyanla Vanzant

Inspirational speaker and lawyer Iyanla Vanzant sees two different kinds of work. The first is growth work—that is, managing to work with where you are and what you have for better outcomes. The second is healing work: digging for the causes of certain habitual, unconscious and systemic behaviors or beliefs that may hold you back from healing and growth.

Named by Ebony Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Black Americans, she inspires a practical path forward through any hardship and toward personal growth and spiritual development. A television guest of Oprah, Joy Behar, Dr. Oz and many others, Vanzant inspires both teams and individuals with her messages of personal empowerment and tapping into the power within.

Notable Quote: “Every day is your day if you claim it. If you wait for somebody else to make it for you, you’re going to be disappointed.”

Simon T. Bailey

Speaker, success coach, author, television host and philanthropist Simon T. Bailey doesn’t believe in limits. With an emphasis on high performance, he motivates his followers to discover their brilliance and act on it.

He provides real-world strategies for high performers under pressure through platforms including LinkedIn Learning features and books such as Be the Spark: Five Platinum Service Principles for Creating Customers for Life and his Brilliant Living series. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including serving as sales director for the Disney Institute, Bailey understands the pressures faced by leaders and provides the motivation and tools needed to succeed in the most demanding industries.

Notable Quote: “Expand your inner circle to include those who can challenge your thinking and escalate you to unreached heights of success.”

Erin King

Communication isn’t always easy. Effective sales communications can be harder. The ever-changing digital age has afforded greater access to audiences, but also additional nuances and hurdles. Digital communications, sales and branding keynote speaker Erin King will inspire your teams and provide a new way of understanding how to succeed.

King has authored best-selling books such as Digital Persuasion: Sell Smarter in the Modern Workplace and You’re Kind of a Big Deal: Level Up by Unlocking Your Audacity and serves clients ranging from the Pentagon to the Oscars. King served as CEO of Socialite Agency, and her keynote addresses assist marketing teams in closing the gap between online and offline worlds for a better communications strategy. A master in the art of digital persuasion, her addresses are known to “crush it” for audiences with lasting impressions and opportunity for sales growth and personal fulfillment.

Notable Quote: “Level up how you show up online, offline, and all the time.”

Tristan Ahumada

CEO of Lab Coat Agents and award-winning blogger, Realtor® Tristan Ahumada has worked in real estate since 2004 and serves as SUCCESS magazine’s people editor. A highly sought after speaker, he assists businesses as a consultant with a focus on relationship building with clients.

Ahumada believes in leading with kindness, and the results are impressive. His podcast features thought leaders currently shaping industries, and he loves using social media outlets to market real estate and to connect with others. In fact, he is the creator and co-founder of one of the largest private Facebook real estate groups in the U.S. Ahumada speaks year-round on lead conversion through long-term followup and building lasting connections.

Notable Quote: “I often hear I’m getting into real estate because I’m tired of working 9-5. And that is the number one biggest mistake.”

Amy Purdy

Professional speaker, blogger and author Amy Purdy understands challenges, determination and success. After falling victim to meningitis, she became a double amputee and began snowboarding seven months after she received her prosthetic legs. Accomplished in athletics, dance and entrepreneurship, her popular TEDx talk “Living Beyond Limits” gained her notoriety as a top inspirational speaker at events.

Purdy is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Adaptive Action Sports and authored the book On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life. In it, she inspires readers with her story of resilience, daring to dream big and how we can all rewrite our own stories.

Notable Quote: When we embrace the things that make us unique, our true and remarkable capabilities are revealed

Michelle Poler

Keynote speaker and fear facer Michelle Poler encourages her audiences to step outside their respective comfort zones to reach their full potential. A branding strategist, she authored the book Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You’re Meant to Be. She has spoken at TEDx, Microsoft, Toyota and other major brands with engaging humor and humility, tackling practical strategies for personal growth and professional accomplishment.

Poler is a creative and passionate social entrepreneur, and is also the creator of the 100 Days Without Fear project. 

Notable Quote: “Making fear-based decisions leads to regret, unhappiness, conformity, and resentment.”

Mally Roncal

Celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal knows drive and motivation. She followed her ambitions from the makeup counter at Barney’s to traveling the world as a celebrity makeup artist for stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. Entrepreneurial in spirit, she launched Mally Beauty live on QVC in 2005 and has garnered a massive social media following as a key influencer.

Roncal has appeared on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, Today and others, and is the author of Love, Lashes, and Lipstick: My Secrets for a Gorgeous, Happy Life. Her positive and inspirational message and dynamic, engaging qualities make her a favorite public speaker.

Notable Quote: “In my opinion, there are no rules. If you want to rock a trend, I say go for it, and just know that you are fierce enough to pull it off!”

Eric Thomas

Speaker and business consultant Eric Thomas takes a creative approach to living successfully, both in your personal and professional life. He serves as CEO of his consulting firm, ETA LLC., working with companies such as General Electric, Quicken Loans and AT&T as well as consulting for major league sports franchises.

The author of Greatness is Upon You: How to Achieve and Sustain Greatness conducts sermons and started a program for underprivileged youth in Huntsville, Alabama. He also founded Breathe University, featuring online training and coaching sessions and hosts the Secret to Success podcast on Apple, YouTube, Stitcher and Spotify.

Notable Quote: “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” 

Michael Gelb

Our most underutilized resource lies within us. The genius within each of us often goes unnoticed—and unused. Michael Gelb leads as a corporate culture authority, author and speaker on tapping into genius and applying it to both personal and organizational development.

Scholarly, fun and well-rounded, Gelb’s nearly 20 published books cover such topics as public speaking, wellness and creativity. His latest book, The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World, explores why certain companies excel at employee happiness, customer loyalty and community engagement. Co-authored with Raj Sisodia, The Healing Organization has earned a nearly five-star overall review on Amazon.

Notable Quote: “Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery. These models of excellence will inspire you and guide you toward the fulfillment of your highest potential.”

Seeking the best motivational speaker for your event?

While this list showcases some of the best motivational and keynote speakers, it is by no means exhaustive. There might be a more perfect fit for your needs available today. Still, pouring through hundreds of web pages and thousands of speakers isn’t the answer.

That is why SUCCESS presents the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau. Depend on our 100 years of experience in business success and a decade of building relationships with top business professionals and speakers worldwide. Explore our speakers by category of interest, read individual biographies and check for availability. It’s that simple.

Be prepared and make a splash at your next corporate event. Check out the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau now!

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