The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Motivational Speaker for Your Next Event

Booking a speaker is an in-depth process. If business owners want to learn how to hire the best motivational speaker for their event, they must consider the timeline, cost, event type and talent roster. The better informed they are, the more engaging their function will be.

The Typical Timeline for Hiring a Speaker for Your Event

There is no universal timeline for hiring a motivational speaker, as factors such as the function’s location and the speaker’s popularity can impact availability and travel plans. However, reaching out six months to one year in advance should give businesses ample time to secure their preferred speaker, especially if they are a high-profile, in-demand individual.

Booking four to six months in advance gives professionals enough time to negotiate contracts and make travel arrangements. However, the most sought-after speakers may already be booked. Some agencies can accommodate bookings within one to three months, but these are considered last-minute, so their available roster may be smaller.

Emergency bookings happen less than one month before the event, which is not ideal but happens fairly often. For example, the original speaker may cancel at the last minute due to an emergency, leaving the company without talent. Filling the empty spot is challenging, but not impossible. Managers should be prepared to be flexible with their speaker choice and budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Book a Motivational Speaker?

The cost of hiring a motivational speaker varies depending on their background and level of expertise. The speaking fee is their main compensation for the engagement. It reflects their experience, fame, accomplishments and knowledge, going beyond payment for the time spent on stage.

According to the experts at Leading Authorities Inc., a motivational speaker fee typically ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on who the event planner hires. High-profile individuals command higher fees. However, even new speakers charge a few thousand dollars per engagement. Some people have additional fees built in, while others charge other expenses separately.

In addition to the speaking fee, businesses may have to cover the cost of audiovisual equipment, travel, local accommodations, meals and incidentals. Booking local speakers may be more cost-effective since they do not have to travel as far. However, the talent pool may be significantly diminished, depending on the event’s location.

Many people offer meet-and-greets, book signings or workshops. Some charge an additional fee for these optional services, while others offer them at no extra cost. Business owners interested in adding them should determine the price before signing the contract.

How to Hire the Best Motivational Speaker for Your Event

To begin, decision-makers should consider their function’s goal. Motivational speeches are more than hyping up the audience — they need someone aligning with their workplace culture and business objectives. For example, a self-made CEO may be better suited than a bestselling author to motivate a crowd of salespeople.

A person’s background, personality and life experience determine whether they can engage and inspire certain audiences. Whether they specialize in risk-taking, crisis management, overcoming adversity or leadership matters. While any motivational speaker will give it their all, someone who can connect with the crowd on a personal level will have a greater impact.

Business leaders should also ask themselves what type of motivational speaker their audience will be the most receptive to. The largest speaker rosters comprise professionals ranging from astronauts to actresses, offering considerable flexibility. They should consider the spectators’ interests, demographics, knowledge base and daily duties.

Schedule and budget flexibility are their last major considerations. To hire the best motivational speaker for their event, they should search for candidates well in advance. If the event date is already decided, checking speakers’ availability and fees is essential.

Where to Find the Best Motivational Speakers

Booking a speaker is a considerable investment, so decision-makers should choose a trustworthy liaison. Hiring an influencer from social media or asking a favor from a personal connection might work. Still, those avenues are far more time-consuming and uncertain than using a professional service with experienced, dedicated event coordinators.

Speaker bureaus are agencies that help find and book talent for events and gatherings. They often have well-established relationships with thousands of industry professionals, enabling them to offer in-depth guidance during the selection process. Some even have exclusive contracts with in-demand individuals.

Top-rated agencies like Leading Authorities Inc. provide curated recommendations based on tailored selection criteria. Beyond acting as a liaison between clients and the talent, they typically handle contract negotiations and event logistics. Many offer value-added services, such as event planning or travel coordination, making them a one-stop shop.

Some agencies do not publicly list all the individuals they represent. If companies have a specific person in mind but cannot find them on the roster, they should ask if they are available.

The Top-Rated Speakers Bureaus With the Best Rosters

The top speakers’ bureaus represent everyone from Oscar-nominated actors to Olympic medalists, offering optimal flexibility. They also handle contract negotiation and travel logistics to simplify event planning.

1. Leading Authorities, Inc.

Leading Authorities is a full-spectrum international speakers bureau and agency representing decorated athletes, bestselling authors, successful entrepreneurs and famous pop culture figures worldwide. It routinely helps companies hire the best motivational speakers for events.

Its planning specialists are among the most accomplished in the field. Most have 20 years of experience tailoring engagements to meet clients’ needs. The LAI team meets with speakers in person to get to know their delivery style and personalities. Some members travel alongside the talent and attend presentations multiple times, letting them provide up-close insights.

The dedicated program consultants and event coordinators even provide their phone numbers so clients can quickly contact them if anything demands urgent attention. If the speaker’s availability changes at the last minute, they will find an equal or better replacement.

2. BigSpeak

For decades, BigSpeak has connected enterprises with top talent. It has partnered with 70% of Fortune 1000 companies, including household names like NASA, Disney, Deloitte, Coca-Cola and John Deere — to advise on and contract speakers. On one review site, it has a 100% recommendation rating from past clients.

BigSpeak is among the largest and top-rated speakers bureaus with extensive industry experience and well-established connections. For reference, it has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for several consecutive years. As of 2025, it has booked over $300 million in keynote speakers on behalf of thousands of companies worldwide.

Through its unique ExpertSelect process, it helps clients find the right fit. It employs dedicated advisors and in-house event specialists to handle the logistics associated with event planning. The team will ensure speakers’ availability and style align with their goals. They negotiate on the company’s behalf to get the best service value.

3. SUCCESS Speakers Bureau

The foundations of SUCCESS Speakers Bureau were laid over 125 years ago with the launch of the Success magazine, a trusted source of knowledge for business leaders. Its founder established the speakers bureau in 1987 to bring those professionals to the stage.

Although its legacy is rooted in the corporate world, it represents athletes, celebrities, TEDx speakers and influencers. Decision-makers can visit specific speakers’ profiles to check their availability and fees. The team helps coordinate everything from availability and travel to scheduling emergencies and last-minute talent replacements.

4. CAA Speakers

Founded in 1975, CAA Speakers quickly became one of the top-rated talent agencies. It combines local expertise and global reach to appeal to countless industries. Its white-glove service includes professional event coordination. CAA Speakers employs a team of meeting planners and event managers to find talent that best aligns with clients’ needs.

The bureau represents celebrities, coaches, comedians, digital influencers, entrepreneurs, late-night hosts, talk show contributors and thought leaders. Its motivational speaker roster includes Olympic gold medalists, Academy Award winners, Fortune 500 CEOs and cancer survivors. While it offers high-profile options, it also has many budget-friendly alternatives.

Although CAA Speakers can accommodate last-minute requests, it recommends interested parties contact the team one to three months before their function to help ensure availability. The team will respond to availability inquiries within 24 hours.

Deciding Which Speakers Bureau You Want to Work With

Deciding between the top speaker bureaus comes down to fee ranges, speaker availability, event flexibility and emergency support options. Each one will be there for its clients every step of the way, but their processes differ enough and can impact the engagement’s effectiveness.

Ensure Your Next Event Is Engaging and Boosts Morale

Once professionals know how to hire the best motivational speaker for their event, the process is relatively straightforward. The dedicated program coordinators and event planners will handle everything from contract negotiation to emergency replacements, so the only decision business owners have to make is who they want to hire as a speaker.