Author: leadgen

Top Professional Speakers in 2017

Top professional speakers are they experts in their field who have decades of industry experience, but they have also mastered the fine (and often terrifying) art of public speaking.

With so many professional speakers on the “speaking circuit,” how do you know which is the best professional speakers for your event?  

Below is our list of the top professional speakers in 2017:

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh is a renowned futurist, bestselling author, and the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing business for the 21st century and consumer innovation research lab.  As a global nomad, professional speaker and consumer trend scout, Mike Walsh brings a truly global perspective to every event.  Rather than focusing on the distant future, Mike focuses on the next five years – scanning the near horizon for disruptive technologies and consumer innovations on the verge of hitting critical mass – then translating these into usable business strategies. Mike Walsh has advised the CEOs and senior management teams at multinational companies including: the BBC, Fujifilm, Richemont, MSN, Star TV, Televisa, Philips, and HSBC.

Barbara Corcoran

Best known as a panelist on ABC’s Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran is a self-made real estate mogul, entrepreneur, and author.  Corcoran’s business keynote tells her inspirational story of turning a $1,000 loan into a $5 billion dollar real estate company.  As a business speaker, Barbara Corcoran brings her front-line business experience and infectious energy to every group she addresses. Motivational, inspirational, and sometimes outrageous, Barbara Corcoran’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude is a refreshing approach to business success.

Simon T. Bailey

Simon Bailey is one of America’s top 10 most-booked professional speakers on change, leadership, and customer experience. Simon is the CEO of Simon T. Bailey International, a premium education company specializing in creating learning and development content for individuals and organizations. His keynotes focus on bringing out your brilliance and will teach you how to make something happen instead of just playing it safe. A Simon T. Bailey keynote will inspire and invigorate your team with his brilliant message.

Peter Sheahan

Peter Sheahan is the founder & group CEO of Karrikins Group. Peter is known internationally for his innovative customized professional keynotes and thought leadership and has advised leaders from companies as diverse as Apple, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Hyundai, IBM, Pfizer, Wells Fargo, and Cardinal Health. As a professional speaker at a corporate meeting Peter will advise your company on matter such as, finding opportunity in disruption to create more value, how to turn a challenge into opportunity and disruption into competitive an advantage, and building organizations and teams capable of sustaining growth through a culture of innovation, courageous leadership, and aligned individuals.

Peter Diamandis

In 2014 Fortune Magazine named Peter Diamandis as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. Diamandis is the Founder & Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, which leads the world in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions. Diamandis is also New York Times bestselling author of two books: Abundance and BOLD. As an entrepreneur and futurist speaker, Peter is also a sought after professional speaker. This year he spoke at ThoughtWorks’s ParadigmShift, an executive conference that brings together business and tech’s most influential thinkers. Peter often speaks on the topics of technology, future tech and global trends, and innovation.

Peyton Manning

This year football living legend, Peyton Manning, spoke at Entrarta Summit, a four-day corporate conference that offered training courses, breakout sessions, and an impressive roster of keynote speakers, about personal branding and negotiation skills. When the scheduling and budget work out, a celebrity speaker can be a great addition to a conference. Peyton spoke on the importance of leadership, as well as teamwork skills in accomplishing any project. Having a celebrity as your keynote speaker can add some buzz around your event and provide attendees with chance to hear from beloved public figure about how they made it big.

Sallie Krawcheck

As the Chair of a major investing fund, the former CEO of Citi Global Wealth Management, and former President of Global Wealth & Investment Management for Bank of America, Krawcheck knows a thing or two about business and finance.  She has been listed as one of Forbes’ and Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women” in business and U.S. Banker’s top “Woman to Watch.” She is a past recipient of CNBC’s “Business Leader of the Future Award,” was one of Time magazine’s “Global Business Influentials,” Fortune’s “Most Influential Person Under the Age of 40” and an “Institutional Investor” top CFO in financial services.  She was recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of its Young Global Leaders and has been lauded as an exceptional top female business speaker for businesses and associations. Krawcheck’s business speaker keynotes include a refreshing mix of humor, passion, and invaluable learnings from her extensive business experience.

To bring one of the best professional speakers to your next conference or event, contact us here.

Top Political Keynote Speakers

 

A political speaker can talk about a number of different topics ranging from healthcare, finance, the environment, education, and more. A political keynote speaker can include politicians, activists, former presidents, and judges. Political keynotes speakers are the smartest minds in Washington and around the world who analyze the decisions and debates from the campaign trail to the halls of Congress and the White House. Their research and experience color their insights with fascinating anecdotes and true insider information.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The world first knew Arnold Schwarzenegger as a famous bodybuilder and a Hollywood action hero, and now as California’s 38th Governor, an environmental crusader, a successful businessman, and a generous philanthropist. Due to Arnold’s busy schedule, he does not book as many speaking engagements per year, but when he does, his political keynote speeches are among the best.

Bill Clinton

William Jefferson Clinton, a seasoned political keynote speaker, is the first Democratic president in six decades to be elected twice, led the U.S. to the longest economic expansion in American history, including the creation of more than 22 million jobs. He is the founder of the Clinton Foundation which focuses on tackling a number of the worlds’ greatest challenges.

Mitt Romney

Widely praised for his leadership as a public servant and businessman, former Governor Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee for president in 2012, running on a platform of creating jobs, reducing the debt, reforming tax law, and healthcare reform. One of Massachusetts’ most successful governors, he established a healthcare law that was the first of its kind in the nation and ensured coverage for all citizens of the state. As a political keynote speaker, Mitt speaks on a number of different topics

Al Gore

An environmental, business, and tech visionary recognized as one of the world’s leading activists and political keynote speakers, Vice President Al Gore offers a unique perspective on national and international issues, including the threats of climate change and the future of tech. Consistently an active leader in technology, Al Gore is uniquely in touch with the opportunities and challenges in charting a new digital society. Vice President Gore’s status as a leader in global politics, technology and business influences his positions as member of the Board of Directors of Apple and a Senior Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Silicon Valley’s preeminent venture firm.

John Boehner

A former small businessman, John Boehner served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for nearly five years during which he led the drive for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable federal government. Speaker Boehner focused on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth, cutting government spending, reforming Congress, and rebuilding the bonds of trust between the American people and their representatives in Washington. As you might have guessed speaker of the house Boehner is one of the most sought after political keynote speakers.

Condoleezza Rice

From January 2005-2009, Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. Political keynote speaker, Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s assistant to the President for national security affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001-2005, the first woman to hold the position. Rice served as Stanford University’s provost from 1993-1999, during which she was the institution’s chief budget and academic officer.

Madeleine Albright

Albright was the 64th Secretary of State of the United States. In 1997, she was named the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As Secretary of State, Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated democracy and human rights and promoted American trade and business, labor and environmental standards abroad. Madeleine is a highly sought after political keynote speaker, whose keynotes are not to be missed.

Top Keynote Speakers Who Donate Their Speaking Fees to Charity

Who are the top keynote speakers that donate their speaking fees to charity? Below is a list of speakers who give back to non-profit and community organizations that strive to make the world a better place.

Bert and John Jacobs, Life is Good

If ever there were a company that optimized the importance of giving back to the community, Life is Good would be it. The company was founded on the tenants of optimism, gratitude, and authenticity. Life is Good donates at least 10% of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Kids Foundation to positively impact over 120,000 kids daily facing poverty, violence, and illness. Bert and John Jacobs have lived and breathed “giving” at every stage of Life is Good’s growth and also donate all of their speaking fees to the Life is Good Kids Foundation.

James Curleigh, The Red Tab Foundation

James Curleigh, or “JC”,  is the President of Levi. He donates all fees to the Red Tab Foundation which is affiliated with Levi Strauss & Co. The foundation aids employees by providing critical aid to employees who are suffering through unexpected emergencies. The Red Tab Foundation also provides education and proactive programs to help individuals maintain their financial health.

Steve Gross, Life is Good Kids Foundation

Steve is the co-founder and Chief Playmaker at the Life is Good Kids Foundation. The LIG Kids Foundation partners with leading childcare organizations to positively impact the quality of care delivered to the most vulnerable children Additionally, the foundation also supports child care providers, believing that “in order to better care for the most vulnerable children, we must better support those who care for them.” As a Playmaker Steve helps others discover the power of optimism so that they can build resilience and bring greater joy, connection, courage, and creativity to their lives. Steve’s fees also go to the LIG Kids Foundation. John Mackey, Whole Foods Market John Mackey is the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods. He is a strong believer in free market principles, to boldly defend and reimagine capitalism, and encourage a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness. In 2001, driven by a  passion to see the business realize its potential for a deeper purpose, and to answer the call to service that he feels in his heart, Mackey cut his pay to $1 a year and continues to work for Whole Foods. Mackey has created several philanthropic foundations at the core of Whole Foods Markets: The Whole Planet Foundation, which works to eradicate poverty in developing nations; the Local Producer Loan Program, which helps fund local farmers and food producers in business expansion; and, the Global Animal Partnership, which works to establish standards for the humane treatment of farm animals.

Matthew Beall, Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund

Matthew Beall is the Principal Broker and CEO of Hawai’i Life Real Estate Brokers. Hawaii Life is the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate for the neighbor islands of Hawaii (Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island, Molokai, and Lanai). Matthew is also a television host of “Hawai’i Life” on HGTV. A portion of his speaking fees are donated to the Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund which works to preserve Hawaii’s beauty and culture by supporting its people.

Scott Harrison, charity:water

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of Charity:Water a non-profit organization that builds long-lasting public water installations and water sanitation services to communities in need around the world. When completed, those projects provide over 6.4 million people with clean, safe drinking water. Scott was inspired to start Charity:Water after volunteering on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia as a photojournalist. He quite his job as a club promoter in NYC and turned his full attention to the global water crisis and the world’s 663 million people without clean water to drink. In ten years, with the help of more than one million donors worldwide, Charity:Water has raised over $225 million and funded over 21,000 water projects in 24 countries. Scott donates all of his speaking fees to Charity:Water.

Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED

Lauren Bush Lauren is the CEO, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of FEED Projects, she is also a fashion model and designer. FEED is a charitable company whose mission is to create good products that help feed the world. Many may recognize her first  famous burlap tote bags with the word “FEED” printed on them–When purchased, the bag feeds one child in school for one year. FEED Projects has now expanded their product lines to include leather bags and clutches, and t-shirts with all profits funding children’s school lunches.

Doc Hendley, Wine to Water

While bartending to pay the bills, Doc Hendley noticed the men and women sitting on the stools seemed to want to be part of something bigger. Inspired from behind the bar, Hendley started Wine to Water with wine tasting and a humble donation jar. Hendley realized that just by using his ability to tend bars and create relationships with people, he might be able to help provide people with clean drinking water. So, at the bars where he worked, he started raising money to fight this water epidemic the best way he knew how, by pouring wine and playing music. Today Wine to Water not only raises money and brings awareness to the lack of clean drinking water in the developing world, but the organization (and also Doc himself) has dug, repaired, and sanitized drinking wells for nearly 25,000 people in five third world countries.  Hendley donates all of his speaking fees back to Wine to Water. These top-notch keynote speakers not only bring hype, and engaging, meaningful content to your event, but in booking them you are also contributing to charitable organizations that work to help those in need and make the world a better place.

These top-notch keynote speakers not only bring hype, and engaging, meaningful content to your event, but in booking them you are also contributing to charitable organizations that work to help those in need and make the world a better place.

Who are the Top 10 Motivational Keynote Speakers?

Are you planning a motivational keynote event for your company or organization?

Research shows that a boost in employee engagement and morale will also boost company productivity and profit. Motivation comes in many forms and goes by many names–motivational speakers have overcome adversity, beat the odds, and invested insurmountable amounts of time and effort to reach for their dreams.

A motivational speaker can inspire, engage, empower, and, of course, motivate your team. But, “Who are the top motivational keynote speakers,” you may ask?

Fear not, we’ve compiled this list for you. 

1. Jack Canfield

The originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and a prolific self development author, Jack is recognized as America’s number one motivational speaker. From Jack’s motivational keynote audiences will be inspired to participate more fully in life, show more compassion and caring in their professional relationships, dream bigger, replace blaming and complaining with responsibility, and how to persevere in the face of fear, obstacles, and setbacks. A keynote presentation from motivational speaker Jack Canfield is a once and a lifetime experience not to be missed.

2. Leon Logothetis

Leon is a global adventurer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. Uninspired at this broker job in London, Leon set out for life on the road. Inspired by the movie The Motorcycle Diaries, Leon traveled across the country in a vintage yellow motorbike relying solely on the kindness of strangers to find food, gas and lodgings, while simultaneously giving life-changing gifts to good Samaritans along the way. Leon’s motivational keynote speech teaches you how to listen to that inner voice that tells you life is yours, that anything you dream is possible, and that the power for harnessing all of this potential has been right in front of you all along through kindness and human connection. Leon has an inspiring and fun story to tell, one that will surely motivate all in attendance.

3. Mel Robbins  

Mel Robbins is best known for her TEDxTalk: “How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” Mel is a powerful motivational keynote speaker who jumps into your audience (literally); creating motivational experiences with surprising research, vivid imagery, original videos, and music. In her keynote, “The 5 Second Rule”, based off her bestselling book of the same name, Mel points out that as we grow up we have parents, coaches, teachers, mentors, etc. who push us to be better and work harder. But as adults, we often don’t have anyone to push and motivate us but ourselves. Using scientific research on the nature of habits, and drawing on facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art, and business, Mel explains the power of a “push moment” to break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt and become a more confident and productive individual.

4. Brian Holloway

Former offensive tackle for the New England Patriots, Brian Holloway, is the most requested motivational team builder. He understands how to transform thinking within organizations and challenge the competitive spirit of diverse teams. Brian grew up to face and overcome many challenges—he spent much of his youth adjusting to life in 12 different states, even being labeled a “slow learner.” Persistence and an unstoppable spirit propelled Brian through his early struggles and on to academic and athletic success throughout high his school, college, and professional football years. As an international motivational speaker, Brian’s speaking engagements move and inspire audiences to positive change.

5. Tan Le

Tan Le is an innovator, entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of the bioinformatics company EMOTIV. In her motivational keynote speech, “My Immigration Story,” Tan recounts her childhood experiences fleeing from war-torn Communist Vietnam with her mother, and sister at the age of 4, to their life in Australia as refugees. Despite immense financial and emotional hardships, Tan explains how her single mother was able to support Tan and her sister and provide them with a good education. Audiences will be motivated by the tenacity of this young entrepreneur and inspired by her courage and grace in any situation.

6. Magic Johnson

Universally known for his 13 year professional basketball career, which includes 12 NBA All-Star games, an Olympic gold medal win, and a very public diagnosis and battle with HIV, Earvin “Magic” Johnson is also one of our most requested motivational speakers. After retiring from professional basketball, Magic turned his interest toward entrepreneurship and became a leading spokesperson for HIV education. After leaving the ballcourt, Magic turned to the board room. He established the Magic Johnson Development Corporation, which builds commercial property in long-neglected minority urban and suburban neighborhoods. In his keynote address Johnson delivers a passionate message about his life story and how we can all make a difference in our community. Magic is dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health, and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.

7. Diana Nyad

At the age of 64, Diana Nyad successfully fulfilled her lifelong dream of completing the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida on September 2, 2013. Never one to quit, this marked her fifth and final attempt. It was in July of 2010, at the age of 60, when she first began her quest of swimming from Cuba to Florida, a task she had failed to finish thirty years prior that. Nyad was unsuccessful in 2010 and tried two more times 2011 and 2012 before completing her historic and victorious swim in 2013. When asked her motivation, she replied, “Because I’d like to prove to the other 60-year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams.” If Diana’s story doesn’t inspire you to never give up  and never stop working towards your dreams, then nothing will.

8. JP Pawliw-Fry

What is it that most often stops us from performing at our best and accomplishing our goals? Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry suggests that it is pressure moments when we feel, overwhelmed and unsure. Using the research and brain science of emotional intelligence Pawliw-Fry explains how your brain works under pressure and how that affects your decision making and your impact on others. JP offers actionable tips on how to view pressure situations as opportunities, instead of obstacles, and provides strategies to manage your emotions so you can be at your best even in your most difficult moments.

9. Allison Massari  

In 1998, Allison survived a devastating near head-on car crash where she was trapped in her burning car, conscious the entire time. A selfless onlooker, who was a Vietnam veteran, ran into the fiery scene, kicked the glass out, and saved her life. Just three years later she was hit again at 60 mph and sustained a closed-head brain injury. Allison’s profound journey of overcoming these two life-altering injuries gives her a genuine and direct approach to transcending life’s difficulties. By sharing her story she motivates change in people and in organizations. Her motivational keynote focuses on success, adversity, and personal development to equip audiences with tools they need to effectively manage change and challenges. Alison is also a successful entrepreneur who has built four businesses in 25 years and has been voted top ten motivational speakers in North America for the past three years.

10. Bert Jacobs and John Jacobs

Motivational speakers, Bert and John Jacobs have an inspirational story of turning their dream into a socially conscious business. Bert and his brother John launched their retail company, Life is Good, with $78 in their pockets, by selling T-shirts on the streets of Boston. Today, Life is Good is a $100 million positive lifestyle brand sold by over 2,000 retailers across the US and Canada. The brand developed 10 “superpowers” (gratitude, authenticity, creativity, love, courage, compassion, simplicity, humor, fun, openness) that they not only run their company by, but also live by. These superpowers were inspired by customers’ stories which illustrated the power of optimism in the darkest of times.

With the top ten motivational speakers (or perhaps 11?) in mind, you’re well on your way to planning the most motivational and inspiring keynote event your organization has ever seen!

Why Book a Keynote Speaker?

A keynote speaker is certainly is an investment, but it will prove to be a valuable one. A keynote speaker can bring excitement and notoriety to your event. They also provide expertise on the topic your event centers around, and sometimes an outsider is just the person to really drive a particular message home. A keynote speaker will help set the tone of your event, bring thought leadership and expertise to your organization, and inspire audiences.

To set the tone

This is the very name sake and role of a keynote speaker, to set the tone of the entire event. A keynote speaker can bring it all together and make all of the varies workshops and presentations a cohesive element.

To create buzz around the event

A keynote speaker, especially a well established one, carries a certain level of notoriety and can draw media attention to your event. Usually speakers are also bestselling authors, and in some sense have developed a following. The notoriety that the speaker possesses will bring a sense of buzz and excitement to your event a well. This attention can put your event and company on the map.

To bring thought leadership to your organization

The purpose of a keynote speaker at an event is not solely for entertainment purposes, though a keynote speaker should be entertaining. The main purpose through of a keynote speaker is to inform an audience and make them think about a subject in a new way. A keynote speaker should provide audiences with actionable insights that they can take away from the event and implement into their daily and/or work lives that will help to make them more productive, energetic, happier, healthier, or something along the lines of keynote topic.  

To inspire your audience

While the audience should walk away from the keynote having learned something, if they are not simultaneously inspired by the keynote speaker and his/her message, then they will not be inspired to actually implement what they have learned into their lives of work. So a keynote speaker will also inspire your audience and provide them with the reassurance that they are capable of making the change the keynote speaker speaks of.

As you can see the keynote speaker plays many roles at an event, and thus there are many reasons why you would want to hire a keynote speaker at your event–plus, your event attendees will thank you if you do!

Top Author Keynote Speakers

Many keynote speakers are also well established and bestselling authors. Author keynote speakers can add a distinctive touch to your event with their in-depth knowledge of their particular subject of expertise. Not to mention picking up a copy of their book can be a nice way to refresh and deepen your understanding their message post event. Here are some of the top author keynote speakers that you should know about.

Kim Scott

Kim Scott is the co-founder and CEO of Radical Candor, Inc which builds software tools for managers. She is the author of a book called “Radical Candor: How To Be a Kickass Boss without Losing your Humanity”, published by St Martin’s Press. Kim is an advisor at Dropbox, Kurbo, Qualtrics, ReelGoodApp, Rolltape, Shyp, Twitter, and several other Silicon Valley companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and Doubleclick Online Sales and Operations at Google. Known for her ability to generate billions of dollars in revenue from millions of small customers while keeping her team happy and margins high.

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is best known for delivering one of the most popular TEDxTalk’s in the world: “How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” Mel is a powerful keynote speaker who jumps into your audience (literally); creating motivational experiences with unforgettable engagement, surprising research, vivid imagery, original videos and music. Mel is a third generation entrepreneur who’s launched and sold two companies and currently owns and operates a multi million-­dollar publishing and speaking business. Her provocative and compelling views on leadership, courage and human potential have earned her international attention and invitations to train executive teams at some of the world’s leading brands such as The PGA Tour, Million Dollar Roundtable, PwC, CISCO Systems, YPO, Johnson & Johnson, and Chase Business. Her newest book, “The 5 Second Rule,” has already made multiple best seller lists.

Erik Wahl

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized graffiti artist, number one best-selling author and entrepreneur. Erik redefines the term “keynote speaker.” Pulling from his history as both a businessman and an artist, he has grown to become one of the most sought-after corporate speakers available today. Erik’s bestselling business book UNTHINK was hailed by Forbes Magazine as “THE blueprint to actionable creativity” and by Fast Company Magazine as “Provocative with a Purpose.” Erik Wahl’s understanding of vision was originally born in the school of disappointment. After an eight-year career as a partner in a corporate firm, he became frustrated by the lack of innovative thought and corresponding profits he saw in business. So he set out to challenge companies to change their way of thinking, while simultaneously pursuing his own individual passions. Wahl’s ther books include “Unchain the Elephant” and his newest bestseller ‘Spark the Grind” was recently released.

Robert Cialdini

Extensive scholarly training in the psychology of influence, together with over 30 years of research into the subject, has earned Dr. Cialdini an international reputation as an expert in the fields of persuasion, compliance, and negotiation. His books including, “Influence: Science & Practice and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” are the results of more than 30 years of study into the reasons why people comply with requests in business settings. USA Today lists “Influence” in their 12 Best Business Books of All Time. Dr. Cialdini’s most recent co-authored book is “The Small BIG, small changes that spark big influence” has been met with rave reviews. His co-authored book, “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive,” has been on the New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal  Best Seller Lists. Dr. Cialdini’s most recent book “Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade” was accepted to the New York Times bestseller list immediately after it was released.

Jack Canfield

As the originator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre – and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of over 100 million books sold through the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” franchise, Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success.  Behind the empire Time Magazine called the “publishing phenomenon of the decade” Jack Canfield is America’s leading expert in creating peak performance for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers, sales professionals, corporate employees and educators. Affectionately known as “America’s #1 Success Coach”, Jack Canfield has studied, interpreted and presented what makes successful people different. He knows what motivates them, what drives them, and what inspires them

 

The Importance of a Keynote Speaker at a Corporate Event

Event and meeting planners are faced with numerous difficult decisions but the choice to book a keynote speaker is not be one of them. Keynote speakers are an event staple.

Whether it’s a celebrity speaker or a popular business speaker, a good keynote speaker will provide relevant content that engages and educates audience members and provides them with an experience unique to your function. Here’s why you should consider one for your next event:

Increased event hype and registration numbers

Good keynote speakers, especially popular public figures, can bring their own audience to an event. And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that higher registration numbers mean higher revenue.

Increased event credibility and recognition

Picking a keynote speaker with relevant expertise can make your event seem more important and more worthwhile for guests to attend. Make your event the one to attend this year by booking a great storyteller who can provide insightful information attendees won’t find elsewhere.

Increased attendee engagement

Good keynote speakers with a strong message can captivate an audience, no matter how large. Make sure the content is useful and interesting to guests by asking potential keynote speakers the right questions ahead of the event to determine if they will be a good fit for your demographic.

Although they can be pricey, a keynote speaker can provide a great return on investment, and they will make your event unique and memorable for all in attendance.

 

What IS a Keynote Speaker?

Most people have heard the phrase keynote speaker but few people could tell you what or who a keynote speaker actually is. What’s more, even the language and specifics of the speaking industry  can be mysterious and confusing to people outside of the business.

Below is a crash course on who keynotes speakers are, and what it is they actually do.

  1. What is a “keynote speaker”?

The keynote speaker sets the tone, or “key” for the event.  The term is now used much more broadly to include closing keynote speakers and all kind so of speakers in between.

2. Who are keynote speakers, and how do they fit into the context of an event?

Generally, keynote speakers are thought-leaders for the particular event. They may speak on larger topics such as customer service, the customer experience, and company culture. At an event, they might for example speak at a retail banking industry summit, where they would give the keynote speech on the importance of customer service, the customer experience, or company culture to retail banking. Then a the more specialized industry speaker or company insider would contribute their expertise, say on the current regulatory climate in retail banking, either on the same stage or in breakout sessions later that the day. 

3. How much does it cost to book a keynote speaker?

This is such a popular question, and a hard one to answer.  Celebrities or other high profile people can make up to $250,000 a speech. The rest fall in between anywhere from $250,000 to $5,000. In addition, travel and hotel fees will usually be tacked on to the speaker’s fee, and that amount will fluctuate depending on the location they are traveling to and from. Some keynote speakers may also charge less if they are speaking to a non-profit organization or if there is another compelling reason for them to discount their fees.

4. How long is a keynote speech?

Generally about an hour, including Q&A, but the trend is toward shorter keynotes about 40 minutes in length, or even shorter 15-20 minutes for TED style talks.

5. What makes a keynote speaker good or bad?

According to communications expert Nick Morgan,  a good keynote speaker “tells the audience something it doesn’t know or hasn’t thought about in precisely that way.  And a really good keynote speaker “changes the world by changing the audience in front of him or her.” The three most common issues that can trip a speaker up:  They “try to dump too much information on the audience, they focus too narrowly on an area of specialty, or they fail to get a discussion going amongst the participants.”

 

How to Become a Keynote Speaker

There are two types of keynote speakers in the speaking industry: the celebrities, like Olympic athletes or famous politicians, movie stars, CEO’s, etc., who immediately come into the business commanding top dollar because of their name recognition; and then there the rest of us–regular people who have build their clientele over years while learning how to market themselves and provide good content.

Establishing yourself as a keynote speaker begins with establish yourself as a thought leader and then promoting yourself to potential clientele. Here are a few ways to do that:

Create lots of content

This is a part of positioning yourself as a thought leader. Write articles on topics that relate to your brand and especially to your keynotes presentations. This will establish you as an expert and a trusted voice on the subject that you speak on. It can also help you reach a larger audience of prospective clientele. Creating content can also include book and/or article publications, these are great ways of establishing yourself as an expert keynote speaker.

Leverage social media

Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are a must for any keynote speaker to make themselves visible to potential clients. Other social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, or Snapchat may be utilized if they seem relevant to your personal brand and message. You can also promote your content through social media  and attract followers organically as well as through paid online marketing.

Have a video

Keep at least one full length video of one your keynote presentations on hand, along with several 10 min or less clips. Every client who is booking a keynote speaker will want to see a video clip of their speaking. Once you have a few different videos, create a promo video or a speaker reel to put on your website and in your email signature.

Get testimonials

This may seem like the chicken or the egg scenario, but in order to get future keynote bookings you must have testimonials. In business today, reviews are a keynote speakers bread and butter. If you’ve formed an especially good relationship with a customer who enjoyed your talk, request his or her participation as a referral for future gigs. Better yet, ask for introductions to any other organizations that might need a speaker.

Create a website

This should be obvious, but as a keynote speaker you should have a website promoting your speaking abilities. The site should include: a headshot, a bio, titles and summaries of your keynotes, testimonials, video footage, social links, a contact form and instructions for booking. Once you start getting some gigs on the calendar, you can also include your speaking schedule for the next few months so people can see you’re in demand.

Another good idea is to obtain representation through a speakers bureau to handle the logistics of your keynote talks. Depending on the individual agency, it will handle your marketing, travel, and contracts in exchange for a flat fee per gig or a percentage of your speaker fee.

Good luck future keynote speaker!

Top Female Keynote Speakers

Some of the most powerful figures in business today are women who are filling positions of influence in boardrooms, hospitals, athletic competitions, and even Capitol Hill. The top female keynote speakers listed below are among those women; they have helped blaze trails for innumerable women (and men!). These famous female business leaders, finance consultants, Olympians, fighter pilots, and race car drivers are all keynote speakers, and they all have a story to share that will inform and inspire.

  • Barbara Corcoran is a business and entrepreneurial speaker. Her story is a classic rags-to-riches tale in which she took a one thousand dollar loan and turned it into a five-billion-dollar real estate business. Now an investor on the hit ABC show Shark Tank, Barbara makes people’s business dreams come to life by using her expertise in the field of sales to guide aspiring entrepreneurs.
  • Shannon Miller is a teamwork and leadership speaker, as well as a motivational speaker. She happens to be the most decorated American gymnast in history and is the only female athlete inducted into the U.S. Olympics Hall of Fame – twice! Her tally of five medals at the 1992 Olympics was the most won by a U.S. athlete. At the 1996 Games, she led the “Magnificent Seven” to the U.S. Women’s first ever Team Gold and captured Gold on the Balance Beam for the first time for any American gymnast. As an Olympian, wife, mother and cancer survivor, Shannon is dedicated to helping women make their health a priority.
  • Carley Lohrenz is a leadership speaker. As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, having flown missions worldwide as a combat-mission-ready United States Navy pilot, Lohrenz is used to working in fast moving, dynamic environments, where inconsistent execution can generate catastrophic results. Carey is a powerhouse in the field of delivering engaging Leadership, High Performing Organizations and Diversity Training that directly impacts a company’s ROI and bottom line. Her experience in the all-male environment of fighter aviation and her ability to pass on the Lessons Learned in her career allow her to deliver insight and guidance from a credible platform on Women’s Leadership Issues.
  • Suze Orman has been called “a force in the world of personal finance” and a “one-woman financial advice powerhouse” by USA Today. Suze Orman the top finance speaker and motivational speaker. She is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times mega bestselling author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world. Suze Orman grew up on the Southside of Chicago, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at the University of Illinois and at the age of 30 was still a waitress making $400 a month. Today, Suze Orman is undeniably America’s most recognized expert on personal finance. BusinessWeek Magazine recognized Suze Orman as “The top female motivational speaker in the U.S” in 2007.
  • Leilani Münter a leadership and motivational speaker. As a biology graduate, race car driver and environmental activist she is also an environmental speaker and philanthropist speaker. Discovery’s Planet Green named her the #1 eco athlete in the world, ELLE Magazine awarded her their Genius Award, and Sports Illustrated named her one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world. Since 2007, Leilani has been adopting an acre of rainforest for every race she runs. She uses her race car to spread environmental awareness among 75 million race fans in the US. Leilani sits on the board of the Oceanic Preservation Society and the advisory board of The Solutions Project. She is featured in the 2015 documentary “Racing Extinction.” Leilani is vegan, her personal car is an electric Tesla Model S which she charges with solar power. Leilani’s motto is: never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car.

 

What is a Keynote Speaker?

The term keynote speaker often gets thrown around loosely and many people have different ideas about what the word actually refers to. When they hear the word keynote speaker, some people think of a motivational speaker, business  speaker,  industry expert, or a closing speaker. If you’re a business executive or an event planner, what you might actually hear, when you hear the word keynote speaker, is that you need to hire someone who can talk to our audience for about 45 minutes and they will probably cost a lot of money.

In actuality, a keynote speaker could speak on any of the above listed subjects, but what defines a keynote speaker is their ability to capture the essence of your meeting and to highlight it to your audience in a short period of time. In order to capture this essence, the keynote speaker should be willing to spend the time researching your industry, your issues, and your audience.

Once the keynote speaker completes his/her research about your organization, the speaker can then mold the presentation into a unique and distinctive presentation just for your audience. The keynote speaker may incorporate humor, audience participation, or show funny clips to add an extra bit of fun and entertainment to their talk. No matter, what shtick the speaker employs, their job is to weave your keynote message into their program in a fun and memorable way.

This is why choosing the right keynote speaker, who aligns with the message of your organization and the event, is crucial not only to the success of the event but also to how affective and engaging the keynote will be to your audience.

Booking a Keynote Speaker? What You Should Know

Planning on hiring a keynote speaker for a corporate event, conference, or summit? If you’ve never booked a keynote speaker before, or you feel like you could use some event planning hacks, here are some keynote event planning tips to help you plan a stellar keynote event for your organization.

  • Scheduling mistakes

If you’re scheduling a keynote presentation, avoid making it around a meal. Keynotes during breakfast, lunch, or dinner — or right after lunch and dinner– distract the audience from the keynote speaker and their message. And people tend to fall into food comas after finishing their meal.

  • Tech and AV requirements

Don’t insist that a keynote speaker modify their graphics to fit a particular event template for all slides. Keynote speakers’ brands should be respected — that’s part of what you hire them for.

  • Let the keynote speaker do their thing

Don’t demanding to see the keynote speakers’ presentation slides ahead of time (the best speakers are tweaking them on the plane until final touchdown) and please never distribute a keynote speaker’s slides to audiences beforehand. Maintain some suspense! Instead, get your keynote speakers to send a 30 – 60 second video clip beforehand of their speaking at a previous event. This helps with internal and external promotion.

  • Break it up

If it’s a lengthy program, add an emcee or host to help break up the long day and create opportunities for interaction. (Note: this is someone other than the keynote speaker, and can sometimes be pulled from your own organization). Also Build in some breaks. Conferences try to pack too much in, if you add in breaks and the keynote speaker’s message will sink in better and the audience will come back refreshed and ready to hear more of the keynote speaker’s message.