The Speakers Group

Speakers Bureau, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Speaker Marketing

  • Book A Speaker
    • Top Kickoff Speakers for 2025
    • Top Resilience Speakers for 2025
    • Columbus Keynote Speakers
    • Nashville Keynote Speakers
    • Chicago Keynote Speakers
    • Cincinnati Keynote Speakers
  • Are You A Speaker?
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • About

How to Negotiate with Speakers

By TSG

One of our speakers, Jeff Davidson, just posted some helpful information on his blog for meeting planners who need to negotiate with speakers to stay within budget. Fee integrity is very important to speakers – and to speakers bureaus and meeting planners – but Jeff lists seven instances where speakers can legitimately justify reducing their fee for engagements. Among them:

  • Multiple Engagements: two or more bookings deserve quantity discounts.
  • Different Fees for Special Groups: non-profit organizations, government agencies, etc.
  • Time of Year Fees: lower fees for slow months, such as August or January.
  • I have personally helped clients secure speakers at discounted rates on various occasions for those exact reasons. Recently, for instance, we booked a speaker to address several departments within a company over the course of a year for 25% less than it would have cost for each department to book him individually. And it wasn’t too long ago that we booked a speaker to speak in one of those slow months – January – for more than 50% less than his standard fee.

    As they say, “results may vary,” and some speakers are rock solid on their fees regardless of the situation, but it is important that planners don’t overlook the potentially “perfect” speaker candidate just because his or her fee happens to be above their budget ceiling. Read Jeff’s “Bargaining with Speakers” post on his Opening Keynote blog for the full list of seven ways you may be able to negotiate with your next speaker.

    Filed Under: Planner Tips Tagged With: bargaining with speakers, budget friendly speakers, discounted speaker fees, how to negotiate with speakers, negotiating with speakers, reduced rates for speakers

    Keyword Search

    Check Speaker Availability

    • MM slash DD slash YYYY
      It's your booking, your way! You choose if you want the full support of The Speakers Group, or if you prefer to work directly with the speaker.

    Our Clients Speak

    I’ve had the privilege of working with many great speakers and speakers agencies through the years and my experience with you ranks among the best. You’re never pushy, always friendly, and you make sure every little detail is in place to help me create a successful event. You are a true pro!

    Featured Speakers

    Derrick Moore NFL Sports Speaker$10,000-14,999Derrick MooreFormer NFL Player, Developer of Extraordinary TeamsView Speaker
    Amy Jo Martin Renegade Way Keynote Speaker$25,000-40,000Amy Jo MartinAuthor of New York Times Bestseller Renegades Write the Rules, Host of the Why Not Now? Podcast, Transformative Motivational Keynote SpeakerView Speaker
    Olympic Motivational Speaker Shannon Miller$15,000-24,999Shannon MillerMost Decorated Olympic Gymnast in American History and author of It’s Not About Perfect: Competing for My Country and Fighting for My LifeView Speaker

    Erik Wahl Artist Keynote Speaker$25,000-40,000Erik WahlKeynote Speaker on Innovation, Creativity & LeadershipView Speaker

    The “Elevating Thought Leadership” Blog

    • How to Lead Through Uncertainty: Insights from Top Keynote Speakers
    • Frankie Russo Keynote Speaker Video: Unlocking Limitless Growth in Business and Life
    • Creativity on Stage: Erik Wahl’s Keynote Inspires Innovation and Disruption
    • The Keynote Every Event Needs in 2025: Adapt & Thrive with Shawn Ellis
    • Introducing “Mastering the Moments”: A New Book by The Speakers Group’s Founder, Shawn Ellis

    About The Speakers Group

    More than a Speakers Bureau — We’re a Connection Platform.
    The Speakers Group was founded by a speaker, for speakers. Rather than managing thousands of names, we carefully curate and elevate mission-driven thought leaders. Whether you’re planning an event or growing your speaking brand, we’re here to help you move ideas that matter. [Learn More …]

    Let’s Connect

    By Phone: (614) 285-6171
    By Email: Click Here

    Copyright © 2003 - 2025 The Speakers Group Inc. · All rights reserved · Powered by Eugen Oprea