Want to make your event even more memorable? You’re in the right place.

Our event advice and speaker booking FAQs give you the best guidance to amplify your event. Whether you want an awards night to remember or a corporate speaker who inspires your staff, learn how to source and book the perfect speaker for your event.

Finding a speaker

I've never booked a speaker before. Where do I begin?

The first thing to do is decide what you want to achieve from your event. When you know your purpose, you can find the perfect speaker for the job.

Browse our speaker index to see if your ideal speaker is listed. You can then request more information about their availability and prices through the website.

If you don’t have a specific speaker in mind, call our team on 02076077070. We’ll find out what you want to achieve at your event, and recommend some fantastic speakers who’ll make a great impression.

I can't see the person I want on the website. What should I do?

We don’t list all our speakers on our site, so we may be able to check the availability of your ideal artist even if you don’t see them in the index.

If the person you want isn’t listed — or you’re not sure which speaker would be a good fit — give us a call on 02076077070.

Why use an external speaker rather than our MD?

Internal speakers can be brilliant. But however great your MD is, a professional speaker will add another dimension to your event.

Research shows that over 70% of conference audiences described guest speakers and performers as the most memorable aspect of an event. That’s why an external speaker is best if you want to create a distinctive event that lingers long in your attendees’ memories.

How much do speakers cost?

Professional speaker and celebrity fees range from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds. No matter what your budget is, there are speakers and celebrities available — and it's our job to help you find the right person within your budget.

Our speaker fees typically start at £2,500. We expect the highest quality from our speakers, and our fees reflect this. Speaker fees are determined based on several factors, including your business type (e.g. corporate, non-profit, educational, etc), time commitment, and travel time.

You might be required to cover expenses in addition to the fee, such as airfare, accommodation, travel, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Most fees are negotiable. We can give you an indication of costs once we have a full brief, but in many instances, it’s only possible to give an actual quote once you’ve decided on your speaker. We’ll then begin negotiations — and we always get the best possible prices for our clients.

Can your team recommend a speaker for my event?

Yes! In fact, many clients come to us without a specific speaker in mind and this is when the expertise of our team come to the forefront. We are constantly listening and speaking to our speaker roster as well as new speakers in order to make sure we understand both the speakers’ style as well as content.  It’s our job to discover the purpose of your event, then source and recommend the right speaker.

Does Speakers Corner get paid to recommend certain speakers?

No. We believe in impartiality, which creates an ethical approach to speaker booking — so we don’t have a financial or contractual obligation to any of our speakers. That means we’re free to put your needs first, and find a speaker who can best convey your message.

Booking a speaker

What do your website fee bands mean?

All the speakers and artists on our website are classified within a specific fee range (e.g. £3K - £5K). This indicates that their fee (excluding VAT and expenses) is expected to fall within that range.

We include this information so you can determine whether a certain speaker is likely to be available within your budget. However, it’s not a guarantee — depending on your location, business type, or the time commitment required, a speaker may charge more or less than the fee band suggests.

Do I pay more for using a speakers bureau?

In most instances, speakers pay speakers bureaus a commission on their fee. That means you — the client — will enjoy a free consulting service, independent recommendations, a high level of event coordination, and many additional services at no extra cost. Our advice is completely free. If you don’t book, you won’t pay a fee.

What are capped expenses?

Once you’ve decided on your speaker, we’ll start working on the logistics — including your speaker’s expense limit. We place a capped expense limit on the contract to make sure you won’t be hit with unexpected expenditure after the event.

If the speaker’s expenses exceed this limit, you won’t be charged the extra. If the expenses are below the agreed capped rate, a refund of the difference will be credited to you.

Once I choose a speaker, what's next? How does Speakers Corner support me once the choice has been made?

Once the speaker accepts the invitation to work with you, our logistics team will get to work. They’ll issue a contract and confirm details regarding the event. At this point, a 50% deposit is required, with the balance (and capped expenses) due just before the appearance.

We’ll then handle every aspect of the speaker's role, from arranging accommodation to planning the presentation — so you can concentrate on the rest of your event. We’ll make sure your speaker understands your company and programme requirements, and stay in touch with you regarding changes or questions about their appearance.

The key to our success is our ability to anticipate and manage all the changes and challenges that come with event planning. So if you have any questions or concerns at any stage, just let us know.

Do I have to arrange travel and/or accommodation for the speaker?

It’s up to you. If you prefer, we can make the travel plans and advise you of the arrangements, or you can handle them yourself.

Do celebrity speakers charge less if our engagement is local for them?

In some cases speakers do charge less for a local event — which is helpful if you’re on a tight budget. Enquire with a Speakers Corner booking agent to find out your chosen speaker’s local rates.

Does it cost more for a longer presentation?

Generally, yes. Speakers set their own fees, so there’s no real rule-of-thumb. Some speakers will charge a base fee for 1 hour talks, which increases for half and full days. Others will charge the same whether it’s an hour or an all-day seminar.

Can I audio or record the presentation?

It depends on your speaker and also what you are planning to use the recording for.

It’s important to make your requests known in advance, before you book your speaker. Photography, filming, and marketing must be discussed with the Speakers Corner booking agent, so that all requests are included in the contract.

Find out more about intellectual property and event recording.

Will the speaker attend special VIP events?

Many speakers will agree to attend a VIP event at no additional charge, but some won’t. It’s important to make your requests known in advance and include this in the contract.

Can you help me secure books written by a speaker?

We’re an official bookseller — and we deal with many major book publishers and suppliers, so we can usually secure books for the speaker at wholesale prices. We’ll then ensure the books are delivered to your event in plenty of time.

Some speakers are happy to sign books or bookplates as part of the service, adding something extra for your delegates to take away. If you’re interested in this service, please make your Speakers Corner booking agent aware as early as possible.

Can I have an input on what the speaker says?

It’s really important to us that your speaker helps you achieve your event goal, whether it’s motivating your team or overcoming a challenge. So we recommend holding a briefing call with your speaker 1-2 weeks before the event. At this point, you can give them as much information as possible about the overarching purpose of your event.

They’ll then use this information to construct their presentation. While they may be open to specific suggestions for what to include, we recommend that you leave the content to them, as they know how to get your message across in a way that’s most meaningful and memorable.

Can you help me plan other parts of my event?

We’re more than happy to make suggestions for how to make your event memorable, whether it’s sourcing giveaways or setting up workshops. However, we’re not event planning experts, so we can’t usually help with organising other elements of your event, such as venue booking or catering.

When is payment due?

A 50% deposit is required on booking, with the remaining balance payable shortly before the event. If you have a capped expense limit, this will be paid with the balance. Any other speaker expenses should be paid after the event.

On the day

How can I contact my speaker before the event?

When your booking is confirmed, we’ll set up a communication channel that suits both you and your speaker, so you can discuss your event requirements beforehand.

Most communication between you and your speaker will go through the Speakers Corner logistics team to make sure everything goes seamlessly on the day — there are no hidden surprises. We’ll know what’s been agreed and can ensure you’re completely comfortable with your booking.

What if my speaker has to cancel because of an emergency?

We have access to thousands of great speakers worldwide, and a solid web of relationships with global speakers and management teams. So in case of emergency, we can almost always find a great speaker to replace your original artist.

Rest assured we always work hard to handle any unforeseen complications or last-minute cancellations.

How will Speakers Corner support us on the day of the event?

You’ll know all the logistics related to your speaker before the day of the event. We’ll provide you with a call sheet which details all the logistics — so you’ll know in advance what’s happening and when.

Unforeseen complications sometimes crop up on the day itself. That’s why we have a team member on call 24/7 to help with any unexpected issues, no matter when or where your event is taking place.

Becoming a speaker

I’m interested in becoming a speaker. Can I register with Speakers Corner?

Our speaker application form is available on our contact page. To register your interest as a speaker with Speakers Corner, you’ll need to supply:

• Your contact details
• A high-res image of yourself (please ensure we have permission to publish and share this)
• A bio including your key achievements and relevant corporate experience (approx 300-600 words)
• Your fee information

You can also include sample speech titles, client testimonials, and a link to a speech you’ve presented previously.

Who owns the images that you use on your website?

Where Speakers Corner is provided with an image by or on behalf of a speaker/artist, we interpret this as permission to use the image freely for marketing purposes.

However, if you notice that an image belonging to you has been used without your permission, please let us know. We’ll take steps to ensure it’s no longer used for marketing purposes.

Let’s find the perfect speaker for your next event

Ready to find the right speaker for your next event? Call the team on 0207 607 7070.

If you want to see who could be facilitating your next industry conference, or hosting your next virtual workshop, browse our bureau and enquire about specific speaker availability.