Top 5 Pricing Strategies for Speakers

1. Tiered Pricing: Offer Levels of Value

Best for: Flexibility and upselling opportunities

Tiered pricing presents different packages at increasing price points, usually labeled as Basic, Standard, and Premium. This gives event planners options and subtly encourages them to choose higher-value tiers.

Why it works:

• Offers clear value comparisons

• Attracts a wider range of clients

• Encourages upselling to premium services

Example Tiers:

• Basic: 45-minute keynote + travel expenses

• Standard: Keynote + post-event Q&A + slides

• Premium: All of the above + workshop + one-on-one coaching session

Use this if: You want to show the range of your offerings without negotiating every time.

2. Day Rates: Keep It Simple

Best for: Corporate trainings, workshops, or multi-session events

Charging by the day can be a win-win—clients know exactly what they're getting, and you protect your time. This strategy is great for all-day engagements, consulting, or events with multiple sessions.

Tips for success:

• Clearly define how many hours a “day” includes

• Set boundaries around availability (e.g., 8 hours max, overtime fees)

Use this if: Your speaking engagements often stretch into training or consulting territory.

3. Package Deals: Bundle and Save

Best for: Maximizing value per client and creating long-term relationships

With packages, you group services together at a discounted rate, encouraging clients to invest more upfront. For example, you could offer a 3-event bundle, or a keynote + virtual follow-up webinar.

Benefits:

• Increases client lifetime value

• Reduces administrative overhead

• Makes your offering feel like a comprehensive solution

Use this if: You want to increase repeat bookings or lock in clients for longer periods.

4. Add-On Services: Customize and Upsell

Best for: Clients who want tailored, high-touch experiences

Instead of bundling everything, let clients build their own experience. Add-ons might include:

• Custom slide deck design

• Post-event coaching

• Virtual training modules

• Access to your online course

This approach not only increases revenue per gig, but also lets clients feel in control of what they’re paying for.

If you're looking to expand into virtual formats as an add-on—or even a standalone offer—check out our Comprehensive Guide to Monetizing Virtual Workshops Successfully. It’s packed with actionable advice on pricing, packaging, and selling virtual sessions that bring in consistent income.

Use this if: Your speaking business includes multiple income streams or you want to cross-sell digital products.

5. Royalties and Licensing: Get Paid Long-Term

Best for: Authors, thought leaders, or speakers with signature content

If your speaking engagements are based on proprietary content (like a book or framework), consider licensing that material or setting up royalty agreements for repeat use.

Examples:

• A company pays to license your training videos for internal use.

• A conference pays a fee to use your keynote content across multiple events.

Use this if: You’ve developed intellectual property and want to create passive income or scale your reach without trading time for money.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Strategy

Choosing the right pricing strategy starts with understanding your audience. For example, corporate clients often expect straightforward day rates, while non-profits may respond better to value-driven packages or tiered options. From there, it’s important to stay flexible—many successful speakers combine strategies, such as offering a day rate with optional add-ons, to meet diverse client needs. Clear communication is also key: presenting your pricing through a polished media kit or one-sheet helps eliminate confusion and positions you as a professional. To tie it all together, use your SpeakerPage to showcase your pricing, packages, topics, and testimonials—all in one central hub where event organizers can easily find and contact you.