frequently
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Click here for our guide: How to work with a speakers bureau 101
Yes! Through our extensive network, we’re able to book any speaker out there– even if they’re not listed directly on our website. Contact us and we’ve got you covered.
Not really. Speaker fees are typically the same whether you go direct or through a bureau. The big difference? With us, you get full support—without paying more.
VaynerSpeakers can help support negotiations with speakers - our experience in the event and talent spaces allows us to understand the full scope of events and needs on both sides to provide the best events and experiences. Clearly outline the event details, including audience size, location, and expectations. Be transparent about your budget, and be open to negotiation, thinking through non-traditional compensation that could benefit the speaker such as multiple bookings. Using a speakers bureau, like VaynerSpeakers, can help facilitate the negotiation process. Since bureaus are only paid when a deal is completed, it is in our best interest to negotiate a deal that has a high chance for success.
Absolutely. Whether you want books for attendees, a signing session, or as speaker gifts, we can help facilitate the purchase of books and ensure everything arrives on time. Just let us know what you need.
About Vayner Speakers
VaynerSpeakers was founded in 2018 by longtime agent Zach Nadler and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. After nearly a decade of working together, they saw an opportunity to rethink the traditional speaker bureau model and build a more nimble, marketing-savvy, and speaker-first business that reflects the speed and expectations of modern audiences.
What makes VaynerSpeakers different is our modern, hands-on approach coupled with our belief that “no two events are the same.” We don’t just send over a list of names—we collaborate with event planners to understand their event and recommend speakers who truly align with their audience and goals.
Powered by the VaynerX ecosystem, VaynerSpeakers operates at the intersection of culture, marketing, and business—with a sharp pulse on the ideas and messages resonating today and shaping what’s next.
Yes. VaynerSpeakers was co-founded by Gary Vaynerchuk and operates as part of the broader VaynerX family. That connection gives us a front-row seat to the trends shaping business, media, and culture — and we use that perspective to help our clients stay ahead.
Working with a Speakers Bureau
Think of a speakers bureau as your go-to partner for finding and booking the perfect speaker for your event. We connect event planners, companies, and organizations with speakers who can inspire, educate, and energize a room. At VaynerSpeakers, we exclusively represent some of the world’s top talent and work closely with you to make sure the speaker fits your audience and event goals.
There’s no one-size-fits-all path, but to be considered by a bureau like VaynerSpeakers, you’ll need a strong speaking portfolio—videos of past talks, clear topics you speak on, and some solid testimonials. If that sounds like you, submit your information here.
We make booking a keynote speaker for your event easy. VaynerSpeakers handles everything—from helping you find the right speaker, to negotiating fees, to coordinating travel and content prep. We take care of the details so you can focus on the big picture.
You can—although many in-demand speakers work exclusively with bureaus like ours, so your inquiry might be forwarded back anyway. Also, speakers are often on the road or prepping for their next event—we’re here to keep things moving and ensure a smooth, stress-free process.
Nope. You don’t pay anything extra to use a bureau. We’re paid by the speaker, not by you. So you get access to expert help and support at no additional cost.
An exclusive speaker is someone who works only with one bureau for all their bookings. That means we know their content, preferences, and schedule inside and out—the benefit is a more streamlined and personalized experience.
Not always. But at VaynerSpeakers, all of our clients are exclusive. That means we manage everything from inquiries to contracts to logistics, which allows us to promote them effectively and provide a consistent, high-quality experience.
We represent a wide range of speakers—from entrepreneurs and CEOs to Olympians and bestselling authors. Every one of them brings something special to the stage, whether it's insight, inspiration, or a bold new perspective. You can explore them here.
Absolutely. We don’t just book our own roster—we have strong relationships with speakers and bureaus across the industry. If you have someone in mind, let us know. If we’ve worked with them before, great. If not, we’ll reach out and handle everything on your behalf.
Not quite. The site features our core group of exclusive speakers, but we work with many others as well. If there’s someone you’re looking for, just ask—we’re happy to help.
Yes! We regularly collaborate with other bureaus to book exclusive talent. We’ll coordinate the booking directly with their team so you don’t have to juggle contacts or negotiate twice. And no, it won’t cost you more.
Exclusive speakers work with just one bureau. Non-exclusive speakers can be listed with several. Exclusive relationships allow for deeper knowledge, better promotion, and a more hands-on approach, while non-exclusive speakers offer more flexibility in how they’re booked.
No problem. Many speakers have managers or agents, especially in entertainment or sports. We’re used to working with their teams to manage speaking opportunities and ensure a smooth process.
We work with trailblazers across business, sports, marketing, tech, wellness, entertainment, and more. Whether you're planning a leadership summit, company offsite, or major conference, we’ve got speakers who can elevate the experience and leave a lasting impression.
Working With Keynote Speakers
A keynote speaker is the main speaker of an event. They’re the person who speaks to the entire audience—not in a breakout or side session, but front and center. Their job is to set the tone, spark new thinking, and leave the audience with something memorable. You can browse our exclusive keynote speakers here.
They deliver the central talk that ties everything together. Whether they’re sharing personal stories, expert insights, or big ideas, keynote speakers are chosen to align with the purpose of your event and make a lasting impact on the room.
Keynote speakers are the headliners—they speak to everyone and often kick off or close out the event. Invited speakers usually speak to smaller groups or on specific topics, like panels or breakouts. Both play an important role, but keynote speakers are meant to deliver the message that carries the event forward.
Check out some of the most booked keynote speakers here. Or if you’d rather get a custom list, we’ve got you! Contact us to share a few details—your event goals, audience, date, budget—and we’ll pull together a shortlist that fits.
Motivational speakers focus on inspiring and energizing the audience—often through personal stories or lessons. A keynote speaker, on the other hand, is selected to speak to the broader goals of the event. They might be motivational too, but their role is to align with the bigger message and bring it to life for the whole audience.
Definitely. We represent a wide range of speakers who can motivate, inspire, and deeply connect with your audience—whether you’re looking for personal development, leadership, or resilience. Check them out here.
Yes! We work with speakers who present in a variety of languages. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find someone who can connect with your audience in the most meaningful way.
How to Book a Speaker
Yes! Through our extensive network, we’re able to book any speaker out there—even if they’re not listed directly on our website.
To find and book the best speaker for your event, you’ll want to start by defining your event goals, budgets, and event details (date/location). From there, VaynerSpeakers can help match you with the best possible speakers – contact us today to get started.
Keynote speakers are typically booked by event organizers, including corporate executives, associations, conference planners, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and other events. These professionals or organizations seek speakers to inspire, educate, or engage their audiences at events such as conferences, summits, retreats, or corporate meetings. VaynerSpeakers facilitates the booking process by connecting event organizers with speakers, handling logistics, and ensuring a seamless experience.
VaynerSpeakers can help support negotiations with speakers - our experience in the event and talent spaces allows us to understand the full scope of events and needs on both sides to provide the best events and experiences. Clearly outline the event details, including audience size, location, and expectations. Be transparent about your budget, and open to negotiation, thinking through non-traditional compensation that could benefit the speaker like multiple bookings. Using a speakers bureau, like VaynerSpeakers, can help facilitate the negotiation process. Since bureaus are only paid when a deal is completed, it is in our best interest to negotiate a deal that has a high chance for success.
If you’ve never booked a speaker before, give us a call or email us! We’ll walk you through the process step by step! To start, define your event goals, determine why you are bringing in a speaker, what you want the audience to take away from the speaker’s talk, and how their speech will fit into the rest of your event. Next, establish a budget for the speaker's fee, taking into account their travel and accommodations. VaynerSpeakers can help you identify the right speaker within your budget, then manage negotiations, contracts, and logistics– making the experience smooth and successful.
The best time to book a speaker is as early as possible, ideally 6–12 months before your event. Early booking ensures better availability, especially for high-demand speakers, and allows a thoughtful and careful booking process. This allows ample time for planning and customization of the presentation. Booking early also provides more flexibility with logistics, travel arrangements, and promoting the speaker to your audience, helping ensure the most impactful event possible. At the end of the day, we are on your timeline. If you’ve had another speaker cancel, or need help with a last-minute event, let us know. We’re here to help! If you have questions, reach out… it’s never too soon!
Choose the speaker you'd like to book and VaynerSpeakers will help craft a compelling offer outlining your event details. Upon acceptance, we’ll draft a simple agreement, coordinate a pre-event call (when needed), and handle all logistics—contracts, fees, travel, accommodations, and technical requirements. We also work with the speaker to tailor their talk so it aligns with your audience and goals, ensuring a smooth and impactful event.
VaynerSpeakers can help identify speakers based near major convention cities to minimize travel costs and ensure easy access. We have an extensive network and we’re able to connect you with local talent or experienced speakers willing to travel. Given our extensive calendar of bookings, we can also identify opportunities for discounted pricing by speakers who will already be in your event city the day before or after your event.
For every event, you'll have a dedicated contact to handle urgent issues, like last-minute changes or cancellations, and to provide details for your booking agent and logistics contact.
Fees and Costs
A few smart moves can help: booking local talent cuts down on travel costs, virtual events eliminate them entirely, and booking early often gives you more flexibility. At VaynerSpeakers, we also help you find added value—like if a speaker is already in town for another event, we’ll flag it. Our goal is to work within your budget while maximizing impact.
Not really. Speaker fees are typically the same whether you go direct or through a bureau. The big difference? With us, you get full support—without paying more.
Keynote speaker fees can range from $5,000 to $500,000+ depending on factors like their experience, profile, and demand. Travel, event size, or custom content can also affect pricing. Contact us, share your goals and budget, and we’ll help you find a speaker who fits both.
The speaker’s fee is meant to cover the cost of their time to prepare for an event, travel to the event, and perform on stage. Some speakers include their travel and accommodation costs in their speaking fees, while other times speakers require additional funds to cover these expenses. At VaynerSpeakers, we provide total transparency when it comes to all speaker costs, so there are no surprises.
Our roster includes speakers for various budgets. Fees range from $5,000 - $250k+, and pricing depends on the speaker’s profile, demand, and how customized the engagement is. We’ll work with you to find the right fit for your goals—and your budget.
Speaker fees may vary based on a few variables – things like location, on-site requirements, travel involved, and event type. Contact us and we’ll help you navigate that and give you a realistic picture of what to expect.
Typically, yes. Local events lessen travel time and nights away from the speaker's work or family, which could potentially work to your advantage. Not all speakers price themselves the same, so contact us and we’ll work with you to find the best speaker within your budget.
Most keynote speakers set their fee based on one hour on stage. Additional sessions or custom content may also adjust costs, but as we say at VaynerSpeakers, “No Two Speakers Are The Same.”
Nope! Speaker fees are the same, whether you book directly or through us. The difference? We handle all the logistics and offer full support—for no extra charge.
Not with us. Our services are built into the speaker’s fee. We’re paid by the speaker only when a booking happens, so there’s no added cost to you beyond the speaker’s fee and any related travel.
Just reach out—email us, fill out our contact form, or call (914) 246-2721. Share your event details, budget, and what you’re hoping to accomplish, and we’ll take it from there.
Absolutely. We work with speakers across the country (and beyond) and can help you find someone close to your event to cut down on travel costs.
No problem. If you’ve got someone in mind—even if they’re not listed—we’re happy to reach out on your behalf and coordinate the booking through our extensive network. Chances are, we’ve worked with them before.
We welcome the opportunity to support great causes, but most of our speakers aren’t able to waive their fees due to volume and existing commitments. Feel free to reach out with your request—we’ll always pass it along.
Yes, keynote speakers are usually paid for delivering speeches at conferences. Their compensation reflects the value they bring to the stage—whether that’s their experience, insight, or influence. Not every speaker at a conference is paid, but keynotes often are a core investment for the event.
Pre-Planning: Events and Logistics
We do! Whether your event is fully virtual, hybrid, or in-person, we’ve got you covered. We’ve been booking virtual speakers for over a decade and can help you make the most of the format—so it’s not just another Zoom call.
Absolutely. Many of our speakers are pros at delivering high-impact keynotes virtually. Whether it’s a full keynote, a webinar, or a hybrid setup, they know how to keep virtual audiences engaged.
Yes—we handle the speaker’s travel so you don’t have to stress over flights or hotel details. We’ll work directly with the speaker to coordinate flights, lodging, and any ground transportation.
Typically, yes. Most event hosts cover travel costs, but we’ll take care of the logistics to make it easy on your end. We can also walk you through options that help keep those costs manageable.
Definitely. Booking speakers who live near your event location can cut costs quickly. Planning ahead—especially for travel-heavy times of year—also helps. And if you're open to virtual, that’s the ultimate budget-saver.
Start by thinking about the full experience: format, location, speaker lineup, session style, and even the timing of your event. Audiences want more than just content—they want connection, variety, and value. We’re happy to talk through ideas with you based on your goals and audience.
Once you’ve nailed down your objectives, we’ll help you find a speaker who supports them. That could mean someone who brings in a fresh outside perspective, someone who reinforces your internal message, or someone who brings energy to break things up. Tell us what you’re aiming for—we’ll help you match the message with the right voice.
We don’t offer design services in-house, but we work with great partners who do. Need digital event materials, signage, or presentation assets? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
We do! From curated speaker lists to insights on what’s trending, we’re here to help. We also offer guidance on logistics, audience engagement, and marketing your event. If you’re stuck or just want to brainstorm, we’re always up for a conversation.
Emergencies are rare—but if something unexpected comes up, we move fast. We’ll tap into our network to find a replacement who fits your audience, message, and timeline. Our team will handle the logistics so your event stays on track with as little disruption as possible.
On-Site: Events and Logistics
No two events are the same, and the same goes with speakers. While most speakers are happy to attend VIP events, meet-and-greets, or receptions as part of their engagement, it depends not only on the speaker but also on the specific event details. These activities are discussed and agreed upon during the booking process to ensure alignment with the speaker’s schedule and expectations.
Yes, many speakers are happy to sign books or other items as part of their appearance—just let us know in advance so we can coordinate timing and quantities if needed.
Recording—whether audio or video—usually needs to be approved ahead of time. If you're thinking about capturing the talk, let us know early so we can discuss the options. Depending on how you plan to use the recording, there may be an additional fee.
Absolutely. Whether you want books for attendees, a signing session, or as speaker gifts, we can help facilitate the purchase and make sure everything arrives on time.
If a speaker cancels or cannot attend due to an emergency, VaynerSpeakers steps in immediately to find a replacement speaker or alternative solution. We prioritize communication and transparency, keeping you informed throughout the process. Our team is committed to ensuring your event runs as smoothly as possible, even under unforeseen circumstances.
How to Become a Paid Speaker
No, you don’t need a book to be taken seriously as a keynote speaker. In fact, a low-quality one can do more harm than good. Build your reputation first. If you eventually write a book, make sure it’s something you’re proud to put your name on.
Event planners want to see what they’re paying for. If you're asking to be on stage, they’ll want to see you on a stage. So yes—get footage of yourself speaking. Even if it's from a small event or a great virtual talk, video matters.
Ask. That’s it! Your time is valuable—so ask for a fee. If you’re just starting out, be prepared for a no, and then decide if the opportunity is worth it anyway. But don’t be afraid to ask. Most people just don’t.
Nope. You don’t need a massive following—you just need to be an authority on something and known for it. Pick your lane, build credibility, and show up consistently. Be out there. Be clear about what you bring to the table.
Style and substance. You’ve got to deliver value, but you also have to be easy to work with. Be clear, be professional, and be someone people want to have at their event. Being good on stage matters—but being nice off-stage matters just as much.
Most keynotes run 30–45 minutes, with time for Q&A if requested. Be ready to adjust based on the event, but keep your core talk tight and impactful.
Slides should support your talk, not be your talk. If you're reading off your slides, scrap them—they're a crutch, not a tool. Use slides to punch up a point, drop in a photo, or land a punchline. They should be visual, clean, and complementary—not filled with text. If your message can’t stand on its own, slides won’t save it.
Absolutely. That doesn’t mean rewriting your whole speech every time—but it does mean making it relevant. You’re not talking to just an audience, you’re talking to this audience. Know who they are, what they care about, and tailor your message to hit home. A few intentional adjustments go a long way.
Your fee should reflect your expertise, experience, and demand. Seasoned pros might charge $15,000–$50,000+, and high-profile names can exceed $100,000. If you’re unsure, we can help guide you based on market demand and your positioning.
To get booked as a speaker, start by building a strong personal brand and showcasing your expertise in a specific area. Create a professional portfolio that includes a speaker bio, a list of distinct topics you cover, and high-quality videos of your presentations. Additionally, use social media and a personal website to promote your speaking work. Interested in being represented by VaynerSpeakers? Tell us more about yourself here!
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