A public speaker centerfold

Here is something you never thought you’d own: a global fee level centerfold.

You can even put it in your office for everyone to see. We’ve created a list of the average speaker’s fees in various countries around the world. We made this beautiful piece of graphic from the more than 37.000 speaker deals that we have in our database (that is how we created our report on global fee levels in the first place). 

We used Denmark as a baseline because it is where we are located. Besides, it would be a glass-half-empty situation for us if we started with another country, and had to dip below 100 percent.

As you can see, the differences are enormous.

My hope is that you will use this to navigate prices when talking abroad. If your next job is in a country other than your own, it could help you win the deal to know what companies usually pay. If your neighboring country pays 25% more on average, you should consider upping your fee to that level.

Similarly, if a Dutch speaker goes abroad, they probably should not pack their modesty. Expecting to be paid more handsomely money in Germany than in The Netherlands is reasonable.

Notice those two countries in the top?

The Netherlands and Denmark are both tiny countries in terms of area. They are also unlikely to make their speakers disgustingly wealthy.

As we have talked to speakers from all over it becomes more and more apparent, that what is meant by speaking is not the same everywhere. In the smaller nations above, a speaker can often get in the car, drive to the venue, give a talk, and be back for supper.

In countries like Canada or the United States distances are a bit more of a hassle. As a consequence, speakers in North America spend more time on the road (or since it is 2019 - in the airport) and make more money. But they also add to their services with things like break-out sessions, workshops and more.

And they’re away from their family for longer.

That was all I had for you this week. I wish you tons of success in your business pursuits and remember that you have tons of speaker colleagues, who are facing the same obstacles as you are.

By the way - here are some calls for speakers published during the weekend. Let me know with the thumbs up or thumbs down, if these should be included in our emails going forward.

If you know someone who doesn’t receive our journal, but would be perfect to talk at these events, let them know. Every time the right speaker, meets the right even speaking as a whole becomes a bigger, better business niche.

But I could go on forever. Don’t worry. I’m really going to stop writing this time.

Take care,

K