I am a speaker and I’ve hired speakers. Part of this equity game requires transparency. Generally, men get paid more to speak than women. And a lot of women are going into debt to speak. That’s a NO. So here goes...

Level 1: Need credibility? Speak for free only if no one knows you and you need to get a few under your belt. But only for 6 months to a year, and NEVER pay your own travel unless you are consciously being charitable.

Level 2: Speak for $2500 - $5000 for webinars, small non-profits, and maybe ERGs - many don’t have a lot of budget but really need to hear what you have to say.

Level 3: 5K -10K is a respectable speaking fee for workshops, conferences or organizations (size and resource-dependent) for people who have deep expertise and/or high credibility on specific topics.

Level 4: 15K - 20K is a good range for best-selling authors or subject matter experts respected for their differentiated point of view, but maybe not universally known...YET!

Level 5: 25K - 50K range has a whole lot of people in it - better-known authors, former and current C-Suite leaders, including lesser-known CEOs, whose stories people want to learn from and whose presence lends gravitas to an event.

Level 6: Over 100K = CEOs for Fortune 100 companies and lesser-known (but still sought-after) celebrities, including some who started as journos or authors or political figures but have transcended beyond those realms.

Level 7: These A-list celebs ask for up to 350K. And they get it. Yep. You read that right.

Also, at the end of the day, you can charge what people are willing to pay you. I’ve had clients walk away from me because of my fees. I’ve had others walk away, then come back around after they hear good things. Ultimately, I will only do what makes me feel valued and respected.

Hope this thread helps someone. Get that money, Sisters. Other views and experiences welcome, of course. This is just mine.