What we review
What Each SpeakersU Review Covers
SpeakersU reviews keynote speakers on their expertise, the ideas behind their talks, how they deliver on stage and the impact they have on audiences. Each review is researched from the speaker’s own materials, talks, books and client feedback, and every listing shows an estimated fee range so planners can shortlist within budget.
Expertise
Books, research, career and track record on the topic.
Topics and programmes
The keynotes, workshops and formats the speaker offers.
Delivery
Talk videos we watch for style, clarity and audience engagement.
Client feedback
Feedback from organisers who have booked the speaker, where we can verify it.
Estimated fee
A fee range for an in-person keynote, or “On request” (see below).
Fit
The events, audiences and budgets each speaker suits best.
Fees
How We Estimate Speaker Fees
Speakers rarely publish their fees, so our figures are estimates. We base them on published speaker-bureau ranges, our own speaker fee profiles and information shared by speakers or their bureaus.
- Fees are shown in US dollars for a single in-person keynote unless stated otherwise.
- Where our sources disagree, or a fee changes often, we show “On request” and invite you to ask us for a current quote rather than publish a figure we can’t stand behind.
- We review fees on a regular schedule and change a page’s “Updated” date only when its content actually changes.
For typical ranges by speaker category, see our keynote speaker fee guide.
Rankings
How We Rank Speakers
Expertise
Recognised authority on the topic.
Ideas
Original research, books or frameworks.
Delivery
Engages different audiences on stage or online.
Impact
Practical takeaways and lasting change.
Our rankings, such as the best keynote speakers of 2027, compare speakers against these four criteria within a topic. Each list also gives quick picks by event type and budget, because the “best” speaker depends on your event.
Independence
Ownership, Independence and How We Make Money
Who runs SpeakersU
SpeakersU was founded in 2017 and is run by the team behind keynote speaker James Taylor. James Taylor appears in some of our rankings and has his own fee profile; we say so on those pages.
How we make money
SpeakersU is free to use. We receive referral fees from some of the speakers or speaker bureaus we pass enquiries to when a booking goes ahead. We don’t accept payment for positive reviews, and bureaus have no say in which speakers we review. Referral arrangements may influence how, where and in what order some speakers appear on the site. Full details are on how we make money.
Corrections
If you spot an error in a review or a fee, email hello@speakersu.com and we’ll check and update it.
FAQ
How We Review: FAQs
Do speakers pay to be reviewed on SpeakersU?
No. We don’t accept payment for reviews. Some speakers and bureaus pay referral fees when a booking goes ahead, as explained on how we make money.
How accurate are your speaker fees?
They are estimates for an in-person keynote, based on bureau ranges, our fee profiles and information from speakers or bureaus. Where sources disagree we show “On request” rather than guess.
How often are reviews and rankings updated?
We review them on a regular schedule and when we learn of changes. The “Updated” date on each page shows when its content last changed.
Why is James Taylor on some of your lists?
SpeakersU is run by the team behind James Taylor. He is assessed against the same criteria as other speakers, and we disclose the relationship wherever he appears.
Can I suggest a speaker to review?
Yes. Email hello@speakersu.com with the speaker’s name and why you’d recommend them.
Get help
Need Help Choosing a Speaker?
Tell us your event date, audience and budget, and we’ll pass your brief to speakers who fit.
Prefer to browse first? Best Keynote Speakers 2027