Real questions. Real answers.
Everything I would want to know if I were on your side of the table.
Booking and availability
How far in advance should we book?
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Most clients book 60-180 days out. I have done bookings as tight as 14 days when the calendar allows. Just ask.
Do you work with speaker bureaus?
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Yes. I work directly with planners and through a select group of speaker bureaus. If you have a bureau relationship you prefer, send me their contact and I will work with them.
What does your speaking calendar look like?
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I limit bookings to roughly 30 events per year. This is intentional. Every audience gets a custom talk and I stay accessible through the event.
What happens if I cancel?
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More than 60 days out: deposit refunded less $500 admin fee. 30-60 days: deposit forfeited, no further fee owed. Less than 30 days: full fee owed regardless of reason.
Topics and customization
Do you customize your talks?
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Yes. Customization is included in the fee. I run a 30-minute prep call with you and rework stories, examples, and Q&A frames to fit your audience.
Can you write a talk specifically for our event?
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Yes, for a fee bump. Custom talks are 25-50% above the standard fee depending on scope.
Will you tailor for our specific industry?
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Yes. The operator playbook is industry-agnostic, but the stories and examples get fully swapped to match your audience.
Can the audience submit questions in advance?
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Yes. Send me 5-10 questions from your audience one week before the event and I will weave answers into the keynote.
Format and logistics
How long is the keynote?
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Standard is 60 minutes including 10-15 minutes of Q&A. I can do 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes depending on your event flow.
Do you do virtual?
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Yes. Virtual keynotes are $5,000 for a 60-minute session. I have a professional studio setup with broadcast-quality video, lighting, and audio.
AV setup preferences?
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Lavalier or headset mic preferred. Confidence monitor strongly preferred. HDMI input to my laptop. I bring my own clicker.
Can we record the keynote?
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Yes, for internal use. Public distribution requires my written approval, which I usually grant for a small additional fee.
Pricing and payment
What is your fee?
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Standard 60-minute in-person keynote is $10,000. Virtual is $5,000. Half-day workshop add-on is $5,000. Multi-engagement packages get a 15% discount.
Are there hidden fees?
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No. Fees and travel are quoted upfront. Travel reconciles to actuals post-event. That is the entire bill.
Payment schedule?
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50% deposit due within 14 days of contract signing. 50% balance due within 30 days of the event date.
Can we negotiate fees?
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I do not discount the headline fee. If budget is tight, I restructure: shorter format, virtual instead of in-person, or smaller workshop scope.
Question not answered?
Email jon@jonharmeling.com or text (305) 306-0987. I personally read every inquiry.