How to Book a Keynote Speaker Directly
When to go direct, when a bureau helps, and the five steps from first email to signed agreement, from a speaker who also founded a speakers bureau.
To book a keynote speaker directly, contact the speaker through their website with your date, location, audience and theme. A good speaker replies with availability and a quote, holds the date, sends a simple agreement, and schedules a planning call. Booking direct means you talk to the person who will be on your stage. A bureau is worth it when you want help comparing many speakers at once.
I am a keynote speaker and the bestselling author of You Are Capable of More, which won the How-To category at the 2026 Paris Book Festival. I am also a sitting executive: President and COO of Uniti Med, GQR Healthcare and Nebula. I helped grow Uniti Med 10x in revenue in two years, which earned it the #3 spot on the Inc. Regionals list of fastest-growing companies in the Midwest. I also founded the Amplify Speakers bureau. I have booked speakers for other people and been booked myself, so here is how both paths actually work.
Should you book a speaker directly or through a bureau?
Go direct when you already know who you want, or you have a short list. You get faster answers, you talk to the speaker about your audience from the first call, and nothing gets lost between three inboxes.
Use a bureau when you are starting from zero and want someone to bring you a slate of options across topics and price points, or when you are booking many speakers for one event. A good bureau earns its place.
How a direct booking works
- Send the basics. Date, city, venue, audience size, who is in the room and your theme.
- Get availability and a quote. Expect the speaking fee and travel in writing, with what is included.
- Hold the date. Most speakers will hold a date for a short window while your committee decides.
- Sign a simple agreement. Fee, travel, session length, format, recording permission and cancellation terms.
- Plan the session. A call to learn your audience, your goals and the one thing you want people to leave with.
What should you send in the first email?
The more specific you are, the faster the answer. Include the event name, date and city; the audience and how many; the session slot and length; your theme; and your budget range if you have one. That last one feels awkward, but it saves everyone a round of back-and-forth.
How booking Chris Sund works
I take bookings myself through the contact form and reply within one business day with availability and a quote. I quote the speaking fee and travel together, hold dates while committees decide, and schedule a planning call before every event so the session fits your room.
Programs include You Are Capable of More, You Are Capable of a Better Culture, The Power of Small Moments, You Are Capable of More: Leadership, You Are Capable of More Sales and Your Team Is Capable of More. Keynotes and breakouts are available in person or virtually, and the Leadership program runs as a workshop. You can watch full session footage on YouTube first.
If you know who you want, book direct: send the date, city, audience and theme, get a written quote, hold the date, sign a simple agreement and plan the session together. Use a bureau when you need a slate of options from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Can you book a keynote speaker directly without a bureau?
What information does a speaker need to quote an event?
Is it cheaper to book a speaker directly?
How quickly does Chris Sund respond to booking requests?
Does Chris Sund do virtual keynotes?
You Are Capable of More
A No-Excuses Guide to Becoming Your Best Self. The bestselling book behind Chris’s keynotes and the 2026 Paris Book Festival winner in the How-To category. Many organizations hand a copy to every attendee.
Talk to the speaker,
not a switchboard.
Send your date, city, audience and theme. Chris replies within one business day with availability and a quote that includes travel.
See also Book Chris Sund · Questions to Ask Before Booking · Conference Planning Timeline
Keynote, breakout or 60 to 90 minute leadership workshop · Response within one business day
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