speaking fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaking fee" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the amount of money charged for giving a speech or presentation. Example: "The renowned author has a speaking fee of $10,000 for corporate events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And they have balked at Ms. Palin's speaking fee, which news reports have put at $100,000, a figure that organizers will not confirm or deny.

The New York Times

Like other advocates, Mr. Mukasey said he had been paid his standard speaking fee — $15,000 to $20,000, according to the Web site of his speakers' agency — to talk at M.E.K.-related events.

The New York Times

Because her audience was thick with high-ranking bureaucrats, prosperous urbanites and media elite, and because her speaking fee was paid by an Indian media conglomerate, the reception in the hall was lukewarm.

The New York Times - Magazine

When parishioners left, they found fliers on their car windshields criticizing Mr. Huckabee for signing a bill to authorize video poker at Arkansas race tracks and for accepting a speaking fee from a company involved in stem-cell research.

The New York Times

I was offered a speaking fee to attend and speak at a conference earlier this year at which several other former senior government officials and I stated our support for the reversal, but I declined the offered fee and have not otherwise accepted any payment for any statement on this subject.

The New York Times

Reince Priebus, the Republican Party chairman, has also found his inner egalitarian, telling a gathering of conservatives in February that "if there's not a private luxury jet and a quarter-million-dollar speaking fee waiting for her, you can forget" seeing Hillary Clinton in public.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

ANNALS OF COMMUNICATIONS about journalists' speaking fees.

The New Yorker

The prohibition includes speaking fees.

The New York Times

Samsung paid Trump $150,000 in speaking fees.

The Guardian

He accepted speaking fees to appear at corporate retreats.

The New Yorker

Dr. Baudin has received speaking fees from Maquet Critical Care.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaking fee" to denote a professional arrangement where payment is expected for the speaking engagement, distinguishing it from voluntary or complimentary appearances.

Common error

Avoid using "speaking fee" interchangeably with "honorarium" unless the context implies a token payment rather than a full professional rate. While both refer to payments for speaking, an honorarium often implies a more symbolic gesture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking fee" functions as a noun phrase, denoting the payment or remuneration received for delivering a speech or presentation. Ludwig shows that it's commonly used in contexts where professional speakers' rates are being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "speaking fee" is a common term that refers to the compensation paid to an individual for delivering a speech or presentation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, notably in news media and scientific publications. Understanding the nuances of "speaking fee" involves recognizing its function as a noun phrase used to denote a monetary cost and differentiating it from related terms like "honorarium". When negotiating a "speaking fee", it's important to outline the scope of the engagement and consider factors such as the speaker's experience and the event's nature. Ultimately, the purpose of "speaking fee" is to convey pricing information and facilitate discussions related to speaker contracts and event budgets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaker's payment

A more direct alternative emphasizing the payment to the speaker.

presentation fee

Substitutes "speaking" with "presentation", focusing on the act of presenting.

lecture honorarium

Replaces "fee" with "honorarium", implying a more prestigious or voluntary payment.

payment for speech

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the payment aspect for giving a speech.

speaker's compensation

Replaces "fee" with "compensation", suggesting a broader range of payments.

honorarium for speaking

Rearranges the words to emphasize the 'honorarium' aspect of speaking engagements.

appearance fee

Broadens the scope from speaking to any kind of appearance or engagement.

public speaking earnings

Focuses on the earnings or income generated from public speaking.

remuneration for lecturing

Uses more formal language to describe the payment for lecturing.

speaking engagement cost

Shifts the focus to the cost associated with hiring a speaker.

FAQs

How is a "speaking fee" determined?

A "speaking fee" is typically determined by factors such as the speaker's experience, expertise, audience size, event type, and travel expenses. Market demand and the speaker's reputation also play significant roles.

What's the difference between a "speaking fee" and an honorarium?

A "speaking fee" is a pre-negotiated amount paid to a speaker for their services, whereas an honorarium is a voluntary payment given as a token of appreciation for a service where no formal fee was set. An honorarium ("honorarium") is often smaller and more symbolic.

What can I negotiate in addition to the "speaking fee"?

In addition to the "speaking fee", you can negotiate for travel expenses, accommodation, meals, marketing support, and potentially a percentage of book sales or other related revenue generated from the event.

When is it appropriate to waive a "speaking fee"?

It may be appropriate to waive a "speaking fee" for charitable events, non-profit organizations, or events where the exposure and networking opportunities are highly valuable. Consider if the cause aligns with your values.