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Erik Qualman — keynote speaker on Communication & Collaboration

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Communication & Collaboration keynote speakers

Erik Qualman

"Socialnomics" Author & Digital Leadership Speaker

Speaking feeTypically $50k–$100kIndicative only, confirmed on request
  • Keynote · Virtual
  • English
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Headliner can arrange a booking with Erik Qualman or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.

Signature keynotes

What your audience walks away with

  • Outcome

    Artificial Intelligence — Leading Through the AI Revolution (most requested now)

    How AI is reshaping leadership, innovation and strategy across every sector — business, education, healthcare, government. A practitioner-and-futurist take that cuts through the hype and gives leaders a concrete way to adopt AI as an advantage rather than a threat.

  • Digital Transformation: Designing Your Future

    His flagship transformation keynote. Why the organizations that design their future outperform those that merely react to disruption — and the practical moves that turn change into competitive advantage.

  • Digital Leadership

    Built on his bestseller Digital Leader. The mindset, habits, and influence skills that make leaders and teams effective in a digital-first world — applicable Monday morning, not someday.

  • Focus — The Art of Doing Less to Achieve More

    Based on The Focus Project. In an age of digital overload, attention is the scarcest resource. How individuals and teams reclaim focus and turn it into their biggest performance multiplier.

  • Innovation by Design

    Innovation as a repeatable, designed process — not a lucky accident. How to build the conditions, habits, and culture that make breakthrough thinking happen on purpose.

  • Socialnomics

    The foundational talk that started it all: how social media and digital behavior have transformed the way we live and do business — and what that means for how brands and leaders show up today.

The story

Who Erik actually is

Erik Qualman is a 5× #1 bestselling author and one of the world's most in-demand keynote speakers on AI, digital transformation, and digital leadership. Born in the Detroit area and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan, he earned a marketing degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Texas' McCombs School of Business.

Before he was an author, Erik spent roughly fourteen years as a digital-marketing and eBusiness executive — building online functions at Yahoo, EarthLink, Travelzoo, AT&T, and the auto industry. In 2009 he published _Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business_, a breakout that became an American Marketing Association Book of the Year finalist and sits in more than 1,500 libraries. Around it he created the "Social Media Revolution" video — billed as the world's most-watched social media video series — which went viral on YouTube and made him a defining voice of the social era.

He followed it with _Digital Leader_ (2011), _What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube_ (2014), _How to Sell on LinkedIn_, and _The Focus Project_ (2020) — five #1 bestsellers in total. His Socialnomics work has been featured on 60 Minutes and in the Wall Street Journal, and referenced by organizations from the National Guard to NASA.

A former sitting professor at Harvard and MIT's edX labs, Erik now teaches Digital Leadership & AI at Northwestern University, and holds an honorary doctorate from Lake Superior State University for his work in the field. Through his studio, Equalman Studios, he produces award-style animated content for brands including Disney, Oreo, Chase and Cartier. He has spoken in 60+ countries and reached more than 60 million people, earning a 4.9/5 speaker rating and a reputation — only half-joking — as the "Digital Dale Carnegie." Today his work is increasingly AI-forward, helping leaders across business, healthcare, government and education turn the AI revolution into a competitive advantage.

The receipts

Books & publications

  • Socialnomics

    2009

    how social media transforms the way we live and do business; the book that named the movement.

  • Digital Leader

    2011

    five simple keys to success and influence in a digital-first world.

  • What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube

    2014

    privacy, reputation, and leadership in an always-recorded world.

  • How to Sell on LinkedIn

    a practical guide to social selling.

  • The Focus Project

    2020

    a year-long experiment in doing less to achieve more.

Gravity

Career highlights & recognition

  • Recognition

    5× #1 bestselling author

    Socialnomics, Digital Leader, What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube, How to Sell on LinkedIn, The Focus Project

  • Credential

    Creator of "Social Media Revolution"

    billed as the world's most-watched social media video series

  • Milestone2010

    *Socialnomics

    * — American Marketing Association Book of the Year finalist (2010); held in 1,500+ libraries

  • Credential

    Former sitting professor at Harvard & MIT's edX labs

    now teaches Digital Leadership & AI at Northwestern University

  • Credential

    Honorary doctorate

    Lake Superior State University

  • Recognition

    Forbes Top 50 / Fast Company Top 100 Digital Influencer

  • Milestone

    Spoken in 60+ countries · reached 60M+ people · 4.9/5 speaker rating

  • Milestone

    Yahoo, EarthLink, Travelzoo, AT&T

  • Milestone

    "2nd Most Likeable Author in the World"

  • Milestone

    Equalman Studios

Booking with confidence

What to expect when you book Erik

  • 01

    Compiled from public sources

    This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.

  • 02

    Availability and fees, confirmed

    Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Erik's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.

  • 03

    Managed end to end

    From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.

Answers

Booking questions, answered

What is Erik Qualman's speaking fee?

Typically $50k–$100k (indicative; confirmed on request). Erik's fee varies by event, date, format, and location, so we confirm the exact figure for your booking. Share your brief for current pricing and live availability.

Is Erik Qualman available for my event date?

Availability changes with Erik's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Erik is open, and hold the slot while you decide.

How do I book Erik Qualman for my event?

Erik Qualman is booked through Headliner. Tell us your event date, audience, and goals, and we'll confirm availability and the next steps — typically within four business hours.

How much does Erik Qualman charge to speak?

Typically $50k–$100k (indicative; confirmed on request). It depends on event, date, format, location, and whether the session is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll confirm the exact figure and availability.

Can I hire Erik Qualman for a corporate event?

Yes. Erik is represented for speaking engagements through Headliner on a non-exclusive basis and regularly takes corporate keynotes, conferences, and leadership events. Share your brief to check availability.

Can I book Erik Qualman for a virtual keynote?

Yes. Erik presents virtual keynotes as well as in-person sessions. Virtual fees are typically quoted below a live keynote, so tell us your format for a precise quote.

What formats does Erik offer?

Erik is available for Keynote and Virtual engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.

What does Erik speak about?

Erik's keynote themes include Marketing and Digital Transformation. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.

What languages does Erik present in?

Erik presents in English.

Where does Erik travel from?

Erik is based in Boston, MA and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.

Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.

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