Mark Schaefer with Ann Handley and Andy Crestodina
If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably wondering how we can work together. Maybe you’ve seen one of my marketing keynotes. Maybe you’ve read one of my books, listened to my podcast, or heard about The Uprising retreat.
Wherever you came from, thank you for being here. I love working with organizations and individuals who care about learning, growing, and making marketing more human in an age of algorithms.
So, let’s walk through the ways I can serve you—as a keynote speaker, consultant, retreat host, author, teacher, and community builder.
Keynote Speaking: My Main Stage Passion
Speaking is the centerpiece of my work. About half my professional life is spent on stages around the world, helping audiences see what’s next in marketing, leadership, and creativity.
What I Speak About
My keynotes center on five big ideas shaping the future:
- AI and the Future of Marketing — How artificial intelligence is reshaping customer behavior, creativity, and competitive advantage.
- Building Brand Communities — Why community is the last great marketing strategy, and how companies can turn fans into a movement.
- Personal Branding — How individuals can become known in a noisy digital world.
- Customer Behavior Shifts — How technology, culture, and trust are transforming how people buy, share, and advocate.
- Bold Creativity — Lessons from my book Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World, a framework for standing out in an age of sameness.
Every keynote is custom-built. I never recycle the same slides or stories. My job is to meet you where you are—your audience, your goals, your challenges—and build something powerful that connects.
You can always find my most up-to-date topics on the speaking page, but the heart of every talk is this: the most human company wins.
Who Hires Me
My clients are as diverse as marketing itself:
- Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, P&G, and Pfizer
- Professional associations such as the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association
- Management consultancies including McKinsey
- Major conferences such as SXSW and Social Media Marketing World
Whether it’s a ballroom of 2,000 people or a boardroom of 20 executives, my goal is the same: deliver ideas that inspire, challenge, and immediately translate into action.
Global Experience
Although I’m based in the U.S., I’ve spoken in more than 40 countries—from Singapore to Spain, from Iceland to India.
Every culture has its own rhythm, and I love adapting my storytelling and examples so they resonate globally. I’m equally comfortable on stage in an arena, a corporate retreat, or a virtual event streamed to 10,000 screens.
Customization and Format
I always start with discovery: What’s happening in your industry? What keeps your leaders up at night? What transformation do you want to spark in your audience?
From there, I tailor my message and examples to fit your world.
Formats include:
- 45- to 60-minute keynotes
- Conference headliners and fireside chats
- Half- or full-day workshops
- Executive briefings and leadership off-sites
Many clients pair a keynote with a smaller executive session or Q&A to deepen the impact.
Speaking Fees and Books
My speaking fees depend on location, format, and travel—but here’s something unusual: if you include a book giveaway for your attendees, I can reduce my fee.
Books extend the message and make the learning tangible. I’m always happy to personalize them for your group.
Event Logistics
My AV requirements are simple: a wireless lav mic, confidence monitor, projector or LED screen, and standard house audio. I’ll send a brief tech rider once we confirm.
To check availability, just share your event date, city, and audience details through the contact form. My team responds quickly.
The Uprising Retreat: A Gathering for Bold Marketers
If keynotes are about big stages, The Uprising is about big conversations.
Each spring, I host a small, curated marketing leadership retreat called The Uprising at the beautiful RT Lodge near Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s my favorite week of the year—a time when smart, generous people step away from the noise to think deeply together about what’s next.
What It Is
Think of The Uprising as an idea accelerator for senior marketers. We keep it small (usually around 25 people) so everyone has a voice.
There are no panels, no vendors, and no PowerPoints. Instead, we share stories, frameworks, and emerging trends that stretch how we think about marketing, leadership, and humanity.
Who It’s For
It’s for marketing leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who want more than another conference. It’s for people who crave honest dialogue in a high-trust environment.
No special qualifications are needed—just curiosity and openness. Past participants have ranged from 21 to 79 years old and come from industries as varied as healthcare, tech, education, manufacturing, and retail.
When and Where
The retreat happens each spring (April or May). RT Lodge is a cozy wooded resort just 15 minutes from the Knoxville airport. Once you arrive, everything—meals, sessions, and accommodations—is included.
Cost and Value
The all-inclusive price is $3,950, and most attendees tell me it’s the best professional investment they’ve made in years. Friendships form, ideas ignite, and collaborations continue long after we part ways.
How to Apply
If this sounds like your kind of experience, you can apply at the bottom of The Uprising page. Applications are reviewed to ensure the group stays diverse and balanced.
Books: The Foundation of My Work
My books are how many people first find me—and they remain a central part of my mission to make marketing more human. I’ve written eleven so far, covering personal branding, influence marketing, content strategy, community, and now AI.
Which One to Start With
If you’re new to my work, here’s a quick guide:
- Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World — For anyone navigating creativity in the age of machines.
- How AI Changes Your Customers — Understanding how technology is reshaping human behavior and what that means for marketing.
- Belonging to the Brand — How to build communities that create emotional connection and loyalty.
- KNOWN — The step-by-step path to becoming known in your field.
- Marketing Rebellion — Why the most human company wins (the book that inspired a movement).
If you’re not sure which one fits your current challenge, try the book selector tool on my site—it helps match you to the right title for your goals.
Bulk Orders and Signed Copies
Many organizations order books in bulk for conferences or employee programs. We can ship directly to your event or bookstore, and I’m happy to sign copies or join a Q&A session when possible.
Academic Use
Dozens of universities use my books as core texts or supplemental reading, and I frequently guest lecture for students worldwide. My aim is always the same: to help the next generation of marketers find their voice.
Consulting and Advisory
Although I spend most of my time speaking and writing, I still love working directly with companies in short, high-impact ways.
What I Offer
My advisory work focuses on:
- AI-driven marketing strategy
- Brand community design
- Content and personal branding
- Social media strategy and storytelling
- Go-to-market messaging
I also serve as an executive advisor for leadership teams navigating digital transformation and cultural change.
Engagement Options
I no longer take on long-term contracts. Instead, I offer:
- Half-day or full-day sessions to tackle a specific challenge
- One-hour advisory calls for focused problem-solving and direction
These sessions are designed to deliver maximum clarity in minimal time.
The MarkBot
To make my thinking more accessible, I created the MarkBot—a free AI model trained on my public work. It’s a private assistant designed to scale my teaching and mentoring to anyone, anywhere. You can find it on my website.
Teaching, Community, and Learning
Teaching keeps me grounded. I’ve been a faculty member at Rutgers University for more than a decade, where I teach in the Mini-MBA in Digital Marketing program. I also run specialized master classes for professionals who want to level up their personal brand or speaking career.
Classes and Programs
- Rutgers Mini-MBA in Digital Marketing — A fast, practical deep dive into modern marketing.
- Personal Branding Master Class — Based on my book KNOWN, this course helps you find and grow your unique place in the world.
- Start Your Professional Speaking Career — For aspiring speakers who want to build a meaningful stage presence and business.
The RISE Community
RISE is my private global community for marketers who believe in learning through collaboration. It’s a place to share ideas, test experiments, and stay connected with peers who are shaping the next chapter of marketing.
Continuous Learning
Beyond formal programs, I share free ideas and tools through my blog, newsletter, and long-running podcast, The Marketing Companion. Each platform offers a slightly different window into the same mission—helping you stay relevant, inspired, and human in a fast-moving world.
Media and Partnerships
Interviews and Commentary
I’m often invited to provide expert commentary on marketing trends, AI, and consumer behavior. If you’re a journalist or podcast host, just send your request with your angle and deadline through the contact page. I do my best to respond when time allows.
Collaborations
I occasionally collaborate with brands or research partners when the project aligns with my audience and values. My rule is simple: it must create genuine value for marketers.
A Note on Authenticity
I don’t participate in paid link-building or any form of artificial promotion. Everything on my site is created by me or directly under my supervision. Integrity matters more than SEO tricks.
Working Together
Timing
If you’re considering me for a keynote, reach out as early as possible—ideally six months in advance. The most popular event dates fill quickly, and early coordination helps me tailor my message and plan promotional support.
“Can We Just Jump on a Quick Call?”
I get this request almost daily, and I wish I could say yes to everyone. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn’t allow for unpaid mentoring calls.
However, my blog, books, podcast, and newsletter contain thousands of hours of free insights—honestly, everything I know is out there for anyone who wants it.
If you need specific advice for your business or career, you can also book a one-hour paid session at an affordable rate. It’s the most efficient way for me to give you my full attention and provide actionable guidance.
Collaboration Style
When you hire me, you get a true partner. I’m responsive, flexible, and completely committed to your success. If it helps your event, I’ll gladly do meet-and-greets, VIP gatherings, promotional videos, or book signings. My aim is always to make you—and your audience—look great.
A Few Personal Things
Since we might be working together, you should know a bit about the person behind the keynote.
- I studied for three years under the legendary management thinker Peter Drucker, whose wisdom still shapes my philosophy today.
- Before launching my own business, I was a pioneering e-business innovator and helped create one of the world’s first corporate intranets.
- I hold seven patents from my corporate marketing days.
- I’ve traveled to nearly 90 countries and believe curiosity is the ultimate fuel for creativity.
- Outside of work, I love hiking, biking, kayaking, and gardening. Nature is where my best ideas find me.
- I’ve been involved in youth mentoring programs for nearly 20 years and volunteer regularly with Habitat for Humanity.
All of that experience feeds my belief that marketing is fundamentally about humans helping humans. Technology changes, algorithms shift, but the essence of great marketing—the spark of connection—never goes away.
The Bigger Picture
When people ask what I do, I often say: I help humans and organizations stay relevant in a world being rewritten by machines.
That mission takes many forms:
- Speaking on global stages to inspire change
- Hosting The Uprising to spark community among leaders
- Writing books that become blueprints for transformation
- Advising companies through moments of uncertainty
- Teaching students and professionals who will lead the next wave
No matter how you engage with my work, the underlying message is the same: humanity is your competitive advantage.
If that resonates with you, I’d love to connect—whether it’s for a keynote, a retreat, a class, or just through one of my books. You can start the conversation anytime through the contact page.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read this far, thank you. Time is the most valuable thing we have, and I don’t take your attention lightly. My career has been a journey through technology, marketing, and human behavior, but what keeps me going is connection—the chance to share, teach, and learn with others who care about doing meaningful work.
Whether we meet at an event, collaborate on a project, or simply exchange ideas online, I hope our paths cross soon.
Until then, keep being audacious—and keep being human.
