Marcus Barnes
Transform storytelling and leadership communication with Marcus Barnes, speaker, journalist and ICF coach-in-training. Marcus works with executives and teams to unlock creativity, enhance digital presence and drive personal growth, delivering expertise featured in Forbes, The Guardian and Cambridge University Press.
London, United Kingdom
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An interviewer and public speaker, he has been published in Cambridge University Press, Thames & Hudson, Forbes, The Guardian, The Observer, The Independent, TimeOut, and many more.
Beyond his media career, Marcus has spent over a decade studying and applying self-development techniques—integrating writing, storytelling, and neuroscience-backed coaching methods to help individuals and teams gain clarity, shift their mindset, unlock creativity, and enhance communication.
Through thoughtfully designed sessions, tailored coaching, speaking engagements, and bespoke workshops, Marcus helps professionals and executives master writing as a transformational tool—whether for refining storytelling, amplifying digital presence, enhancing leadership communication, or driving personal growth.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Many people struggle with writing, believing they’re “not good at it.” But the truth is, writing is a universally powerful tool for processing thoughts, organising ideas and enhancing mental clarity. In this session, Marcus Barnes walks participants through proven, practical writing techniques designed to reduce overwhelm, enhance focus and improve emotional resilience. Attendees will leave with a renewed confidence in writing and the ability to use it as a strategic tool for wellbeing and self-leadership.
Great leaders, brands and professionals don’t just communicate - they connect. In this session, Marcus Barnes breaks down the core principles of high-impact storytelling, helping participants refine their personal or business narratives to engage, persuade and inspire. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to structure compelling stories, master messaging and elevate their communication skills to command attention.
In today’s fast-paced world, clarity is power. This session with Marcus Barnes explores how effective written communication - from emails to reports to thought leadership content - can set professionals apart. Marcus shares frameworks for clear, concise and compelling writing, helping leaders and teams increase their influence, avoid miscommunication and drive better decision-making. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance their written presence and executive communication.
In this session, Marcus Barnes teaches participants how to identify, deconstruct and reframe limiting beliefs through the power of writing. By using narrative-shifting techniques and affirmations, attendees will transform negative self-talk into growth-oriented, empowering stories. Through practical writing exercises, individuals will reprogram their mindset, gaining the tools needed to boost confidence, overcome self-doubt and unlock personal growth.
Writing isn’t just for communication - it’s a gateway to breakthrough thinking and problem-solving. This interactive session explores how writing can spark creativity, generate new ideas and unlock innovative solutions. With Marcus Barnes, participants will engage in guided exercises designed to shift perspective, challenge assumptions, spark new concepts and cultivate idea generation - a vital skill for entrepreneurs, executives and creative professionals.
Looking for a workshop that addresses your unique goals? Book Marcus Barnes to guide you through a bespoke session tailored to your needs. PepTalk can create fully customised expert-led workshops tailored to your objectives, company culture, and strategic ambitions with the expert of your choice. Whether you need to foster innovation, strengthen leadership, or enhance teamwork, these bespoke programs are crafted to deliver impactful results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.