Setting a floor price would immediately ensure that the schools that benefit the most from external speakers and additional stimulation, don't get them.
The problem, as oldgregg says, is that celebrities get the money, and real experts aren't engaged. If I start to charge enough to make a living two things will happen. I won't get corporate engagements because I'm not an expert, and I won't talk to the people who benefit the most, because they can't afford it.
I meant to mention giving your services to schools free/cost of expenses. You cite a 10x price range, so I'm assuming schools are at the bottom, other venues middle/top.
How much do you promote? Scott Berkun (and let's take another minor tech celebrity, Merlin Mann) does a fair amount of blogging, writing and other public communication to effect the talks side of the business.
I currently do zero promotion, all invitations being by word-of-mouth or repeat visits. I have a near full-time technical day-job, and the talks I give are over-subscribed. I'm trying to work out a model that would let me continue to do 80 to 100 talks a year to schools and their ilk, while somehow getting enough top-range gigs to replace the day-job.
Problem is, for the type of talks I do, I'm not sure there's much of a top-range market. They're really aimed at enthusing school kids, and I'm not sure anyone would pay usd1000, let alone usd5000, for my types of talks. I guess that's what I would need an agent for - to create the market and get them.
Well, I'm currently still tied to the day-job for a year or so (MBO, director, share-holder, conditions attached, etc) so I have time to work out the model. Interesting challenge - you've made me re-think.
If anyone here is interested in seeing me in action, drop me an email and I'll send you a list of my engagements so you can find one near you. Currently UK only, or possibly Atlanta sometime in March.
Sounds like the best business model would be to scare up some philanthropic organization which would fund you for a period: there must be some educationally oriented NGO around for whom that would be an appropriate spend.
The problem, as oldgregg says, is that celebrities get the money, and real experts aren't engaged. If I start to charge enough to make a living two things will happen. I won't get corporate engagements because I'm not an expert, and I won't talk to the people who benefit the most, because they can't afford it.