Speaker Membership Options and Prices
When Free Speakers began 30+ years ago it was completely free for all, including speakers. Over the years, expenses of running the bureau and website have increased considerably. We now charge a nominal annual fee to speakers to ensure the bureau can thrive. We offer three membership options:
| Membership Type |
Basic |
Advanced |
Elite  |
| $49.99per yearJoin Now | $99.99per yearJoin Now | $149.99per yearJoin Now |
| Your Speaker Profile |
|---|
| Headshot photo and bio that present you as an expert in your field |
✓Included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Link to your website (great for SEO) |
Not included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Links to your social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube) |
Not included |
Not included |
✓Included |
| YouTube video embedded on your profile |
Not included |
Not included |
✓Included |
| Your Topics and Listings |
|---|
| Topics you can list |
Up to 2 |
Up to 4 |
Up to 10 |
| Each topic listed in its own category |
✓Included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Profile and one topic listed above Basic members |
Not included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Profile and two topics listed above Advanced and Basic members |
Not included |
Not included |
✓Included |
| Profile and one topic rotated on the home page |
Not included |
Not included |
✓Included |
| Every Membership Includes |
|---|
| An email with the group's contact details each time you're requested |
✓Included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Your name in our “New to FreeSpeakers.org” email to past groups |
✓Included |
✓Included |
✓Included |
| Verified Speaker badge for your own website |
✓Included |
✓Included |
✓Elite badge |
- Headshot photo and bio that present you as an expert in your field
- Up to 2 topics, each listed in its own category
- An email with the group's contact details each time you're requested
- Your name in our “New to FreeSpeakers.org” email to past groups
- Verified Speaker badge for your own website
Join Now
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Link to your website (great for SEO)
- Up to 4 topics
- Profile and one topic listed above Basic members
Join Now
Elite
$149.99 per year
- Everything in Advanced, plus:
- Links to your social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube)
- YouTube video embedded on your profile
- Up to 10 topics
- Profile and two topics listed above Advanced and Basic members
- Profile and one topic rotated on the home page
- The Verified Elite Speaker badge
Join Now
How to Join Our Chicago Speakers Bureau
- 1
Fill Out the Application
Choose your membership and tell us about you and your presentations. Have your bio, a headshot and a description of each talk ready.
- 2
Pay with Square
When you submit the application, you go straight to Square's secure checkout to pay your annual fee.
- 3
We Set Up Your Profile
Our speaker success team builds your speaker profile and sends you your login. Chicago groups can then find you and request your talks.
Apply to Join Free Speakers Chicago
What Happens After You Join
We’ve been providing free speakers to the community in Chicago since 1996. Read reviews about FreeSpeakers.org from speakers and program chairpersons on Google, Facebook and Yelp.
When ten or so new speakers join FreeSpeakers.org, we send out a “New to FreeSpeakers.org” email newsletter to all the contacts who have used our service in the past. Hopefully, this gets you started with a bang.
Here’s How it Works:
We receive speaker requests almost daily from group program chairpersons. After he or she has had a chance to review the list, the chairperson will request a topic/speaker. When you’re requested, we send an e-mail letting you know which of your topics has been selected. We provide the contact person’s name, phone number, email address and other details. At that point, we step aside.
Within three business days, you contact the person. Go over the details, the date, the directions, etc. Be sure to exchange phone numbers. Frequently, the contact person will request a written bio about you. Many of these groups publish your information in their organization’s newsletter and/or send a press release to their local newspaper.
It is a firm policy of FreeSpeakers.org that you call the group within three days. Even if you have to turn down the talk, please call within three days.
If you have more questions about how our bureau works for speakers please visit the Speakers FAQ page.
