Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it really free?

Yep. The only moola that changes hands is the nominal annual fee for speakers to be part of the bureau. The groups who use FreeSpeakers.org will never pay either the speakers or the bureau (or anyone else…).

Yeah, but who makes money?

The speakers’ membership fees are very low, so no one is getting rich running this bureau. It’s a community service project and a labor of love. Truly.

How far do speakers travel? I’m in the suburbs of Chicago, will speakers come to me?

It depends on the speaker. Some travel anywhere, others have limits. You’ll find this out when you talk together.

Why does a speaker present for free?

Everyone’s different, but essentially the speakers are good people who give back. Others give talks, because they like to speak in public, teach or be better known in the community.

How many speakers are in the Chicago bureau?

We’re proud to tell you we have more than 175 speakers in Chicago with new speakers joining every week. In addition, there are more than 310 topics available.

How many groups in Chicago use your speakers?

Groups! Oh boy, do we have groups. Over the past 20 years, more than 1,200 groups/contacts in the Chicagoland area have used FreeSpeakers.org. Groups include Chambers of Commerce, libraries, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, special interest clubs, retirement communities, church groups, women’s clubs, men’s clubs, etc. Even some businesses requests speakers for lunch-and-learns for their employees.

Can you recommend a speaker for me?

We do not endorse or suggest specific speakers or topics. Speakers fill out a detailed bio, specifically so you can decide if the speaker would be a good fit for your group.

Can a speaker sell stuff? What about authors?

Products for sale are not appropriate. Authors may bring books to the talk, but any sales pitch needs to be extremely low key.

How do I request a speaker?

Browse for a topic that will be of interest to your group. Click on the orange “Request This Free Speech” button. Fill out the form and click submit. Your contact information is now sent to the speaker and they will contact you in the next few days.

Can I request more than one speaker / topic at a time?

Yes, you may request as many speakers / topics as you wish. The first time you click the “Request This Free Speech” button, you will be asked to fill out a request form. Many program chair persons request ten topics at a time in order to fill out an entire six months of programs. In fact, it’s rare for someone to request just one topic. After all, there are so many amazing topics from which to choose.

You mean I have to fill out a form for each request?

FreeSpeakers.org will remember your contact info with a cookie, so your second, third, etc. request form will be automatically filled out.

Does making a request mean I have to book the speaker?

Absolutely not. After the request is made, you and the speaker have a personal talk or email exchange to decide if you’re right for each other. Either party can then decline or accept.

Is my information secure?

Absolutely. We never share your information anywhere else. Promise. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.