Speaker Resources

Explore expert advice on finding speaking engagements in Chicago, building your professional brand, and mastering public speaking. Our ‘Speaker Resources’ series is the ultimate resource for pro bono and professional speakers in the Chicagoland area.

Learn public speaking tips and how to be a better presenter to maximize your public speaking experience. Content is written by Free Speakers staff, experts in public speaking, professional speakers, and Free Speakers Chicago speakers.

  • Build Your Influence and Find Speaking Engagements in Chicago

    May 8, 2026

    Motivational public speaker presenting to a local community group in Chicago, IL.TL;DR: How to Launch Your Speaking Career in Chicago

    • The Opportunity: Build your personal brand and authority by connecting with local organizations like Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce.
    • The Platform: Free Speakers Chicago provides a vetted directory where professionals find non-paid speaking engagements to hone their skills and expand their network.
    • The Benefit: Grow your network. Be known in Chicago as an expert. Gain the live experience necessary to transition into a paid speaking career while giving back to the Chicagoland community.
    • How to Start: Apply to join the bureau, pass the vetting process, and begin connecting with program chairs from Chicago and the suburbs.

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  • How to Turn Speaking Opportunities into Massive Amounts of New Business

    May 23, 2017

    Tom KellyI’ve been offering my talents as a pro bono speaker for groups in the Chicago area that are looking for a great speaker, but may not have the financial resources to pay my regular speaking fee.

    I often get asked the obvious question, “Why would you want to speak for free?” I think it’s a great question, especially because, as a business coach, I always teach my clients never to undervalue their talents and services that they provide to their clients. My answer to that question may surprise you, as even though I’m not getting paid directly by the groups to whom I speak, I get paid in many other ways that far exceed my normal speaking fees.

    Here are just a couple of reasons that you should really consider waiving your normal speaking fee and becoming a “free speaker”:

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  • Free to Fee: How FreeSpeakers.org launched my professional speaking career

    March 1, 2017

    Doug DvorakI knew I wanted to quit my day job eventually and become a paid speaker, but I didn’t know where to start. I joined the local Toastmasters Club to help me develop and polish my speaking skills, but I wanted to speak to other groups and organizations around the Chicagoland area. I Googled “Free Speakers” and was directed to Andy Richardson at FreeSpeakers.org. (The bureau was called Free Speech at the time.)

    I decided to call Andy, and that call changed my life and launched my professional speaking career. I have never looked back.

    Andy explained what FreeSpeakers.org is. Essentially, it is a pro bono speaker’s bureau for the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. It has sister bureaus in Milwaukee and Indianapolis. All three bureaus connect entertaining, competent, topical speakers with local organizations, associations and corporations that are in need of a speaker but have limited or no budgets. (more…)

  • Speak More and Sell More with Confidence

    November 14, 2016

    Nadine HauptAfter more than twenty years in Corporate America, I decided to strike out on my own and launch my business coaching and consulting business in 2014.  Throughout my career, speaking has always played an important role in my success.

    As the first female trackside engineer in IndyCar racing, there were plenty of opportunities to speak both on and off camera.  My ability to explain complex technical issues in a way fans could understand thrilled the media – so much that I was regularly interviewed on ESPN, local news stations, and other media outlets.

    After racing, I became an expert on alternative fuels in the commercial trucking industry.  I was consistently invited to speak at international conferences, trade associations, and Wall Street analyst meetings.  It was my talent to speak with the right strategy, presentation structure, and delivery method to deliver high value and get real results that opened up so many opportunities. (more…)

  • No-Fee Public Speaking Yields Wonderful Advantages

    June 5, 2015

    Ginny RichardsonTL;DR: The Strategic Value of No-Fee Public Speaking

    • The “Why”: No-fee speaking serves as high-impact public relations, allowing you to showcase expertise to a live audience without the pressure of a high-ticket transaction.
    • Brand Building: Every presentation acts as a live “audition,” helping you establish authority, refine your message, and build a library of testimonials and referrals.
    • Networking Gold: Pro bono gigs put you directly in front of decision-makers—program chairs, business owners, and community leaders—who may later hire you for paid engagements or professional services.
    • The Bottom Line: Waiving a direct fee often results in “indirect” payments—new clients, massive exposure, and the essential platform hours needed to launch a lucrative professional speaking career. How to find speaking engagements in Chicago. (more…)