Speaker CRM Showdown: Go High Level vs SpeakerFlow vs Zoho vs HubSpot vs 17hats

As a professional speaker, your stage presence might win the crowd—but behind the scenes, running your speaking business takes just as much organization. From tracking inquiries to sending contracts and following up with event planners, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) is essential to keeping your business streamlined.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best CRM for your speaking business? In this article, we’ll compare Go High Level, SpeakerFlow, Zoho, HubSpot, and 17hats—five popular CRMs that speakers are using to manage and grow their careers.

Why Speakers Need a CRM

A CRM isn’t just for sales teams—it’s the hub of your speaking business. The right CRM helps you:
  • Capture and track speaking inquiries
  • Build a pipeline of gigs, bureaus, and referrals
  • Automate follow-ups and reminders
  • Send contracts, proposals, and invoices
  • Keep event planner relationships organized
Think of it as your business command center. Without one, things slip through the cracks—like missed opportunities, delayed payments, or forgotten follow-ups.

Comparing CRMs for Speakers

1. Go High Level (GHL)

Best for: Speakers who also coach or sell programs and need automation.
Go High Level is an all-in-one CRM and marketing platform. It combines pipelines, email/SMS automation, funnels, and scheduling tools in one system. If you’re running a speaking business plus coaching, consulting, or courses, this is a powerhouse.
✅ Pros: Built-in funnels, automation, follow-up campaigns

❌ Cons: Steep learning curve, not built specifically for speakers

2. SpeakerFlow (powered by Zoho)

Best for: Professional speakers who want a system built just for them.
SpeakerFlow is the only CRM on this list designed specifically for speakers. It runs on Zoho CRM but is pre-loaded with features like gig tracking, inquiry pipelines, proposals, and bureau relationship management. Plus, their team offers coaching and resources designed for the speaking industry.
✅ Pros: Speaker-specific setup, plug-and-play, industry support

❌ Cons: Higher cost, depends on Zoho’s backend

3. Zoho CRM

Best for: DIY speakers on a budget who don’t mind customizing.
Zoho is flexible and affordable. You can create pipelines for “Inquiry → Proposal → Contract → Booked Gig → Follow-up” and integrate with other Zoho apps (like Zoho Books for finances). But you’ll need to do some setup to make it speaker-friendly.
✅ Pros: Budget-friendly, customizable, robust integrations

❌ Cons: Takes time to configure, less polished UI

4. HubSpot CRM

Best for: Speakers who want something simple, polished, and scalable.
HubSpot’s free CRM is a great entry point for speakers who want an easy-to-use system. It’s clean, user-friendly, and integrates with marketing tools. However, advanced features like automation and reporting are only available in higher-paid tiers.
✅ Pros: Free starter option, intuitive, strong marketing features

❌ Cons: Advanced features can get expensive

5. 17hats

Best for: Solo speakers who want an all-in-one business management system.
17hats is perfect if you want your CRM, contracts, proposals, invoices, and scheduling all in one platform. It’s less of a sales/marketing engine and more of a business operations hub—great for solo speakers who don’t want to juggle multiple tools.
✅ Pros: Contracts, invoices, and CRM all in one place

❌ Cons: CRM functions are lighter compared to HubSpot or Zoho
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Which CRM Should You Choose?

Here’s a simple decision guide:
  • Pro speaker (wants done-for-you system) → SpeakerFlow
  • Solo speaker (wants “back office in a box”) → 17hats
  • Speaker + coach/consultant (needs funnels & automation) → Go High Level
  • DIY speaker (budget-conscious + flexible) → Zoho CRM
  • Speaker who wants simple, scalable system → HubSpot CRM

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right CRM depends on how you run your speaking business. If you want a turnkey system designed for speakers, SpeakerFlow is the best match. If you’re solo and need business management plus CRM, 17hats is a strong contender. For those who want heavy automation, Go High Level shines. And if you’re budget-conscious or want scalability, Zoho and HubSpot are both great options.