How to Get Into Conferences for Free or Cheap

Conferences that are relevant to your fields of interest are incredibly powerful methods of learning from and networking with key players in specific industries. However, most professional conferences are $500 and above and on the other side of the country. Here's how to lower that cost:

1. Try to Get a Press Pass. Write an article for your school newspaper. This also gives the opportunity to interview speakers. Or even write an article for your own blog.
   
2. Offer to Volunteer. This gives the opportunity to network with conference coordinators and even sometimes escort speakers.
   
3. Become a Speaker.Get seen in front of the entire audience.
   
4. Get Extra Passes from Sponsors. Sponsors/Exhibitors often receive more than one pass and sometimes don't use them all. If they're being unused they'll probably let you use them.
   
5. Play the Student Angle. Ask for a student discount even if one isn't advertised.
   
6. Be a Speaker's Guest. Network with speakers before the conference and ask if you can go as a guest
   
7. Barter. Offer skills that the conference could use such as transcription, video-recording, audio-recording, web site development, graphic design, etc.
   
8. Refer Others. See if they will offer a discount if you successfully refer others to the conference.
   
9. Register with Student Advantage. They offer incredible travel discounts for students.
   
10. Share a Room. Ask the conference coordinator if they can pair you with another one of the attendees.
    
11. Take a Train. These are cheaper and definitely worth experiencing for at least one cross-country trip.
    
12. Get a Group Discount. Organize a group of people from your area and take advantage of group discount rates for buses and trains.
    
13. Network with Potential Hosts From Many Cities. Build a network of people across the country who will put you up for free when you're in their city.