The Bankable Speaker Newsletter – Issue #19Theme: Q1 Checkpoint → Q2 Cash Flow Activation

A NOTE FROM DR. SHANA

Let me talk to you for real for a minute…

We are wrapping up Q1, and Q2 is literally around the corner.

And I need you to pause and ask yourself:

-Did I actually move my speaking business forward this quarter?
-Or did I just think about it, plan it, and talk about it?

Because those are two very different outcomes.

I’ve worked with enough speakers to know this:

Most people don’t have a booking problem…
They have a consistency problem.

They’re not pitching enough.
They’re not following up.
They’re not tracking anything.

And because of that, they’re not getting paid.

So let me remind you of something I say all the time:

Nobody is coming to save you. You are the one you’ve been waiting on.

Q2 is not the time to “try again.”

It’s time to move like a CEO.

Let’s get into it.

— Dr. Shana

The Truth About Your Speaking Pipeline

We are two weeks away from Q2.

Let me ask you something real…

👉 Where are you right now?
👉 How many paid speaking opportunities are in your pipeline?
👉 How many pitches have you actually sent?

Because here’s the truth:

If you’re not seeing results… it’s not the market. It’s your movement.

Most speakers:

• Don’t pitch consistently

• Don’t follow up

• Don’t position themselves as solutions

• Don’t track outreach

And then wonder why nothing is happening.

Q1 SELF-ASSESSMENT: Check Your Receipts

Before Q2 starts, get honest:

• How many pitches did I send in Q1?

• How many follow-ups did I complete?

• How many discovery calls did I book?

• How many paid engagements did I close?

• What industries did I target?

If you don’t know…

--That’s your first gap.

Q2 ACTIVATION PLAN: It’s Time to Move

Here’s your non-negotiable plan:

1. Pitch Daily (Monday–Friday)
3–5 pitches minimum

2. Follow Up Like a Professional
That’s where the money is.

3. Strengthen Your Positioning
-- “I help organizations solve [problem] through [framework].”

4. Track Your Pipeline
No more guessing.

5. Get in Rooms
Visibility = opportunity

REAL TALK: Why You’re Not Getting Booked

Let’s call it what it is:

• Inconsistency

• Lack of clarity

• No real strategy

• No structure

---And without structure… there is no income.

THE MISSING PIECE: STRUCTURE

You don’t need more motivation.

---You need a system that makes you move.

Because without it:

• You won’t pitch consistently

• You won’t follow up

• You won’t build a pipeline

• You won’t close

YOU'RE  INVITED TO JOIN

 The 21-Day Bankable Speaker Challenge

If you’re serious about Q2 being different…

This is your move.

 The Bankable Speaker Academy: 21-Day Challenge

This is a structured, action-based experience designed to help you:

✔️ Build your speaker foundation
✔️ Clarify your message
✔️ Create your pitch strategy
✔️ Start consistent outreach
✔️ Build a real pipeline
✔️ Position yourself to GET PAID

This Is About Execution

Inside, you’ll get:

• Daily structure

• Clear assignments

• Guided actions

• Momentum that drives results

No fluff. Just movement.

 If You’ve Been Stuck…

• Doing free speaking

• Waiting for opportunities

• Posting but not getting booked

• Unsure what to do next

-- This is the structure you’ve been missing.

Your Q2 Starts NOW

You can keep guessing…

OR

- Build a system that actually pays you.

Join the 21-Day Challenge

 ACTION STEPS: Do This THIS Week

✔️ Send 15–25 pitches
✔️ Schedule follow-ups
✔️ Track your outreach
✔️ Identify target industries

OR…

Let me walk you through it inside the Challenge.

5 Vetted Speaker Leads This Week

As always, here are this week’s opportunities. Don’t just glance at them — research them. There are some real gems in this list today. 

1️⃣ Tennessee Nonprofit Conference 2026 (Nonprofit / Community Impact)

Location: Nashville, TN

Date: Sept 29-30, 2026

Audience: 

Non profit leaders  

Looking for: 

Sessions should help nonprofit professionals strengthen trust, communicate clearly, and demonstrate why nonprofits are essential to the health and stability of Tennessee communities. We are seeking presentations that are practical, engaging, and rooted in real experience, not theory alone. Strong proposals will offer tools, examples, and approaches that participants can apply immediately in their organizations and communities.

In alignment with Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s statewide communications strategy, we are especially interested in sessions that:

• Emphasize local impact and community relevance
• Use clear, human-centered language instead of jargon
• Highlight collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Reflect the role nonprofits play as essential community infrastructure

Deadline: March 27, 2026

$500 honorarium

For more info

Apply to speak 

2️⃣ Work human  

Location: Virtual or in person events

Dates: Various

Audience: 

Workhuman Live is the award-winning event that connects HR, people leaders, and business leaders with breakthrough strategies to build thriving, people-first workplaces fit for the future.

Looking for: 

From the mainstage at Workhuman Live to leadership forums and more, we bring fresh voices, new ideas, and humanity to the workplace.

Deadline: Ongoing 

Note: You must have a speaker reel or video to apply

Apply to speak

3️⃣ Women's Global Leadership Conference in Energy 

Location: Houston, TX

Dates: Oct 28-29, 2026

Audience: Women in Leadership in Energy Industry

Looking for : 

Deadline: April 24, 2026

More info

Apply to speak

Note: Must include a video with submission 

4️⃣ 2026 Military Child Education Coalition Global Training Summit

Location: Unk

Dates: Unk

Audience:  Military connected children 

Looking for: Educators, schoool leaders, military or community partner, researcher, with something powerful to share. This year's theme: Future Ready. Mission Strong. A call to action for everyone committed to helping military-connected children thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and civically.

Deadline: April 3, 2026

Questions? Reach out to victoria.orton@militarychild.org

For more info

Apply to speak

5️⃣ AASA, The School Superintendents Association, 2027 National Conference on Education

Location: Atlanta, GA

Date: Feb 25-27, 2027

Audience: Superintendents 

Looking for following topics: 

For more info

Apply to speak

FINAL WORD

Q2 IS YOUR MONEY SEASON

No more:

• Waiting

• Planning without action

• Playing small

--Q2 is where speakers get paid.

The only question is…

--Will you move like one?

— Dr. Shana
The Bankable Speaker Coach