A Note From Me
Let me say something clearly:
The speaking industry is changing.
Organizations are watching budgets.
Events are becoming more strategic.
Decision-makers want outcomes, ROI, relevance, and results.
That means the days of getting booked just because you “have a good story” or “want to inspire people” are shrinking.
The market is asking:
✔️ Can you solve a problem?
✔️ Can you move people into action?
✔️ Can you help our team, audience, leaders, students, members perform better?
And if you’ve been rocking with me for any amount of time…
You already know I’ve been saying this.
Speaking is not about being talented.
It’s about being valuable.
That’s why some people are still waiting…
while others are getting paid.
What’s Winning Right Now in the Market
If you want to be competitive as a professional speaker in Q2 and beyond, these topics are in demand:
1. Leadership Under Pressure
How leaders navigate stress, change, burnout, uncertainty.
2. Mental Health + Wellness at Work
Not fluff. Real strategies for functioning humans doing hard work.
3. Communication + Team Culture
Conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, engagement.
4. Performance + Productivity
Doing more with less without losing people.
5. Resilience Through Change
The market is dealing with transition fatigue. People are tired.
If your message connects to these needs—you are in position.
If your talk is generic inspiration with no business outcome attached…
You need to pivot.
What This Means for You
You do not need to speak for free to “build your brand.”
You need:
- A message tied to current problems
- Clear outcomes from your talk
- A polished offer sheet
- A prospecting system
- Strategic follow-up
That’s how speakers win now.
Quick Audit: Ask Yourself Today
- Is my topic relevant to today’s market?
- Who specifically hires me?
- What measurable outcome does my talk create?
- Can I explain my value in 30 seconds?
- How many pitches did I send this month?
If you can’t answer these clearly, that’s the gap.
FREE MASTERCLASS TOMORROW – 6 PM CST
If You’re Still Speaking for Free… We Need to Talk
Tomorrow night I’m hosting a free masterclass for experts, coaches, authors, and aspiring speakers who are tired of being talented but unpaid.
We’re covering:
✔️ Why great speakers stay broke
✔️ How to position yourself for paid opportunities
✔️ What organizations actually pay for
✔️ How to stop volunteering your gift away
✔️ The system to start booking now
Tomorrow | 6 PM CST
If you’ve been waiting for a sign…
This is it.
Save your seat HERE
Speaking Opportunities (5 This Week)
1. TEDx GardenOaksBlvd ED
Theme: Education Reimagined
Looking for:
If you are an educator, researcher, parent, student, policymaker, community member, innovator… this one is for you!
Apply By: May 12
2. Women's Global Leadership In Energy Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Date: Oct 28-29
Audience: Women in leadership in energy
Looking for: Speakers in Professional Development or Industry Specific
Professional development
- Thriving in transition
- Conflict as a leadership skill
- Decision making under pressure
- Behavioural shifts into impactful leadership
- Designing your career journey
- Women-led innovations
- Financial fluency for energy leaders
Industry topics
- Datacenters, AI and energy demand
- Future analytics and energy evolution
- Deepwater development
- Applying oilfield expertise beyond oil
Apply by: May 1 (Extended) This is a good sign which means they haven't gotten enough submissions of what they are looking for.
*Requires 90 sec video*
3. National Association for Black School Educators Conference 2026
Location: Orlando, TX
Dates: Dec 2-6, 2026
Audience: Black Educators, Superintendents, teachers, admin, support staff
Looking for: Keynote speaker, Luncheon speaker, Masterclass keynote (compensatin available if aligned)
Apply by: April 30, 2026 11:59 EST
4. 21st Annual National Business Leadership Conference
Location: National Harbour, Maryland
Date: Sept 17-18, 2026
Audience: Target Audience: mid to senior level women leaders and their male allies representing various functions and industries who are attending for their own personal/professional leadership development.
Looking for:
We are seeking speakers for breakout sessions in one of our learning tracks.
- Expanding Your Influence & Impact – Building the strategic influence to lead at higher levels
- Accelerating Your Career – Taking ownership of your trajectory and creating opportunities for advancement
- Leading High-Performing Teams – Developing leadership skills that drive results
- Sustaining Your Leadership – Creating space for what matters most in your life and building the capacity and resilience to lead effectively into the future
Apply by: April 30, 2026
5. Tri County SHRM 2026 Fall Conference
Location: Minnesota
Dates: Fall 2026
Audience: HR professionals
Looking for: Keynotes, panels, fireside chats
Apply by: No date given so ASAP
Bankable Tip đź’ˇ
Stop calling yourself a motivational speaker.
Start describing the problem you solve.
Example:
❌ Motivational Speaker
âś… I help leaders reduce burnout and improve engagement during change.
That language gets budgets opened.
Your Assignment
Before tomorrow’s masterclass:
Write down:
- What am I currently giving away for free?
- What result do I help people create?
- Who should already be paying me?
Bring those answers with you.
Final Word
The market is not dead.
It has simply become more selective.
That’s good news for speakers who are strategic.
See you tomorrow at 6 PM CST.
If you’re still speaking for free… we need to talk.
— Dr. Shana
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