• ONE YEAR LATER
The Final Edition (For Now)
ONE YEAR. 24 ISSUES. COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES.
A note from Dr. Shana
A year ago, this newsletter started with one mission:
Help more experts stop speaking for free and start building a profitable speaking business.
Since then we've covered positioning, pricing, visibility, referrals, books, systems, lead generation, follow-up, and everything in between.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your speaking journey.
But...
This isn't goodbye.
It's simply an upgrade.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
This is the final edition of The Bankable Speaker Newsletter on this platform.
Over the next few weeks we'll be launching an entirely new experience.
Think...
âś… Better organization
âś… More exclusive speaking opportunities
âś… More business resources
âś… Better training
âś… More tools
âś… More ways to connect with other speakers
Because of the platform transition, all current subscriptions will end after this issue.
When the new platform launches, you'll receive an email invitation to join.
You WILL need to subscribe again so you don't miss future newsletters, speaking opportunities, trainings, and resources.
Trust me...
It's going to be worth it.
Stay tuned.
FEATURED TRAINING
Your Story Isn't the Product...
The Problem You Solve Is.
One of the biggest mistakes I see speakers make is believing they get hired because they have an amazing story.
They don't.
They get hired because their story helps solve a business problem.
Meeting planners don't wake up thinking...
"I need an inspirational speaker."
They wake up thinking...
-
My leaders are burned out.
-
Sales are declining.
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Communication is broken.
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Employee engagement is low.
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Women leaders are leaving.
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Our students need resilience.
THAT is what they buy.
Your story simply becomes the vehicle that delivers the solution.
Instead of asking...
"What's my story?"
Ask...
"What problem do I solve better than most people?"
Once you answer that question...
Build your signature talk around THAT.
Your story becomes proof.
Your framework becomes the solution.
Your audience becomes the transformation.
That's what gets you booked again and again.
THE 80/20 RULE OF SIGNATURE TALKS
Here's another myth I want you to let go of...
You do NOT need a brand-new keynote for every audience.
Professional speakers aren't constantly reinventing their talks.
They're refining them.
Here's the formula I teach:
80%
Build one powerful signature presentation.
Your opening.
Your signature story.
Your framework.
Your teaching points.
Your audience engagement.
Your close.
This should stay consistent.
Every time you deliver it...
It gets stronger.
It gets smoother.
It gets more profitable.
20%
Adjust only what needs adjusting.
Examples:
• Industry examples
• Client stories
• Statistics
• Company language
• Audience-specific challenges
• Call to action
That's it.
Think about it...
If your solution works for healthcare, education, nonprofits and corporate leaders...
Why would you rewrite the entire presentation every single time?
You wouldn't.
You simply customize the final 20%.
That's what professionals do.
THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP
Spend 30 minutes answering these four questions.
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What problem do I solve?
-
Who experiences that problem?
-
What transformation do I create?
-
Does my current signature talk clearly communicate all three?
If not...
Stop writing another speech.
Start building one that sells.
SPEAKER OPPORTUNITY LEADS
*Boss Move-- Find the email to any of these events and send a message asking the organizer if they are sourcing keynote speakers. There may be a separate process for vetting keynotes which typically pay more than the conference breakout speaker slots.**
1. SHRM Employment Law Conference
Date: September 2, 2026
Location: San Antonio, TX
Looking for: We seek dynamic subject matter experts to deliver fresh insights on emerging employment law issues and the latest legal developments impacting HR. Your expertise will equip HR practitioners with the knowledge they need to navigate today’s evolving workplace landscape.
Audience: HR Professionals
Apply by: June 30, 2026
2. Pittsburgh Women in Tech
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Audience:
WITCON is for:
-
Women and nonbinary people working in technology or tech-adjacent roles
-
Tech professionals exploring leadership, growth, or career transitions
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Students and early-career professionals building their path in tech
-
Allies committed to building more inclusive tech spaces
If you care about the future of tech — and the people shaping it — you’ll feel at home here.
Looking for:
Experts to speak on any of these tracks:
-Build your tech skills (AI Prompting, Using Miro for Design Thinking, Python, Search Engine Optimization, etc.)
-Funtional Excellence (Microsoft 360 Tips, Process of Design, Resume Writing Best Practices, etc.)
-Leadership/Power Skills (AI Governance, Cyber/Data Security, Burnout/Mental Health, etc.)
-AI (Ethics, Security, Sustainability, and the Future)
Apply by: July 15
3. United for Impact NonProfit Conference
Date: October 1, 2026
Location: Ft Walton Beach, FL
Audience: Nonprofit leaders
Looking for:
United for Impact is an opportunity to share your expertise with passionate non-profit professionals, community leaders, and changemakers from across the Emerald Coast. Whether you're presenting a proven strategy, innovative solution, or valuable lesson learned, your session can help strengthen organizations, inspire action, and amplify community impact.
Apply by: July 31
4. Texas Association of Staffing 2027 Executive Retreat
Date: April 15, 2027
Location: Austin, TX
Audience: Staffing Executives
Looking for:
We’re looking for dynamic speakers to share insights, strategies, and best practices on staffing operations, leadership, and workforce trends.
Apply by: July 31
5. Building Future-Ready Project Leaders/PMI Southwest Ohio and Dayton/Miami Valley Conference
Date: November 10, 2026
Location: Mason, OH
Audience: Project Managers
Looking for:
We are particularly interested in presentations designed to increase the capability of our local project management community, including members and non-members across the Dayton/ Cincinnati area. In addition to traditional presentations, we are looking to leverage workshop and panel discussion formats in an effort to increase participant engagement.
Possible session topics can include case studies, interpersonal skill development, personal development/ recruiting/ placement, PMI certification, project management core capabilities, sustainability, practical use of AI, etc.
Apply by: July 31
6. ACMP Change Summit (Michigan)
Date: September 25, 2026
Location: Detroit, MI
Audience: This groundbreaking event bringing together change leaders, practitioners, and innovators from across the region.
Looking for:
This event focuses on real‑world insights, peer learning, and practical approaches to driving adoption, innovation, and measurable impact.
Apply by: July 1
7. AI Builders Global Network Virtual Conference
Date: October 14-15, 2026
Location: Online
Audience: Whether you build AI systems, fund AI companies, or deploy AI at scale — this conference is designed for people who do, not just people who watch.
Looking for:
AI Experts
Apply by: June 30
UPCOMING LIVE EVENT
RESET. REPOSITION. REVENUE.
The Bankable Speaker Mid-Year Reset
Saturday, July 25, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Houston, Texas
ONLY: $77
Lunch Included + Workbook
The first half of the year is over.
The second half doesn't have to look the same.
Join me for an interactive working session where we'll reset your speaking business, reposition your strategy, and create a focused action plan to finish the year stronger than you started.
This is NOT another seminar where you sit and take notes.
You'll come ready to work.
We'll think.
We'll strategize.
We'll collaborate.
We'll troubleshoot.
We'll build.
You'll leave with:
âś” A refreshed speaking strategy
âś” Clear revenue goals for the rest of the year
âś” A personalized action plan
âś” Accountability from a room full of like-minded speakers
Seats are intentionally limited to keep the experience interactive.
If you're serious about getting booked and getting paid before the year ends...
Don't wait.
Reserve your seat HERE.
BEFORE YOU GO...
Thank you.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for investing in your growth.
Whether you've been here since Issue #1 or just joined recently...
I'm honored to be part of your speaker journey.
The next chapter of The Bankable Speaker is almost here.
And I truly believe...
The best is yet to come.
See you on the new platform.
Until then...
Keep pitching.
Keep positioning.
Keep believing.
And most importantly...
Stop speaking for exposure when your expertise deserves compensation.
— Dr. Shana
Founder, The Bankable Speaker Academy
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