Hey Bankable Speakers—guess what? This week I kick off my Birthday Bash celebration, running August 6 through August 16! 
And I am excited.
So, it’s already been six incredible weeks since we launched this journey together, and I’m thrilled to be along the ride with you. To celebrate, I’m letting you into the Birthday Bash celebration with early access starting tomorrow August 5. I'll be dropping daily specials—everything from VIP Days to Dominate the Stage LIVE to the 8-Week Dominate the Stage course, The Bankable Speaker Vault, and more---at $48 or less or 48% off (or more!) just for you. These deals are crazy but as I'm turning 48, I'm excited to give back for my birthday!
But before we get into the gifts, let's first check in with yourself:
How many pitches or proposals have you sent out so far?
Heard back?
Booked anything?
Remember, the speaking industry has on average a 90-day runway—it takes time, but stick with it. This week, let’s aim for 5-10 new pitches/proposals submitted. You’ll usually hear back from about 10%—that’s two conversations closer to your next booking!
Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:
- Speaker Leads — Real opportunities with contact info including a TEDx talk
- Bankable Tip of the Week — One strategy to use now
- Mindset for the Mic — Because who you are behind the mic matters
- Bankable Speaker Wisdom — Framing your genius the right way
- Announcements + Invites — What’s coming up next for usLet’s dive in.
The Bankable Tip of the Week
Check out my latest IG video for these three essential questions to ask when you're invited to speak and there’s no budget to pay you! It doesn't have to be the end of the world if you know how to access the ROI of the opportunity:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
- Will my ideal audience be in the room?
- Is this a buying audience?
- Do you have a break even offer?
Where to Find Me Next
I’d love to connect if you’re nearby!
The WOW Factor Conference for Entrepreneur Women
• Dallas, TX
• Aug 23, 2025
I have access to one FREE pass if you'd like to join me! Click the link to check it out and send me an email if you want to claim the free ticket!
NBCC Counselor Symposium
• Atlanta, GA
• Sept 16, 2025
Association of Philanthropy Conference
• Philadelphia, PA
• Sept 18, 2025
Shoot me a message if you’ll be in town—I want to meet every one of my Bankable Speakers! Would love for you to pull up!
What’s New?
The 3-Part Booked & Bankable Masterclass series has begun and there's still time to sign up for this FREE training. We meet Thursdays at 7 pm CST Aug 7, 14. This training will provide tangible insight on how to get to your next level as a speaker! I promise you don't want to miss it! Next session is this Thursday!
This Week's Speaker Leads
These are vetted opportunities from various industries with real decision-maker contact info. They may or may not be paid, but every stage has potential—if you ask the right questions.
Leads Section
Put those pitches to work with these three vetted opportunities:
27th International Families and Fathers Conference (Los Angeles, CA)
• April 13-17, 2026
• Focus: Family Empowerment and Transformation
CLICK HERE for more conference details.
• Speaker Application: CLICK HERE
The Worthy Woman Summit.(Ridgeland, MS)
• March 19-21, 2026
• Focus: Deepen participants' faith, Uplift their spirit, and connect with like-minded women
CLICK HERE for more conference details.
• Speaker Application: CLICK HERE
CES Speaker (Various)
• Various
• Focus: Tech experts at every stage of their career:
CLICK HERE for speaking opportunities.
• Speaker Application: CLICK HERE
Deadline Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST
Kansas Chamber (Topeka, KS)
• Dates Open
• Focus: Subject matter experts to keynote and serve on panels and breakout sessions
CLICK HERE for more details and application.
GSAE Georgia Society of Association Executives (Athens, GA)
• May 27 - 29, 2026
• Focus: Professional Development CLICK HERE for more details
• Speaker Application: CLICK HERE
TEDx Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
• October 10, 2025
• Theme: Discovery Takes Flight
CLICK HERE for more details
• Speaker Application: CLICK HERE
• Application Deadline: August 10, 2025
âś… How to Use These Leads:
You will notice that these leads are from various industries. Each time the newsletter drops biweekly, this will be the case. We aim to provide leads for as many industries as possible, making this newsletter valuable to a wide range of speakers. You can expect a mixture of stages, podcasts, and other speaking opportunities to help you grow your speaking business. The gift to this is that my team vets these leads to ensure they’re real opportunities with direct contact information, not random online listings. While we don’t guarantee they are paid or that you will be booked, they are real stages. It’s your job to:
-
Confirm the event details
- Pay attention to due dates for proposal submission
-
Ask about compensation, if not listed
-
Evaluate if this audience aligns with your brand/message
-
Follow up with a personalized, clear pitch/proposal submission
🎯 Action Step: Pick ONE lead above, and send your pitch.
🧠The Bankable Speaker Training Corner
Booked or Busy? 3 Myths Keeping You Off Stages
Let’s be real, most speakers are doing something, but it’s not always the right things. These 3 myths might be quietly holding you back:
Myth #1: If I build it, they’ll find me.
They won’t. Stages don’t chase you-at least not at first. Consistent pitching is the strategy.
Myth #2: I need a speaker reel before I pitch.
Not true. Start with what you have—a well-lit Zoom, IG Live, or teaching clip. Real delivery -- quick production.
Myth #3: I need more followers first.
Organizers don’t book you because of your social following—they book you for your clarity, content, and connection to their audience.
Truth: The only way to get booked is to pitch with a plan and follow up with confidence.
Ready to get out of your own way?
Mindset for the Mic
You don’t need 100 gigs—you need the right 10.”
You’re not for everybody. You’re for the room that’s ready for your message and your mastery. Strategic booking beats burnout.
Bankable Speaker Wisdom
Your topic doesn’t have to match the conference title to be relevant. Wellness, resilience, communication, and clarity for example are needed in every industry. It’s all in how you frame your message. That’s how bankable speakers stay booked.
Help Us Help You
Want more leads tailored to your lane? Complete this 60-second survey and tell us your speaker industry so my team knows what industries you're looking for opps in.
🎯 Take the Bankable Speaker Industry Form
Announcements + Invites
Birthday Bash Special Offers (Aug 6–16)
Daily deals on all my offers—VIP Days, Dominate the Stage LIVE, 8-Week Dominate the Stage course—and more! As a newsletter subscriber, you get early access to these space-limited specials starting tomorrow so watch your inbox!
The Bankable Speaker Vault is OPEN!
Want my speaker one-sheet template? Pitch email samples? Pre-event questionnaire?
Get immediate access to the Bankable Speaker Vault for just $47. (A $97 Value). For access to tools to help you show up as a pro and get booked faster.
Want my speaker oneInside the Vault, you’ll find:
âś… Speaker Contract Template (request 50% deposit, clear cancellation policy, travel clause, and more)
âś… Customizable Speaking Proposal Template
âś… Pitch Tracking Sheet (so you never miss a follow-up again)
âś… Pitch Email Sequence (to cold or warm leads)
âś… First-Degree Connection Email Templates (for pitching warm contacts)
âś… Speaking Engagement Inquiry Form Template
âś… Event Questionnaire Template (for gathering details from event hosts)
âś… Rate Card Template (tiered speaking fees with service descriptions)
âś… Sample Speaker One-Sheet (bio, topics, and headshot layout)
âś… Pre-Talk and Post-Talk Email Templates (for nurturing relationships with clients)
CLICK HERE to get $50.00 off the Bankable Speaker Vault Now.
Sneak Peek: Dominate the Stage LIVE (Fall 2025)
Get ready—this fall I’m hosting Dominate the Stage LIVE to help you hone your message and get on stages faster than ever in Houston, Texas. Stay tuned for the first opportunity to join us LIVE!
Membership has its privileges!
Here’s to six weeks of growth and many more celebrations ahead!
Dr. Shana Lewis
Executive Wellness Coach & Bankable Speaker Mentor
Your coach in the speaking business
The Bankable Speaker | Speaker Coach | Mental Health Expert
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