The Bankable Speaker Newsletter Issue #6: Labor Day — Rest, Plan, Pitch (Q4 Is Coming!)

👋 A Word From Dr. Shana
Hey Bankable Speakers Happy Labor Day! Today we honor work, and yes, that includes the smart, strategic work you’re doing to build a bankable speaking business. Take a minute to enjoy the holiday, then let’s be intentional: the last quarter of the year is fast approaching and the work you do now shows up in Q1 2026. Remember -- speaking is a 90-day runway business. If you want Q1 booked, your effort starts today. This issue has 6 new leads (one is a HOT lead for MH Experts & Healers — due in the next 24 hours), a Bankable Tip about time-blocking your backend work, and an invite to the 3-Day Booked & Bankable Challenge (Sept 22–24) so you can finish the year strong.

💡 Bankable Tip of the Week — Time-Block Your Backend (so the front stage books itself)
Holiday + planning season = perfect window to set up the systems that pay off later. Here’s a practical time-blocking plan to get the backend done without burning out:

1. Weekly Blocks (2–3 hours each)

   • Monday AM: Lead Research & Outreach — add 10 new prospects including 1st degree of separation contacts and cold leads/proposal opps; send 10 pitches.

   • Wednesday AM: Proposal + Contract Work — finalize any proposals; send 3 tailored and complete proposals.

   • Friday AM: Delivery & Monetization — update slides, plan 2 post-talk offers, and schedule automated follow-ups for currently scheduled talks.

2. Daily Micro-Blocks (30–60 mins)

   • Morning: Quick outreach (3 warm leads/1st degree of separation) — keep momentum.

   • Afternoon: Admin & tech tasks (contracts, invoices, calendar confirmations for discovery calls for potential events).

3. Batch & Automate

   • Batch emails (use email templates in the Bankable Speaker Vault).

   • Automate capture with Talkadot and your CRM; schedule nurture emails from one platform from previous connected leads at talks.

4. 90-Day Goal Setting

   • Commit to sending 20 pitches this week if your goal is book 1-2 per month (or X that fits your schedule and speaking business goals). Expect ~10% response rate -- that’s an average of 1-2 responses.

Quick action today (post-BBQ): block the three weekly sessions in your calendar for the next 4 weeks. Treat them like client appointments — no excuses. Let's go!!

📣 Leads Section — 6 Fresh Opportunities
(These are vetted — personalize, pitch, propose, & follow up. Several are for 2026 bookings.)

1. 1. Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation's Arts & Wellness Summit -- HOT Due in next 24 hours

   • Looking For: Mental health experts and healers
   • Location: Washington, DC area - In person
   • Date: October 10-12, 2025
   • Audience: Join the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation’s 2025 Can We Talk? Arts and Wellness: A 3-day multicultural celebration of healing art, culture, and sacred conversations. Don’t miss Sunday’s benefit brunch, I Am the Table, featuring powerful, intimate discussions and performances with Taraji P. Henson and celebrity guests. This event will support BLHF’s mission and programs. Come as you are. Leave transformed!
   • Apply By: Sept 2 -- Next 24 Hours
   • Event info
   • Apply to speak

   2.MOM 2.0 Summit

   • Looking For: 
     We are looking for presentations that fit into the following categories. Please select ONE that best fits your presentation topic-- Social Media, Entrepreneurship, Publishing, Tools & Technology, Strategy, Content Creation, Other
   • Location: Austin, TX - In person
   • Date: April 16-18,2026
   • Audience: Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who create content online and on-air in parenting, entertainment, food, politics, business, marketing, technology, social change, travel, and design.
   • Apply By: No date given
   • Event info
   • Apply to speak  

   •  

   3. Professional Womens Conference

   • Looking For: Do you have insights that could accelerate careers, breakthrough strategies that drive results, or a story that could inspire the next generation of women leaders? The 2026 Professional Women's Conference is seeking dynamic speakers who don't just talk about change—they create it.
   • Location: TBD- In person
   • Date: Nov 2026
   • Audience: Women at every career stage, from emerging talent to C-suite executives.
   • Apply By: Open Rolling Basis (Sooner the better)
   • Event info
   • Apply to speak

   4. USA Symposium 2026

   • Looking For: 

     Apply to speak, lead a workshop, or participate in a fireside chat or panel. These can all be great platforms for career growth. You can share your knowledge, skills, and insights while gaining expert status that can help you make that next career move.

     We offer three streams of presentations for male or female speakers including:

     • digital payments
     • leadership and career development
     • payments innovation
   • Location: Washington, DC 
   • Date: Feb 26-27, 2026
   • Audience: A global community of women professionals dedicated to promoting gender parity and providing career growth opportunities for women in the world of payments and fintech.
   • Apply By: Sept 12
   • Event info
   •  Apply to speak

    

   5. NEC Airport 2026 Conference

   • Looking For: Experts who can facilitate workshops focused on engineering, operations, and management in Airports and aviation.
   • Location: Hershey, PA- In person
   • Date: March 2-4, 2026
   • Audience: The Northeast Chapter, American Association of Airport Executives promotes a greater understanding of airport-related leadership responsibilities and opportunities. Our purpose is to create leaders in the aviation industry by providing networking and professional development opportunities that support the success of Airport executives throughout the Northeast.
   • Apply By: Sept 19
   • Event info
   • Apply to speak

   6. Advancing Connections 2027 AAPPR Annual Conference

   • Looking For: Experts in Recruitment, onboarding and retention  
   • Location: Orlando, FL-In person
   • Date: April 13-15, 2026
   • Audience: 

     • Participate in engaging sessions led by thought leaders in recruitment, onboarding, and retention.

     • Connect with peers who share your challenges and goals, and exchange ideas to overcome them together.

     • Explore cutting-edge solutions and innovations that will give you a competitive edge in recruitment.

   • Apply By: Sept 2025 (no specific date)
   • Event info
   • Apply to speak

Pro tip: mark these dates in your calendar now and create a 90-day action plan — then pitch with urgency and clarity.

Bankable Speaker Special Offers

🎤 3-Day Booked & Bankable Challenge (Sept 22–24)
Get set for Q4 and Q1 2026 with a focused, 3-day sprint to refine your pitch and lock down your plan for 2026.

• Dates: Sept 22–24

• Regular: General Admission $97 | VIP $197

• Newsletter Exclusive: get VIP for the price of General Admission — VIP access for $97 (includes VIP feedback, Q & A, and more)

• Reply BOOKED to claim your newsletter VIP seat and we'll send registration link.

🕒 Birthday Bash Add-On — 1:1 Power Hour (Limited Spots)
To celebrate my Birthday Bash I’m offering a 1:1 Power Hour at a special birthday discount of 48% off -- tactical, focused coaching to help you close a pitch, finalize your talk structure, or map your 90-day runway.

• What you get: 60 minutes of direct feedback, a prioritized action plan, and 3 follow-up bullet points you can use immediately.

• Limited availability — birthday price valid through Sept 15 only.

• Reply “POWERHOUR” and I’ll send the booking link and available times. 

✨ Quick Reminders

• Several leads are for 2026 — start pitching now to land those dates.

• The HOT mental-health opportunity is due within 24 hours. Get it done ASAP.

• Want the systems templates (pitch tracker, rate card, follow-up sequence)? Reply VAULT and we’ll send access to the Vault at your subscriber discount price $47.

🎤 Where to Find Me Next
If you’ll be near any of these events, let me know — I’d love to meet in person:

• NBCC Counselor Symposium — Atlanta, GA — Sept 16

• Association of Philanthropy Conference — Philadelphia, PA — Sept 18

Closing
Enjoy your Labor Day — rest well, then plan boldly. The last quarter is coming fast and the 90-day runway means the work you start now will land you stages and revenue in the next season. Want to move faster? Reply “BOOKED” to grab VIP for the 3-Day Challenge (Sept 22–24) at the General Admission price, or reply POWERHOUR to book a 1:1 session at the Birthday Bash 48% Discount. 

Tell me one thing before you go: how many pitches will you commit to this week? Reply with your number — I’ll hold you to it. Let's get booked!! 

— Dr. Shana Lewis
The Bankable Speaker Coach