The Bankable Speaker Newsletter – Issue #9 Double Down Season: Why Q4 Is Where 2026 Success Is Built

Published: October 20, 2025
By: Dr. Shana  — The Bankable Speaker™

This Quarter’s Focus: Double Down or Miss Out

If you’re a speaker, coach, or expert who plans to win in 2026, the time to pitch is NOW—not January.
Every event you want to be on next year is being planned this quarter. Decision-makers are finalizing budgets, booking keynotes, and confirming lineups for Q1 and Q2.

This is not the season to slow down.
This is your Q4 strategic window — the 90 days that separate speakers who talk about their dreams from the ones who get booked and paid for them.

**You are going to want to read this issue all the way to the bottom---there are so many goodies inside to help you dominate the stage in 2026!!**

Your Q4 Action Plan

Here’s how to make the most of the next 10 weeks:

1. Pitch Like Crazy:
   Reach out to past clients, event planners, associations, and conferences you admire. One pitch a day can turn into 10 paid bookings by spring.

2. Build While You Book:
   Your book and your brand should work together. A book isn’t just a product — it’s a pitch tool that opens doors and raises your speaking fee.

3. Join the Intensive Tonight:
   The Bankable Book Blueprint Intensive starts TONIGHT at 6 PM CST.
   If you’ve been sitting on an idea or half-written manuscript, this is your moment to turn it into money before year’s end.

   👉 I’m teaching you how to make your first $1,000 as a speaker-author before Christmas.

   If an extra $1K sounds good right now, this is your move. The ROI is crazy as the investment is the lowest it will ever be for this LIVE course. 

   There’s only 1 seat left in this cohort.
   Click here to grab it before it’s gone

   Bonus: If you still have questions, I’ve included the info session video at the bottom of this email.

Where You Can Catch Me Next

Come say hello or bring a colleague to learn in person!

• PRSA Houston – October 23 | Houston, TX

• AAHQ She Means Business Roundtable – October 25 | Cypress, TX

These events are perfect examples of the type of rooms you should be targeting right now — corporate, professional, and full of decision-makers.

Send me a message and let me know if you want to pull up! I'd love to see you!

5 Speaker Opportunities You Can Apply For This Week

Here are some hot leads you don’t want to miss:

The BOW Collective 5th Annual Conference (HOT-Due TONIGHT)

• Location: Arlington, TX
• Date: Feb. 8-12, 2026
• Audience: 

  The Phenomenally BOW 2026 Conference is seeking dynamic speakers to share their expertise and inspire women-owned businesses and diverse entrepreneurs nationwide.

   

  Use your voice and experience to lead conversations that matter—equipping founders with the strategies, tools, and confidence to scale, secure capital, and thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

   

  We invite subject matter experts across a range of pre-determined topics to apply. By contributing your insight, you’ll help shape an unforgettable conference experience that drives growth, builds community, and champions innovation.

• Apply By: October 20, 2025 11:59 PM EST
• Organization Info
• Apply to speak

Twin City Society for Human Resource Management Conference (Multiple Speaking Opps)

• Location: Bloomington, Minnesota 
• Date: May 8, 2026 (Paid Keynote opportunity available)
• Audience: 

  HR professionals

• Apply By: No date given
• Event Info
• Apply to speak

American Hospital Association Leadership Summit

• Location: Denver, CO
• Date: July 12-14, 2026 (Paid Keynote opportunity available)
• Audience: 

  The American Hospital Association invites hospital leaders transforming the future of health care to apply to speak at the 2026 AHA Leadership Summit.

  Our immersive three-day program brings together executives, clinicians and experts to share innovative insights, inspiring ideas and disruptive solutions. We are seeking real-world strategies and proven solutions that will help hospitals and health systems address today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow.

   
• *Special Hosted Buyer Forum is available (direct access to CEO/C-Suite and hospital buyers where you get to pitch your service or product directly)
• Apply By: Nov 7, 2025
• Event Info
• Apply to speak

NAWLEE 30th Anniversary Conference

Three Decades of Leadership: Empowering Women in Law Enforcement

• Location: Los Angeles, CA 
• Date: April 13-16
• Audience: 

  The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) is proud to celebrate three decades of advancing women in law enforcement leadership. As we commemorate this milestone anniversary, we invite dynamic speakers to join us in Los Angeles for what promises to be our most impactful conference yet.

  This anniversary conference will reflect on the progress made since NAWLEE's founding while charting the course for the future of women in law enforcement leadership. We seek presentations that inspire, educate, and empower attendees to continue breaking barriers and driving positive change in their agencies and communities. Various topics include Change leadership, wellness, professional growth and career advancement and more!! You DO NOT have to be in law enforcement to speak at this conference! Subject matter experts are welcome!

• Apply By: Nov 22
• Event Info
• Apply to speak

TABSE

Texas Alliance of Black School Educators 41st Annual Conference

• Location: Irving, TX 
• Date: Feb 18-22, 2026
• Audience: Conference participants include K–12 teachers, principals, district and central office leaders, higher education professionals, education consultants, policymakers, parents, students, and community advocates. NABSE is seeking compelling proposals that showcase practical solutions, transformative practices, and future-focused strategies to empower educators and inspire the next generation of leaders.
• The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) invites dynamic speakers, thought leaders, and practitioners to submit proposals for the 41st Annual State Conference. This premier event brings together thousands of educators, leaders, and advocates committed to equity, innovation, and excellence in education. We are seeking engaging, relevant, and forward-thinking sessions that equip attendees with strategies, tools, and inspiration to drive change in schools and communities.

• This year’s theme, "Empowering Excellence: Elevating Educators. Enriching Futures.", calls for forward-thinking, purpose-driven sessions that reimagine what’s possible in education, cultivate bold leadership, and chart a path toward lasting impact for both educators and learners.

  Various topics include Parent and community involvement, health and wellness, curricullum and instruction and more!! You DO NOT have to be an educator to speak at this conference! Subject matter experts are welcome!

• Apply By: Nov 5
• Event Info
• Apply to speak

Remember: these opportunities are being decided now, not later. Submitting your proposal this week could mean your first or nexr 4 figure check next quarter.

🎬 Bankable Speaker Tip: Get Reel or Get Left Behind

If you want to get booked faster, you need a speaker reel that does the talking for you when you’re not in the room.
Event organizers want to see you in action — how you move, connect, and command a room.

✅ Here’s how to start right now:

• Record yourself speaking at your next engagement (even a workshop, podcast, or live video counts).

• Keep clips short — 30 to 60 seconds that show energy, confidence, and audience connection.

• Add testimonials or audience reactions for credibility.

🎥 No professional video yet? Don’t worry — I’ve got you.
I’m creating a Speaker Reel Opportunity Day in November exclusively for members of The Bankable Speaker Newsletter.
It’s your chance to film your professional reel with me and my team in a supportive, high-quality environment.

👉 Reply REEL to this email if you want the details as soon as they drop.

Final Word from Dr. Shana

Q4 is not a countdown — it’s a setup.
You don’t have to wait for a “fresh start” in 2026. You can start making money this month by betting on yourself, your expertise, and your ability to show up as the Bankable Speaker you were born to be.

Your next-level opportunity is already waiting. You just have to pitch for it.

Let’s make this quarter count.
See you tonight at 6 PM CST for those who are ready to build a Bankable Book to go with your Bankable Speaker brand.

— Dr. Shana 
The Bankable Speaker Coach

📽️ Watch the Info Session Replay

🎥 Click to watch the Bankable Book Blueprint Intensive Info Session