Speakers: 3 Ways to Rock Your Ember Months

As the year winds down, many speakers and business owners ease off the gas, but the Ember months (November & December) are the perfect time to spark momentum for the year ahead.

In my signature Phoenix Effect Framework, the Ember phase is all about what happens after the spotlight fades: how you nurture relationships, systems, and strategy that keep your message glowing long after the applause ends.

These final months of the year aren’t just for slowing down. They’re your opportunity to finish strong, set yourself up for success in 2026, and keep your impact burning bright.

Here are 3 Powerful Ways for Speakers to Rock Your Ember Months & End the Year With Momentum:

1. RECOGNIZE: Fuel Your Relationships with Gratitude

You know that impact doesn’t happen in isolation. Every stage, every introduction, and every opportunity is sparked by relationships.

Take time this season to recognize the people who helped fuel your journey: event hosts, referral partners, podcast hosts, or even those who considered your proposal. A thoughtful thank-you can go a long way toward deepening your connections.

Try sending:

• A personalized card or note through Promptings

• A personalized treat via Sugarwish

• A small branded item that keeps you top of mind

  
  

These gestures don’t require a big budget, but they create a lasting impression. Gratitude isn’t just good manners; it’s a growth strategy. When you invest in the people who invest in you, your network stays warm and your next booking often starts with a simple, “I thought of you.”

2. REFRESH: Align Your Brand with Who You’ve Become

You’ve evolved this year. So should your message.

If it’s been a while since you looked at your bio, headshot, speaker website, or one sheet, now is the time. The story you tell and the image you present should reflect the current you: the speaker who’s grown, refined, and expanded their impact this year.

Here’s your quick “Refresh” checklist:

✔️ Refresh your headshot and event bio

✔️ Update your speaker one sheet and media kit

✔️ Audit your website for clarity, relevance, and alignment

✔️ Archive your 2025 folder and create your 2026 system for tracking opportunities and materials

Refreshing your materials isn’t busy work; it’s an act of alignment. When your presence reflects your growth, you attract the right opportunities faster.

3. REVIEW & RESET: Reflect, Refine, and Reignite

You’re a visionary. But even visionaries need moments to pause, reflect, and recalibrate.

Before diving into the new year, take a step back and evaluate your speaking strategy:

• Which stages or events created the biggest results this year?

• What worked well — and what didn’t?

• Did your message connect with the audiences who needed it most?

Then, reset. Use those insights to set clear, intentional goals for 2026.

Block time on your Q1 calendar now for consistent outreach, networking, and follow-up. Treat this process like your own Speaker Strategy Retreat: coffee, calendar, and clarity included.

When you review and reset with purpose, every step forward builds toward something bigger: your legacy.

Work With Me & Prepare for the Ember Months All Year Long

Here’s the truth: when you work with me, we don’t wait until fall to think about your Ember months; we prepare for them all year long.

Every quarter, we do an Ember-style check-in. Keeping your speaking strategy aligned and intentional. Together, we:

• Review your progress and refine your goals

• Prepare your recognition list early so gratitude never feels rushed

• Refresh materials in small, manageable steps so you’re always ready for opportunities

• Create a rhythm that balances growth with grace

• This allows you to pivot and adjust as your life, your business, your goals, and the industry shift.

  
  

That rhythm is what gives you the freedom to enjoy your real Ember moments — snowball fights, holiday lights, and mugs of hot chocolate shared with your favorite people — without scrambling to catch up on business tasks that could’ve been handled months ago.

Because strategy isn’t just about success. It’s about sustainability. And when your systems run smoothly, you get to savor the season, not stress through it.

Your Ember Is Just Getting Started

These Ember months aren’t the end of your year; they’re the spark that ignites what’s next.

Recognize those who helped you rise. Refresh your materials so your presence matches your power. Review and reset your goals to walk into 2026 with clarity and confidence.

And if you want support mapping out your next steps, book a 20-minute Rock Your Ember Call with me. You’ll receive a free Ember Months Checklist and personalized guidance to finish the year strong and start 2026 with focus, strategy, and momentum.

Because your message matters. Your impact lasts longer than the applause. And your Ember? It’s just getting started.

Book Your Rock Your Ember Months Call Here