Introducing Paul du Toit CSP – Inspiring Audiences, Shaping Mindsets
Paul du Toit, CSP, is one of South Africa’s most accomplished professional speakers and trainers, renowned for transforming the way people communicate. As the first African to earn the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional designation, Paul has built a global reputation for delivering high-impact keynotes, workshops, and coaching sessions.
A two-time hall of fame inductee and co-author of “The Exceptional Speaker”, Paul has spent decades helping individuals and organisations master the art of confident, compelling presentations. Through his company, Congruence Training, he has worked with audiences worldwide, combining storytelling, practical skills, and mindset shifts to create lasting change.
Beyond the stage, Paul is an avid runner, guitarist, scuba diver, and lover of fine wine. Whether speaking to a global conference or mentoring one-on-one, his mission remains the same: to inspire, educate, and equip people to communicate with impact and authenticity.
At our PSASA meeting on 5 August, Paul delivered an engaging double session titled Indie Author 101 – How to Self-Publish Your Book and From Member to Mastery – Making PSASA Work for You.
Part 1: A Masterclass In Building Speaker Authority through Self-Publishing
In Indie Author 101, Paul took guests deep into the world of writing and self-publishing. Drawing from his own journey as an author, he spoke candidly about starting with nothing more than an idea, shaping it into a workable manuscript, and taking it all the way through to a professionally produced book without relying on a traditional publisher.
He broke down the advantages of self publishing:
- Creative freedom– The ability to control your book’s tone, design, structure, and message without compromise.
- Speed to market– No long waits for publishing houses; you set your own deadlines.
- Financial benefit– A greater share of royalties and the option to set your own pricing.
- Ownership– Retaining full rights to your work and the flexibility to repurpose it.
Paul also addressed the realities of self-publishing, from hiring professional editors and cover designers to understanding ISBNs, print-on-demand platforms, and distribution channels like Amazon KDP. He stressed that while self-publishing offers huge benefits, it also requires the author to think like a project manager coordinating timelines, quality control, and marketing.
With that insightful background, Paul graciously shared some of his top self-publishing tips, including:
- Start with clarity – Be laser-focused on your target reader and the value you want them to gain.
- Outline before you write– Organise your ideas into a logical chapter flow to avoid getting lost.
- Write consistently– Make writing a habit, even if it’s just 500 words a day.
- Edit ruthlessly– Expect multiple drafts; quality comes from refining.
- Build momentum– Share progress and snippets to create anticipation before launch.
- Plan your promotion early– Marketing starts months before your book is printed.
Part 2: Making the Most of the PSASA Membership Journey
In the second part of his presentation, From Member to Mastery, Paul shared how to maximise the value of any member’s PSASA membership. He encouraged members to network strategically, volunteer for leadership roles, and actively participate in events to accelerate both personal and professional growth. President Colleen Wilson echoed these rich opportunities by sharing how several members have collaborated professionally since joining the PSASA, encouraging further membership sign-ups. The proof of these opportunities available through the PSASA membership was evident from the meeting turnout itself, as we were delighted to see a record attendance of 32 guests for the evening. Proof that the topic, the speaker, and the energy of this community were an irresistible combination.
Wrapping Up: An Evening of Inspiration and Action
Through his own stories – both successes and lessons learned – Paul made the process of publishing your own book feel very accessible, even for first-time authors. By the end of the evening, attendees were fired up with fresh motivation: to take control of their author journey, to harness the power of self-publishing, and to leverage the PSASA network to raise their profile as experts in their fields. Members left with not only practical tools, but also the belief that writing and publishing their own book was achievable, while finding a supportive and welcoming home within our community of fellow speaking professionals.
A great thanks goes to the organising members comprising the Chapter’s Executive Leadership (President Colleen Wilson; Vice President Raksha Mahabeer; Past President Brenden Cavanagh; and Marketing & Communications Executive Kavesan Pillay), as well as the Leadership Subcommittee (Briony Bosse, Kerry Jones, Zonke Ngcobo).
Article Prepared By: Briony Bosse (Business & Strategic Brand Leadership Consultant/Global Strategist)
Follow Briony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briony-bosse-06726a20/
