Following the excitement of the Speaker Factor semi-final round, the PSASA KZN Chapter gathered once again on March 12th for a jam-packed Chapter Meeting & Annual General Meeting (AGM). The energy was palpable, as the evening marked both a reflection on our chapter’s growth and a forward look at the leadership steering us into the future.
A Leadership Transition: Welcoming a New Chapter President
Outgoing President Brenden Cavanagh took the stage to present the President’s Report, celebrating a year of remarkable growth for the KZN Chapter. In just one year since its revival, the chapter had expanded its influence, strengthened its speaker community, and provided high-value opportunities for learning and collaboration.
With the AGM proceedings underway, members unanimously elected Colleen Wilson as the 2025 KZN Chapter President. Having served as Deputy President, Colleen’s leadership and commitment to the chapter made her the natural successor to continue the upward trajectory of the KZN speaker community. The room erupted in applause as Colleen took the stage, ready to lead PSASA KZN into a new era of growth and collaboration.
Marketing That Moves: Insights from Simon Grainger
The evening’s keynote was led by Simon Grainger, a seasoned Marketing Advisor and TEDx Speaker, who delivered a high-impact session titled:
“Right Message, Right Audience: Key Marketing Principles for Growth”
Simon took a humorous yet insightful approach to dissecting the ever-changing world of marketing. He highlighted that in today’s “Attention Economy,” people are bombarded with choices and often skeptical of the information they consume. That means authenticity, precision and differentiation are the keys to breaking through the noise.
Simon’s 3-Pillar Framework for Marketing Success
Simon simplified the marketing puzzle into three core elements:
1. Brand Identity: Who You Are & What You Stand For
Before focusing on marketing tactics, you must clarify your brand vision, objectives and purpose.
- Brand Vision: What impact do you want to make, both personally and professionally?
- Objectives: How do you plan to achieve this vision through defined touchpoints?
- Positioning & Differentiation: What sets you apart? How do you become top-of-mind in your space?
- Authenticity Matters: Brands that are clear on their purpose and well-lived naturally engender trust.
2. Target Audience: Who You Should Be Speaking To
- Segmenting your audience helps you identify the people who truly resonate with your message.
- Key Segmentation Factors:
- Demographics: Age, location, gender, etc.
- Psychographics: Interests, behaviors, and values.
- Mindset: What thoughts and perceptions shape their decisions?
- Key Insight: Talk to the audience that actually cares. Don’t aim for everyone – Seth Godin wisely said, “A product for everybody is a product for nobody.”
3. Marketing Channels: Where & How to Reach Your Audience
Simon introduced the three essential marketing channels to consider:
- Owned Media: Your website, blog, and email database (an underrated yet powerful tool!).
- Paid Media: Google ads, paid social media advertising.
- Earned Media: When others speak about you positively online or in person (reviews, referrals, PR features, etc.).
Your marketing message should be:
- True (authentic to your brand)
- Believable (credible to your audience)
- Sustainable (consistent over time)
- Differentiated (stands out from the competition)
Marketing Metrics: How Do You Measure Success?
Simon stressed the importance of tracking marketing efforts to ensure they align with your growth goals. To refine and optimise, regularly ask yourself:
- Are you targeting the right audience with a message that resonates?
- Is your marketing strategy designed to achieve your business goals?
- How are you adapting your marketing efforts to better connect with and convert your ideal customers?
A key takeaway: Marketing is an ongoing process of iteration – listen to your audience and tweak your approach accordingly.
Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead
With a new leadership team in place and a marketing masterclass under our belts, the KZN Chapter is poised for an exciting year ahead. The evening reinforced the importance of clarity, strategy and audience focus in building a successful speaking business.
As we head into the next chapter, we invite all members to stay engaged and look forward to our upcoming events, where we will continue to learn, grow and elevate our speaking careers together.
In closing, some honourable mentions are no doubt well-deserved. A huge thank you to Simon Grainger for an outstanding session and to Brenden Cavanagh for his dedicated, confident leadership over the past year. And last but not least, a huge congratulations and well wishes to our new President, Colleen Wilson.
Stay tuned for more updates as we step boldly into the future of PSASA KZN!
