KZN PSASA Chapter – Blog Post: November Chapter Meeting
This month, the KZN Chapter of PSASA had the privilege of hosting two incredible speakers, Jane Linley-Thomas and Cindy Norcott, both of whom brought a wealth of experience, inspiration and practical wisdom to our community of aspiring and seasoned speakers. With their engaging and authentic delivery, the evening was filled with invaluable insights on finding your authentic voice and launching your speaking career.
Jane Linley-Thomas: Finding Your Authentic Voice
Jane Linley-Thomas, a well-loved East Coast Radio personality, captivated the audience with her genuine and heartfelt campfire-chat-style presentation on discovering and owning your authentic voice. Her charm and conversational delivery were a testament to the very lessons she shared.
Key Takeaways:
● Jane reminded us that “the squeaky door gets the oil,” emphasising the importance of showing up consistently, being a lifelong learner and having the courage to shamelessly promote yourself when necessary.
● Grit and persistence are non-negotiables on the journey to achieving your dreams and it’s essential to have a voice of conviction and speak with intention.
● Authenticity, for Jane, is about embracing your vulnerability and being real, even when it’s uncomfortable.
● She also stressed the importance of gratitude and self-care, reminding us to never take anything for granted and to balance our professional pursuits with personal time.
● The crowd favourite nugget of wisdom from Jane was that success lies in being “dangerously proactive”. This was a plea to all guests to not just have a goal as speakers and hope to manifest it, but to take the initiative to work towards that goal consistently with an almost obsessive nature, if you are to
find or rather to MAKE your success.
Jane’s talk was a masterclass in connecting authentically with an audience, filled with her signature warmth and wisdom, leaving everyone inspired to step into their voices with confidence and purpose.
Cindy Norcott: Launching Your Speaking Career
Cindy Norcott, an international keynote speaker and author, followed with a powerhouse session on building a successful speaking career. With three decades of entrepreneurial experience and hundreds of motivational talks under her belt, Cindy’s guidance was both practical and empowering.
Key Lessons:
● Cindy encouraged us to take bold action: “Just get stuck in – say you’re a speaker and own it.” Writing a book can also solidify your credibility.
● Self-promotion with conviction is critical. Great speakers are also avid readers who are always learning and refining their craft.
● Authenticity and owning your unique style are foundational when beginning or reshaping your career as a speaking professional. Know whether you’re a “canned speaker” with structured content or an “intuitive speaker” who can entertain but needs direction to connect with the audience effectively.
● Experience is the best teacher: your first 200 talks are crucial for building confidence and honing your skills.
● A powerful speaker bio and a well-crafted website with a demo reel are essential tools to market yourself effectively.
● Cindy also stressed the importance of having a clear understanding of your “smallest viable audience” and targeting your message to resonate deeply with them.
● Collaboration with fellow speakers is a must, as there are always lessons to learn from one another. Always favour collaboration and cooperation over the competition mindset.
● To be a top speaker, you need to be a top writer. Create and curate content consistently to establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
● Lastly, Cindy reminded us of the privilege and responsibility of being on stage. Our words have the power to inspire or harm, so we must use our platform wisely and with integrity.
The atmosphere of the meeting was electric, with plenty of laughter, thoughtful reflection and actionable strategies shared among members. The discussions left attendees motivated to harness their unique voices, step boldly into their roles as speakers and continue the journey of personal and professional growth.
Join us for the next KZN Chapter meeting in December 2024, where more valuable lessons await. Until then, keep honing your craft, stay authentic and, as Jane and Cindy so beautifully reminded us, never underestimate the power of your voice!
Connect with this event’s speakers on LinkedIn for more inspiring content:
Jane Linley-Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-linley-thomas-90059216b/
Cindy Norcott https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindynorcott/
