18 Ideas on How and Where to Promote Toastmasters in Your Community

1. Newspapers. The easiest way to secure media coverage is through press releases to local newspapers. Newspapers are usually more accessible than radio and television stations, and they allow you to communicate more information. This is especially important when it comes to addresses and phone numbers for club information.

2. Electronic Media. Public service announcements and videotaped commercials can be aired on radio and cable television stations. Local talk shows might be interested in featuring a Toastmasters officer discussing the importance of communication training in the workplace.

3. Local Government. Contact your City Hall or Council for information on how to get your message displayed on the city's radio or cable television programming. Also, try to get your Toastmasters activities listed in the city's community services calendar.

4. Chamber of Commerce. An advertisement in its newsletter or a presentation by a Toastmaster at one of its meetings will reach influential local business people. If someone in your district is a chamber member, a group of Toastmasters may want to host a Chamber of Commerce social hour.

5. Libraries. Submit extra copies of The Toastmaster magazine to the library's periodicals department and attach a card with club contact information. Also post flyers and advertisements on bulletin boards.

6. Corporate and Organizational Publications. Editors for employee newsletters might be interested in camera-ready advertisements about TI as "fillers." If the organization has an internal Toastmasters club, by all means use the newsletter as a vehicle for sharing your Toastmasters activities with other employees.

7. Employee Orientations. Make sure in-house Toastmasters clubs in corporations, hospitals, government agencies or organizations have their clubs mentioned during new employee orientation seminars.

8. "Welcome to the Community" Packets. These are distributed to all new residents in a city and contain promotional materials from local merchants and organizations. Your advertisement or flyer should be included in this package.

9. Universities and Community Colleges.  Like cities, universities usually have internal cable TV and radio stations, as well as publications reaching students, staff and faculty.  Arrange to have a Toastmaster give a presentation as a guest lecturer in a speech communication class. Or better yet, try to participate in communication-related campus events - like "Communications Week" for example - and be prepared to host a booth and offer promotional flyers. If your district already has a university club, make sure it is publicized in campus media, as well as in new student or freshman orientations.

10. High Schools. Organize or judge speech contests for seniors, or give seminars on career planning. Even if students do not join your club, this could provide media exposure and gives parents, staff and teachers a good impression of our organization.

11. Community Events. Participate in local fairs, parades, sports tournaments and holiday celebrations. Wear your Toastmasters pin, display your club banner and ribbons, and offer handouts at a booth.

12. Proclamations by Politicians (local, state or federal) honoring a specific event or anniversary. You can also ask them to proclaim an official Toastmasters Week (or Day or Month) or Youth Leadership Week, etc.

13. Billboards. Just as television and radio stations are required to regularly air free public service announcements, billboards also must frequently exhibit messages by nonprofit organizations as a public service. The only cost involved is for the printing of the message.

14. Web Sites and Newsletter. Web sites and newsletters allow current members to stay informed and feel proud of their club's individuality; they also are great ways to let prospective members know what your club is all about.

15. Offer Speechcraft and Youth Leadership Programs. This is a great way of showing the public what Toastmasters is all about.

16. Create Club Business Cards indicating your meeting time and place, and distribute them to friends and colleagues along with a personal comment of how Toastmasters training has benefited you.

17. Display TI Products. Use TI bumper stickers and mugs. Wear TI T-shirts. And put your Toastmasters trophies in a prominent place in your home or office.

18. Wear Your Toastmasters Pin!  It's a good conversation starter.

Source: Let the World Know, Toastmasters International