Improving Presentation Skills

Do you wish you could present with confidence? Do your presentations lack punch? Or are they poorly constructed? If you answered yes to these questions then you may be relieved to know that you can improve your presentation skills. Presentation and public speaking skills are skills that can be taught and, with practice, will improve over time. We often think of public speaking as a specific skill set reserved for polished professionals, or people in sales and marketing, yet it is an important skill for any individual who would like to speak clearly and confidently.

Most likely, when you think of presentation skills, you picture someone standing in front of an audience speaking confidently with a PowerPoint slide in the background. This is one of many scenarios, yet public speaking and presentation skills are a part of everyday experiences. Have you considered how presentation skills could help you with you next job interview? Or putting forward your opinion at work? Other scenarios include networking events, meeting new people within your social circle, internal work meetings, dealing with suppliers or clients.            

The fear of public speaking is what holds many people back from presenting or speaking up. Overcoming this fear is fundamental to improving presentation skills. So, where do you start? Think of presentations as a form of communication where the presenter is exchanging ideas and information. Good presentation skills allow you to communicate complex information in simple and interesting ways to keep the audience engaged. In addition, presentation skills help you communicate thoughts and feelings effectively, develop self-confidence and gain real world skills.

Content variety is important, include visual aids such as video and images to support your message, or whiteboards and flip charts to explain your point. Consider engaging the audience through questions, demonstrations and by using props. Use vocal variety to maintain interest through pitch (higher / lower), pace (faster / slower), power (louder / softer), pause (longer / shorter) and tone (serious / humorous / formal / informal, etc). Follow these suggestions and your audience will leave your presentations informed and with a clear understanding of your message.  

Body language including facial expressions, hand gestures, eye contact, posture and leg movements, can aid or detract in a presentation. Avoid incongruence by ensuring that your facial expressions match your words. Smile to convey friendliness and confidence; if your message is of a more serious nature then your facial expression should match the tone. When we are nervous or fearful we often hide our hands – in our pockets, behind our backs, by folding our arms, fidgeting or clasping them tightly. If you find you are habitually hiding your hands then consider keeping your arms by your side until you need to gesture and then returning them to your side when you are done gesturing. Otherwise you are signalling to the audience that you are nervous, lack confidence, don’t believe in your own message, are disinterested and unenthusiastic. Instead, support your message through open and varied gestures.

Use eye contact when emphasising a point. Don’t stare at an individual, rather, move quickly throughout the audience to portray interest in the audience member. Standing or sitting tall and straight will display strength and professionalism, never slouch – it will convey disinterest, displeasure and overall boredom. Remember to move with purpose, remaining in one spot can signal a lack of passion and authenticity. Moreover, moving about without purpose, like swaying front to back or pacing back and forth will distract the audience. Other leg movements like jiggling your legs show discomfort and restlessness.

Structure your presentation well, so that all topics are given ample amount of time and the audience is also given time to digest inputs and ask questions. Remember to focus on the audience by focusing on connection; know your content and then adjust your presentation based on audience feedback. You can add clarity and balance to your speech through the clever use of repetition in the form of triads. Here’s an excellent example from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:    

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground.”

The use of repetition helps your audience understand your message and creates balance and rhythm in your delivery. In addition, this repetition creates a concise and memorable message.   

Looking to improve your presentation skills? Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. We meet at Club Picnic Point, 124 Lambeth St, Panania, 2213.

Toastmasters Training

Have you wondered how you could improve your staff’s communication and leadership skills on an ongoing basis? The new Toastmasters training program, Pathways, is a great place to start. Pathways is an online program that starts with an assessment to meet each member’s individual needs and to enable them to become better and more confident communicators and leaders. The various projects focus on practical skills like Team Collaboration which covers subjects like “Understanding Your Leadership Style” and “Motivate Others”.  

There are 11 different paths with more being added every year. When you join Toastmasters you receive a login to the Toastmasters International website, which is where the Pathways program resides. After completing the assessment you will be presented with the the best matched path and an additional 2 paths as alternative choices, if you are not keen on the best match. Although you are free to select one of the remaining 8 paths if these alternatives don’t suit you.  

The Pathways program has 5 levels, each capitalising on the previous. Subsequent levels are progressively harder than its predecessor and the online lessons give the member a comprehensive explanation for each project. There are common core subjects, commencing with the “Icebreaker” (the first project in level 1) and “Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring” (a project in level 2) and specialised subjects like “Develop a Communication Plan”.  

For those members who are keen to pursue mentoring, there is a separate path, “Pathways Mentor Program”, which is made available once you complete level 2. The program is comprised of three projects that must be completed sequentially. The projects cover a range of topics from understanding your role as a mentor through to a comprehensive assignment that includes a mentoring commitment lasting six months. All projects are evaluated with personalised specific feedback.

A range of tutorials and resources are available for downloading, including 360^o Evaluations as well as supportive documentation, like the Navigator – which gives the new member an overview of Toastmasters and the Pathways program. Members receive an award for completing each level as well as completing each path (all 5 levels). The highest educational designation you can earn as a member is the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, given to those who complete two paths, serve in specific volunteer leadership roles and complete the “Distinguished Toastmaster” project.

Pathways is Toastmasters comprehensive training program designed to improve communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. During the meetings you are learning each skill set by following the curriculum and practising different types of speaking, listening and facilitation skills. In addition, leadership activities like motivating others, planning meetings and marketing as well as interpersonal skills are practised in a safe and supportive environment.  

Interested to learn more about Toastmasters and the Pathways training program? Join us at Picnic Point Toastmasters. We meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.  

Public Relations Pitfalls

What are some of the common pitfalls to avoid in public relations? Poorly written material, too much content, lack of enthusiasm for the pitch, over-hyping, poor research, noisy background during phone conversations and bad timing.   

Written material that is poorly worded, contains spelling errors and is poorly structured will ensure that your press release will end up in the trash. Watch the length. Too much content leads to irrelevant information that needs to be waded through before the reporter can determine what the point is. If you want to grab the reader’s attention, you must be write your pitch concisely. Cover all the relevant points and follow up with information about the event or activity. Use simple, clear language and avoid jargon.

Enthusiasm for your pitch is essential, however, you must ensure that you don’t overdo it.  Remember to smile when you pitch, don’t use too many superlatives or you won’t sound credible. Use facts to support your statements, don’t exaggerate and avoid generalisations. You want to boost the reputation of your brand, generate leads and then convert those leads. To achieve these goals you must protect the brand, promote it through fact sheets and use strong writing skills.   

Poor research will result in a number of issues, including sending your press release to multiple reporters in the same office or targeting the wrong reporter in multiple offices! Do your homework. When emailing, only email one reporter at a time. Know which reporter covers your topic, follow them on social media, create a relationship with them. If you use Twitter, consider following them and use Direct Message so your communications remain private.

Poor research can lead to a lack of purpose, for example, sending out press releases too frequently which don’t provide important updates. Have a plan, know what you wish to communicate and why. If you don’t plan you risk an important announcement being ignored by the press. And don’t forget to check your competitors’ PR efforts. The reporter you are pitching to may have recently written a story on your competitor, take time to research their angle to ensure that your story pitch has a different angle.

Make sure you call from a quiet location with a reliable line, pitching from a mobile phone could be problematic in areas with poor coverage. If you are unable to contact the reporter, consider calling back, rather than leaving a voice mail, which most likely will result in your call being ignored. Be prepared to close the deal by following up. You want to be heard, so be ready with additional information if a reporter has additional questions.

Avoid bad timing by considering lead time for magazines, newspapers, and other media. Consider reading the papers and online publications to keep up with what is going on in the world. This ensures you can avoid poorly timed media releases and could give you a way to relate your event to those recently mentioned in the news.   

Interested to learn more? Toastmasters International is a worldwide non-profit educational organisation that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Contact Picnic Point Toastmasters at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Picnic Point, NSW 2213.  We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm and look forward to helping you attain your communication and leadership goals.  

Social Communication

Our digital world has made it easier that ever to keep in touch, social media and the use of mobile phones is on the rise. But how effective is this form of communication? This casual form of written communication can be misinterpreted without the subtle nuances of body language and vocal variety. And it is more time consuming than a verbal conversation. However, it seems to be the preferred form of communicating in our modern world. Why? It’s convenient and can lead to face-to-face meetings. Social media is a very efficient if you need to broadcast to a wide audience. There are opportunities to join like-minded groups and alleviate loneliness, particularly for the socially isolated. It’s a great tool for networking, giving instant global communication and can promote loyalty. News feed customisation, business opportunities and general communication are easily facilitated. It’s a low cost way to manage campaigns, complete market research and combines marketing with customer service. It facilitates Search Engine Optimisation, promotes content and provides ample data as a feedback mechanism.

On the flip-side we can become overwhelmed buy the volume of information. And what about privacy? There are ways to protect yourself but there is always the risk of account hacking and data leakage. Then there’s information ownership. Does the social media site own the content or do you? Being conscious of sharing your geological location or private information that can be exploited. Cyber bullying can lead to depression and anxiety. Over reliance of online interaction leading to anti-social behaviour – including using the mobile phone whilst driving and constant checking whilst in the company of others. Not to mention an inactive lifestyle, sleep disruption and wasting time. If used for business you will spend an inordinate amount of time posting, dealing with complaints and other non-marketing issues. The lack of control after posting, changes in facebook and twitter algorithms, and the spread of fake news all demonstrate the perils of social media.

Where does social communication fit in the “off-line world”? This relates to when and how you should talk, using gestures and facial expressions. Social communication skills is associated with using language to engage with others, such as making a request. We often change our language to suit the audience or situation. Consider the difference between how you address your boss versus how you address your child. Or when discussing a topic with people who are well versed in the subject compared with an audience who is not au fait with the subject matter. Other rules, such as taking turns speaking, using eye contact, keeping a comfortable distance when speaking face-to-face, remaining on topic, focusing on the other person, and using alternative language to explain what you mean – particularly when you are misunderstood. Then there is the added challenge of understanding what is appropriate in other cultures versus your own culture.

The common link between online and off-line social communication is the opportunity to share information and experiences with others. At least, that’s the perception. In reality, studies suggest that social media platforms distort communications, make it difficult to share thoughts and have a negative impact on people’s social skills. Then there is the noticeable decrease in quality of our daily interpersonal relationships. People are more concerned with creating the perception of having fun rather than creating new experiences in the real world. Furthermore, there is the added issue of people comparing their “bland lives” with their friends’ posts, not realising that – more often than not – their friends’ lives are just as bland.

There is a marked difference in the quality of interpersonal communication since the advent of social media. The common use of shorthand in social media platforms (‘brb’, ‘lol’, ‘m8’, etc) is less effective in real life communication leading to an increase in illiteracy. Poor use of grammar and syntax leads to ineffective communication and an inability to form complex ideas into words. Written language requires clarity, proper use of grammar and syntax, correct spelling and use of vocabulary.

Social communication includes social interaction, where we adjust our communication style based on who we are interacting with. It offers the opportunity to explore and exchange ideas, assists with building relationships, critical thinking and public speaking. The ability to speak in public is an important skill which will enhance your social communication. And it’s a great confidence booster. Public speaking teaches you how to structure what you are going to say in a clear and concise manner. You will learn effective ways to communicate your ideas, make new social connections and expand your professional network. Other benefits includes developing your vocabulary and becoming a better listener.

Ready to improve your social communication skills? Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters! We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true. “ ~ Charles Dickens

Choosing A Mentor

How do you choose a mentor? The first step is being clear about why you want a mentor and write it down. What do you want to learn? Are you looking to learn specific skills? What motivates you? Having a clear objective will help you find the most suitable mentor and will keep you focused on your goal. Remember, mentoring is a relationship, you get out of it what you put into it. Once you have decided to look for a mentor you must put time aside to dedicate yourself to the mentoring process.

Where do you start? Look for someone who can give you advice and inspire you to achieve your goals. This person may be working in the same organisation, in your network, even in online forums. Focus on people who you respect and have built rapport with. This person could be from a different generation or industry. When you have found the right person the next step is to approach them with clear and open communication. Explain why you would be a suitable mentee and why you believe you could work well together. Remember to respect their time. People who have the skill set to be great mentors are often very busy doing the very things that make them great mentors.

You need to meet on a regular basis and make sure it’s a convenient time and location. Be organised by having a list of questions ready, keep it short and remember to send a thank you note. Inform them of how their advice is making an impact on your goal. Your meetings could be online, on the phone or in person, either way, make the most of each meeting by being transparent. Transparency will help your mentor to understand what you need and how they can assist you in attaining your goals.

Mentoring is a two-way street, the mentor also has goals which they can fulfil through mentoring. Keep this in mind when you receive any feedback. The mentor can only go by what you tell them, so be sure to be clear about what you have found useful and what’s not working for you. It may be your approach that’s holding you back, rather than the advice you received. Flexibility is key. Some of the outcomes achieved may be different to your expectations, however, this is often an opportunity to move your goals into a different and better direction.

Take note of how the relationship is progressing. Do you feel comfortable with your mentor? Is there rapport between you? If not, you could have picked the wrong mentor. Or you could be misrepresenting your goals and needs. Or perhaps you have unrealistic expectations. Mentoring is an ongoing process, be patient, this is not a formal relationship – there is a degree of flexibility required. When seeking a mentor avoid using the term ‘mentor’. Instead, consider whether you can be completely open and honest. Has the mentor shown a real interest in you and what you are striving for? Does the mentor remember important facts and details you have previously mentioned? Do they understand your role and industry? Has their feedback contained actionable advice that is easily applied? Is their feedback specific enough for your needs? Look at the experience gap. If there is more than ten years of experience between you they may be too senior. Do they give you their undivided attention when you meet or do they seem distracted?

A mentor will be considering if they can be helpful based on your approach. They need to weigh up whether they can address your specific needs. The mentor will be looking at your level and depth of openness and honesty. Are you willing to share your vulnerabilities? Will you be proactive? Will you have prepared specific questions? Is meeting with you giving them a chance to learn more about themselves and their career? Do they feel that meeting with you is a good use of their time?

Consider asking your set of questions, outlined above, to the potential mentor. How do they respond? For example, what do you they know about your role or industry? These questions will show that you are prepared and serious about the potential relationship. Their response will help you to decide on the best possible candidate. Once you have found a few possible candidates, send them the mentor questions listed above so they can use it as gauge for them to consider the potential mentoring relationship. This shows you have certain expectations of the mentor and will weed out the ones that can’t invest in you. If you both answer all questions positively, then you have a a very strong indication of a potentially good and productive relationship.

At Picnic Point Toastmasters we use a similar process in our mentoring program. We match your needs with an experienced Toastmaster who will serve as a role model and support you through the stages of your Toastmasters journey. Picnic Point Toastmasters meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction” (John Crawford Crosby, American politician).

Collective Leadership

According to Wikipedia, “Collective leadership is a distribution of power within an organisational structure. It is considered an ideal form of ruling a communist party, both within and outside a socialist state.”

How does it work? Collective leadership is driven by mutual respect, shared knowledge and complementary strengths. The team is often lead by several people who share a powerful vision and is centred around trust, transparency and effective communication. Everyone takes responsibility for the success of the team. Decisions are shared and personal authority is based on knowledge and strengths.

Why do we need it? Knowledge sharing avoids silos, change and innovation occurs more rapidly and better decisions through open feedback encourages participation. Individuals have the opportunity to create their own solutions, using their respective motivations and shared responsibility reduces pressure for all involved. Using an individual’s strength and talents helps them develop expertise, knowledge and skills aligned with areas of responsibility.  

When people are involved in developing team goals they are more likely to take ownership. Motivation and productivity increase as each individual is given the opportunity to make decisions and develop solutions – leading to a sense of purpose.   Multiple and diverse inputs ensures the results are maintained and continued. This minimises the risk of knowledge and skills being lost if one person leaves the group.  

How can we implement a collective leadership style? Firstly, realise that it is a complicated process, due to the need to blend passion with accountability, engagement with strategy, innovation with discipline. This requires patience to develop the type of culture and environment that will establish a collective leadership. Start with shared goals and objectives, cultivate a sense of belonging, encourage employees to participate in strategy development.

Your vision must be clear around purpose and goals, establish trust amongst your employees and peers and ascertain whether the group of individuals involved in the process are capable to support the agreed goals and objectives. When properly cultivated, shared goals become a reality and the people involved will develop products and services that they are proud to be a part of.

If you are interested in collective leadership, creating and inspiring quality relationships, developing trust and motivation, then it’s time you considered visiting Picnic Point Toastmasters.  We meet at 7pm every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.  

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

Inspirational Speakers

Inspirational speakers are often confused with motivational speakers. Why? Because the difference between motivational and inspirational speakers is subtle. Motivational speakers, like Tony Robbins, encourage you to become more excited about what you do, they focus on the psychology of motivation and purpose. This leads to a change in behaviour as the motivational speaker helps people to think better, do better and be better. They are often business focused and concentrate on mindset and the how.

Inspirational speakers use their life experience and evaluate themselves frequently, passing on any useful information to their audiences. They possess strong speaking skills and help individuals make definite changes by providing them with an ideal reference, such as overcoming adversity. Inspirational speakers deliver their message with enthusiasm, creating a connection with the audience by using emotional language and have achieved a level of success by overcoming extreme setbacks. Inspirational speakers focus on our spirit and the why…. 

The inspirational speaker reminds us to look at our lives through a different lens to see where the opportunities lie. How can you take responsibility to change direction in your life? What challenges do you need to overcome? What’s the end result you need to focus on? Inspirational speakers promote self confidence, the power of determination and never giving up. They share a message of hope, how to perform at your best and provide lessons in reinventing yourself.

How can we become inspirational speakers? Through compassion, having a vision and achieving our goals.  Develop self-discipline, share solutions, become selfless. Invest in self-development, find inner peace, help others to see their strengths and opportunities. Show that you care, encourage others through your words and actions and earn people’s trust.

Interested in becoming an inspirational speaker?  Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters at 7pm every 1^st and 3rd Tuesday at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.   

“When you share your experiences with other people, you help take away their fears”

– Rick Warren

Stagecraft

When contemplating speaking in front of an audience we tend to focus on speech content and often forget to practice our stagecraft. Starting with the moment you step on that stage, your every movement will convey your confidence or your fear. Are you walking on stage filled with energy? Will there be an image on the screen or music playing in line with the theme of your speech? The audience is watching….You should be grabbing their attention as soon as you are introduced. Your opportunity to engage the audience starts the moment you step on that stage.

Resist the temptation to start speaking, instead, pause. Then look at the audience for a few moments before you start. Hold eye contact with a few people until you have the attention of the whole room. This gives everyone time to settle down and focus their attention on you.

 Your opening should be powerful, consider starting with a quote, a story, or an unusual fact. Draw in the audience by using words like ‘you’ and ‘yours’. A question is often a good way to start.  For example, “How many of you have experienced…?”,  “If I told you _____, would you believe me?”.  You only have a few seconds to engage your audience, they will decide very quickly whether they are going to listen to you or switch off from you. Using a strong opening will create interest and ensures the audience is focusing on you.

Keep your audience engaged through movement. Use 2 or 3 ‘anchor points’ on the stage as your progress through your speech. Anchoring your points allows you to refer back to them with a simple indication of your hand. This is particularly useful when using a timeline of past, present and future or referring to an earlier point. When you move on stage you connect more closely with different parts of the audience. However, you need to make movements with purpose. Walking around aimlessly will disengage and confuse your audience. When delivering your key message use the centre of the stage, close to the audience. This point of the stage is known as the power position. Moving on the stage is just one aspect of using body language.   

Body language helps you to express points throughout your speech. The most common expressions of body language are gesturing and eye contact. When gesturing with your hands, make sure you are not holding anything – unless it’s to briefly demonstrate a point. Once you have finished making the point put down the item you were holding. Having empty hands helps you to gesture more naturally. Consider practising gestures in front of a mirror to minimise repetition but don’t orchestrate your gestures. They will look unnatural and only serve to distract your audience. When not gesturing, keep your hands by your side.  

Eye contact helps you to connect with your audience. Use eye contact to look at their facial expressions and their reactions to what you’re saying. Use this feedback to confirm if your audience is engaged or if you need to adjust your delivery. Focus on one person at a time, it helps to create a one on one conversational style. It can reduce your nerves as we all have experienced one on one conversations, thus it will feel more natural to you. How long should you maintain eye contact? Just a few seconds; enough time to get through a short sentence. Often, the person will nod in response once they have processed your words.     

If you are using presentation software, a flip-chart or a whiteboard, consider placing it on the left or right hand side of centre stage, rather than in the centre – the power position. Once you have made your point using these tools, be sure to move closer to the audience towards centre stage.  

Stagecraft helps your audience visualise your message and interact with you. It maintains audience attention and interest, particularly when your speech is delivered with passion.

Keen to practice your stagecraft? Visit Picnic Point Toastmasters on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month. We meet at 7pm at Club Picnic Point, 124 Lambeth St, Panania.  Your audience awaits you…..

Toastmasters New Year’s Resolution

According to Wikipedia, a New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behaviour, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life. Who started this custom and why?

The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honour of the new year, which was held in mid-March, when crops were planted. The Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king during 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, where they made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions.

A similar practice occurred in ancient Rome, when Julius Caesar tinkered with the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year in circa 46 B.C. The month was named after Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year. For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and promising to do better in the future.

Today, we no longer make promises to the gods, but to ourselves – usually to kick our goals pertaining to self improvement. Yet, only 8% of us follow through. One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to learn a new skill or hobby. If you have been thinking about improving your communication skills and meeting like-minded people then there is no time like the present to join Toastmasters. Besides making new friends and working on a new skill, you will become more confident. Face your fears and insecurities surrounding public speaking. Give yourself the opportunity to use your free time in a constructive manner and pick up new skills while having fun at the same time.

Ready to keep that New Year’s Resolution? Why not join us this Tuesday at Picnic Point Toastmasters to start off your new year resolution?

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Panania.

Public Relations Influencing Choice

Public relations has been around as long as civilisations have existed. It has informed and influenced consumers – changing attitudes, making personal lives public and informing us of the latest trends. Today, we have a range of tools to disseminate information, including blogs, social media, news releases, and hosting events. The methods may have changed over the centuries but the core purpose has remained the same. To influence choice.

How do we influence choice? Through engaging our audience, by enlightening the public and by sharing your thoughts and fostering discussions. The idea is to influence the reader’s choice and take some action. Yet, as Toastmasters, we often forget that we are publicly relating to a vast number of potential members. Each with their own needs and interests. How do we influence their choice to join our club and not another? Can we “relate” to them efficiently via certain social media outlets? Does it further our brand conversation?

By focusing on our end goal, we look at why we are engaging in public relations and what are we trying to achieve. However, we cannot improve our strategies if we don’t measure the results. One of the best ways to measure results is by using data. Consider researching consumer sentiment to understand how the public feels about the company. What we measure will drive success. In Toastmasters, we have a 10 goal system to drive club success based on our individual members success. These goals define the characteristics of a quality club. How does this affect our brand? By gaining an understanding of members and their experiences we can use these insights to create better choices, better marketing campaigns and better strategies.  

How do we support the Toastmasters brand? Firstly, use the art of storytelling to engage your   target audience, and the influencers that reach them. Who is your ideal audience? Who influences them? How can you influence them? Use this information and the strategic combination of technology, data, processes and analysis to drive your club’s marketing campaigns.

The best way to accomplish this is to build a relationship first, so that the potential for influence is based on understanding a guest’s needs. Next, demonstrate how you (the Toastmaster) can make the guest the hero or heroine in his or her story. Build trust, be transparent, learn about your guests needs and goals, maintain rapport and demonstrate how your club supports its members. The way to influence your guests choice to join your club is to greet the guest warmly, introduce them to the members, acknowledge them formally, find out what their needs are and explain how your Toastmasters club can help them achieve their goals.

Contact Picnic Point Toastmasters to learn more. Drop in at Club Picnic Point – 124 Lambeth Street, Picnic Point, NSW 2213 on the 1^st and 3^rd  Tuesday of the month at 7pm. You’ll be glad you made the choice!