What is Toastmasters?
No, we don't make toasters!
From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven – and enjoyable! – way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.
Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.Good communicators tend to be good leaders.
Some well-known Toastmasters alumni include:
10 Tips for Public Speaking
Here are some proven tips on how to control your butterflies and give better presentations:
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Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal stories and conversational language.
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Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary. Work to control filler words; Practice, pause and breathe. Practice with a timer and allow time for the unexpected.
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Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.
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Know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
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Relax. Begin by addressing the audience. It buys you time and calms your nerves. Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything. ("One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. Pause. Begin.) Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
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Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
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Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They’re rooting for you.
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Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem – the audience probably never noticed it.
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Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.
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Gain experience. Mainly, your speech should represent you — as an authority and as a person. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need in a safe and friendly environment.
Visit a Toastmasters meeting!
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