Let the world know!
People can’t join your club if they don’t know it exists! There are thousands of people waiting to join Toastmasters who “just haven’t gotten around to it yet.” They are ready to join your club – they just need a reminder and a little push to do so!
To help you with that push, Toastmasters International has created resources to help you promote your club, such as the new marketing DVD, Welcome to Toastmasters! You can also download the free publicity and promotion manual, Let the World Know or order a printed copy from our online store (Item 1140). This manual highlights one of the best ways to get publicity: through notices in local publications. This is how to do it:
- Submit your club’s meeting time and location to the calendar sections of company newsletters and publications in your area. You’ll have more success with small weekly newspapers than with daily metropolitan publications.
- Write a press release with an attention-grabbing headline showcasing your club’s special events, such as speech contests, unique meeting formats or appearances of guest speakers. Many editors look for content , so this is a way to help them out! If your story has a news hook, send it to all media sources in your area, including radio and television stations.
- Include a photograph of someone speaking or receiving an award. Briefly describe what’s happening in the photo, the benefits of the Toastmasters program, your club’s meeting time and location, and an open invitation to guests.
The Let the World Know manual contains sample press releases, detailed instructions and many other ideas for promoting your club. In addition, the following PR-related materials will help you: