This document outlines strategies for a Vice President of Public Relations to promote their Toastmasters club through various marketing channels. It recommends maintaining an up-to-date club website and social media presence, distributing newsletters and flyers, securing press coverage of club events, and partnering with nearby clubs for joint Meetup groups. The goal is to raise awareness of the club and its benefits in order to attract new members through community outreach and digital promotion.

1. Marketing Equals Members
Vice President Public Relations Training
District 37
Toastmaster Leadership Institute East
Presented by: Sharon Dawson
Date: June 29, 2013
1

2. TM’s Definition of VP PR Role
Protect and publicize the Toastmasters
brand.
Promote the club to local media.
Maintain a club website.
Join a Toastmasters-moderated social
networking website.
Produce and distribute a club newsletter
2

3. At the Club Meeting
Ask for contributions to the newsletter and
website
Promote events from other clubs, such as
T3 S3 in August
Promote TLIs, District Conferences
3

4. Flyers & Business Cards
Members can distribute at their
workplace, church, etc
Different themes: Want to Nail That
Interview? Fear of Public Speaking?
Elevator Speech
Pick Target Audience
Neighborhood Welcome Kits
4

5. The Toastmaster Magazine
Post articles (with permission) to your club
website or blog
Add label to front with your club website,
Facebook, Meetup links
Leave at doctor's offices, coffee shops,
gyms, break rooms at work
5

6. Press Releases
Club events - anniversaries, contests
New officers
Members earning levels (CC, ACB, DTM,
etc)
Examples:
http://www.toastmasters.org/PRresources
6

7. Club Newsletter
Help fill in the gaps that you don't have
time for at meetings
Bios of new members, new officers
Recognize non-Toastmaster
achievements (new baby, promotion, etc.)
Distinguished Club Program progress
7

8. Club Website
FreeToastHost.org 2.0
Customize for your club
Pictures of members & meetings
Three clubs in same city – which would
you attend?
8

9. 9

10. 10

11. 11

12. Facebook & Twitter
Be sure to setup as a FB Page, not a
Person
Setup with a generic email address for
club
Populate with Testimonials from club
members
Advertise themes for the meetings
12

13. Facebook Example
13

14. Meetup
Share costs with nearby clubs (if not
same day/time)
Ask your members to signup and RSVP
for meetings
Keep up to date
Strong, positive message
14

15. LinkedIn Group
Networking opportunities
Share knowledge to gain new members
Members add Toastmaster club to their
profile page

16. Other Ways to get the Word Out
Hold a Speechcraft
Hold a Youth Leadership Program
16

17. Public Relations Committee
Delegate – Extravagant titles
Newsletter Editor
Webmaster
Check PR email address & do updates
when you're on vacation
17

18. Google Your Club
Facebook, Twitter, Meetup shows up?
Older websites out there with your Club's
name & old data?
Is your club listing on
www.toastmasters.org accurate?
18

19. 19
First video is from a
talking bird; from 2011
Last updated 2011
Old, no current listings
on there

20. Toastmasters Intn’l resources
Visual Branding page
www.toastmasters.org/vbp
 PR Corner
www.toastmasters.org/Members/PRCorner.aspx
Website usage guidelines
www.toastmasters.org/Web_Use
20