The Arguement for Toastmasters

If you follow speaking blogs at all, you have probably seen that a good majority of them have at least a post or two mentioning Toastmasters. There is a good reason for this. Toastmasters is probably the most successful and proven way to improve your performance in public speaking and presenting. There are several reasons for this.

First, the environment at Toastmasters is supportive. For most people, speaking in front of others is a frightening, if not downright terrifying, experience. The people at Toastmasters are aware of this and do all that they can to make your speaking experience less traumatic. Everyone in the room remembers giving their Ice Breaker speech to a group of strangers, and they can all identify with you. In the Toastmasters meeting, your audience really does want you to succeed.

The second reason for the success of Toastmasters is the structured learning process that they have developed over the years. Toastmaster speeches are given in order, with each speech having a definite purpose, and with each lesson building on the last. Organizing the ideas in your speeches comes before choosing the right words, and that comes before body language and gestures.

The third, and for many perhaps the most important, reason for Toastmaster's success is the cost. While all over the Internet you can find people who will magically make your fears disappear and you a talented and polished speaker for a mere $2500 or so, Toastmasters expenses are manageable for almost anyone. Be prepared to shell out a whopping $27 every six month for Toastmasters membership. Some clubs have additional charges, but most are $20 or less every six months. The club charges are used for different reasons, depending on the club. They may be used to pay for awards given to speakers, or to provide drinks and snacks at meetings. At some point the $2500 seminar may be worthwhile to some people, but for most of us, it is overkill.

I hope that I have given you a couple of reasons to consider visiting a Toastmasters meeting. It is by far the best way to make yourself a better, more comforatable speaker.

Find a Toastmasters club near you at http://toastmasters.org