Tools to help the first-time VP of PR to get started

News media is always looking for news and filler. We are helping them while they help us. It is our job as PR representatives to give them interesting stories and help our clubs and division at the same time.
Use press releases to put your meetings on community calendars, to announce special events or achievements by club members, or to seed human interest stories with a Toastmasters twist.

This document explains the process of submitting a news article. MS Word Adobe pdf
This document lists the media contact information around the district. MS Excel
This document lists members of the NY Press Association. MS Excel

Please note that all three of these documents are intended to be "living documents". In other words, we want and expect all VP of PRs across the district to contribute and share tips, contacts and information so we may update these documents.

The Toastmasters.org website has a lot of resources you can use to promote your club.
Click here to see the location of the following links.

* "History and General Info" lists promotional brochures and fliers.
* "Internet Guidelines" covers some of the rules that govern club websites.
* "Membership Building Resources" lists some more fliers and takes you to the "Let the World Know" public relations handbook.
* "Public Relations" takes you to information on letterheads, business cards and the Toastmasters logo images.
* "Trademarks and copyrights" lays out the rules regulating the use of the Toastmasters logo.

You can find a lot of Toastmasters paraphernalia at the Toastmasters Store.
Click here to see the location of the following links.

* The TI store also has an assortment of apparel, mugs, and other items that provide conversation starters about Toastmasters.
* "Marketing Toastmasters" has many promotional materials from bumper stickers to news release stationary and a full Public Relations and Advertising Kit

Make your club's website your best advertising tool!

FreeToastHost is a webhost specifically for Toastmasters clubs. Each website comes with easy-to-use website templates ideal for any Toastmasters club. Providing your club is listed on Toastmasters.org, there is no-cost for this service! FreeToastHost.org was created by a Toastmaster, and is maintained and supported by a group of Toastmasters, with the cooperation of Toastmasters International.

On your new FreeToastHost website, you can post:
your club's meeting schedule;
directions to your club location so guests can find you;
a calendar of club events and more!

Make your free website today! Visit www.freetoasthost.org for more information.

Publish a Newsletter and let the world know what your club is up to.
Newsletters are an excellent advertising tool. Print off a few copies and leave them in the library, post them on bulletin boards, submit your newsletter articles to the local newspaper. There are a lot of uses for a good newsletter.

Rate the content, readability and content value of your Newsletter - Newsletter evaluation form.

Additional club advertising materials you can create for your club:
Business cards - template and specifications

Tips from District 21
The District 21 website has some of the best resources for Toastmasters PR that I have seen.
The excellent documents at this link contain tons of ideas.


Most importantly - keep track of how effective your efforts are.
Not only do you need to keep track of what you've been doing, but you also need to record how effective you're efforts have been. You want to concentrate your advertising efforts around the media that yields to most guests to your club. So when a guest visits your club - definitely ask them "How did you hear about us?"

This " News Busters" form will help you record advertising media information, contact information, and more.

If you need help with any of these ideas, ask the PRO to get more specific information.

Focal Point Newsletter

Current Focal Point Newsletter

Archived Focal Point Newsletters


Using the Frame, Analyze, and Communicate Management Paradigm on Membership Issues
A simple three-step approach to problemsolving that addresses the issues effectively, enhances communication, and gets buy-in from club members. This model is applicable to business and personal life as well.