If you're in Toastmasters for any length of time, there is a good chance you are going to have the opportunity to participate in a contest. You may even have the chance to be the Chairperson of said contest, perhaps by default because you're the division or area governor. I've been the Chair of at least three division contests and two area contests (and more than a few club contests), and in this article you're going benefit from this battle-proven experience to get over twenty five secrets for making your contest AWESOME. Some of these secrets I've applied from other leadership experience, and others I've learned the hard way. If you use these secrets, your contests will run on time, be much more fun (and thus attract more people), and let you sleep soundly, instead of panicing that something isn't in place.
Are you one of many people who find that they like to speak, but hate the homework involved in making speeches? Is the process of writing out a speech, editing it, and practicing it a serious drag for you? Do you find yourself entering table topics or evaluation contests just so you don’t have to make a more “formal” speech, but still get stage time? Do you hate excessive rhetorical questions? If you answered yes to any of these, this article is here to help. In it, you’ll find new tools, new techniques, and new ways of thinking for improving your speaking skills without working very hard, whether you are motivationally challenged or not!
When I read that Steve Pavlina makes a ton of money from his site, I couldn't help but think of making a few bucks from mine. To that end, I've completely sold out. Kind of.
Almost every Toastmasters club needs to be promoting itself constantly. How do you do that though? What techniques work? What can you do with a club-level budget? This article will explore some promotional strategies you can use not only in TM, but with small business, and with minimal investments.
Either you think—or else others have to think for you and take power from you, pervert and discipline your natural tastes, civilize and sterilize you. -F. Scott Fitzgerald
