Session reviewed by Dean Gibbony, CTM, President T-Bird Talks

One of the best ways to advertise your toastmasters club, according to Public Relations Assistant Susan Thayer, is to create a club website and request a link on the District 3 web site. For a sample of club websites go to http://district3tm.tripod.com and you'll find links to district 3 clubs which have home pages. Check out Gilbert Toastmasters home page.

f your club plans to build a website, it is also important to list it under as many search engine references as possible, i.e., speaking, leadership, communication, city, etc.

A newsletter is another way to keep your members informed about your club and to advertise your club to non members.  Instead of having one member from you 
club do all of the work of putting together a newsletter, it is a good idea to have a newsletter committee,  thereby spreading the workload.  It is important to publish upcoming dates and events in your newsletter. 
Members names should also be included and they should be displayed in bold type (everyone likes to see his/her name in print).

Also, submit a copy of your newsletter to the District.  Newsletters are judged and the winners of the District 3 competition can be obtained from the District website. (www.angelfire.com/az/District3 - click on History link.)

Try and publish press releases in your local newspapers and submit photos if possible.  Photos can say a thousand words.

Design flyers that are tailored to your club's activities and 
distribute them to as many places that you can think of such as libraries, businesses, chamber of commerce,
doctors offices, etc.

Wear your Toatmaster pin whenever possible.  You never know when someone might ask you about your pin.  Be prepared to tell someone about toastmasters.  Perfect a 16 second speech about your toastmasters club when someone comments about your TM pin.

Install a "Toastmasters Meets Here" sign where you meet.  You can purchase a cardboard sign or a very nice toastmasters plaque from Toastmasters International's supply catalog for about $35.

If you display enthusiasm about your club to your members, they will want to join the "bandwagon" and help spread the word.

Lastly, plan a public relations campaign.  A PR package can be obtained from Toastmasters International, reference number 123Z.

If you want your club to achieve Distinguished Club status, it is important to get 4 + 4 members before July of 2001, and a PR plan can help you achieve that goal.