Make your website stand out with a video

Stand Out With Video

By Barbara Seymour Giordano

An exciting and unique way to make your club’s website stand out is to produce a club video. You can share your club's story and visually welcome potential members to your meetings.

While club members are initially excited about the prospect of creating a video, many find the thought of the production process daunting. Dan Cossack of the Latin Leaders club in Santa Ana, California, experienced that feeling. But with some encouragement and creative input from fellow club member Cesar Vargas, they created a brief video of the club’s Table Topics™ session. “The entire shoot took us about 20 minutes ... and our video is getting positive reviews from club visitors,” Cossack says.

As a former TV journalist and corporate video and film producer, I'm thrilled to share with you some simple secrets of creating a winning video. Here’s the process in three phases: pre-production, production and post-production.

Pre-production
Before shooting, designate two key positions: producer/videographer and writer/director. For the first video, it's best to keep the team lean so the process will be simple and fast.

Brainstorm the Key Message To help you pinpoint the message, here are a few questions to consider before writing: What problem are you solving for the viewers? How is your club uniquely positioned to help the potential new member? What action do you want the viewers to take after they've watched the video?

Story / Script / Idea Your script should reflect a short promotional video; either 30 seconds (approximately 65 words) or 60 seconds (100 words).

Open with a "hook" by asking a question or stating a problem. Dedicate the body of the script to the answer: your club. Then, leave the audience with a memorable tagline, a catchy phrase that should be no more than seven words in length.

Club Talent Once you've decided on which story to tell, recruit a couple of club members to fill the starring roles.

Shot List "Know what you want. Planning is everything," emphasizes Cesar Vargas, who wrote, directed, filmed and edited the Latin Leaders’ video. "By knowing what you want to shoot and mapping it out in advance, you save a lot of time and effort." Create a shot list – a planned chronological series of video scenes that will correspond to the script or idea. Writing down each scene to be filmed will save time on the day of the shoot and during editing.

Camera If you’re using a Flip camera, you’ll need to use a tripod to avoid shaky-looking scenes. This means your camera will have to remain stationary. Your sound will be recorded by the camera, and so you won’t be able to record someone speaking clearly from a distance.

Production With the location set and the production crew and talent in place, it's time to get filming!

Writer/Director The shot list will be the director's guide to help keep the videographer and production on track and running on time. Vargas advises making sure to film reaction shots: "If you're filming a club meeting like we did, remember to film audience reactions, such as clapping and facial reactions.”

Videographer / Camera / Sound When filming, consider the background. Does a flagpole appear to be sticking out of the talent's head? Don’t forget to do sound checks and make sure your equipment can record what the script describes.

Post-production All of the video has been shot and now it's time to upload the footage, do the editing and add the finishing touches!

Editing If you don't have the latest version of FlipShare, you'll need to download it. Once it's installed, you can import the footage you've shot and begin editing and arranging your video in the sequence you desire. A great Web tutorial is available on FlipShare Editing Software Training.

Music
When adding music, choose tunes without lyrics or heavy drumbeats so that they won’t compete with your speakers.

Uploading for Maximum Exposure
A club video is a phenomenal marketing tool that works for your club 24 hours a day. Search engines offer video as a part of integrated search results, which can then drive traffic directly to your website and in turn get the word out about your club.

This is a condensed version of an article appearing in the January 2011 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

You can find free resources and more articles like this at Toastmasters International Free Resources .

Becoming an Accredited Speaker

Becoming a Pro

Earning Accredited Speaker status is a daunting journey – but well worth it.By Jana Barnhill, PIP, DTM, AS 

When Rochelle Rice and Karen Twichell passed the final round of judging at the International Convention last August, they became Toastmasters International’s newest Accredited Speakers. In doing so, Rice, from New York City, and Twichell, of Newport Beach, California, joined select company: Only 60 Toastmasters have obtained this lofty goal.

What is an Accredited Speaker (AS)? This is a person who possesses expert-level speaking skills. Many have made the jump from speaking for free to speaking for a fee, becoming professional speakers who work for themselves or their employer. Sound appealing? If so, Toastmasters International encourages you to apply. But be prepared: The journey is quite daunting.

Becoming an Accredited Speaker takes time and requires the completion of several prerequisites, including delivering at least 25 speeches to non-Toastmasters groups within three years of your application. But don’t let that deter you. The fact is, there are always groups within a community looking for speakers. Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, women’s special interest groups, and groups that support causes such as cancer and diabetes research, are often looking for individuals to speak either for them or to them.

A bigger challenge as you work through these 25 speeches is having to incorporate each type of presentation skill, including informative, persuasive, motivational/inspirational, entertaining/humorous and seminar/discussion leader. But in return for your efforts, you’ll “reach the height of excellence in public speaking skills,” as the AS Program Brochure and Application points out. This form (Item 1208) is available for download at www.toastmasters.org/asapp.asp.

Submitting Your Application Once you have met the necessary requirements, you submit your application, due to World Headquarters on November 1, 2011. Among other requirements, you must send an audiotape or CD of a live 15- to 45-minute presentation you delivered to a non-Toastmasters audience. Your audio is sent to a panel of judges. Since you won’t be seen by the judges, this is a unique test of your speaking skills.

When you pass that first level of judging, congratulations; you’re almost there. You must then prepare for round two: a live, new presentation delivered at the next International Convention.

Just as with speech contests, those trying to become Accredited Speakers don’t always walk away with the trophy. This was Karen Twichell’s second attempt at earning the AS designation; she had spoken in the final round at the 2009 International Convention and did not pass.

“I had worked so hard for this and I was very disappointed,” recalls Twichell. “My fellow Toastmasters urged me to try again in 2010. My family and non-Toastmasters friends told me not to torture myself by trying again.”

Ultimately, she decided to give it another try. Twichell worked hard, reviewing the tape of her 2009 presentation, seeking advice and making the needed changes. It paid off!

Tackling the Ultimate Challenge So yes, it is a daunting process: 25 outside speeches, a live recording, rigorous training and a live presentation during the International Convention. But all the Accredited Speakers I know agree that this program was the ultimate challenge in taking their skills to the highest level possible. It dared us to ask the question, “Am I good enough to be a professional speaker?”

As Accredited Speakers, we are often asked how we have benefited from earning our designation. In addition to improving our skills and receiving invitations to speak at Toastmasters conferences, the credential is important to those of us who speak professionally because it distinguishes us from other speakers.

Past Toastmasters International President and Accredited Speaker Dilip Abayasekara sums it up nicely.

“The AS designation has given me instant credibility with prospects and clients,” says the Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, resident. “Although non-Toastmasters don’t have any idea about what is required to earn the Accredited Speaker designation, they recognize it as a high-level recognition of professional speaking skills by an international organization. “I use it as a way to differentiate myself from others in the speaking, coaching and training industry.”

We are doing what we love: speaking and sharing our knowledge, our hearts and our motivation with others. And we get paid for it. How is that for icing on the cake?


Editor’s Note: For a list of all of Toastmasters’ Accredited Speakers to date, visit www.toastmasters.org/AccreditedSpeakers.aspx.

This is a condensed version of an article that appeared in the December 2010 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

Jana Barnhill, DTM, AS, served as Toastmasters International President in 2008-2009 and earned her Accredited Speaker title in 1998. A member of the Lubbock Professional Club, she lives with her husband, fellow Past International President and Accredited Speaker Robert Barnhill, in Lubbock, Texas.

Find more free information at toastmasters international by going to:  Free Resources .

The Toastmasters Program can help you achieve your goals.

Earn Those Educational Awards

How to achieve goals that will boost your job and life skills.
By Alison Horner 
As you work toward your educational goals for the current Toastmasters year, consider the inspiring examples of other members. Arthuretta Martin, of the Get Up To Speak Toastmasters in Annandale, Virginia, earned five educational awards in a single year. Countess Clarke Cooper, of the United States Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Toastmasters, worked toward her Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) – the highest achievement in the organization – while juggling single parenthood and multiple jobs and serving as an area governor.

Such goals can be accomplished!

Know Your Priorities Members who tie their educational aims to their personal or professional priorities have greater motivation, especially when things get tough. For example, Martin’s Toastmasters goals fell directly in line with her desire to eventually become a professional speaker. Cooper places a high value on personal growth and development, which the Toastmasters program assists her with achieving.

Once you decide which goals hold the most meaning for you, it’s time to create a game plan that is custom-tailored to your life. Cooper says that although Toastmasters lays out an overall structure for achieving goals, it helps to make the curriculum personal. “Put dates by your goal; then work backward,” she says. “Think: How many meetings does my club have in that time frame and how many speeches or roles do I need to fill? If I need to fill more roles than my club has meetings, then perhaps I need to visit another club. Be strategic.” Joining multiple clubs can be an effective tactic if you’d like to achieve your goal quickly. Martin joined four clubs to rapidly meet her goals.

Tips for Success Like Cooper, Distinguished Toastmaster Daniel Pollard is a member of the United States Department of Education’s FSA Toastmasters, which meets in Washington, D.C. He emphasizes building bonds with other Toastmasters. “Go to a variety of events outside your club, such as area contests and training events, to network,” he advises. By meeting other Toastmasters, you will learn of opportunities to speak at other clubs, identify people who can serve as advisors and benefit from learning about other members’ experiences.

“People seem to help each other in Toastmasters,” adds Pollard. “The key is to let people know when you need help. If you don’t tell people when you need help they’ll have no way of knowing.”

James Scarborough, of the Foggy Bottom Toastmasters in Washington, D.C., advises, “Always be working on something and get credit for it.” For example, when serving as an area governor, there are many opportunities to speak. Get credit for those speeches.

Gaining from Goal-Setting Achieving an educational goal is a stepping stone to achieving larger goals in life. You may be looking to advance your career through improved public speaking or leadership skills, increase your network and sense of community, or grow as a person. These are all great benefits to aim for, and the Toastmasters program can help you achieve them.

What’s more, you’ll develop the confidence and skills to pursue your ultimate goal. If you don’t already have an ultimate goal, now may be the time to consider it. In doing so, here are three questions worth pondering:
Where are you planning to take the experience and knowledge you gained in Toastmasters? Which of your educational goals was your favorite? What did you enjoy achieving the most?
Answer these questions to help you integrate your Toastmasters education into your personal or professional life. Then get ready to meet your dreams!

Resources: The Member Achievement Record (Item 1328) is a form that can help you track your progress toward Toastmasters’ educational awards. In addition, a wall chart – a larger form also used to record goal accomplishments – is a useful tool for clubs, because it can be displayed at club meetings and allows all members to monitor their progress toward the various awards. The Wall Chart Set (Item 306) includes achievement charts for the Competent Communication, Competent Leader and Advanced Communication manuals. It’s available at www.toastmasters.org/306.

This is a condensed version of an article that appeared in the January 2011 issue of the Toastmaster magazine. 

Alison Horner, who is proud to have completed her CC last August, helps young professionals with designing their life’s direction. 

You can find this article and many free resources at http://www.toastmasters.org.

Finding inspiration for your next speech

Speech Topics are Everywhere

By Tammy A. Miller, DTM, PID 

Have you ever struggled with finding topics for your presentations? Maybe you are a new member, unsure of what you should talk about, or you are a seasoned Toastmaster who believes you have exhausted every topic out there. Take heart: Speech topics are everywhere; you just have to know how to look for them!

The best place to start looking for a speech topic is in the mirror. What information do you already know? What can you share about your life that others will find interesting?

Before we go further with generating topics, let’s look at basic structures for presentations. You can use a variety of speech structures – for example, cause and effect, problem and solution, a timeline, compare and contrast, or step-by-step. All of these structures are the “body” of your presentation. In the simplest form, an effective presentation can consist of an introduction, three main points and a conclusion. In this article, I will address how to generate those three points.

Research shows that a person’s brain can most comfortably retain three to five ideas at a time, so a great exercise for generating topics is to simply look around the room you are in right now and “think in threes.” If you are sitting in your office, what do you see?

Choose three of these items and think about at least three things you could talk about:

1. Books – Discuss why a particular book is on your shelf, the most valuable piece of information you gleaned from it and why you recommend it (or don’t) to someone else.
2. Computer – Mention the history of computers (always a great place to start), how our lives are affected by them and how social networking can help or hinder communication skills.
3. Telephone – Explain the prevalence of cell phones in our society, the dangers of texting while driving and whether cell phones pose any danger to our health.

For the topics above, you could create an entire presentation from each point, or use the three points for one presentation.

 More Speech Topics
Children can also provide a constant flow of speech material. Any parent understands how kids can provide the basis for a funny, poignant or serious presentation. Three possible topics:

• The joys of potty training (!)
• Life lessons my children have taught me
• Teaching your children how to respond in an emergency

Anyone who is around animals – including household pets – knows that they, too, can provide endless inspiration for presentations. Potential speech topics:

• Why do dogs have owners but cats have servants?
• How owning pets can lower your blood pressure
• Learning how to laugh and love from watching my pet

For each of the examples in this article, you can take that point and think of at least three other related points to build a presentation on. Are you seeing the value of thinking in threes?

Just Look Around You Life is certainly speech material; we just have to look around and see the “points.” Some random life adventures have led to interesting presentations for me. For example, have you ever had “one of those days” when …

• A pipe breaks in the garage and water is pouring in but only in a small area that just happens to be over your boxes of rare books and irreplaceable high school yearbooks? Or …
• Your best friend goes a little crazy while furniture shopping and says, “Of course we can get this waterbed in the van”? When there is already a full couch, dresser and recliner in the van? Or …
• You are only 42 years old and the doctor says, “Tammy, I am afraid it is cancer.”

I am sure you get the idea. From these examples have come speeches ranging from home safety to the value of friendship to using humor to deal with adversity.

You just never know where the inspiration for your next presentation will come from, or how your next life-changing moment can help others. Yes, my life is filled with speech material. But most importantly, so is yours.

This is a condensed version of Tammy Miller’s article that appeared in the February 2011 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

Tammy A. Miller, DTM, served on the Toastmasters International Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007. A member of the State College Toastmasters and ARL/Penn State Pingers, both in State College, Pennsylvania, she is a speaker, author and speech coach.  

You can find this article and many other free resources at www.toastmasters.org !!

Club Newsletter

Twin City August Club News Letter

By RENE ROY

July has been a very exciting month for all of us.  Five of our club officers attended the TLI, where we had the opportunity to receive great training from seasoned members of the district, and also had the opportunity to meet other club officers in other clubs to get new ideas. As I said before, I am really excited about the club because I believe our club is friendly, excited, and that we have committed officers who want to accomplish great things in the club. When our members succeed we all succeed.

Get the word out by acting excited, and by telling others what Toastmasters has done for you.

Our club officers are very aware that the district measures our club performance by how well we meet our club goals. Meeting our club goals is an easy thing to do when everyone participates in the Toastmaster program. The club officers can only do so much in performing their duties, but as club all members we all part of a team and we all can win.  I know that we can soar to new heights by actively participating in the Toastmaster program. The program has worked since 1926 and it will continue to work into the next century when members learn by doing. I have heard time and time again from others that, “I would not have gotten where I am today without the help and support of Toastmasters and their excellent training program.” We the members are the ones who make the program work.

Vielka our VPE (Vice President of Education) is doing an excellent job at maintaining the club web site which is there for a purpose.  The purpose is to keep our active members informed about what is going on in the club like where our next meeting will be held, where we can get helpful downloads, and most importantly a place where we can sign up for different club roles and our speeches. Oh yes, if you plan to attend and take part in a club role please sign up on the website. Please remove your name from a club role if some reason or another after signing you cannot attend. This is the right thing to do because someone else may want give a speech and/or take on a club role for credit. Not only that, it allows the club meetings run more smoothly where we can get out on time.

Let me congratulate Vielka too, for getting her ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze) and  Tyke Crowley and Rachelle Lappinen for completing their “Ice Breaker” speech.

One step at a time is all it takes to accomplish your goals. Stretch a little by doing one speech a month in one of your communication manuals. The CC (competent Communicator Manual) and the ACB (the advanced communicator bronze manual) and the CL (Competent Leader Manual) could be completed in ten months or sooner. This is really a fun and easy goal to accomplish.  When you win, we all win as a club. When I joined Toastmasters I had no intention of being a Distinguished Toastmaster, it just happened by doing everything that I had to do to get there. One of my goals for this year is to get the Triple Crown by completing three competent communicator manuals in a row in one year. Aim high with your goals, more than you expect to achieve and you will definitely be amazed in what you can do.

Rene Roy DTM/ Twincity Toastmaster Club