Frequently Asked Questions
I hate speaking in front of people, why should I torture myself?
Because stage fright is reduced with practice. You get more self-confidence. And then something interesting happens: you start to like speaking to an audience. What would happen to your life if you loved, instead of hated, public speaking?
Why should I go to Toastmasters, after a busy day at work, instead of home to my family?
Most people have trouble finding time for work, family, friends, hobbies and everything else they want to do. However, public speaking is one of the few skills you will use every day, at work or with friends, for your whole life. So bring your partner, colleagues, and friends to Toastmasters and practice together!
Why should I join Toastmasters instead of taking a three-day course with a professional speaking coach?
You should do both if you can. But public speaking, like most skills, takes regular practice. There are hundreds of small details that makes you professional and effective in front of others. You can't learn those techniques in three days, just like you can't learn singing or golf in three days. Toastmasters is one of few places you can return to for years, or decades, to practice different speaking skills. And to learn effectively you should teach others, which you do all the time in Toastmasters.
I like public speaking. I speak at work and I'm pretty good at it. Why should I join Toastmasters?
Toastmasters gives you the opportunity to test new material and techniques. You will get feedback that you won't get at work. Imagine what you could do if you were, not just a good, but a great public speaker. What if you could spellbind listeners with your stories, if you could get anyone to laugh, or if you could persuade and motivate the most stubborn people?