Toastmasters: Terrible name, great organisation.

Toastmasters is a terrible name. But don’t be fooled. Behind that clunky name lies one of the most powerful ways to improve your public speaking.

I'll explain why.

Presentations and speeches can sometimes go badly.
Really badly.
And when they do, it feels awful.

Your peers, colleagues, and bosses don’t just see your slides ... They see you freeze, ramble, or stumble. And you’re left replaying that moment over and over again.

There's a better option.

You don’t have to practise in front of your boss. That’s where Toastmasters comes in.


It's a safe place to fail (and learn)

Toastmasters is a global network of clubs dedicated to helping people improve their speaking and leadership skills. There are over 16,800 clubs in 143 countries, which means there’s almost certainly a club in a town or city near you.

Each club provides a supportive, encouraging environment where you can practise, and sometimes fail, in a safe space. If you fluff your lines, lose your train of thought, or even forget your speech entirely, nobody laughs. Nobody judges. Instead, they clap, cheer you on, and give constructive feedback.

It’s the perfect place to get those shaky moments out of the way before you step onto the workplace stage.


My club

I’m a member of Wokingham Speakers, a fantastic local club where people of all backgrounds and skill levels come together twice a month. If you're wondering, membership costs just £62 for six months. That works works out to about £5 per meeting.

For that small investment, you get:

• Two opportunities a month to practise speaking in front of a real audience.

• Access to Toastmasters’ huge library of educational materials.

• Their structured 'Pathways' programme, which guides you through everything from writing a compelling speech to delivering powerful presentations and even developing leadership skills.

Compare that to the cost of a single corporate training workshop.


Terrible name. Life-changing results.

So yes, Toastmasters might sound like an event where people toast bread competitively. But in reality, it’s one of the best things you can do for your career. If you want to improve your speaking skills, find your local club, go along to a meeting, and give it a try.

You’ll discover a room full of friendly faces, clapping supportively, waiting to hear your voice.

And that first step could be the start of transforming the way you present. Forever.


Hate public speaking? Let’s fix that.
In parallel to Toastmasters, you could even increase your development speed by checking out the online masterclass here at Better Public Speaking.