Five tips for inviting guests to your Toastmasters club

Archive — original publication: 27/08/2025 alle 11:27.

A well-judged invitation is one of the fastest ways to help a Toastmasters club grow. You do not need an expensive advertising campaign: word of mouth is powerful because it begins with an authentic relationship.

When you invite a colleague, friend or acquaintance, offer a chance to experience a welcoming meeting where people practise communication and leadership. They are not being asked to commit to membership or attend a traditional training course.

1. Personalise your invitation

Avoid generic messages. Show that you had this particular person in mind.

“You mentioned wanting to feel more confident at work meetings. Come and see how we practise at Toastmasters for an hour and a half, with no pressure.”

2. Offer a concrete benefit

Give a clear reason to attend instead of simply saying “Come and see”.

“Discover how to prepare a short talk and receive structured feedback.”

3. Make the decision easy

State the time, duration, format and expected commitment.

“The meeting is on Tuesday at 7 pm and lasts two hours. You can join in person or online. You do not have to speak — you can just listen.”

4. Use a short story

A brief real example can make the experience easier to picture.

“A very shy colleague of mine led a Toastmasters meeting after just four visits.”

5. Follow up kindly

Send a friendly reminder the day before: “See you tomorrow at 7? I will keep you a seat.”

After the meeting, a short message can help too: “It was lovely to have you at the meeting. I hope you found the experience interesting.” The original article links to gentle persistence as an approach to follow-up.