1. Cold Calls & Securing Visits Step by Step
Monique Levesque-Pharoah, DTM
Region IV Advisor 1

2. Before you make the call...
Know your audience
Keep it simple using pillar statements
Secure a discovery meeting

3. Know your Audience Research company profile
Are the core values aligned with Toastmasters?
How many staff?
Have they won any awards?
Who are the leaders?
Do they have a training department?
Anything in the news?

4. Pillar Statements or Key Messages
Similar to sound bites or pull-out quotes.
These are effective responses to questions regarding Toastmasters in day- to-day communications and pitch meetings.

5. Pillar Statements
Toastmasters International is the leading world-wide, non profit organization dedicated to effective communication and leadership
Toastmasters is approaching 90 years and continues to grow around the world

6. Pillar Statements
More than 4 million people helped by Toastmasters to gain confidence to communicate and lead
Toastmasters’ individual-paced program adapts to and complements workplace training

7. Pillar Statements
Life-long learning keeps you relevant in today’s market and Toastmasters is the perfect way to showcases learning
All skills being equal, Toastmasters have an edge over non-Toastmasters because they can communicate and network more effectively.

8. Personalized Pillar Statements
What’s your personal story – turn it in to your own pillar statement!
Be prepared with some examples

9. The Cold Call…. Purpose is to set a meeting time, not close the sale
Hi my name is XXXX and I’m with Toastmasters International. How are you today?
I’m wondering if you can connect me with someone from (select the best option based on your research) Human Resources / Marketing/Training & Development/Sales?

10. The Cold Call:
Hi my name is XXX and I am wondering who from Training and Development I could speak with about enhancing your training program with Toastmasters.
Or,
We recently worked with XX company to help their sales team increase sales. Who can I speak with from your sales team?

11. You have the meeting… now what?
Ask questions:
What have you heard about Toastmasters?
What would you say is the biggest challenge your company is facing?
Pose your response with Challenge, Action, Results

12. What to bring to the meeting
Powerpoint Slide Deck
Toastmasters Magazine
Features Values & Benefits Chart
Find your Voice Brochure
Success 101 Brochure
Competent Communicator/Leadership Manual

13. The PowerPoint Slide Deck
The following slides can be adapted as you see fit, but are a great starting point

14. Challenge Action Results
Frame your response using the CAR method while tying in Toastmasters

15. Challenge, Action, Results – An example
What is the biggest challenge your company is facing?
Well, we’ve noticed our turnover is high.

16. The Response....
Studies have shown that investing in your employees encourages loyalty. Toastmasters is the most cost effective way to invest in what matters – your people
For example, Great West Life has had their Toastmasters club for over 30 years and many of their promoted staff will tell you that their Toastmasters membership made them feel valued, that they belonged and set them on a path of leadership they did not know they were capable of
The Toastmasters program can help you recruit and retain the best leaders... Toastmasters has truly become the place where Leaders are Made
Can we meet for 15 minutes to discuss at a time that’s most convenient for you?

17. Why XXX should consider Toastmasters
Add Company Logo here

18. Features A self-paced program
Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly interactive meetings
Impromptu speaking opportunities
Peer evaluations
Participation in leadership through meeting roles
Personal attention in small group setting
Affordable dues
Opportunities to lead meetings 13 18

19. Toastmasters Advantages
Practical presentation experience
A safe place to make mistakes and learn
Mentorship opportunities 12 19

20. Benefits Develop critical-thinking skills Build listening skills
Give and receive constructive feedback
Become more confident in front of a group
Learn time-management skills
Benefit from a supportive environment
Develop leadership skills 14 20

21. Individual Value Unlimited personal growth Clear communication skills
Self-confidence
Positive mentoring relationships
Improved leadership skills
Relationship building 15 21

22. Value to the Organization
Effective employee communication
Better leaders & ambassadors
More productive teams
Better teamwork
Improved retention
Enhanced performance
Positive impact on customer relations

23. – Debbi Fields Rose Founder, Mrs. Field’s Cookies
“The idea of getting in front of a group, not as Mrs. Fields but as Debbi, made my knees shake. But the Toastmasters group understood. Here’s a place where you can learn, grow, develop — and where other people are doing and feeling the same thing.”
– Debbi Fields Rose Founder, Mrs. Field’s Cookies 16 23

24. Well-known Toastmasters Alumni
Chris Matthews, Author and journalist, host of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews
Tim Allen, Actor, star of television series Home Improvement
Tom Peters, Management expert and author
K.C. Jones, Former NBA basketball coach for Boston Celtics
Linda Lingle, Former governor of Hawaii
James Lovell, Former NASA astronaut; missions include Apollo 13
Debbi Fields Rose, Founder, Mrs. Fields Cookies
Leonard Nimoy, Actor, Spock from T.V. series Star Trek 17 24

25. – Linda Lingle Former governor of Hawaii
“Toastmasters is the best and least expensive personal improvement class you can go to.”
– Linda Lingle Former governor of Hawaii 18 25

26. Costs $125 One time fee for Application to Charter $20: New member fee
$36: Six months’ membership dues 19 26

27. Contact Information
Make it easy for them to contact you. If you have another Toastmaster join you, include their contact information as well
If you haven’t already switched business cards, this is a great time to ask for it 21 27

28. 22

29. Building a club step by step – The Kick Off Meeting
Which comes first? The Application to Charter or the Kick Off Meeting
It depends on your audience

30. The Kick Off Meeting Pick the date based on their suggestions
Get them to advertise
Select your Kick Off Team that includes if possible the Club Sponsor & Mentor

31. The Kick Off Meeting Put on a great show
Get your audience involved – Table Topics
Evaluate Effectively
Q&A
Get people to sign up for next meeting

32. Getting to 20
Does your District have any special incentives for clubs built within a certain time frame? If so, highlight benefits here. If not, why not?
Go to for the How to Build a Toastmasters Club Guide

33. Before you celebrate….
Go to for the How to Build a Toastmasters – A Step-by-Step Guide
This detailed 34 page booklet will guide you through all the paperwork and payment details necessary