Comments on: Will Toastmasters Lead to Paid Public Speaking? http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/ Steve Siebold Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:24:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Gary Thompson http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-3566 Gary Thompson Tue, 30 Aug 2011 06:40:57 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-3566 I too am a toastmaster, and am puzzled at the defensiveness of some comments. I interpret Steve's video this way - We go to school to learn the basics, college or university to specialise and potentially study for a doctorate. Toastmasters is a great school and is fantastic for getting started, but for the doctorate level in speaking, we need to make sure that we learn from the people actually doing it at that level. Makes sense to me. I too am a toastmaster, and am puzzled at the defensiveness of some comments.

I interpret Steve’s video this way -

We go to school to learn the basics, college or university to specialise and potentially study for a doctorate.

Toastmasters is a great school and is fantastic for getting started, but for the doctorate level in speaking, we need to make sure that we learn from the people actually doing it at that level.

Makes sense to me.

]]> By: Denise Fowble http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1276 Denise Fowble Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:12:22 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1276 You are right Jeff. There is no where else you can get the practice and experience TM offers for the price. I always compare the annual cost of TM ($54) to the tuition for a two day Dale Carnegie course ($2,000) to motivate prospects to join our club. Congratulations on making it to the semi finals of TI World Championship competition. Very exciting! Perhaps you have met Craig Valentine, a Winner, whom I understand now speaks full time? You are right Jeff. There is no where else you can get the practice and experience TM offers for the price. I always compare the annual cost of TM ($54) to the tuition for a two day Dale Carnegie course ($2,000) to motivate prospects to join our club.

Congratulations on making it to the semi finals of TI World Championship competition. Very exciting! Perhaps you have met Craig Valentine, a Winner, whom I understand now speaks full time?

]]> By: Jeff Esper http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1274 Jeff Esper Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:50:12 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1274 I've never heard anyone claim that you can go from Toastmasters to Pro. I use Toastmasters to practice and learn basic speech structure. I have recently completed two advanced manuals, the Persuasive Speaker and Professional Speaker. I have developed material in the process that I could get paid for later. I am being coached by a professional speaker who started in Toastmasters and has been a top tier speaker for 11 years. He says I have what it takes to go pro. I competed in the semifinals of the world championship of Public speaking for two years which I credit for my rapid growth. My question for you is this... Where else can you get the practice and the experience that Toastmasters offers? I do my homework outside of the Toastmasters material, but I learned most by doing. I’ve never heard anyone claim that you can go from Toastmasters to Pro. I use Toastmasters to practice and learn basic speech structure. I have recently completed two advanced manuals, the Persuasive Speaker and Professional Speaker. I have developed material in the process that I could get paid for later. I am being coached by a professional speaker who started in Toastmasters and has been a top tier speaker for 11 years. He says I have what it takes to go pro. I competed in the semifinals of the world championship of Public speaking for two years which I credit for my rapid growth.

My question for you is this…

Where else can you get the practice and the experience that Toastmasters offers?

I do my homework outside of the Toastmasters material, but I learned most by doing.

]]> By: Denise Fowble http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1253 Denise Fowble Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:37:12 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1253 Good for you Samuel! TM can help you refine your speaking and leadership skills, but you are right that most members work full time jobs. Like most volunteer organizations, it relies on volunteers above the club level heavily. I know of a few in my District that have gone on to full time speaking, but not many. Like you I am constrained by the price of the Gove workshop, but think it is probably a wise investment. I've been tempted for years, but have yet to attend. I also found the free speaking workshop very informative. Good for you Samuel! TM can help you refine your speaking and leadership skills, but you are right that most members work full time jobs. Like most volunteer organizations, it relies on volunteers above the club level heavily. I know of a few in my District that have gone on to full time speaking, but not many.
Like you I am constrained by the price of the Gove workshop, but think it is probably a wise investment. I’ve been tempted for years, but have yet to attend. I also found the free speaking workshop very informative.

]]> By: Samuel http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1246 Samuel Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:14:03 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1246 I am joining a Toastmasters group within the next few weeks and I hope it gets me started in the right direction. As of now, that's what I expect. Just getting comfortable and learning some basic techniques. I really believe Steve when he says it's not enough and tha 90% or more of Toastmasters member make less than $75,000 doing public speaking. Many of them I believe have their own jobs and careers not in the public-speaking field. Thanks for your free website freespeakingcourse.. not many people offer anything of value for free these days. As for the Bill Gove work-shop I can honestly say I can't afford the conference for $4k. I have to make some money before i buy the $1k set of DVDs.... and i hope they come to Toronto!! I am joining a Toastmasters group within the next few weeks and I hope it gets me started in the right direction. As of now, that’s what I expect. Just getting comfortable and learning some basic techniques. I really believe Steve when he says it’s not enough and tha 90% or more of Toastmasters member make less than $75,000 doing public speaking. Many of them I believe have their own jobs and careers not in the public-speaking field.

Thanks for your free website freespeakingcourse.. not many people offer anything of value for free these days.

As for the Bill Gove work-shop I can honestly say I can’t afford the conference for $4k. I have to make some money before i buy the $1k set of DVDs…. and i hope they come to Toronto!!

]]> By: Denise Fowble http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 Denise Fowble Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:52:00 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1241 Toastmasters is a wonderful platform to build confidence and skill. It's exciting to hear of other folks who want to make speaking a career and recognize the need for more professional training to do so. Toastmasters is a wonderful platform to build confidence and skill. It’s exciting to hear of other folks who want to make speaking a career and recognize the need for more professional training to do so.

]]> By: A. Parker http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1239 A. Parker Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:32:19 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1239 Thanks, Jamie. You said it just as well, and more succinctly to boot! I'm going to temper my comments and allow that there probably *are* some Toastmasters out there -- just like in any large population -- who spout off and can lead the uninitiated astray. It's just that in my two years of experience, TM has been nothing but positive growth and expansion of personal potential. Fortunately, I lucked into joining a strong and energetic club in a well-functioning, distinguished district. Others' Toastmasters mileage may vary :) I can and do appreciate the diversity of opinions on the subject ... Now, it's onto the Gove workshop to help turn that Toastmasters-developed confidence into cash! Thanks, Jamie. You said it just as well, and more succinctly to boot!

I’m going to temper my comments and allow that there probably *are* some Toastmasters out there — just like in any large population — who spout off and can lead the uninitiated astray. It’s just that in my two years of experience, TM has been nothing but positive growth and expansion of personal potential. Fortunately, I lucked into joining a strong and energetic club in a well-functioning, distinguished district.

Others’ Toastmasters mileage may vary :) I can and do appreciate the diversity of opinions on the subject … Now, it’s onto the Gove workshop to help turn that Toastmasters-developed confidence into cash!

]]> By: Denise Fowble http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1231 Denise Fowble Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:39:34 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1231 Special thanks to Mary Ellen for your encouragement to pursue the Gove training. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy Toastmasters! Special thanks to Mary Ellen for your encouragement to pursue the Gove training. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy Toastmasters!

]]> By: Jamie http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1225 Jamie Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:18:26 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1225 Thank you A. Parker! - I feel exactly the same way - But you said it much better! I am planning on attending the Gove training someday so was a little surprised with this whole thread topic - I am not interested in Toastmaster bashing! Thank you A. Parker! – I feel exactly the same way – But you said it much better!

I am planning on attending the Gove training someday so was a little surprised with this whole thread topic – I am not interested in Toastmaster bashing!

]]> By: A. Parker http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/will-toastmasters-lead-to-paid-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1217 A. Parker Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:48:34 +0000 http://publicspeakersblog.speechworkshop.com/?p=139#comment-1217 WHAA??? Some of these comments make me wonder how rigorously the writers actually applied themselves to the Toastmasters program. As you may know, there's a communications track and a leadership track. Upon reaching the pinnacle of the program, Distinguished Toastmaster, you should be equipped to take on the world! I'm about halfway to DTM and it's been a game-changer personally and professionally. Did you know there are *advanced* Toastmasters clubs, composed of high-level and professional speakers? Check out the Toastmaster finalists of the World Championship of Public Speaking (many of whom are also pros) and see how your skills stack up. It's not an either/or. I'll be attending BGSW in August and know that my Toastmasters training will benefit it, and vice versa. I can't wait -- it will be like Christmas in August! The fact is, many of today's top professional speakers got started in Toastmasters and leveraged it to their current success. Did they stop at Toastmasters and never get additional coaching or training? No -- and to suggest that any aspiring pro would is utterly ridiculous. The mission of Toastmasters is to make effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Just turn on the boob tube and you'll see there's lots of opportunity (and need). And yes, my advanced accomplishments in Toastmasters are displayed proudly on my resume. Thanks for reading my rant, just felt the need to set a few things straight :) Looking forward to *complementing* my speakers' toolkit through participating in the Bill Gove Speech Workshop! P.S. -- ahh's and umm's are a sign of rambling, undisciplined thought and are distracting to listeners. Why anyone would want them as part of his or her presentations baffles the heck out of me. WHAA??? Some of these comments make me wonder how rigorously the writers actually applied themselves to the Toastmasters program. As you may know, there’s a communications track and a leadership track. Upon reaching the pinnacle of the program, Distinguished Toastmaster, you should be equipped to take on the world! I’m about halfway to DTM and it’s been a game-changer personally and professionally.

Did you know there are *advanced* Toastmasters clubs, composed of high-level and professional speakers?

Check out the Toastmaster finalists of the World Championship of Public Speaking (many of whom are also pros) and see how your skills stack up. It’s not an either/or. I’ll be attending BGSW in August and know that my Toastmasters training will benefit it, and vice versa. I can’t wait — it will be like Christmas in August!

The fact is, many of today’s top professional speakers got started in Toastmasters and leveraged it to their current success. Did they stop at Toastmasters and never get additional coaching or training? No — and to suggest that any aspiring pro would is utterly ridiculous.

The mission of Toastmasters is to make effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Just turn on the boob tube and you’ll see there’s lots of opportunity (and need). And yes, my advanced accomplishments in Toastmasters are displayed proudly on my resume. Thanks for reading my rant, just felt the need to set a few things straight :)

Looking forward to *complementing* my speakers’ toolkit through participating in the Bill Gove Speech Workshop!

P.S. — ahh’s and umm’s are a sign of rambling, undisciplined thought and are distracting to listeners. Why anyone would want them as part of his or her presentations baffles the heck out of me.

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