Toastmasters and LinkedIn have a new Public Speaking Certificate

Toastmasters has a new partnership with the  LinkedIn to offer a Public Speaking Skills Certificate. 

  LinkedIn is a website, most of us know for networking opportunities and offering a way for individuals and businesses to connect, build relationships and potentially find job opportunities.  They also have an educational element to the site called “InLearning”.

 The information on the linkedin website it will describe the public speaking course and how to access the seven courses that cover many topics, like we do in Toastmasters. Topics ranging from speaking fundamentals to body language and so forth. 

 When this course has been completed the individual can download a certificate from linked in that can be posted to their liked in profile.  This certificate is endorsed by Toastmasters international. 

 I see this partnership as a possible tool of promoting toastmasters in the workplace. After this course is taken one could be offered to join a toastmasters club to continue their specking abilities.  When you go to the linked in page for this course it has a link to toastmasters to find a club to practice the skills learned in the course. 

  While I think the Toastmasters club experience is so much more than this 7 unit course would offer . I think this could potentially be a  great recruiting tool and get many people into the door of toastmasters clubs. 

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/public-speaking-skills-professional-certificate-by-toastmasters-international

Toastmasters is largely run by volunteers.

 

   In Toastmasters we have events!  We have speech contests, get togethers, conferences and many other events that gather people and we enjoy the many different aspects of Toastmasters and the people who participate in it. 

 In this way we all learn many things we learn when planning, coordinating and volunteering in support of these events. 

 Sooner or later your involvement in these things you will probably need to ask for volunteers to support the many different aspects of these occasions. 

  Most of us immediately go to what I call the default way to ask for help. We make an announcement. We either do that verbally or maybe a social media post.  Le me be clear that there is nothing \wrong with this!    For anyone who has done this we all know that this is perhaps the least effective way to garner help! There is just something about a general announcement that can be ignored, dismissed,  or procrastinated in responding to it.  

 My advice is to yes, go ahead and make that announcement and perhaps in closing say I will be contacting you all to see if you can help me with this worthy project. 

 When you can talk to a person one on one it is much more personable and they have a chance to respond immediately.  Some might think this is pressuring people to help out. In a sense eI suppose it is.  I don’t think it is a negative thing it is just having them address the question not just “Think about it” and then never do.  :). 

  To sum it up:  When seeking volunteers go ahead and make the announcement but follow up with a direct request to the individuals.   I have found that this is much more effective in getting help. 

 

 Also when someone makes an announcement like we have been talking about. As a volunteer think seriously about helping and connecting them to do so. You may need volunteers one day.