Five Things You Can Do
to Get Your Visitors to

JOIN YOUR CLUB!

1.)    Make them feel welcome!

Guests feel welcome and comfortable if they see happy members and a well-run meeting. Make sure that your visitors aren't ignored after the initial 'welcome' and handshake. Introduce them to two or three members. Give them a take-away (see #2). Set standards to ensure every meeting is a quality meeting: agenda set in advance  •  members find replacements ahead of time  •  constructive evaluations  •  short business meetings  •  start on time and end on time. Invite (but don't force) them to participate in the meeting (table topics, comments at end of meeting).

2.)    Give them a Visitor Kit!

Items to include: • Welcome letter from Club President briefly explaining the TM program and outlining the benefits of becoming a member • Flyer or brochure featuring your club • Copy of the Toastmaster magazine • Copy of your club newsletter • 10 Tips for Public Speaking (or other handout from TI website -- remember the FREE stuff!) • Guest Registration form (better than a guest book!) • Club fee schedule • Membership application (pre-filled-out with club information)

3.)    Explain all the Confusing "Stuff!"

Seat your guests next to a 'friendly face' who can answer questions and clarify what's happening during each part of the meeting. Spend a few minutes during the break or after your meeting, covering the following: • why they decided to visit a TM club • how the program can benefit them • how it has benefited you personally • what would happen after they join (new member kit, speech scheduling, mentor assignment, etc.).  Let them ask lots of questions.

4.)    ASK them to join!

"If you don't ask, you won't get!" Let your guests know that you'd love to have them as a member, because (...and give them a few reasons: you like their enthusiasm, it would be interesting to hear about their own life experiences, you could learn from them, etc.) Don't beg. Don't tell them about all your membership "heartaches." Don't treat them like a "point" in the DCP. Keep it positive and upbeat!

5.)    Send them a thank-you note & reminder about the next meeting!

No... not an email... an old-fashioned hand-written thank-you note! Very few people write notes these days, and it will make a great impression on them! Be sure to include an invitation to your next meeting.

...it all comes down to making a GREAT first-impression!

Visit these websites for more ideas!    www.foundersdistrict.org     www.toastmasters.org