Here you are, about to Give Your First Toastmasters Speech...
Firstly, congratulations! That’s a huge step. You may be asking yourself “what have I done??” and totally regretting your decision. It may feel like you’ve just volunteered to walk a tightrope or to jump our of an aircraft.
But trust us, it’s going to be OK. You’re going to be OK. In fact, you’ll be more than OK. We know.
Every seasoned Toastmaster started exactly where you are right now. Heart racing, sweaty palms, trembling knees, and wondering if they should fake a sore throat and cancel.
But wait. Don't cancel. Instead read this post as your guide to navigating your first Toastmasters speech: what to expect, what to do (and what not to do), and why you’ll walk away feeling proud—even if your voice shakes.
What Is the “Ice Breaker” Speech?
Your first Toastmasters speech is called the Ice Breaker. It’s a short, 4–6 minute introduction where you talk about … you. There's no need to research statistics or quote famous authors. You’re the expert on your own story and you know you, inside out and backwards.
You might talk about:
- Where you grew up
- What you do for work (or used to do)
- What brought you to Toastmasters
- A few fun facts, stories about your family, or your hobbies
The goal? To "break the ice" with the group and with your own nerves.
What You’ll Notice
- Everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, is on your side
Every person in the room wants you to succeed. They will clap for you, cheer you on, and be excited for you. - It’s not a performance
You don’t have to “wow” us. This isn’t a TED Talk. Just be yourself. Toastmasters is about progress, not perfection. - The room feels warmer after you’ve spoken
Once you speak, something shifts. You feel more relaxed, not to mention relieved. You start connecting with the other members on a new level. It’s like learning to drive—nerve-wracking at first, but actually kind of thrilling.
How to Prepare Without Overthinking It
After you’ve written your speech (around 600-700 words or 140 words per minute) next you need to prepare for the delivery.
- Write down a few key points – key points will help remind you of the story elements, which is better than to memorising a script word for word. Remember, it’s fine to use notes.
- Practice out loud – practice a few times. Try practice in front of a mirror or in front of a family member or friend. You could also record yourself using your phone, either just your voice or with a video. Find the method that suits you best. And remember to use a timer.
Recording yourself is great for hearing how you sound, where you speak too fast or if you stumble over any words. Practising really does help you get more comfortable. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become. - Smile, breathe, and pause—silence is your friend, not your enemy. Smiling helps engage the audience. Breathing helps with the delivery of your words. Pausing is a really powerful tool – it creates dramatic effect but you can also use it if you forget your place and no one will ever know.
- Visualise the room—remind yourself that people are listening, not judging. Think about how you might move about the stage area or what gestures you may use.
Hot tip: Start with the Toastmasters formalities, “Mr/Madam Toastmaster, Toastmasters and Guests” and end by handing back to the Toastmaster with “Mr/Madam Toastmaster”. Remain in the stage area until the Toastmasters shakes your hand and then you return to your seat.
What Happens After the Speech?
You’ll be assigned an evaluator who will watch and listen to your speech.
The evaluator will provide an evaluation, which is a short, encouraging review that highlights what you did well and one or two things to work on. It’s kind, positive, constructive, and encouraging. Evaluations help us all improve and all speeches are evaluated. There’s always something to learn, and even experienced Toastmasters can learn and keep improving.
You’ll likely hear things about volume, vocal variety, eye contact, using the stage area and may comments like, “Loved your storytelling” or, “You looked calm—even if you didn’t feel it!”
Most first-time speakers leave the room smiling, and admitting that the experience actually wasn’t so bad!
Still Unsure?
You don’t have to speak at your first meeting. Or your second. But we totally encourage it.
You’ve taken that initial step by attending a meeting because you have a goal of improving your public speaking. So you may as well begin now. But we also understand it’s a bit daunting and you are welcome to simply observe, chat to members, and decide when you are ready.
But when you are ready—whether today, next week or next month—know this: You’ve got this and we’re all here for you.