Media guidelines and publication rules for Toastmasters District 42 are provided to help your content succeed online.

Website Blog Articles

• D42 Blog Article Guidelines
  • 350 – 400 words
  • Choose a keyword and use it 2-3 times within the post
  • Include the keyword in the title as close to the beginning as possible
  • Insert two or three subheadings (at least one needs to use the keyword)
  • Make good use of transition words
  • Short sentences and paragraphs improve readability
  • Please include Toastmasters District 42 in it at least once
  • Do not use acronyms

• Photo Guidelines
  • Include photos with your submissions. People like to see people, especially ones that they know. It builds connection.
  • Resolution should be at least 1200 x 627 pixels.
  • Don’t crop the subject too tightly. Websites adjust photos to display properly on different screen sizes
  • Provide photo credits when possible

• Deadlines
  • One week prior to scheduled posting to website
  • Dispatch article submission – 15th of each month

• Suggested Content
  • District News
  • Member Profiles
  • Member Achievements
  • Club Successes
  • Major Club Anniversary (5, 10, 15 etc…)

Calendar Entries

• Event Title
• Date
• Start Time (include time zone)
• End Time
• Registration/Briefing time (if applicable) – required for contests
• Location name including room (eg. Calgary Central Library – Patricia A Whelan Performance Hall)
• Location Street Address to include City & State (even if a frequently used venue)
• Any details regarding parking, entrances, etc…
• Optional
  1. Agenda (sent as text, not a .pdf, .doc, or other attachment)
  2. Contact Information: Name / Phone Number / Email
• Deadline – one month prior to scheduled event (this allows advertising time)
• Content – District Events only (club events are marketed through their websites)
  • Exceptions – milestone events (e.g. major club anniversary)

Image Guidelines

• Copyrighted images require permission
• The Toastmasters Brand Manual directs that us to “Please do not use cartoons, illustrations, or clip art in materials created for clubs, Areas, Divisions, Districts, and regions.“
• Please provide photo credit if possible
• High-resolution images
• .JPG or .JPEG format or .PNG
• Do not stretch or skew images.
• Do not crop subject too tight. Websites adjust photos to display properly on different screen sizes.
• Make sure people’s faces are clearly visible (prior authorization from PRM is required for other images)
• Do not add text or graphics to photos without consulting the editor.
• All photos should be tasteful and properly represent Toastmasters International and follow proper Toastmasters International branding and policy.
• The District PRM has the responsibility to monitor and protect the brand and therefore may deny the use of certain images.
• Captions
  • Supply a caption
  • Caption should include the first and last name of each person in the image (excluding “background” people)
  • Captions do not count toward article word count (if applicable)
  • When caption text is inline with the provided article, clearly indicate it is a caption and reference which image it goes with.
  • Photo credits when possible
• Headshots
  • Minimum 1200 w x 1600 h pixels
  • Will be cropped to a 3:4 ratio
  • Traditional headshot preferred (ie, not cropped out of a group photo)

Social Media Post Guidelines

Events

• Create event on FB, tag D42
• Email PRM/Social Media Chair with request to share
• If it does not meet the Guidelines, please make changes and update us again
• Once we share it on D42 Facebook page, please Like, Comment and promote by sharing