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
- Agenda (sent as text, not a .pdf, .doc, or other attachment)
- 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

- Post on your club sites and pages first.
- Once we share it on D42 Social Media pages, please like, comment and promote
- Must include photo that meets standard in the image section of this document
- Maximum of 120 words
- If there is an article or other web link, please include that in the text
- Optional
- Include a CTA (Call to action). This tends to generate a higher reach.(Reach is defined as the number of people who see the Facebook post)
- Deadline – minimum one week prior to desired posting date
- Suggested Content
- District News
- Member Profiles
- Member Achievements
- Major Club Anniversary (5, 10, 15 etc…)
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