Spotlight on Innovation: Edeje Onwude’s Impactful Role in D91 Webinars

Have you attended a D91 webinar lately?

If the answer is yes, then you have Edeje to thank for that. Edeje Onwude is a relatively new toastmaster, she joined Chiltern speakers in April 2024 and has quickly made a significant impact. She is currently the VPM for Chiltern speakers and oversees our weekly webinar sessions, ensuring they run smoothly, aligning with our goals to continuously improve our program and provide value to all participants. We’re excited to have her energy and dedication on board. Here she shares a little more about herself and highlights some of the upcoming webinars.

Edeje Onwude, D91 Webinar manager and VPM for Chiltern Speakers club, tells us a bit about herself and her experience setting up and running the D91 webinars.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a marketing & communications expert, with 14 years of brand, marketing and communications experience working with some iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Henkel and Reckitt, where I have managed everything from new product development to brand growth strategies and communications. I currently sit on the board of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), responsible for running the mentoring programme and student partnerships. Giving back is very important to me, hence I volunteer with Cancer Research UK, UN Women UK and Diana Awards. It is also one of reasons I took up the webinar manager role. In my free time, you will find me reading a book, writing (including speeches), listening to podcasts or spending time with family and friends. I also raise two beautiful souls who teach me things about life and myself every day.

What have you been doing for D91?

I’ve been co-ordinating with the D91 leadership team, to build the weekly webinar schedule, based on member’s needs, the Toastmasters calendar and aligned to the district goal of continuous improvement of the program. I also ensure the smooth running of the webinars by setting up the zoom sessions, liaising with the PR team to promote the webinars and gain participation. Finally, I work very closely with the zoom master’s to collate feedback from each session – allowing us to get input from participants to continue to improve the experience.

What have you most enjoyed?

My favourite part has been the people (I know corny right?) and exposure. Being a relatively new Toastmaster, working with the district leadership team has exposed me to the opportunities both from a leadership and learning perspective. Something that is not always obvious looking from only a club Lense. On a lighter note, I have also decoded more Toastmasters acronyms e.g. DEC – That is not short for December as I thought; it is District Executive Committee meeting. You’re welcome 😊

What is the most challenging aspect of the role?

What I find challenging on some occasions is low participation on the webinars. Imagine spending weeks setting up a webinar, getting a host and zoom master. The host comes prepared with content and only 2 people show up for the webinar. I find that very demoralising. I am never one to give in to a challenge though so with the help of the collated feedback and webinar engagement analysis, I am working to pinpoint the most interesting topics for members and improve the experience.

How has your experience so far helped in your day job?

I am currently on the lookout for my next opportunity. Hence, supporting with the webinars has helped me make use of my time productively by utilising my existing skills of collaboration, content development/curation, stakeholder management and listening to enhance the learning experience for Toastmasters. It has also been great for expanding my network of Toastmasters beyond the club level. If you’ll like to connect, you can find me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/edeje-onwude

Click here to see all the upcoming webinars we have for the year. You can also register for our upcoming webinars in October. They run weekly on Sundays at 5pm – 6pm.

6th Oct: What is Speech craft – https://tinyurl.com/D91-what-is-speech-craft

13th October: How to use Concur – https://tinyurl.com/D91-HTUConcur

20th October: Conflict resolution – https://tinyurl.com/D91-conflict-resolution

27th October: Growing membership – https://tinyurl.com/D91-Growing-membership

Mastering the Art of Podcast Presentation: 8 Essential Tips – by Violeta Saladiene

Ever thought of producing your own podcast?  A podcast is like a radio talk show which digs a little deeper into topics than the written word.  But unlike a radio show, a podcast is available on the Internet for free, to anyone in the world who has a connected device capable of playing audio. Violeta Saladiene, President of Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club, shares some of the tips and tricks for putting together an award-winning podcast.

Podcasting has rapidly emerged as a powerful medium for sharing ideas, stories and expertise. Whether you plan to pursue podcasting as a hobby or a side hustle, having a platform where your voice can be heard is appealing. I’d like to share with you eight tips which will help to turn your podcast into compelling listening.

 

  1. Know Your Audience:

We got the idea for our podcast from Toastmasters International in America. They have produced over 250 episodes, amplifying the interviews and stories featured in the Toastmasters magazine, digging a little deeper, to put a voice to the written word. Their podcast is aimed squarely at existing club members.

At Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club, we’ve been running our podcast for two years, building it from the ground up and we’ve got 52 episodes in the can. While the episodes are listened to by our club members, we are also trying to attract new members, by giving them a flavour of what to expect when coming to a meeting at our club.

Ask yourself why you are doing the podcast, if the purpose is to entertain, inform or educate and then jot down who you are trying to reach.

Once you have the answers to these questions, it will help you plan the content of your episodes, ensuring they are relevant and engaging. For instance, if your podcast is aimed at young professionals, you’ll want to focus on topics that resonate with them and their challenges and interests. Coose a unique and memorable name for your podcast. It should hint at the content while standing out to potential listeners. A distinctive name helps with the branding and makes it easier for your audience to find and remember.

 

  1. Stick to a Structure

Having a consistent structure for your podcast episodes can greatly enhance the listening experience. Decide if you want to present alone or with a team and agree on the segments for each episode. This structure not only brings variety, but also sets clear expectations for the audience. Consistency helps your listeners know what to expect and creates a sense of familiarity, making your podcast appear more organised and professional.

 

  1. Determine the Episode Length

The ideal length of a podcast episode can vary, but between 30-40 minutes is generally the most effective, because its long enough to delve into topics without overwhelming the listener. As you gain more experience, you can adjust the length based on audience feedback and the complexity of the topics covered. Shorter episodes can be punchy and more easily digestible, leaving listeners wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next episode.

 

  1. Establish a Publishing Frequency

Consistency is the key in podcasting. Decide how often you’ll release new episodes and stick to that schedule. Publishing regular episodes not only meets audience expectations, but also helps maintain listener engagement. Consistency also signals professionalism and reliability, which can help you grow a dedicated listener base.

 

  1. Invest in Quality Recording Equipment

When starting a podcast, one important consideration is audio quality. Invest in a high-quality microphone to ensure clear, professional sound. Consider the recording environment and minimise background noise and echoes to enhance sound quality. Poor audio quality can deter listeners, no matter how compelling your content is.

 

  1. Use Effective Editing Software

Editing can make or break your podcast. Free software like Audacity and GarageBand are excellent starting points. If your budget allows, consider professional options like Adobe Audition or Hindenburg Journalist. Editing involves more than cutting out mistakes, it’s about creating a smooth, engaging flow. A well-edited episode can significantly improve the listener’s experience, making it polished and professional. During editing, pay attention to pacing, remove unnecessary pauses, and ensure transitions between segments are seamless.

 

  1. Publish on Popular Platforms

Publish your podcast on major platforms such as Spotify (32m + monthly listeners) and Apple Podcasts (28m+ monthly listeners). Pay attention to the title and description of each episode. A catchy, intriguing title can attract new listeners, while a detailed dscription with relevant keywords can help your podcast appear in search results. In the post-COVID  era, you have just eight seconds to grab a listener’s attention. Consider creating custom artwork for each episode to make it visually appealing and professional.

 

  1. Promote Your Podcast

Effective promotion is crucial to growing your audience. Use social media platforms and tailor your approach to your target demographic. Younger audiences may prefer Instagram and TikTok, while professionals may be more accessible on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to share your podcast with friends, family, and colleagues. Creating a dedicated podcast website and considering paid advertising or email marketing can also enhance visibility. Another good strategy is to record a promotional video of up to 1 minute. Engaging with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes content, episode highlights, and encouraging listeners to leave reviews will also lead to organic growth and a loyal listener base.

 

Podcasting is a dynamic and fulfilling way to share your voice with the world. By understanding your audience, maintaining a consistent structure and schedule, investing in quality equipment, and effectively promoting your content, you can create a podcast that resonates with listeners and keeps them coming back for more. By following these eight tips, you can enhance the quality of your podcast and build a dedicated following for your podcast.

 

By Violeta Saladiene,

President of Shilling Speakers and a host of Shilling Speakers Podcast, a Toastmaster since 2020. Violeta has won 3rd place in D91 in Humorous Speech Contest in 2024 and was a semi-finalist in D71 in International Speech Contest in 2024.