“How to Connect with Your Audience,” a free event open to the public, is the subject of upcoming Second Tuesday Guest Speaker Series, featuring Distinguished Toastmaster Kyle Hall.

Hosted by Sequim’s Toastmasters Club, the event is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at The Gathering Place in Sunland, 135 Fairway Dr. Free tickets are available at BuildAudience Connection.eventbrite.com.

As a successful salesman, 25-year Toastmaster and past third place finisher of the World Championship of Public Speaking, Hall knows more than a little about successful communication and persuasion.

“Every businessperson, every manager, every volunteer coordinator in today’s world is called on to move their clients, customers, employees, and volunteers into action of some kind,” Hall said. “Being able to confidently persuade people is a key success skill, whether it be to make a purchase, donate to a cause or perform a task.”

Hall added that effective communication requires building a bridge with one’s audience.

“This bridge, this connection, is what allows a person to motivate others and move them into action. People don’t respond to ‘sales schtick’ these days,” he said. “They’re too savvy for that. People respond to an authentic connection. Believe me, they know the difference.”

Event organizers aim to have attendees walk away from the presentation with “a personal understanding of how to build this bridge of authentic connection … and move their audience into action.”

Hall was voted into the position of Toastmasters District 32 Director in June, beginning his year-long term this past July.

“Over the years I’ve done a lot of stepping outside my comfort zone to learn new things,” he said. “I’ll be successful if I’m able to persuade members in my district to do the same.”

Skwim Toastmasters is part of Toastmasters International, a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that “empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.”

The Sequim club meets on the first, second and third Tuesdays of the month from 7–8:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place. For more information about this event and the club, search “Sequim Toastmasters” online and on Facebook. For other local Toastmasters club meeting information, visit www.Toastmasters.org and click on “find a club.”