[weinzierl]

I can speak to that directly and Toastmasters helped me a lot. In my club for every speech there was an Ah-counter who counted all the interjections and unnecessary words. In my opinion this feedback, weekly over a long period of time, is the only way to improve on this subconscious utterances.

Besides prepared speeches everyone did short two minute impromptu speeches at every meeting. We always got feedback, verbally in front of the others as well as in writing and secretly. Even the short speeches were strictly timed and Ah-counted.

It's all very simple but done every week for a few months improvement is inevitable.

Membership fees were next to nothing and there was no long term commitment. You could just pay in cash at the meetings. Toastmasters is also a non-profit, so little money but well spent.

The meetings back then were always open to anyone and you could just hop-by without registration or being a member. As a non-member you could even participate in most of the activities but you wouldn't be given speaking slots.

Downsides? You will have to invest a significant amount of time and energy.