How to Have a Successful TED Talk
Can you imagine yourself on this stage giving wisdom to the masses in a perfectly rehearsed presentation while a respected audience listens in awe? Well, first you need to walk across the field. Here’s how to get out of the slush heap, according to a TEDx producer.
Tricia Brooke wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review about what she looks for when she gives talks. The first thing to know is that there are so many of them. And this is not surprising; entire careers have been started or transformed by viral TEDx talks. Brooke has a few specific things she looks for when it comes to this opportunity.
Keep it short
Pitching training is an art of its own. You may be an excellent speaker who can write a long, well-structured talk. However, you should be able to summarize the core importance of your idea in just a few words. Just 15, to be precise:
Start with an idea and explain why you are the right fit to go on stage and realize this great idea. While it should be a big idea, you should be able to convey it in no more than 15 words. The organizers are busy and don’t have time to read long presentations. Explain what the audience will take away and the global impact of the performance. Don’t leave the most important part of your presentation until the end; people can stop reading before it gets to them, and you end up in the “no” pile.
These are very few words! It’s also a great exercise. How short can your idea be? How clearly do you understand what you are trying to say? Hone your concept. In the application process, you will have room to expand, but the person reading them wants to know what they are getting as soon as possible.
Don’t try to sell anything
Except for your idea. Many TEDx speakers promote not only their concept, but also the book, teaching style or product. Producers don’t necessarily object to this, but if your presentation is clearly based on your need to sell something, it will be rejected:
Seventy-five percent of potential speakers who apply for my events, including TEDxLincolnSquare, The Speaker Salon, and currently Speakers Who Dare, end up promoting their business. There are a lot of people who do not understand the art of serving and subsequently end up in the “no” pile.
If the thing you’re selling doesn’t have a didactic idea, you may need to do an ad.
See a bunch of conversations
Brooke doesn’t say it exactly – she recommends that you know the difference between good and bad conversation. Watching them seem like the best way to do it. Not only will you see what went through the selection process, but you will also identify what you like and dislike about speakers. Different styles force you to talk to you, or you may realize that this form of sharing ideas is not what you want to do at all. An added benefit is that you can also learn new things through your research.
Exercise
It’s not enough to look. Let’s say you’ve gone through the submission process. You definitely don’t want this to be your first performance. Brooke suggests that people figure out if public speaking is right for them by actually trying to do it :
Public speaking is hard work. It takes a long time and can be emotionally and physically draining, especially if you’re an introvert. But introverts can become attractive public speakers by flexing their muscles in public. Practice attending events and walking around corners. If you have a gig, take some extra time that day to sit quietly, meditate, and refuel. If you are an extrovert, remember to keep your voice safe before going on stage – you can always chat after your performance.
Good advice. If you are selling something, you definitely want to save energy after the applause.