🤔Giving a TEDx Talk

So you're going to give a TEDx talk. Now what?

What is a TEDx Talk?

TEDx talks are about new, bold, and evocative ideas. It's our motto: ideas worth spreading. Our parent organization, TEDx, sums this up wonderfully in their article What is a TEDx Talk? Go on... take a read!

Also, check out this talk... In a discussion with TEDx Organizers, TED Curator Chris Anderson reflects on the essential qualities of the best TED Talks:

What should I leave out of my talk?

When giving a TEDx talk, it should be about spreading ideas, but doing so in a way that doesn't have a commercial, religious, or political agenda. It's vital that you consider the TEDx Content Guidelines before your approach one of our curators with your talk idea or script. Having such content will immediately disqualify you as a speaker.

Speaker Guide

Here's a fun, illustrated guide created by TEDx for speakers looking for a bit of a roadmap...

Takeaways from The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson

We recommend reading the book above as it offers valuable guidance on effectively communicating impactful ideas. However, if you don’t have the opportunity to read it, we’ve compiled some key takeaways to assist you in drafting your talk!

Takeaways

• #1 mission as a speaker: take something important to you and rebuild that in audience's minds

• Ideas can be:

  • scientific breakthroughs

  • inventions

  • simple how-to

  • human insight

  • a reminder of what matters in life

• Ideas change how people see the world.

• How do I come up with an impactful idea?

  • What stands out in the last 3-4 years of your career?

  • What is/was something you're excited by?

  • What are some things you're proud of?

  • If you had magical powers, what idea do you most want to spread to other's minds?

• Got a throughline? Run it through this checklist.

  • Does it inspire curiosity?

  • Am I passionate about this topic?

  • Is the information fresh or does it already exist?

  • Do I have the credibility to talk about this topic?

  • What are the 15 words that encapsulate my talk?

  • Would someone be interested with these 15 words?

• Can audiences walk away with any of these:

  • insights?

  • actionable information?

  • perspective?

  • context?

  • hope?

• Rehearse multiple times and work on it until you're comfortable.

• Dress code?

  • There is no explicit dress code. However, we encourage going no-ties. Be casual, comfortable, and wear something that can help you be yourself on conference day!