How to Give a TED Talk.Just getting on stage and giving a memorable speech can improve your communication skills in many ways. But if you manage to give a talk at the annual TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference, it could be the highlight of your life.
Millions of people are watching the popular TED Talk It can open doors and catapult you to career opportunities that you might not even foresee right now.
But its very exclusivity complicates the task. Not impossible though. So how do you conduct a TED talk?
The TED website explains the rules. Successful speakers also offer a lot of advice from their own success stories. But the biggest clue comes from the TED slogan, Ideas Worth Spreading.
Start with an idea
Why is it worth spreading your idea? How is it unique? How important is your idea to the person next to you?
TED lists two main criteria:
- an idea that is new and amazing; an idea or invention that your audience has never heard of before.
- Great basic idea (that your audience has already heard) with a new perspective that challenges beliefs and attitudes.
Perhaps something weirder than a special mushroom burial suit?
When TED organizers start planning an event, they start with ideas. This is why TED is not a place to find good professional speakers. Instead, you will find historians, entrepreneurs, economists, psychologists, performing artists, and others. Perhaps this will be their first speech in life.
You will jump out of line if you are a doer, thinker, inventor, or someone who has overcome tremendous difficulties in life.
So, be guided by the idea and your achievements. Then try opening each of the doors below.
Use the speaker nomination form
The Speaker Nomination Form is the formal way to nominate yourself or someone else for a TED conference or event. You can suggest anyone, even if you don’t know him personally. There are no deadlines and no guarantees as it takes time for TED to test all candidates.
As you can see, the application is simple, but very broad in what it requires. The key is a unique idea that they want to share in a TED talk. You can nominate them for any formal TED event, but the organizers choose the names of their choice, matching the topic of the event with the topic of the talk.
The TED Talk FAQ will answer most of your basic questions.
Be a TED Fellow
The TED Fellows program is for the select few. But this is an automatic greeting on the TED stage. Each year, TED selects honors from around the world to play a transformative role in their communities. TED covers all costs.
This is a mentoring program led by experienced TED trainers and senior academics of the past. Their goal is to help you express and communicate your work and ideas. They will advise you on the career ladder, train you to work with the media, and give you advice on public relations. All of this will end with the opportunity to speak at TED.
The 2019 party includes the fisher cat conservationist, food innovator, police captain and investigative journalist.
If you have a track record of innovative ideas in your field, then apply for the TED program today and become part of a 500 strong global community.
Get started small with a local TEDx
The chances of getting on stage at a TEDx event are much higher than in a main TED talk. Local TEDx programs take place all over the world. It’s like local chapters with the official blessing of TED (that is, under a free license provided by TED).
Simon Sinek is well known. He gave his first talk at the independent TEDxPuget Sound event. He then presented his next one at the official TED conference.
Use the event list map and find an event happening near you. As you can see, the world is well lit and there may be an event in your city.
Small TEDx events are also great for practicing speaking, building confidence, and making a name for yourself in the oral arena.
There are different types of TEDx events. They have different requirements. So, do your research before pinpointing the event you want to apply to.
But don’t think of localized TEDx events as minor leagues. From there, you can get into the big leagues of the global TED event with your revolutionary idea.
Find Non-TED Speaking Opportunities
Non-TED opportunities can help you not only hone your presentation skills, but also connect with other TED presenters. Places like SpeakerHub and Toastmasters International can be the launching pad for your ambitions.
These sites are primarily intended for those interested in building a professional public speaking career. But other people may notice your great idea and invite you to speak at a local TEDx event.
Also: Volunteer at TED Events
Not all of us will have breakthrough ideas to get a chance to be in the spotlight. Volunteering for behind-the-scenes tasks at TED events is an alternative way to improve your skills and enrich your resume. Volunteering does not provide an opportunity to give a TED talk, but it can give you an idea of ??how these events are going.
TED events staff organize official events. There are usually no vacancies for volunteers. Independently organized local TEDx events often require assistance.
You can find more information on their social media pages or ask them directly. Use the TED Event Map linked above and narrow down to the closest event to you. Go to the event page to find a contact and ask if they need help. Tell them what you’re good at and they’ll be happy to see you.
Give a TED Talk in 18 minutes or less
Limiting TED Talk to 18 minutes or less can be the result of a lifetime and more than a few months of preparation. Of course, when so many people are fighting for a chance, you also need luck.
Even if you don’t get to a TED Talk, the try and preparation will pay off in the long run. Have you ever tried or volunteered to do a TED Talk? What did you find out?
How to Give a TED Talk