Congratulations, you’ve been accepted as a TEDx speaker!
Congratulations, you’ve been accepted as a TEDx speaker!
This is the email subject line every prospective TEDx speaker hopes to receive.
It's also the headline that makes the fact that you're going to have to put your big idea out into the world very, very real.
So, what can you expect once you've been selected to speak at a TEDx event? And what can you do to set yourself up for success?
Today, we're diving into four things you can do to ensure that you share your big idea and message in the most impactful way possible.
The Basics
Once you receive that coveted email, most event organizers and/or speaker directors will host a kickoff call to give everyone a chance to introduce themselves, talk through logistics, and address any questions about the process you might have.
This is often where you're also connected with your assigned speaker coach. Fun fact: most TEDx events provide free speaker coaching to their speakers. This can take a lot of forms and can vary widely in terms of level of support, but know that you're rarely alone in this process.
Additionally, in the early stages of selection, you'll also be given a timeline for deliverables, including outlines, initial draft, source data…, as well as dates for speaker masterminds or rehearsals, and other relevant information about the event.
I would be remiss if I didn't say that sometimes information can be lacking. Event organizers, like everyone affiliated with a specific TEDx event, are volunteers and unpaid. As a result, they are constantly trying to manage details in between their day job and regular life. So, be patient and (nicely) ask for what you need.
Talk Development and Refinement
The big lift of this process is writing the talk. Everyone who has gotten through the application process has done a good amount already on figuring out what their big idea is, but after supporting speakers in this process for almost five years, I can say with 100% confidence that the big idea morphs a good bit during this process.
My clients and I dig into several things right off the bat:
What do you want the audience to know and do as a result of your talk?
How is this relevant to the event's theme?
Is there anything specific that we need to factor in for the location that will resonate with the audience?
Who is the real audience for this talk?
The answers to these questions give us a really great starting point for reverse engineering what this talk needs to do and the journey we need to bring the audience on, so it's relatable and has max impact
From there, we outline the talk, identify key stories, examples, research, and other data to include, and then draft it into a narrative. This isn't the only way, obviously, but it's what the vast majority of my clients need in order to move forward.
Then... we refine, refine, and refine.
Rehearsal and Feedback with a Speaker Coach
As daunting as it may be, practicing your talk in front of your speaker coach is essential to delivering a polished TEDx talk. This process results in constructive feedback on your message and delivery, allows you to see and hear how your words feel coming out of your mouth, and that the energy and flow of the talk feels right. I often work with speakers for three to four months at a time, and half of that is spent rehearsing, tweaking, and rehearsing some more.
I mentioned above that most events provide speaker coaching, and it varies a lot in terms of quality, quantity, and style. If you take nothing else from this article hear this:
Get the support you need to be and feel successful.
This is a really important and big thing you're doing. Standing on the TEDx stage and putting your thought leadership into the world matters, so don't go it alone.
A really great speaker coach will help you work through the flow, the message, the story, and the delivery. Use them to your advantage!
Additionally, there are times where it makes sense to rehearse in front of and with others. This is especially true if you have a topic that's complex and difficult to explain. You want your explanation to be accessible, and people outside your field can provide valuable guidance and insight.
Almost all of my clients practice with their fellow speakers. This makes a lot of sense because you're all in it together, and everyone there wants to create the best talk possible.
With that said, be judicious about who you choose to rehearse with and clear about what kind of feedback you're looking for. Too much feedback can be confusing and can cause you to question things that you already felt confident about. Run feedback through your impact filter and by your speaker coach.
At the end of the day, your goal is to know this talk by heart and feel like it just flows out of you!
Best Practices for Preparing for the TEDx Stage
With your talk refined and rehearsed, it’s time to focus on the practicalities of delivering a successful TEDx talk. There are a ton of things I could say here, but the most common questions that arise are around attire, day of logistics, and what to expect.
The outfit you pick will partially depend on what the stage set up looks like and what you feel comfortable and confident in. I'll write another article on this, but pick out something that looks professional but allows you to move and feel at ease.
Day of logistics vary from event to event, but make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue well before the event starts. There's nothing worse than feeling rushed and stressed before you go do something that's already stressful. Plan your travel time appropriately.
When you arrive, find a quiet space to calm your nerves and to go through your talk one last time. In some cases, the event team will offer the opportunity to do a dry run on the stage, practice with the mic, and the clicker for any slides you might have. Take advantage of this if it's offered.
Finally, take a deep breath, and walk onto that TEDx stage with confidence. You earned your spot on that red dot, you have a message worth sharing, and you know you truly prepared for this moment.
*Jessica Sato Consulting is not affiliated with TED or TEDx organizations, however, we have supported multiple TEDx events as a speaker coach in both a paid and volunteer capacity.
