How to Craft a Winning TEDx Talk Application
I was sitting in Starbucks with a former client of mine early last year. I’d had the joy of supporting Lisa through the entirety of her business growth journey, and I knew what was coming.
“I think I need to do a TED talk.”
Over the next hour, we had a rich conversation about her big idea, why she wanted to go this route (instead of the book route or other stages), and what she hoped her impact would be.
Her answers to these questions and so many others are foundational to beginning the journey as a TEDx speaker. I say journey because this is not a quick or easy process. It takes a lot of introspection, grit, and resilience.
We left the coffee shop that day armed with a plan for how we would get through the application process, and that’s what I want to talk through today.
Before we get too far into this, let me dispel a few myths and assumptions about the TEDx process.
Myth #1: I have to be invited or nominated to speak at a TEDx event.
There are a few events that are nomination only, but the vast majority have a speaker selection process that all speakers go through. This process typically includes an application, and may include an audition video or live audition.
Myth #2: I’m not famous. Can I still do a TEDx talk?
TEDx is for anyone with a big idea. This platform welcomes people from all walks of life, and event organizers are looking for speakers with diverse backgrounds, great stories, and big ideas worth sharing.
Myth #3: My idea isn’t big enough.
This one is a doozy. I hear potential TEDx speakers question the “bigness” of their ideas all the time, but the best TEDx talks are meant to make you cock your head to the side and go, “Huh! I hadn’t thought of it like that before.” Big ideas inspire curiosity, increase awareness, give you new perspectives, and in some cases, compel you to take action.
My experience as a TEDx Speaker Coach and Speaker Director for a number of events, including TEDxBreckenridge, TEDxFranklin, and TEDxWarmSpringsAvenueYOUTH, have shown me time and again that most people are simply too close to their big idea to have real perspective on their big idea. Don’t discount the strength, bigness, or validity of your idea without talking to people about it.
With those myths out of the way, let’s dig into the application process!
Understand the Application Guidelines
This probably seems super obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times people gloss over the details and miss something that’s super important. Every TEDx event has a different speaker selection process, and therefore, a unique speaker application. These applications vary in many ways, including the types of questions they’re asking, the maximum word and character counts for your answers, whether you need to submit an audition video and the maximum length… you get the idea.
Read, re-read, and then get someone to review your application against the requirements before you submit it.
Know Your Big Idea
TEDx is all about your big idea, but most prospective speakers struggle to articulate their big idea in a way that’s clear and/or concise. Your answer to this question will determine whether you move forward in this process or your application gets tossed.
This is your opportunity to be bold, specific, and clear about what you believe, why you think it matters, and why it’s relevant today. I often find big ideas at the intersection of your experience, expertise, and passion.
Here’s my favorite question to ask prospective clients: What’s not being said that should be said?
The answer to this question is the start of your big idea because it starts to showcase your unique perspective and point of view on your topic. The vast majority of work I do with clients is spent uncovering exactly what they want to say and figuring out how to articulate their big idea in a way that feels honest, real, and deeply aligned.
When you do the heavy lifting before this process starts, your application will stand out from the applications that get submitted.
Know Why You're the Right Person To Give This Talk
Your TEDx talk should be about your unique perspective on your big idea. What personal or professional experiences have led you to the conclusions you’re trying to make? What makes you a credible source of information on this topic? Highlighting your expertise and credibility is essential to gain the trust and attention of your audience.
With that said, you don’t have to be the foremost thought leader or expert in your field to credibly speak about your chosen topic. Your lived experience, educational background, and other expertise can be a powerful part of your credibility.
So, really think about what makes you the right person to give this talk. I often find that this question is just as, if not more, difficult than what your big idea is. We’ve been conditioned to minimize ourselves, but that doesn’t serve you in this process.
You are a thought leader. Embrace your big idea and share it boldly!
Emphasize the Relevance of Your Message
TEDx talks are about ideas worth sharing, but they also need to be timely and relevant. Event organizers are looking for credible speakers who can speak to issues affecting their local community. In fact, you’ll often see questions about how you are connected to the event’s location or why this message needs to be heard now.
As you dig into your big idea, find ways to connect it to current events, societal trends, and the challenges facing the audience. Explain why your message matters now and how it can make a difference in the world.
Consider What the Audience Will Walk Away With
Finally, it's essential to consider what the audience will gain from your talk. TEDx is not a platform for inspirational, keynote-style talks. And while we’re often inspired by TEDx talks, they’re really meant to be thought-provoking, informative, and inspire the audience to take action.
As you prepare for this process, think about what you hope the audience will walk away with after listening to your talk and consider providing them with practical steps they can take to put your ideas into action.
Being a TEDx speaker is a deeply transformative and powerful experience because it’s more than just delivering a talk on a stage. It requires careful consideration of your message, deep self examination and an understanding of why you’re doing this, and what you want the impact to be. So, take the time to understand the application guidelines, refine your big idea, and dig deep as you go through this application process.
As for Lisa from the coffee shop? I’m excited to say she did the work, got accepted, and delivered her TEDx talk in November! Her work is deeply impactful and changing the way we support families with a loved one in recovery. You can give it a listen here.
*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.
