If you’re like me, you’ve probably watched a few TED Talks and thought to yourself, “I could do that!”

Well, you absolutely can! It just takes a little bit of planning, a lot of practice, and that one-of-a-kind brain of yours. Think of this as a TED masterclass. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• What is a TED Talk?

• TED vs TEDx: What’s the difference?

• How long is a TED Talk?

• Step 1: Pick Your Topic

• Step 2: Create an Outline

• Step 3: Write Your Script

• Step 4: Practice!

• Step 5: Prepare for the Event

• On the Day of the Event

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

What is a TED Talk?

TED Talks are a real powerhouse in the world of public speaking. These talks take place at the main TED annual event or one of its satellite events held worldwide. TED itself is a nonprofit organization committed to spreading ideas—from the latest in technology to the hottest in entertainment and everything in between. According to TED’s website, TED Talks are known for being short, powerful, and inspiring. TED’s mission is “to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility and catalyze impact.”

And what does “TED” stand for, you ask? Technology, Entertainment, and Design.

TED vs TEDx: What’s the difference?

While TED Talks are curated and produced by the main TED organization, TEDx events are independently organized and licensed by local organizers in communities worldwide. The “x” in TEDx simply means that it’s an independently organized event, but the format is similar to TED Talks. TEDx events give communities the opportunity to showcase local voices and ideas that might not otherwise have a platform. TEDx Talks can be just as powerful and inspiring as TED Talks. And thanks to the internet, TEDx Talks are just as important and relevant because they can reach the same number of people as TED Talks. In fact, many of the top 10 TED Talks are actually from TEDx events!

💫 Fun fact: Only 0.01% of the global population runs a marathon... and even fewer people give TED or TEDx Talks! (1.1 million marathon runners vs. 18,000 TED and TEDx speakers!)

How long is a TED Talk?

As far as length goes, TED Talks are limited to 18 minutes or less. This time limit might seem short, but it helps keep your presentation concise and impactful. This helps your audience stay engaged so they can understand the key takeaway from your presentation.

Step 1: Pick Your Topic

When it comes to delivering a powerful TED Talk, step one is always choosing the perfect topic. It’s all about considering what you want to share with the world and the impact you want to make. My advice? Opt for a topic that ignites a fire within you, one that you know inside and out. After all, passion and expertise are the secret ingredients to an unforgettable TED Talk.

The official TEDx Speaker Guide offers 3 questions to ask:

1. Is my idea new?

2. Is it interesting?

3. Is It factual and realistic?

🧠 For TED Talk topics, ideas, and inspiration: “500+ Best Presentation Topics to Appeal to Any Audience in 2023.” These are Speeko’s original collection of fun and creative TED Talk topics for students, professionals, and any other background. Bookmark it for later!

Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the right topic for your TED Talk. Say you’re a tech entrepreneur. You might want to tackle the future of your technology and how it will shape the world. If you’re a climate scientist, you might want to share a groundbreaking idea to combat climate change.

Your topic will naturally lead you to your throughline—the main idea you want your audience to take away from your talk. To find your throughline, ask yourself: What is the ultimate purpose of my TED Talk? Consider coming up with a catchy title to help hone in on your throughline.

Take, for example, Tim Urban’s legendary TED Talk, “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator.” With humor and insight, Urban delves into why we procrastinate and how it impacts our lives, ultimately inspiring us to overcome this universal struggle. So, when selecting your topic, choose something that gets you fired up and that you can speak on with conviction.

👉 Read our full summary and analysis of Tim Urban’s TED Talk “Inside the mind of the master procrastinator”

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid analysis paralysis. Don’t overthink it. It’s easy to get caught up in over-analyzing every detail and trying to pick the perfect topic. But you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself stuck before you’ve even really begun! Instead, focus on getting all your ideas down on paper and refining them as you go. Embrace the imperfect, and trust that your message will come across authentically and effectively.

Step 2: Create an Outline

Once you’ve picked your topic, it’s time to create an outline. This is where you’ll map out the structure of your talk and decide what points you want to make. A good outline should help you stay on track when writing your speech.

Here's an example of the basic format for a TED Talk:

1. Opening: Begin with a relatable example or an intriguing idea to grab your audience’s attention.

2. Body: Explain your idea, present your evidence, and suggest ways your audience can apply your idea. Distill this into three key points to give your talk a story-like trajectory.

3. Closing: Address the potential impact of your idea on your audience.

This TED Talk template is where you should start. You can add more detail to your outline as you practice and refine your talk.

In his TED Talk “The next outbreak? We’re not ready,” Bill Gates uses this outline:

1. Opening: Gates’ intro includes a relatable example of a deadly virus outbreak to make his audience care about the topic.

2. Body: Gates explains the likelihood of a highly infectious virus, the lack of preparedness in healthcare systems, and the need for investment in research and development.

3. Closing: Gates’ conclusion emphasizes the importance of taking action now to prevent a future global health crisis.

   
   

Step 3: Write Your Script

Once you’ve sketched out your plan, it’s time to put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard) and write your script.

And remember, your aim is to keep your audience captivated. So, how can you do that? Well, think about how you can weave in storytelling, humor, and visual aids to illustrate your points. And, if you want to really connect with your audience, don’t be afraid to get personal. Share your own experiences—that’s what people want to hear! Paint vivid pictures with your words, and introduce lively characters to keep things fresh.

Let’s take a look at Brené Brown’s TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability.” She starts off with a punchy question that really hits home: “Is there something about me that if other people know it or see it, that I won’t be worthy of connection?” Oof! Tough one, right? But Brené doesn’t stop there. In summary, she goes on to share her own personal stories about the importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity. And when she speaks, she speaks directly to her audience, using words like “you” and “we” to really connect with them on an emotional level. Brené urges us all to resist the urge to be perfect and instead embrace our imperfections and vulnerabilities. It’s a powerful message that’s delivered with passion and heart.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep an idea parking lot. When you’re first writing, jot down your ideas freely. Don’t worry about making them clear or concise. You want to let those creative juices flow. Once you’ve got everything on paper, you can start refining your talk, stripping away any excess material and honing in on your core message. But—and this is a big but—don’t toss out those unused ideas just yet! Keep them in your “parking lot” for future inspiration. Who knows? You might need to expand or enhance your message later on, and those ideas could be just what you need to take your talk to the next level. So, remember, folks, never underestimate the power of a good “parking lot.”

Step 4: Practice!

One thing I’ve learned in my career is that practice makes perfect. And I mean A LOT of practice. Practice, practice, practice. Use Speeko to record your voice and listen to it closely. I know it may feel awkward or even cringey at first, but you need to become comfortable with the sound of your own voice. Once you get past that initial discomfort, you’ll be able to identify what you like about your speaking style and what you want to improve.

When you’re practicing, make sure to time yourself. Remember, TED Talks are 18 minutes max, so minimize the risk of going over the time limit. Keeping your talk short also helps you avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information.

It’s also important to consider your body language, tone of voice, and overall presence on stage. Your vocal delivery should be confident and engaging. Use Speeko to get A.I. feedback on areas of your speaking style, such as whether you’re speaking too quickly or monotone.

Another essential technique for presenting complex information is to use simple and clear language. Avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse, alienate, or bore your audience. Instead, use straightforward language that everyone can understand.

💡 Pro Tip: Don't practice alone. Recruit trusted friends to listen and offer feedback. This will not only help you practice maintaining eye contact, but it will also give you valuable ideas for fine-tuning your TED Talk. The more you practice, the more confident and polished you’ll become as a speaker.

Step 5: Prepare for the Event

As you gear up for your TED Talk, work closely with the TED organizer to prepare yourself for any logistical curveballs that might come your way. You want to be ready for anything!

And speaking of being prepared, make sure you’ve got all your technical requirements sorted out ahead of time. Test your equipment, slides, and multimedia content to ensure everything is in tip-top shape.

But there’s more to it than just equipment and logistics. You also need to take the time to research your audience and the local culture. Make sure that your message resonates with your audience and is culturally appropriate. You may need to tweak your delivery or content depending on the audience and location, so do your homework ahead of time.

On the Day of the Event

This is it. The moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment you step onto that TED stage and deliver that talk you’ve poured your heart and soul into.

So, what’s the key to a successful delivery?

It’s simple: Remember to breathe. Take your time up there and really connect with your audience. This is your moment to shine, and you’ve got to own it with confidence and conviction.

And let me tell you, the most important thing you can do up there is to have fun. Yes, you heard me right. Have fun! This is your chance to share your message with the world, to make a difference, to inspire change. So, take a deep breath, step onto that stage, and let your light shine brighter than ever before. The world is waiting for you.

💡 Pro Tip: Be authentic. Your audience wants to hear from YOU, not some rehearsed, robotic version of yourself. Be true to who you are, and let your personality shine through.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s make sure you steer clear of these common missteps:

• Being too broad or too narrow in your topic: Find the sweet spot between the two. You want a topic that’s broad enough to captivate your audience but not so narrow that it’s not interesting to a wider audience.

• Making the talk all about you: While your personal anecdotes and insights are valuable, your audience is eager to learn something from you, so keep their needs in mind as you prepare.

• Using jargon: Skip this altogether. You’ll want to communicate your message in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand, so avoid complex terms or explaining nuances that could lose your audience.

• Underestimating your visuals: A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, that adage is spot-on. Use images and props to enhance your message and make it more memorable for your audience.

• Not rehearsing enough: This is a big one. The more you rehearse, the less likely you will stumble or forget your words on stage.

  
  

So, there you have it! Preparing for a TED Talk doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. With a bit of planning and practice, you can deliver a talk that will inspire and engage your audience.

Giving a TED Talk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so enjoy the ride and share your message with the world.

Speeko for TED Talks

Tap into the power of A.I. coaching to unleash your full speaking potential. Use Speeko to prepare, write, and organize your TED Talk. From gathering your stories to using humor, you’ll strengthen your skills and receive invaluable feedback on key areas of your speaking style.