For many of my clients, speaking at TED or TEDx is an item on their bucket list. They want their talk to make a big splash or open new doors or give them a new level of credibility…or all three! If you are interested in what it takes to do that, read the following from a recent client of mine. She came to me as an expert in her field with some speaking experience.
What It Was Like to Create My TED Talk
This was some of the hardest work I have ever done. Digging deep to find my topic and my passion was a challenge. But it was well worth the time and effort it took.
One of my biggest challenges was selecting stories and events from my life that would give the audience something new to think and talk about. Brainstorming was fairly easy, but developing my stories and then whittling them down required real discipline. I definitely built some new skills learning how to do this!
Also, bringing the quality of my delivery up to the TED level required a lot of practice. This was challenging because I had never conveyed so much emotion in my presentations before. The first few times I rehearsed my speech I broke down in tears. I had to learn how to feel my emotions in real time and then hold them so that the audience could experience them, too.
That took practice!
Once I had rehearsed with Paula, I gave my new speech to several groups to get some practice and find out how to improve it. I also videotaped my presentations in case I got some footage that would be good enough to submit to the TED decision makers.
I love giving this speech! I get up on stage, share my stories and bring tears to the audiences’ eyes. I get laughs in the right places, too. I’m not sure I’m TED material just yet, but thanks to my work with Paula, I know what it takes to get there and I’m on my way.
Update: My client was recently invited to speak at a TEDx event in her area! I think her winning strategy was honing her talk until she had excellent video footage to include with her application.
Wondering if you are TED Ready? Try answering these questions:
- Do you understand that this talk will be unlike any other speech you have given?
- Do you have / are your willing to develop a unique idea you are passionate about that’s worth spreading?
- Are you willing to dig deep to retrieve / develop powerful personal stories?
- Are you willing to be emotionally honest, humble, and vulnerable on stage?
- Can you set aside your speaking habits in favor of the “casual authenticity” that TED requires?
- Are you ready to rehearse until you are over prepared and can deal with anything?
If you answered ‘yes’ to the above questions, I would love to hear from you!
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
You can also email me at: PaulaStatman@StandoutPresentations.com or call: 510-444- 8721