Creating TEDx Magic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Doing a TEDxTalk seems to be a mystery to so many of my colleagues in the thought leadership space. They often remark on their strong desire to do one, wistfully sharing that it's a dream they've always had to stand on that coveted Big Red Dot of TED.

Having delivered two of the prestigious Talks over the last dozen years as well as provide TEDx Ideation services to those who want the same opportunity, I want to share what I know in the hopes that it will help you take those all-important first steps towards sharing your Idea Worth Spreading on one of the most esteemed platforms in the world.

While these certainly aren't hard and fast rules, I did find that they helped me land and leverage my latest TEDxTalk, Doodle Your Dream: How a Cocktail Napkin Will Save the World, to great effect.

TEDx Application 101: Simplified Magic

Ever wondered how to snag a TEDx spot? In a nutshell, you need to find an event that has relevance to you (your hometown, your birthplace, your college town, your favorite travel spots, etc), share your Idea Worth Spreading in the written and video submission, and chat with the TEDx team during the audition process. It is imperative that you convey the universal impact of your idea and not just "tell your story". Keep their theme in mind as you pitch your idea. Pro tip: Connect with the curator beforehand – it builds rapport and gives you an inside scoop on how things work at that particular TEDx event.

Crafting Your TEDxTalk: Art with a Commitment Twist

Crafting a TEDxTalk isn’t a task; it's a piece of art. Your crystal clear idea is the foundation of your work of art. No jargon, no fluff – just the raw concept you want the world to embrace. It takes commitment, sure, but the impact? Worth every ounce of effort. For example, I worked on my Talk on a daily basis for 8 weeks before the big day.

Choosing Your Idea: Cocktail Napkin Clarity

Don't know what to speak about? I suggest you list down what matters to you, validate your idea with external sources that will reinforce your Talk, and find a theme that ties them all together. Choose something deeply personal, where the FEELS are at the forefront. (Overcoming Adversity as a topic is a big fat yawn.) You'll want your enthusiasm and energy oozing off the stage. When YOU care, the audience will care.

Making Every Word Count: A Recipe for Brilliance

Ever heard Mark Twain’s quip about talk preparation? Crafting brilliance takes time. Nothing replaces good old fashioned creativity work: Do a brain dump, draft and deliver a timed slide presentation to ignite your Talk, write the first version of your script based on the video transcript, and perform countless timed run-throughs to edit it down to within your allotted time. Early practice is non-negotiable. Trust me; it’s the difference between sweating bullets and shining brightly.

Confidence, Feedback, and a Dash of Courage

Confidence is key when it comes to commanding a TEDxTalk. The nervous butterflies will be out in full force, and the only way to combat them (other than medication!) is through clarity, focus, and relentless practice. Daily run-throughs are your secret weapon. And don’t forget a healthy dose of courage – it's not enough to have the idea, the stories, the data, and the wardrobe -- you need to have the guts to walk out and deliver the goods. It's not for everyone.

Beyond the Red Dot: Maximizing Impact

TEDx isn’t just about the Talk; it’s also a journey that lasts for years afterward. How can you optimize the experience from a business perspective? Engage your network emotionally before the event through social media, and make connections with the other speakers. Use photos, videos, and relationships during and after the event to sustain visibility. Quality engagement over quantity is the name of the game. (Here's a little secret: You can buy a half-million views through a PR-driven server farm if you have enough money.)

Once your Talk is live on the TED platform, shout it from the rooftops on every conceivable channel – email marketing, social media, articles, proposals, email signature, everywhere. Respond to every comment, leverage the Talk in different contexts, and maintain the conversation weeks, months, and even years after it's published! It's some of the best evergreen media you'll have, so share it. A LOT.

May you have the clarity of your Brilliance to share it with the world on a TEDx stage soon! I'm in your corner. ?