Is giving a TedTalk on your bucket list?

Has that red circular carpet beckoned you?

Do you want to feel the warmth of the spotlight, and hear the hushed anticipation of the audience?

Have you been in the TedX audience and wondered: "Could that be me someday, standing on the stage?"

So what does that TedX Speaker journey look like?

How can you craft a talk that not only shares your insights but also resonates deeply with your audience?

The Dream and the Doubt

Many of us aspire to inspire others with our stories and ideas. Yet, the thought of Public Speaking can evoke a cocktail of fear and self-doubt.

What if my ideas aren’t as compelling as I think?

Stages or the idea of being on stage can accentuate the voice of our inner critic. Dealing with your inner critic where having an experienced coach with you can be a game changer.

Having been on many stages over the last 20 years - either to give KeyNotes, presenting at conferences, and also as a TedX speaker, here is what I would recommend:

Step-by-Step: From Idea to Impact

Step 1 Identify Your Core Identities and Expertise: Start with introspection. List 5-10 facets of your identity and expertise. This is about understanding and embracing your unique strengths and passions, which will form the backbone of your TED talk.

Step 2 List Problems/Causes You Care About: What changes are you passionate about? What problems do you believe need addressing? List these to align your talk with not just what you know, but what you care about deeply.

Step 3 Find the Intersection: Where do your expertise and causes you care about intersect with universal challenges? This intersection is where your talk will come to life, blending personal authenticity with universal relevance. This intersection is where you will come up with innovative ideas and your talk becomes a gift for your audience.

Step 4 Brainstorm Titles: Create titles that spark curiosity. A compelling title is a hook that creates an interest in the organizers and eventually your audience.

Step 5 Create a Compelling Pitch: Articulate your idea succinctly. And pitch it to various stages. Some organizers accept self-nomination, while others have a different process. If your idea is compelling enough, most will engage in a dialogue with you, because they are also looking for good speakers.

Step 6 Practice Practice Practice: This is where you have the biggest potential to stand out, focusing on both your content and delivery to give a talk that is remembered.

Here are 2 coachees whom I recently helped:

• Charan struggled to maintain a natural tone in his presentations, often sounding robotic. Through introduction to techniques that blend well-structured content with the ability to adapt spontaneously, Charan was able to address this challenge. Through peer feedback, Charan learned to navigate unexpected questions and engage more naturally with his audience, making his delivery more authentic and less rehearsed.
• Susanne worked on boosting her confidence and refining her body language within the supportive environment of group coaching. Regular group sessions allowed her to receive immediate feedback on her posture, gestures, and delivery, helping her to project confidence more effectively. Collaborative exercises designed to reduce anxiety also enabled Sesanne to approach public speaking in a calmer, more assured demeanor.

Toolkit for Aspiring Speakers

Three Strategies:

• Challenge Negative Beliefs: Replace doubts with affirmations. You have valuable insights that deserve to be heard.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself as you prepare. Every great speaker was once a beginner.
• Set Realistic Goals: Break your preparation into manageable steps and celebrate each small victory.

Two Essential Skills:

• Self-Awareness: Know your triggers and work to soften them. Understanding your fears is the first step to overcoming them.
• Resilience: Build your capacity to adapt and recover. Every attempt at public speaking, successful or not, is progress.

One Actionable Challenge:

• Speak on a Stage: Commit to a local speaking event or a community gathering. Practice your talk in a supportive environment to build your confidence.

Join the Movement This is a long and challenging journey and one where guidance and coaching make a big difference.

My signature 7-week program Make The Stage will support you on this challenging path, hone your speaking skills, and prepare you for the red circle. Let’s turn your aspiration into a reality.

Hope to see you there!

Yours in learning,

Shivangi Walke