So you want to speak at a TEDx event?

Well, there's some good advice out there from a speaker perspective (Like this article by Taz Thornton), but I thought I'd throw in some advice from the technical folks like me on how to get the best out of it.

Not all TEDx talks are created equally.

Everyone running a TEDx is a volunteer as such they are almost all doing it because they want to achieve something great, but that also means there is a vast difference in how well funded, organised and run these events can be. If you get the chance to speak at a TEDx event, do a bit of research on the event, their past output and venues etc. I'm not saying don't do it, but manage your expectations. Don't just assume it will be as good as a regular TED event. TEDx sets out very specific guidelines on how these events should be filmed and run, but it's treated as the gold standard you should aspire to and is not a rigidly enforced standard. Not many talks on the TEDx YouTube channel meet this standard. More these days are getting close, but there are also a lot that are way off this standard. Once you've done your talk and it's on TEDx you can't take it back and do it again. Though you can do another one. Taz has done 3.

TEDx is not a live talk, it's a talk filmed in front of a live studio audience.

This one is a very important one, because TEDx are very clear in their guidelines on this and slowly more events are coming round to it. TEDx expect you to treat the event as the recording of a talk in front of a live studio audience. You are effectively in a TV studio not just being filmed at a live event.

So what's the difference? TEDx view your primary audience as the viewers worldwide, so if something happens, you are to put their needs first. Such as when we were filming one of the Peterborough talks one speaker went on stage and started talking without having their mic turned on. The TEDx guide is clear, if something like this happens, the talk is to be stopped, the fault corrected and either re started or continued from a point before the fault happened. The Floor manager and film crew will make sure you are good to go and let you know how best to proceed so that your final edited talk looks flawless.

In a way this takes a bit of the pressure off you. If your Power point fails to load, you fall off the stage, or an audience member screams and runs out of the room, you haven't blown your one shot. We just reset and go again.

That said, a lot of TEDx events don't seem to take this on board, so you may need to make sure you are all on the same page. But TEDx's official word on it is. You are in a TV studio, getting the talk right takes priority, even if you have to stop and reset.

Give yourself the best chance of success.

In an ideal world, you will know your talk well enough and be practised enough to deliver it without notes. Ideally TEDx would prefer this, but if you have to, then use cue cards or ask if an auto cue can be available. Even if that's having someone sit in the front row with a bunch of big cards with notes on. Don't worry, we won't film them. ;)

Also, if you are relying on any tech, discuss it with the film crew well in advance so they can prepare for it. Even simple stuff like providing all your slides and a script or rough bullet points for your talk in advance can help filming a lot.

Be patient.

We know you are stressed out/excited/nervous about doing your talk but take a deep breath. Everything we're doing is to make sure your talk looks as good as possible once it's filmed. If there's a delay before you go on, or we need to fix something technical please understand we're not trying to stress you out, we're trying to make sure you have the best chance of success.

After the event it takes TEDx a while to go live with your talk. The film crew has no control over this. Don't get frustrated with them, they can't do anything to speed up the process. It may be 3 months or so before you finally go live on their channel.

Enjoy it.

It can be very exhilarating delivering a good talk in front of an audience. If anything goes wrong, it's not the end of the world. (unless zombies burst in through the doors, in which case possibly it is). We're there to record the best version we can of you delivering your talk to an audience. If you stumble your words, just relax and start that bit again, if you knock your mic off, we'll come and apply lots of gafa tape. It will be fine, so try and relax and enjoy a unique and awesome experience.

Some general tips

• Avoid pin stripe or small pattern clothes. They cause an effect known as moire that makes your outfit flicker
• Check with the venue what kind of mic they are using. If it's a lapel mic and you wear something like a shoulder-less dress, they will have to tape it to you. If you know in advance, then you can plan what you wear accordingly.
• Avoid dangly, jangly jewellery. The microphones will pick it up
• Get some anti shine powder (yes, men too). There's a lot of bright lights and you are likely to be running a little higher on adrenaline than normal. This stuff is magic for stopping you looking too shiny under the lights.
• Let us tell you what to do. It's the floor managers job to make sure video, audio and stage are all ready for you to go, so let them guide you on where to be and when.
• This is not a live show, if for any reason you are not good to go when you get the cue from the floor manager, don't be afraid to say so. No one will get cranky with you.
• Know your marks. Before the event you'll get a chance to see the stage and venue, know where you are going to be when you deliver your talk. If we're all set up to film people standing on the red spot and your on the other side of the stage we'll have to reset.
• Make the most of it. Enjoy the experience and make the most of the assets. A well filmed TEDx talk can give you a huge credibility boosting asset to use. Take photos on the day, get behind the scenes shots and write about the experience. There's a lot more useful assets and promotion to be had than just the final talk. And when your talk finally goes live. Tell everyone.