TED is among the most prestigious media organizations in existence, and many public speakers aspire to give a TEDx talk at some point in their career. TEDx provides a platform to spread your message into the world and delivering a talk can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
However, the world of TEDx talks can be confusing for those who are on the outside, and knowing how to begin the process of speaking at a TEDx event can be daunting. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between TED and TEDx, the benefits of being a TEDx speaker, and walk you step-by-step through the best way to become one.
What is TEDx?
Because of the far-reaching reputation of TED and “TED Talks,” a significant amount of confusion exists about what differentiates TEDx from TED. This can lead to erroneous statements by some TEDx speakers that they have given a TED talk when, in reality, there is a crucial difference.
TEDx events are local, independently organized and run “TED-like” events in which speakers give short speeches in the style of TED talks on various topics. The theme and speakers for these events are chosen by the local organizers. These organizers do have to get licensed by TED to run the event (more on that later), but TED is usually not primarily involved in the logistics of TEDx events.
While TED only has a small number of conferences each year, TEDx events are much more numerous, with almost 3,000 events annually. To put it simply, a TED speaker is a speaker who was invited by TED themselves to speak at a TED conference, while a TEDx speaker is someone who spoke at a TEDx event.
It is technically possible to become a TED speaker by having the video of your TEDx talk get promoted from a TEDx YouTube Channel to the TED website after the fact, and some speakers who get promoted go on to speak at a TED conference. However, as Tamsen Webster, the former organizer of TEDx Cambridge, shared with Grant Baldwin on an episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, out of 56,000 TEDx talks a year, only 40-45 get promoted.
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Why do a TEDx Talk?
So why pursue giving a TEDx talk in the first place? TED’s slogan is “Ideas Worth Spreading.” There are several key reasons to give a TEDx talk, but first and foremost, it should be because you have an important idea that you want to share with the world. TEDx talks provide you with a huge platform to do just this. We’ll talk more specifically about the topic of your talk later in this article.
But giving a TEDx talk can also be a massive boost to your speaking business. Not only does it provide a great source of demo footage and shows potential clients who you are as a speaker, but it also gives you a massive boost in the eyes of those potential clients, many of whom will know how high the bar is for giving a talk at TEDx.
Step 1: Have an Idea Worth Spreading
You may be sold on the goal of giving TEDx talks, but you’re probably wondering just how to be a TEDx speaker. The most important step in becoming a TEDx speaker is to come up with an idea worth spreading. You can’t just tell TEDx organizers you want to give a TEDx talk. You need to have a specific idea to pitch to them. Here are some of the factors to consider when developing an idea.
A New Idea
If you’re an aspiring or actual professional public speaker, the topic you pitch to TEDx event planners will almost certainly need to be different than your normal talk.
In fact, although they aren’t forbidden, TED actually discourages professional speakers from speaking at events, because they are looking for ground that hasn’t been already covered.
They want to catch the next big thing before the world hears about it. TEDx organizers are looking for new ideas (or new takes on old ideas). TEDx organizers hear many great ideas over and over again. If they can find a variety of other places to see you (or others) speaking about the same thing, they’re unlikely to let you give a TEDx talk on it.
A Focused Idea
Many aspiring TEDx speakers who already have public speaking experience make the mistake of trying to outline the TEDx talk they’re pitching in the same way they would outline a normal keynote address. In reality, a TEDx talk is very different to a keynote in one key respect: length.
TEDx puts an absolute limit for talk length at 18 minutes, but that is a cap, not a goal. Most TEDx speakers will get asked to speak for 3, 6 or 9 minutes, and the length you get to speak for will largely be up to the local organizer (within TED’s set boundaries, of course).
For this reason, when pitching an idea for a TED talk, you need to be incredibly specific and focused on one idea that you want to give a talk about. Don’t build it around 3 points or 5 steps. The idea that is the foundation of your proposed talk should be concise and to the point.
An Idea Within Your Domain of Authority
Not only should your idea be new and concise, it should also be within your domain of authority. Because of TED’s specific mission, they don’t just want people to speak on something they find interesting; they want people who have a credible connection to their topic.
This doesn’t necessarily have to mean something you have an educational qualification in. It can also be based on personal experiences that give you a unique perspective on a topic or idea. If your topic is within your domain of authority, it will resonate better with not only a TEDx event organizer, but also with your audience.
An Idea that Meets an Unmet Need
Another attribute of successful TEDx talks is that they aim to meet an unmet need in the world. This can be related to large-scale social or cultural issues, but it can also be as simple as helping people achieve a goal of some kind.
Even if your domain of authority and your personal experiences are part of a smaller niche, try to tie it into a more universal goal or need that people have.
An Idea that You’re Passionate About
Another important part of developing your idea is to ensure that it’s something you’re passionate about. A surprisingly large amount of people have a unique idea within their domain of authority, but lack the passion that TEDx organizers are looking for when selecting speakers.
Audiences can tell how passionate a speaker is about what they’re talking about, which is why TEDx event planners won’t give opportunities to someone who doesn’t seem invested in what they want to speak about.
This is one reason why professional speakers have an extra hurdle to get over when speaking for TEDx – the purpose of the talk needs to be focused on impacting not only the immediate audience, but also the broader world.
Step 2: Research TEDx Events
Now that you’ve chosen an idea to speak on, it’s time to find upcoming TEDx events to establish potential opportunities.
The difficulty with this step lies in the fact that there is no centralized listing of the selection process for TEDx events, and each event has different methods and criteria for speaker selection. That’s why research is necessary.
Date and Location
You can view a map of upcoming TEDx events on TED’s website. Out of these, there are certain factors such as travel distance and date that can help you narrow it down to plausible events to apply for.
You should look for events that are at least 6-8 months out, as the application process takes time, and if you’re accepted, the preparation stage is even longer (more on that later).
Application Process
Because there’s no universal application process for speaking at TEDx events, you’ll need to do some research to find out how your target events find and select speakers. This is largely up to the event planners.
Certain recurring TEDx events accept applications year round, and you can find a list of those here. Outside of those, you’ll need to look for certain things when researching events.
A good place to start is the specific TEDx event’s website. Sometimes this information is available there, but in some cases you’ll need to speak to someone about it (we’ll get to that in Step 3). But there are a few key things you need to try to find out.
First, does the TEDx event in question accept applications at all, or are speakers selected by invite only? Additionally, some TEDx events only want local speakers to apply, so try to find out if the event planners have any preference in that regard.
Level License
The next thing you need to try to ascertain is the license level of the event. TED gives a license to TEDx organizers, but there are two classes of events – and this distinction is important.
Level 1 licenses are starter licenses, while Level 2 licenses are reserved for events that have already successfully organized several Level 1 events. Which level any given event is will never be publicly available information, but there are ways you can tell the difference.
There’s a few reasons why you should try to apply for Level 2 events. First, Level 2 TEDx events generally have much larger attendance – Level 1 events will have under 100 people in attendance. Secondly, the production value will be much higher with Level 2 events. This can mean things like better stage lighting and several camera angles.
Thirdly, Level 2 event planners have done several events in the past, which means these events are likelier to have a smooth and standardized process. This will make the application and preparation processes much easier.
And lastly, although the odds are always against your talk getting promoted to the TED website, the TED curation team is much more likely to see your video if it’s at one of the more well-known Level 2 events.
So how do you tell the difference? You can try identifying some of the factors we’ve already talked about, like attendance and production value, but there are a few other things you can look out for as well.
A good rule of thumb is that if it’s a well-known city you’ve heard of (i.e. TEDx London, TEDx Dallas, TEDx Boston, etc), it’s almost definitely a Level 2 event. Level 2 events can also charge more for tickets than Level 1 events and finally, only Level 2 events are allowed to host associated Salon Events.
Step 3: Apply for TEDx Events
Now that you have an idea in mind and have done your homework on the various events, it’s time to start applying for TEDx events. But as we’ve touched on earlier, there is no standard application process, and sometimes, information on how to apply isn’t even publicly available. So how do you apply?
Check the Website
Most TEDx events have their own distinct website with information about their specific event. In many cases, there will be a place on the website where you can apply to give a talk, or at least contact the organizers.
Ask Around
If the information on the website is insufficient, the easiest way to find information about the application process of an event is to ask people with firsthand knowledge. If you know someone who has spoken at a given TEDx event, start with them.
Speakers who have already been through the process have the most insightful information, but other connections can be useful as well. If you know someone who is connected with the event organizers, you can ask them to put you in touch.
Email the Event Organizers
If there’s no standardized process for applying to the event and you don’t have any relevant connections, try sending a basic email to one of the event organizers with a brief summary of your idea and the fact that you’re interested in speaking at the event.
Even if they don’t feel that you’re a good fit for their event, you can always ask if there’s another TEDx event they know of where you may find an opening. TEDx organizers often network with other organizers (especially in their geographical vicinity).
Step 4: Pitch Your Talk
It’s time to pitch your talk to the decision-maker. It’s important to remember that TEDx event planners receive hundreds of pitches and have to narrow it down to a select few, so it’s crucial that you stand out.
Focus on the Uniqueness of Your Topic
As we’ve explained, the mission of TED talks is to find a new or unique idea, which is why an important part of a successful pitch is focusing on what sets your idea apart from the other applicants. Instead of only focusing on how good your topic is, keep the focus on how it’s unconventional, surprising or out of the ordinary.
Focus on the Relevance of Your Topic
The next important thing to focus on during your pitch is how your topic is immediately relevant – firstly to the local community, and then to the wider world. The mission of TED goes beyond just finding new ideas; it is about finding ideas that are worth spreading. Ideas that will help people meet a need, change a perspective or help others in some way.
It’s important when crafting a compelling pitch that you demonstrate how your topic taps into the current zeitgeist and how it’s immediately applicable to the target audience.
Be Persistent
Like we’ve mentioned, the bar for getting a TEDx talk is very high, and if you’re applying to several TEDx events, you can expect some rejections. But the important thing is to keep applying until you find an event that accepts your application.
If all of the rejections you receive involve the same general criticism, it may be worth taking a step back to examine if you need to work on your idea some more. And like we mentioned earlier, if you get rejected, it may be worth asking that specific decision-maker if they know of any other TEDx events nearby that may be a better fit.
Step 5: Prepare Your Talk
Once your application has been approved, it’s time to prepare your talk. Having a unique, relevant and concise idea is a good start, but it isn’t everything. You need to be able to build that idea into a fully formed talk.
Prepare Your Presentation
A great way to get an idea of how to prepare your TEDx talk is to watch TED talks online. This gives you a better grasp of the format, style and the best way to engage your audience. Look for talks given by the most successful TED speakers at a TED or TEDx event and reference those videos while preparing your own talk.
When creating your TEDx talk, it’s important to intricately plan every aspect of the talk. This isn’t a situation where you just need a few notecards and some improvisation skill. Because of the nature of the event and the brevity of your talk, you’ll need to take the time to write and carefully craft your material.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Keynote or PowerPoint slides should be used sparingly, if at all. You shouldn’t have your entire talk spelled out on slides; after all, if the audience can just read the slides, what do they even need you for?
Instead, you should build your talk first, and then determine if you could use slides to emphasize certain aspects of your presentation. If you’re telling a story or speaking about a life experience, a well-placed picture can bring the audience into your shoes in a particular moment.
You can also use slides to visualize certain points, especially if they involve numbers, statistics or anything else where a slide would help the audience understand the point you’re making. Just remember, slides tend to be more effective the less you use them.
Tell a Story
The next important thing to do when building a successful TEDx talk is to build it around a story. Academic talks tend to be very matter-of-fact, telling the audience from the outset what the key message is and then elaborating. This method makes an ineffective TEDx talk.
Instead, you want to make your talk captivating and interesting by emphasizing the human side of it. Humans love stories. We relate to and connect with them. Whether it’s a funny story, a sad story or an inspirational story, telling a story will help your audience connect with your message.
But what if you can’t think of any lived experience that helps get your point across? First, make sure you’ve tried thinking outside the box. It may not seem like a story is immediately applicable, but if you think about it enough, you may come up with a way to creatively tie it in.
However, if you still can’t think of something, it’s okay to use stories about others or a case study that would get your point across. It isn’t as effective as telling the audience about something you’ve personally experienced, but it’s always better to develop your talk narratively.
Begin With the End in Mind
When developing your TEDx Talk, always keep that primary idea at the forefront of every part of the talk. You don’t want to get to the end of your talk and leave your audience wondering, “What was the point of that?”
Always keep the destination of your talk in mind and work backwards to develop a talk that gets the audience there while maintaining their attention, proving your idea and illustrating your point. As the talk is ending, make sure to answer the questions “So what?” and “Now what?” for your audience. That is, explain what your topic has to do with them, and more importantly, give them actionable steps to take after hearing it.
Work With Event Planners to Revise and Refine
It is in TEDx’s best interest to make sure your talk reflects well on the TED brand. That’s why TEDx has one of the most hands on preparation processes in the speaking industry.
They begin working with speakers three to four months prior to the event itself, going through almost every aspect of your talk. They’ll usually start by breaking down your idea down into its core premises and making sure that it’s unassailable.
Then they focus on ensuring that your talk is structured in a way that will work with the format and time requirements. This is all done to make sure that your presentation will be an absolutely great TEDx talk.
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Step 6: Give Your Talk
Now it’s time to deliver your talk. You’ve done the preparation, but for many an aspiring TEDx speaker, actually giving the TEDx talk is the most daunting part of the process.
Stay Calm and Focused
Giving a TEDx talk can be intimidating, and it’s perfectly natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. But as you take the stage, it’s important to remain calm. By this point, you should be familiar with the material, have a grasp of timing and be able to deliver your talk in a concise and compelling way. Take a few deep breaths, remember the preparation and rehearsals you’ve done, and trust your ability to deliver your message effectively.
Engage Your Audience
It’s easy to focus primarily on the camera, but you should remember that a TEDx speaker is speaking first and foremost to the audience of people in the building. Keeping the audience engaged is crucial to delivering a successful talk, and if you can keep a live audience engaged, you’ll likely keep any future online audience engaged as well.
Make sure the gestures and body language you use are natural and engage the audience, and keep the talk slow and steady. Rushing through your points can be detrimental to emphasis and clarity. Don’t be afraid to use silence to emphasize certain points throughout your talk.
Enjoy the Experience
Although giving a TEDx talk can be intimidating, don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Becoming a TEDx speaker is a unique opportunity to share your idea with a large audience. You should embrace the moment, and always let your enthusiasm and passion for your idea shine through.
Step 7: Leverage Your TEDx Talk to Grow Your Speaking Business
The goal of doing a TEDx talk should be first and foremost about spreading your idea to the world, but it can also provide a massive boost to your speaking business.
Promote Your Talk
Once your TEDx talk is available online, make sure to promote it on social media accounts. Posting it to sites like X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn can increase visibility and establish you as an authority on the subject you spoke about.
Add the Talk to Your Website
Make sure to feature your TEDx talk prominently on your speaker website and demo video. Potential clients often look for a professional speaker with credibility and notable experience speaking in their field. Being a TEDx speaker gives you an immediate boost with potential clients, many of whom know how high the bar is for giving a TEDx talk.
Create Additional Content
You can also expand on your TEDx talk by developing additional content around the same topic, such as articles, books, online courses or workshops. This will go even further to establish your expertise in the area of your topic and thus promote even more growth for your speaking business.
Conclusion
Becoming a TEDx speaker, while not easy, is a worthwhile goal for public speakers. Not only does it provide you with a platform from which to share your message with the world, but it also can grow your speaking business in surprising ways.
In this article, we’ve gone through the steps necessary to becoming a TEDx speaker. We’ve shown that by developing an idea worth spreading, researching and applying to TEDx events, pitching your talk in a compelling manner and carefully preparing your talk, you can achieve your goal of giving a TEDx talk.
The key to a successful TEDx experience lies in the passion you have for your topic, the preparation of your idea, and your persistence throughout the process. By following this method, you can share your idea with an audience, and make a lasting impact on the world.
