Why you really need to meet TED
If you want to be a better public speaker and presenter, it’s time to meet TED. No, TED isn’t a person. Its a series based around
What the Best TED Talk Presenters Know That You Don’t
If giving presentations were a sport, TED Talks would be the Olympic games. TED Talks are short but powerful presentations given by people in various fields. The tradition started at the first conference hosted by non-profit TED all the way back in 1984, and now covers all kinds of topics from business to current events. They are intense, informative, and entertaining all at the same time.
So, what makes TED Talk presenters so good at what they do? And why TED-like presentations have such a huge chance to go viral online and spread like wildfire?
The Sizzle, as well as the Steak
One of the reasons TED Talks are so popular actually isn’t the content of the talk, though that’s important too. The most popular talks are popular because of the presentation style. The speaker is charismatic, confident, and easy to connect with. TED chooses speakers who not only have a lot to day, they know how to say it. If you want to deliver a talk with the same impact, you need to learn how to become TED worthy!
What’s the Big Idea?
Every TED Talk shares a single big idea. It’s usually something outside the box that the audience has never considered before. The series is dedicated to bringing new ideas to a wider audience. If you watch a few, you’ll soon realize that the “big idea” is always wrapped up in a story. If you want to create a talk like this, you need to start by identifying the big idea you want to communicate with people, and what story is going to help you do it.
People love stories. We enjoy them from the time we’re born and our parents read to us. We love stories that are clear and to the point, like Aesop’s fables, with a beginning, middle and end that is easy to follow. We also like suspense-we’re eager to know what happens next.
Passion Drives the Presentations
A part of the “sizzle” mentioned above is that each TED presenter is passionate about their topic. That’s how they can inspire us as we listen to them. A speaker has a much better chance of capturing their audience’s attention, persuading them to accept their ideas, and firing them up with enthusiasm and the willingness to spread the word if they’re excited themselves. Present on a topic you’re passionate about and see what a difference it makes to your speaking skills, and your audience engagement.
Preparation and Practice
Public speaking is a skill, not a talent you’re born with. Even the best TED Talk presenters have to work hard to come up with engaging ideas to present in a vivid way. They then have to practice in order to come off as polished and confident. In this way they can create the impression that they are confident, credible experts worth paying attention to.
Public speaking is a skill every business needs to master. Anyone can master it through study and practice. If you feel like a tongue-tied fool every time you have to speak in public, or a moron at meetings when you’re asked to present a PowerPoint deck or other material, it’s time to stop letting your fear of public speaking hold you back.
Invest about 30 minutes every day to look at a few TED talks. Find topics you like and are interested in. Take notes on what they do well, and what they could do better. What did you learn from each talk, if you watch it through to the end? What take-away message or ‘big idea’ do they leave you with at the end to think about long after the talk is over?
To learn more about how to present like a pro with confidence, visit: How to Present with Confidence Multimedia eCourse
