So you’ve spent hours late at night getting lost in TED talks online, hours spent soaking up big ideas and getting inspired that one day you’ll stand on that red circle yourself.
Well, 2019 could be your year as TEDxBristol returns with 'Reflect Rethink Reboot' on 17th November 2019 at Bristol Old Vic. If you’ve already applied to become a speaker, or you need that last little bit of inspiration to get that application in before deadline day, our partners, and speaker coaching gurus, Hodos Consultancy Co. have prepared their top tips to help you talk like TED.
What do you feel when you see a TEDx talk? Inspired? Energised? Prompted to act? Perhaps it’s a combination of all three.
Did you know that if you’re selected to become a speaker at TEDxBristol you’re not just shown to the red circle and left to your own devices? Every single speaker gets taken under our wings and is coached and nurtured to help them turn their idea into a killer talk, fit for the TEDx world stage.
Top Tips
Hodos Consultancy Company is one of our partners, they specialise in presentation coaching and narrative development. Because they’re such experts they also work closely with the TEDxBristol speakers to help them develop their ideas into scripts, refine those scripts and then to present those scripts in a compelling and engaging way!
Samuel Williams and Barney Grenfell
So, if you’re interested in standing on the red circle here are five top tips straight from our expert coaches, Sam and Barney from Hodos to help you get there:
1. Big Idea
First thing you need is an idea, but a TEDx talk has a time limit, within that time limit you can’t cover everything… so don’t try! Pick one key idea that really resonates with you and make that the core of your talk. We call this the Big Idea. Focusing on one key message avoids audience confusion and will make your talk more powerful.
2. Story-tell
Stories are at the centre of everything Hodos does. We believe that a good story is the difference between a good Ted Talk and an amazing Ted Talk. We make most of our decisions based on an emotional response, and stories tap straight into our emotions. It is your personal history that gives you the authority to talk about your subject. Other people might know about your subject but no-one except you has your unique perspective on it.
3. Purpose
What are people saying as they walk out of the auditorium, what are they thinking and feeling. What do you want them to do? What is your call to action? Knowing what you want to achieve with your talk, will start to give it shape and purpose.
4. Be Authentically You
There are many speaker coaches or presentation coaches who tell you to be like this or be like that, ‘be more superhero…’. We say… Be yourself! This isn’t acting. Don’t try and be something you’re not. This authenticity encompasses being vulnerable and emotional – if you’re telling an emotional story, let the audience share in those emotions.
5. Practice
All of your hard work and preparation can still come to nothing if you don’t PRACTICE! People always underestimate how much time they will need to learn something. Practice, practice then practice some more!
If you have a TEDx talk in mind, think about these tips when you’re preparing your pitch. The right story can change minds. The right story can inspire people to action. The right story can change the world!
And if you won’t tell your story, who will?
If you’d like to apply to become a speaker at TEDxBristol 2019 get your application in here right now!