Knowing how to present on a TED stage is in part about knowing the aims and conventions of a TED talk. The intention of TED talks is to inform listeners about issues in science, culture, politics and more, and their format is designed to be engaging and personal. Below are several things to keep in mind when planning a TED talk and creating the full presentation.
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The Format
TED talks are different from other types of presentations. First, they are designed to be short. Specifically, they are meant to be around 18 minutes long or less. The idea is to distill them down to their essence and keep the audience engaged. TED talks are delivered without notes, but this does not mean they are not highly scripted and rehearsed. The entire presentation is very polished, including any visual aids the speaker may use. The organization generally works with speakers to ensure that these visuals are of high quality.
The Idea
TED talks are supposed to be built around a single idea that is concisely stated. While the idea should illuminate a larger truth, it should be specific rather than broad. Delivering a talk from a TED stage should feel personal to the audience even if the idea is about an issue like politics or culture. When preparing the TED talk, people should think about what kinds of anecdotes, quotes, analogies, props, or personal stories might help to encapsulate or illustrate the idea. Not all of these may end up in the final presentation, but they can help a person brainstorm and expand on the initial idea.
Getting the Invitation
Understanding the format and having a great idea is important, but none of this helps without knowing how to get an invitation to give a TED talk. Inc.com has specific steps to getting this invitation. The first step is being nominated, and while self-nomination is allowed, organizers say they prefer speakers who are nominated by someone else. Participating in a TED Fellows program or in a local TEDx event may help people get the experience they need to get invited to and effectively deliver a full-fledged TED talk.
Preparation
Once the invitation has arrived, it is necessary to prepare a talk. People should not be lulled into thinking a shorter talk will be easier and faster to prepare. In fact, TED speakers often report spending more time whittling their talks down to their essence than they do preparing a regular talk. Preparation is not just a matter of writing a talk or shortening an existing presentation. The talk must be memorized but delivered in a way that appears to be spontaneous. People should practice the talk in front of friends, timing themselves diligently to ensure they do not go over the limit. Recording a talk can help with controlling distracting gestures and expressions and replacing them with other gestures and expressions that enhance the talk.
Giving a TED talk is a dream come true for public speakers and for many people in various fields. Knowing what kind of ideas the organization is looking for, how to get an invitation, and how to create a talk can be the key to presenting on the TED stage.