Khara completed her first TEDx Talk The Burden of Busyness with TEDxCherryCreekWomen December 4th 2021.
So you are interested in applying for a TEDx talk? I know it was a professional goal for myself over these past few years and man has it been a journey! Check out this video conversation I have with two close colleagues about WHY we’ve decided to apply to a TEDx talk. Want to know more of my TEDx story? Check out the before and after blogs from my talk with TEDxCherryCreekWomen!
If you know a TEDx is for you and you have an idea worth spreading, here are some valuable tips I learned along the way.
Tip #1 Know Which TEDx Talks are Accepting Applications
Did you know there’s a whole directory available for upcoming TEDx talks? You can sort by location, month, and by type of TEDx (virtual or in person) in order to apply to several talks per month if you like!
Tip #2 Customize Your Content to the TEDx Theme
TEDx talks are independently organized of TED and get to select their own themes each year. Check out each TEDx website to learn more about their theme in order to craft you application in ways that compliment that theme. For example, if their theme is innovation, how is your idea supportive of innovation in order to be considered a viable candidate for their stage?
Tip #3 Follow the Application Rules
This one may feel silly to have to emphasize but if the TEDx you are applying to has certain rules about the length of your application such as word limits or 30 seconds for a video submission, follow these! If you don’t, you may be automatically eliminated from the pool of applicants for not following instructions.
Tip #4 Have a Hook
Once you receive your exciting news of acceptance, it’s time to start crafting your talk! With the average TEDx talk being between 8 and 12 minutes, this can feel especially challenging. Having a hook starts your talk off on the right foot by engaging your audience. Examples of hooks could be a statistic, a question for the audience, or a rhetorical question that gets them thinking and relating to you from the beginning.
Tip #5 Craft a Call to Action
As your talk comes together, be sure to have a call to action at the end. What is the one thing you want your audience to do after your talk? Do you want them to do a task? Share what they learned with others? Try something at home? A call to action keeps the inspiration and motivation flowing for your audience long after you leave the stage!
Tip #6 Candy Land over Memorization
What does Candy Land have to do with TEDx? It was the way I was taught to craft a talk without memorization. Imagine you are taking your audience on a journey. There are colored squares that represent transitions or emphasis of certain points within your talk while allowing it to flow. This visualization feels different to me than memorization that would keep a talk feeling robotic. I know this idea may push you out of your comfort zone for many reasons but this may be the best advice I was given to show up authentically on stage!
So there you have it! Six tips for your TEDx! I hope they help you on your journey to a life changing moment on stage!
Check out Khara’s TEDx talk The Burden of Buysness