If giving presentations were a sport, TED Talks would be the Olympics. TED Talks are short but powerful presentations given by people in various fields. The tradition started at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference hosted by non-profit TED but now covers all kinds of topics from business to current events. If you’ve ever seen a TED Talk, you know that they are intense, informative, and entertaining all at the same time.
So, what makes TED Talk presenters so good at what they do?
The Sizzle, not the Steak
One of the reasons TED Talks are so popular actually isn’t the content of the talk. The most popular talks are popular because of the presentation. What this means is that the speaker is charismatic, confident, and relatable. This is not to say that the content isn’t important, but simply that TED chooses speakers who are eloquent and good at speaking. If you want to deliver a talk with the same impact, you need to learn how to control body language, be confident on stage, and build good rapport with the audience.
What’s the Big Idea?
Every TED Talk shares a single big idea. It’s usually something outside the box that we’ve never considered before. The series is dedicated to bringing new ideas to people. 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.
Loads of Inspiration
A part of the “sizzle” mentioned above is that each TED presenter is inspired by their topic. That’s how they can inspire us by listening 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 inspiration if they’re excited themselves. Present on a topic you’re passionate about.
Preparation and Practice
Public speaking is a skill, not a talent you’re born with. Even the best TED Talk presenters had to work hard, develop their speaking skill, prepare well, and practice. This is why they come off as confident, credible masters at the knowledge they impart. Public speaking is a skill every business needs to master and any one can master it through study and practice.
If you are ready to take your presentation and communications skills to the next level so that you win new business, gain buy-in and have more confidence get the presentation skills course today!