TEDxTuesdays: Insights from... The TED Talk Whisperer (19dec23)


A NEW YEAR + APPROACH: Decoding the Real Challenge Behind Your TEDx Dreams.

I know last year was going to be different — better, impactful, even career-defining.

You knew that a successful TEDx Talk could be part of that change.

In fact, one of your New Year resolutions was to share your “idea worth spreading” with the world!

And you did more than just dream. You took action:

✔ You bought the book.

✔ Signed up for an online course.

✔ Clicked over to TED.com to learn more.

But things stalled...

The book, Talk Like TED... is still uncracked.

That much-advertised TEDx training... just expired.

How can you change all THAT from happening this year??

First up, you need to face two realities:

FALSE FEAR. America’s #1 fear — public speaking — isn’t the problem. Sure nerves are a thing, but any competent TED coach can help you turn that into a catalyst of focused energy.

You need to go beneath the surface layer:

What is driving those nerves?

What’s really going on down there?

STORY LOOP. Your real challenge is the negative story playing loudly on repeat in your mind...

I’m not smart enough.

My idea isn’t BIG enough.

My career track isn’t impressive.

I will be criticized, ridiculed, and rejected.

Those TED speakers all know more than me.

Who am I to think about changing the world???

I say STOP.

STOP. IT. NOW.

(I’ve got your back.)

You are worthy of a TEDx talk. So too, will be your idea — worthy — when you take center stage.

It is time to rework that internal narrative — change that negative story loop into one that affirms the potential of you and your talk. (8 tips for jettisoning Imposter Syndrome are here.)

I know this to be true, from personal experience. One of my most accomplished clients — a Harvard researcher who delivered a 45-million view talk — was doubting himself too.

But guess what? On game day, he was confidently standing center stage with focused energy. He delivered his idea worth spreading — and it has literally changed the world for the better!

Remember, success on a TED stage is not about eradicating nervousness; it's about transforming it into a catalyst.

Your deeper, bigger challenge is to embrace the truth that your voice and ideas hold immense value — worthy of TED.

Trust me, your 2024 can be different — better, impactful, even career-defining!

#TEDTalks #Presentations #TheTEDTalkWhisperer

P.S. For a deeper look, check out the following TEDxTuesdays articles:

Click here to break past imposter syndrome.

Click here for that story about a TOP 10 TED Talk.

Click here for tips about finding a speaker coach.

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and TED-Style speakers. The result: 100s of millions of views. His team helps leaders, just like you, catalyze ideas.

You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.

Let the world LIVE your message!™


Support TED by Becoming a Member.

TED rolled out a membership option for talk fans in 2020.

I hope you will consider supporting the work of TED by becoming a member. (Click here.)

It is an easy lift at just $5 a month. What's more, membership offers you...

[ ] The book club

[ ] Ad-free podcast listening

[ ] Access to key TED speakers

[ ] Members-only virtual events

[ ] A virtual happy hour or two!

Join TED now.


Podcast Moments.

Last year, I enjoyed one of my most robust and engaging interviews with Julie Masters on the Inside Influence Podcast.

From a bit of my STICKY Story™ framework to Imposter Syndrome among hopeful TEDsters... And lots more.

Click here to listen to episode #151.

https://juliemasters.com/devin-marks-decoding-the-breakaway-ted-talk-how-to-create-an-idea-worth-sharing/


Become a Breakaway TEDster!

When you're ready to take center stage (or center screen), let me know. Whether you're working on a TED Talk or a commencement address; an all-hands preso, or a keynote, you will want to be:

[ ✔] FiveFold-Focused
[ ✔] Story-Wrapped
[ ✔] Action-Igniting

And those three priorities make our TED Messaging Method so very, very connecting and compelling.

To begin a conversation, click here:


Let the world LIVE your message!™

Unsubscribe | Update your profile
24 School Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108

TEDxTuesdays, a weekly-ish 'zine about TED-style messaging.

I help niche execs, experts and authors master the TED stage and "short talk" messaging style. (TEDx clients enjoying views in the many, Many, MANY millions.) LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE!™ #tedtalks #tedx #tedstyle #publicspeaking #speechwriting #pitches #presentations #messaging #branding #publicrelations #events #conferences

Read more from TEDxTuesdays, a weekly-ish 'zine about TED-style messaging.

3 Top TED Talk Prep Books. (Have You Read Any of These?) People ask me all the time, what book do you recommend to prep for my TED Talk? Frankly, there’s not one. There are three. No one book, alone, really offers the full TED and TEDx picture. But these three combined, come the closest, in print. That said, pick one of these and you’ll be ahead of the game. Read all three (in the order I’ve listed) and you’ll have woven the best insight set to exist in print. And yes, I know. There are many,...

ROOKIE MISTAKES: The #1 TEDx Blunder and 5 Ways to Overcome It. What's the most common TEDx mistake that hopeful speakers make? Settling for the 1st opportunity that comes your way. Not all TEDx events are created equal. With 3K+ annual conferences all around the world and all run by volunteers... There’s a wide gap in quality and know-how. Fact is that many, many event organizers are learning on the job. Often they don’t have the resources to properly vet speaker ideas or produce...

INSTANTLY CONNECT WITH AN AUDIENCE. (Your 6-Step Guide to Relatability.) Connecting with your audience — whether for a keynote, pitch, or TED Talk — is an art that every speaker aims to master. To help you achieve this, we've compiled 6 essential tips from top TED Talk speakers that can significantly boost your relatability and connection. These 6 proven relatability strategies will elevate your next presentation to new heights: 1. SHARE STICKY STORIES. Personal anecdotes can create a strong...