Have you ever heard of TEDx?
Or have you ever dreamt of delivering an inspirational speech to hundreds of people?
The good news is that this doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds. With enough preparation and dedication, you will be able to make your mark as a Tedx speaker.
TED stands for technology, education and design and it centers around a figure who has knowledge in a field.
The field can be anything when it comes to TED talks. The speaker delivers a presentation to an audience. The audience may not know anything about the subject. Therefore, it's the speaker’s job to inform the audience as best as possible on the subject raised.
Tedx, however, is targeted towards audiences that are local. Ted talks are aimed towards a wider audience. Tedx is much more localized. The subjects that are raised can be in direct relation to the area. For example, a tedx speaker may want to research trending topics in the area.
Ted talks cover heavy handed material such as mental health, human trafficking and gun control, which is why you might want to leave out any political topics when choosing your tedx subject.
Tedx may bring up more community centered topics suited for all audiences.
This brings me to my first point on becoming a Tedx speaker.
How To Prepare As A TEDx Speaker
With every talk you do, preparation is key. But, the process of preparation for a Tedx talk goes like this.
● Research Tedx topics
● Understand your Tedx topic
● Social channels
● Search for Tedx hosters
● Application form
This is a more generalized approach and a basic foundation to use when you start thinking about becoming a tedx speaker and preparing for your first talk.
If you are new to the game of tedx, then it may be helpful to research more into some of the more common tedx topics. For example, they have a YouTube channel, with thousands of videos. This may give you a better understanding of what to expect.
Next we have to understand your Tedx topic. You have to be able to research the topic well and convince the audience that you are the expert. The more research you do, the less anxious you will feel on the day of speaking.
You may also want to talk to real Tedx hosts. If you can attend conferences and events, then it could be worth your time.
What is your social status like? Do you regularly post on platforms such as LinkedIn?
If these questions are resonating with you, then feel free to share updates on your upcoming tedx talk. You may consider using email and gathering a contact list from friends and family. You may also find a tedx community on Facebook.
However, before considering these areas, you will need to fill out an application form.
What Next For TEDx Talks Preparation?
Having said all of the information above, it is important that you make the right choices when becoming a TED speaker. Choose an area that is local to you and pick your topic carefully.
However, the most important piece of advice to have is that you choose a topic that you are passionate about. This will always come through to the audience. Audiences can tell if a TEDx speaker really loves the topic that they are discussing. It becomes infectious when their speech is delivered right.
Sam Edwards is a content writer who lives in Tunbridge Wells. He is working for SerpWizz. When he is not writing content, he can be found grabbing a coffee or playing guitar.