Joyce sat in the darkened theater, notebook balanced on her lap, heart pounding harder than it should for someone *not* about to go onstage.
She was at TEDxCambridge — the largest TEDx venue in the country. But she wasn’t backstage. She wasn’t mic’d. She wasn’t giving the talk she knew she was born to deliver.
She was in the audience. Again.
She watched, speaker after speaker stepping onto that iconic red stage, each one sharing a message that echoed across the auditorium.
With every standing ovation, the same thought grew louder in her chest:
“I have something to say, too.”
But she didn’t know how to get there.
She had stories.
She had the passion.
She even had a rough idea drafted.
What she didn’t have was a path.
The process felt like a black box:
Confusing.
Overwhelming.
Full of guesswork.
So, for months, Joyce did what most aspiring speakers do:
She Googled.
She asked around.
She picked up a how-to book.
She got conflicting advice.
She downloaded free guides, joined a speaker group, and even submitted a few (half-baked) applications.
Silence.
Until the day she made a decision: guessing wasn’t working.
So she stopped.
She found a coach with the credentials and track record to help her build a real plan.
She learned to stop pitching importance — and started pitching urgency.
She began studying TEDx themes to align her message with programs that fit.
She even started creating short, punchy videos — putting her voice into the world, even if it wasn’t perfect yet.
And most importantly, she mapped out events like a college admissions strategy: a few “wish list” stages, a cluster of “targets,” and some solid “safety” fits.
Then one morning, something changed.
Her inbox pinged.
𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
Then again.
𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬.
And finally:
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦... 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺.
Not because Joyce had a bestselling book.
Not because she had 100K followers.
Not because she knew an insider.
But because she was:
Clear.
Consistent.
Courageously visible.
And when the right event came calling, she didn’t have to scramble.
When she finally stepped on stage, she wasn’t just giving a talk.
Joyce was delivering a moment.
The audience visibly leaned in.
The message landed.
The ripples began.
She didn’t just go from audience to spotlight.
She went from uncertain to undeniable!
6 Steps To TEDx Admissions:
- ALIGN WITH AN EXPERT
Find a coach with the credentials and track record to chart a clear path forward.
- RESEARCH EVENT THEMES
Every TEDx production has an event theme, so see if your topic can dovetail with it.
- BUILD A “Why Now” PITCH
Curators book speakers with timely, urgent angles that feel right for this moment.
- BECOME VISIBLE
Start sharing your ideas via short videos or blog posts to build familiarity and trust.
- THINK COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Create your “wish,” “target,” and “safety” TEDx list — and pitch across tiers.
- GROW AN ONLINE FOLLOWING
Curators love speakers who come with built-in audiences who care, so start building now.
Remember, you don't need fame to land TEDx. You need to be clear, consistent, and courageously visible!
P.S. To go deeper with TEDx application insights, click here and here.
DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers. The result: 100s of millions of views. He helps niche experts, authors, and leaders (just like you), spread BIG ideas.
LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE™
You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.
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THE TED TALK FAST TRACK
Want to learn to land and deliver a top-tier TED Talk?
The 2nd edition of my new workshop kicks off, next in May:
May 26+27 (Mon** Tue)
12-2 PM EST
It is a no-fee event, but participation is curated by an application process — to ensure a rich peer-learner gathering.
Click here to learn more. (Only 23 seats available.) Apply here.
**THAT is the Memorial Day Monday. So if it conflicts with your calendar... The fall-back dates are: 16+17 June. Just indicate your preference in the COMMENTS section of the application.
TEDster Video Insights.
Here's a video short that touches on my White Glove approach to on-site speaker rehearsals.
Ready for TEDx Success? Find the Worth in Early Arrival!
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LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE™
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