TalkXpertise is about all things related to "short talk" messaging.
π΄ 50M+ views on TED.com for 1 client sparked global influence. Iβve helped 100s of coaches, authors, experts (just like you) spread BIG 7-figure ideas. LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGEβ’ ** DISCLAIMER: ππΈπ· πππ ππΈπ·π₯ πππ πππππ π‘ππππ π‘πππππππππ ππ ππΈπ· πΆππππππππππ πΏπΏπΆ. ππ πππ ππ πππππππππππ‘ ππππβπππ ππ’π ππππ π πππ ππ’π ππππππππ πππ πππ‘ ππππππππ‘ππ π€ππ‘β, π ππππ ππππ ππ¦ ππ ππππππ ππ ππ¦ ππΈπ· ππ πππ¦ π€ππ¦.
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INTRODUCING: The TalkXpertise Newsletter!
Published 3 days agoΒ β’Β 7 min read
The TalkXpertise Newsletter**
New name. New schedule. New graphical design. Same industry-defining advice.
What gives?
Let's call it a celebration!
Just over a decade ago, I was the 1st in the world to launch an online "TED-style" speaker business. I even coined the term. Go figure. (More about that follows.)
In that time, the "short talk" industry (arguably a niche I founded) has exploded β with alumni TED and TEDx speakers (or volunteer staffers) hanging out their coaching shingles.
This includes everyone from Simon Sinek to the latest volunteer for TEDxAnywhere. Even TED has jumped into the action here. Today there are likely 100s of TED-related speaker coaches with their own claims to fame β here (4x TEDxer with a lot of tattoos) and here (3x TEDxer with purple hair) and here (1x TEDxer with women-only clients).
And I want to salute all of them!
After all, there are so many, many messages out there that need help.
It isn't competition.
It is a compliment.
That said, I do have some candid thoughts, recently shared on LinkedIn, about the TED-style industry niche here. And as always, the merits of any speaker coach are easily catalogued: count the views!
Additionally, of late, TED has (understandably) become a bit more protective of its trademarks. So while it isn't easy to "rebrand" a newsletter, it is better than spending money (and time) with attorneys.
So, going forward, all marketing material by CONNECT to COMPEL (formerly myTEDtalk) will no longer make use of the moniker "TheTEDTalkWhisperer" given to me by a client and highlighted by numerous media sources. What's more, an "I'm not TED" disclaimer** (see below) will also become a familiar presence in my work.
Sure it's a hassle. But it is also the honorable thing to do.
Besides, given that the 10th anniversary of my firm just passed...
I'm simply going to shoot off celebratory fireworks in recognition of the next decade!
Finally, a publication every two-ish is a bit more work than I want these days. I'm moving to a (sorta) monthly pulse with TalkXpertise.
Meanwhile, THANK YOU to my many, many 100s of "alumni" and ongoing clients.
I don't work with everyone. You are special. I'm honored you've trusted me with your ideas. I'm humbled that you've garnered results beyond any in the industry.
And to you, my thousands of readers, I appreciate your support. I appreciate your many years as subscribers. I appreciate your emails of encouragement and feedback. And much, much more.
Here's to 2035!
** DISCLAIMER: TED and TEDx are registered trademarks of TED Conferences LLC. We are an independent coaching business and our programs are not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by TED in any way.
BUILDING DURING NAP TIME
One Solopreneur's Path & Lessons.
I started my original TED-style speaker training business during nap time.
Not in the figurative βwork when you canβ sense, but in the literal sense: I was a stay-at-home dad with a three-year-old daughter.
When she went down for daily naps, The laptop opened. Those quiet hours became my window to experiment with an idea that felt both risky and ahead of its time β online TED Talk speaker training. That was back when βGoToMeetingβ and eLearning were considered cutting-edge!
- There was no model to follow. - No proof it would work. - Just a hunch.
And a measure of chutzpah that told me to jump in...
A Button. A Toddler. A Launch.
One afternoon, my toddler woke up earlier than expected. Padding over to my chair and rubbing her eyes, βLittle Hutchβ climbed into my lap. Still half-asleep, she reached for the keyboard.
The timing was right, so a few moments later I asked her to press a button.
That button?
PUBLISH.
Just like that, my website went live. In that instant, a groggy 2 y/o launched what became myTEDtalk.com.
We celebrated with a rare, sweet snack. Then I returned to the computer to see if the world had noticed.
IT. HAD. NOT.
- No sudden flood of clients. - There was no waitlist. - No banking alerts. β The truth was humbling: Being the 1st to do something doesnβt guarantee success.
Nap Time. Bath Time. Any Time.
So I kept showing up. I worked during nap time and after bath time; on βMommy Daysβ and Saturdays, I coached clients and refined my craft.
- There were no ads. - No wizbang growth hacks. - No viral video clips to fuel growth.
There was only consistency. Serving every client. Every time.
Incrementally, the work grew.
Somewhere along the way, I took the βbusinessβ idea to a startup incubator at Gordon Conwell Seminary. That class formalized the my business plan and gave me a bigger, clearer vision.
I designed myTEDtalk.com so it would grow at the pace of Little Hutch and be fully remote. (This was pre-Zoom.) Products and services were defined. And I took on my first non-TED clients.
Sure enough, by the time preschool started, I had more space to breathe and more proof that the work was resonating.
Clients were beginning to say out loud what I had been hoping to hear all along:
The Long Game + 3 Lessons.
That was a decade ago. My daughter is long past naps, but the many lessons from those years remain sharp.
You donβt need to be the first. (I can't say it helped much. Tho I used to have to explain what TED was!)
You also donβt need work like everyone else. (I didnβt and that did help β my family life.)
What you DO need is get-going grit, focus, and clarity wrapped in storytelling.
Over time, repetitions add up. They build momentum. They compound.
Epilogue.
You likely already know some of the story...
Not long after that first nap time launch, I worked with a Harvard researcher who delivered a TEDx Talk that went on to become one of the most-watched of all time.
And along the way, I worked from nap-time sessions at home to stages... Brimming with messages that resonate with millions of viewers...
Real Fact: Worldwide my 100s of clients have impacted countless industries with 100s of millions of combined views.
Today? CONNECT to COMPEL β and this (new) TalkXpertise newsletter β are poised to impact even more.
I DO believe I have another decade ahead of me. And I DO believe my framework and research-based methodology that was industry-defining β is truly industry-leading.
Maybe Iβll even be positioned to sell the business one day...
However things mature, the throughline will remain:
πππ§ π§ππ πͺπ’π₯ππ LIVE π¬π’π¨π₯ π ππ¦π¦πππβ’
Hope that helps you know a bit more of my story. And that it sparks you to live out yours! β βP.S. To join my next BIG TALK FAST TRACKβ’ training, click here.
β
DEVIN D. MARKS is the #1 (and world's 1st) TED-style speaker coach. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers. The result: 100s of millions of views. He helps coaches, authors, and experts (just like you), spread BIG ideas.
β
You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.
LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGEβ’
Do you find this newsletter of value? If so, please share it with a friend who you think may benefit from it. Just share this link:
1. PACKAGE your career wisdom into a marketable message and offer.
2. BUILD a personal brand that opens doors instead of bangs into them.
3. PLUG into proven TED-style storytelling and frameworks.
4. DESIGN your first 5-figure product, program, or talk.
5. JOIN a community of peers rewriting their β2nd-act success.β
Youβll walk away with clarity and confidence β plus the option of the 1-year Inner Circle of weekly mentorship to keep your startup growing long after launch.
Want to learn to land and deliver a top-tier talk?
The winter editions of my (no-fee) 2-day workshop kick off soon. Grab your seat for the BIG TALK FAST TRACKhere.
β- Nov 17+18 (2 seats remain)β ββ- Dec 01+02 (Mon, Tue) - Dec 15+16 (12-2 PM ESTβ)β - Jan 05+06
Pick your dates and apply here. Only 20 seats available.
(Knock me an email if you need more details.)
It is a no-fee event, but participation is curated by an application process β to ensure a rich gathering of peer-learners.
β
AUTHORS WANTED!
If you are a coach, consultant, or change-maker with a published (or soon to publish) book on this email list: CLICK HERE.
Titles by my brilliant client authors!
Over the years I've worked with self-published, hybrid-published, and traditionally-published thought leaders. I've learned the ropes and want to share some of that with you.
Claim my latest learning tool (PDF) by clicking here!
β
LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGEβ’
β
Do you find this newsletter of value? If so, please share it with a friend who you think may benefit from it. Just share this link:
DISCLAIMER: TED and TEDx are registered trademarks of TED Conferences LLC. We are an independent coaching business and our programs are not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by TED in any way.
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