THE TEDster's MESSAGE TEMPLE: A 5 Step Blueprint to Impact!

Crafting a compelling message doesn't have to be daunting. With The Message Temple™ you can shape any talk — TED or otherwise — into something impactful.

Here's how:

1. See It as a Building.

Imagine your message as a building. The central dome represents your BIG IDEA — clear, sticky, and attention-grabbing. This statement is shorter than a paragraph, a tweet, or even a few seconds.

2. Build with Pillars.

Support your message's BIG IDEA (the dome) with by a handful of pillars. These pillars embody the key points of your talk, working together to advance and fortify your message.

3. Welcome with a Story.

Envision two doors on the structure’s exterior. Enter through the left "story doorway." This entrance offers an inviting view into your world, inviting viewers to connect with your BIG IDEA’s narrative on a personal level.

4. Add the Details.

Imagine ornate tapestries hanging inside the building. These decorations expand on your BIG IDEA, structuring its key points. In tandem, each enhances the next while forming a cohesive, advancing understanding.

5. Exit with Action.

Lead your audience outside, perhaps through another story doorway. Descend the stairs: Exit steps serving as a CTA. Each offers actionable “winnable wins” that compel viewers to impact their world with your BIG IDEA.

Let’s call that building... The TEDster Message Temple.

A great visual, right?

Clear.

Sticky.

Actionable.

Now, for your next podcast, boardroom pitch, or keynote...

Sketch yours!

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BONUS: To see The Message Temple™ used in designing a legendary TEDx Talk with tens of millions of views, click here.

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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 insights.

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

TEDWomen: FAST APPROACHING.

If you're in driving distance of Atlanta — this October may be the time to dip your toes in the "Big" TED ocean.

With the most reasonably priced ticket in the TED ecosystem... TEDWomen is a great starting point for anyone considering a transatlantic swim.

(See what I did there? Water. Toes. Ocean.)

Seriously though.

What are you waiting for? This is a premier TEDster experience that welcomes men and women.

​Apply here and take in Hotlanta... Dive in, BIG TED style!

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A BREAKAWAY TALK: >1M <1Yr.

It is said that 100K views make for a "viral" talk, and I'm not quibbling there. But those are really a dime a dozen.

What marks a BREAKAWAY in my way of thinking is a talk with 1M views.

I love to highlight and celebrate those (whether from my clients or otherwise) that have just recently surpassed the one-million-view mark. They are outliers.

This Oct. 2022 TED Talk by Emily Grubert (What happens to gas stations when the world goes electric?) is a stand-out.**

Here's the TED description:

When a talk like this one hits the 1M marker within the first year... that's special. But when it does so, aspiring to save the planet?! Give it a watch.

It. Is. Spreading.

Many so-so talks can accumulate an impressive view count over years. But hitting the 7-figure marker within a concentrated time frame is a signal that there's something truly extraordinary going on in the talk and around the topic.

So my equation is as follows:

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊 = >𝟏𝐌 + <𝟏𝐘𝐫

P.S. Know of an about-to-happen breakaway talk? Even better, did you deliver one (or hope to)? Please touch base and 411 me here.

** You may note that the YouTube link claims 40K-ish views. Wrong. That's only since it was posted there. On TED.com it is rocking nearly 100K beyond 1M views. (Just to clarify.)

PROBLEM: What type** of TED Talk should I deliver?
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SOLUTION: Take this short quiz to find out.

Ever consider giving a TED Talk? It's actually not as impossible as you might imagine. I can certainly help you get there. That's what I do.

If so, where to begin...

There are generally 8 different categories of talks. What category could yours be?

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 by way of 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭.

In just 15 questions you’ll have your answer and a 15-page PDF with worksheets, TEDster examples, and more.

​DM me with your results.

We can synch up to explore which of your ideas fall within that category and have the potential to truly be TED-worthy.

That's a simple, easy step towards the red dot stage!

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** "Wait, what?! There are multiple types of TED Talks?!"

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Every Tuesday (or so), another edition of TEDxTuesdays: Weekly TEDx Tips... from The TED Talk Whisperer is released. If you'd like to receive these directly to your inbox, click the button to subscribe. I want TEDx Tips!

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