Too often overconfident speakers try to wing it. “Nail the open/close and use the slides to coast through the middle.”

(Whatever.)

The impact? Middling…

For top-tier presenters, there’s MUCH MORE.

Flurries. Practice Sessions. Repeaters. Live Rehearsals. They all are prep tools that mean something different to TEDsters and “short talk” speakers.

But lingo and techniques aside, it all distills down to:

HARD. WORK.

Experienced keynoters say you need 1 hr per 1 min of a speech. 40 minutes = 40 hours.

TEDsters say you need 10hrs per 1min of a TED Talk. 18 minutes = 180 hours.

I tell my clients to shoot for 2xs that, in either context.

For example, Brené Brown put in more than 200 hours, prepping for Big TED. (And that material was built off presentations that she’d delivered for years!) I have clients that have hit 600 hours over months.

With that in mind, what was your per-min ratio last time you presented? (And how did it go?)

To connect with an audience and compel them to action… that takes work.

Back to Flurries. Practice Sessions. Repeaters. Live Rehearsals. Let’s touch on each.

1. FLURRIES. This is you solo, standing and delivering zero to 15 minutes (or whatever the length of your talk). Again. Again. Again… Solo. You’re not seated, or in the mirror. You are physically replicating as much of your “real life” stage and movement. Stand. Deliver. This is your chance to get your memory and muscles locked in. Hard. Work. (But critically important.)

2. PRACTICE SESSIONS. Once you’ve Flurried to a memorized delivery, this is your time for what I call practice sessions. This is you on Zoom or IRL with your speaker coach. The same goes for a small, trusted circle of advisors (say 3-6) who are rooting for you. Each of those key individuals will commit to seeing many iterations of your delivery — and offering feedback.

3. REPEATERS. This is you with an audio recording in your ears. The number of times you run through the talk in this format is incalculable. But picture yourself in the shower, commuting, doing dishes, jogging. Anywhere and everywhere. Note though, this isn’t your “memorize mode.” (That’s what Flurries are for.) This is icing on the cake after you’ve fully memorized the talk.

4. LIVE REHEARSALS. This is you in front of a live audience of 1 or 100. Think low-risk events lead into your live “game day” event. The Kiwanis Club luncheon. After a staff meeting. In front of a classroom. Your Starbucks barista. (Seriously.) Your book club. These varied rehearsals matter. They are what leads to your center stage moment.

#DoTheWork

Lean into MORE time invested in your next keynote, pitch, short talk… and yes, your next TEDx.

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has represented hundreds of TED, TEDx, and TED-style speakers with millions of views. His team helps leaders, just like you, catalyze insights.

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

WATCH TED2023 LIVE. (From Anywhere!).

TED2023 kicked off in Vancouver on April 17. But it still isn't too late to join in on the fun. With TED LIVE you can watch powerful new talks, live as they happen! Click here to catch the full conference program live and get access to the on-demand archive. See the ticketing options here.

PODCAST MOMENTS.

​Episode #023 - Devin Marks | The Power of Persuasion - Secrets from TED Talk Coach Devin Marks​

Discover the secrets to exceptional communication with renowned Ted Talk Coach Devin Marks in this insightful episode, covering powerful presentations, cultural impact, and the innovative initiative called "Thinker Thursdays."

~~~There are secrets to spreading your ideas. ~~~

Those words by show host, Dallas Burnett, sorta summed up our conversation on The Last 10% podcast.

Yes, TED-style communications has been systemized. But as we discuss, I’m standing in the footsteps of others. And along the way, I've uncovered some powerful communications secrets.

​

BREAKAWAY TALKS: >1M <1Yr.

​

It is said that 100K views make for a "viral" talk. 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 Jan 2023 TEDxOulu Talk by Ben Gran — Why nurses are key to medical innovation — 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 at an accelerated pace (< 4 months?!) there's clearly something special going on.

It. Is. Spreading.

Many so-so talks can accumulate an impressive view count over years. But hitting the 7-figure marker within a concentrated timeframe 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 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊S = >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.

PROBLEM: What is your TED Talk type?

SOLUTION: Take my quiz.

January 1 came with a lot of new goals, right? If one of yours was to deliver a TED Talk, read on...

What are the nuances between the different types? Between an Idea Glow and a Fresh Take? Or between a How-To Talk and a Tech Demo Talk?

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.

In fact, as a post-New Years mini-goal, do this:

​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.

There’s a great way to see a New Year's Resolution to center stage!

​

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