I was going to do my last installment on the TED Talk series, but with coronavirus having upended business, it’s more urgent than ever to polish up your video presentation skills.
View the video below for Video Presentation Tips & Techniques.
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In Part 3 of my TED Talk journey, I’m going to show you how to prepare for a TED Talk. In my recent newsletters (Part 1 here & Part 2 here), I wrote and spoke about how I applied for and was selected to do a TEDx Talk, as well as how torturous the preparation process has been. I’m pleased to report the worst has passed and I’m now at a point where I can (mostly) enjoy myself.
Things turned the corner about 3 weeks ago. One of my biggest sticking points was that it was far too long. This has always been a problem for me… I want to give everything. But when you only have 12 minutes, everything is not an option. I could not figure out what to cut…
I was paralyzed and knew I needed an outside view. So I hired a coach and together we cut.
This was a huge relief because once that pressure was off and a nearly final draft was ready, I was able to get down to the business of rehearsing, i.e., saying it out loud. (As I always tell clients, rehearsing in your head doesn’t count; we’re all very eloquent in our own heads.) I also had to produce slides.
Rehearsing is extremely tedious and boring. You’re basically saying the same thing over and over again while trying to keep it fresh. It’s also critically important. By feeling how the words roll off your tongue, you can identify trouble spots and edit. As a result, I tightened it up.
Just about 2 weeks ago, I started trying it out on friends and my daughters. I rarely do this. I have a pretty practiced ear and know how to structure with stories, humor, and other devices. However, I felt this talk is so different from anything I’d ever done, and the stakes so high, that it was crucial to get some feedback from people I respected. This also adds the element of the jitters. Yep, I get nervous. But it’s important to know how that’s going to feel when the big moment arrives. Nerves always work in my favor… but only when I’m super prepped. Once I say the first couple of lines, it converts into this beautiful form of energy and the audience and speaker become one. It’s exhilarating.
Anyway, I received some excellent feedback and have been able to make some minor, but helpful changes before it’s too late. I’m not one of those people who can change things until the last second. (Truthfully, I don’t think anyone should be doing that, but some workplaces make it unavoidable.)
Mostly, what this has proven to me – and I seem to always need this proof – that it does all work out. IF I practice what I preach.
Meaning, I practice.
P.S.: I’ve put about 150 hours into this since the end of November. That might scare you (it scares me!) but it’s the only way I have found to hit a home run.
In my last newsletter, I described my process of applying for and being selected to do a TED Talk. This time, I’ll take you through my process so far on how to create a TED Talk. This is just my process. However, I did pick up a book that is excellent and that I highly recommend: TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. Whatever type of presenting you’re planning to do, this is a great book to help you prepare.
Anyway, I worked on it during the 2 week holiday season and got a lot done, so I feel encouraged. I also feel challenged and anxious. Tick tock.
Click to see Part 1 of the series.…
My topic intrigues me, but it’s not within my realm of professional expertise. So I’ve had to do some serious research. This includes reading books, published research, and interviewing people who’ve been in the thick of it. I’ve also been watching other TED speakers who’ve done a 10-minute talk, which is how much time I’ll have.
As I’ve been researching, I’ve created a content journal. This is something I recommend to all my clients. It’s a document where I jot down everything that pops into my mind or that I come across that I think may have a place in the talk. It’s currently 14 pages long, but I think that’s about it. The talk itself will ultimately be a scant 3 pages.
I’ve composed a draft. The draft needs to have an engaging rhythm and be organized in a way that is consistent with TED Talks. There have been lots of revisions and there will be many more. I opened with a personal experience and an admission. I want to connect with the audience immediately.
When you think of how to create a TED Talk, you must explain the problem(s). This is what I’m trying to do without over-explaining. They’re separated into three distinct areas. The challenge here is to make the talk engaging with a variety of devices and techniques because otherwise it risks being too dry. This means inserting the right stories, examples, and humor. AND, I’m beginning to suspect I might have to eliminate one of the three problem areas because time is very tight.
After that, I discuss what this means for this audience, the “why.” Why it’s important… for me, but especially for them.
Finally, the close. I am having a lot of trouble with this. I’m trying to come up with a great call to action, or CTA. It’s probably because the logic and trajectory of my talk is far from settled. And it’s too long.
I haven’t kept track of my time expenditure, but I’d estimate it’s been at least 30 hours so far. By the time I’m done, I predict I will have spent more than 100 hours on writing, revising, and rehearsing it.
That’s my current experience with how to create a TED Talk . It’s what it takes. I hope. Stay tuned…