What does it take to get a TEDx talk? What are organizers looking for? In this presentation, originally delivered to the Boston Women in Media and Entertainment group, offers insights and takeaways for anyone who aspires to the TEDx stage.

1. How to get
A Tedx TalkWith Terri Trespicio

2. You’d love to give
A TED talk
But…

3. You don’t have enough to say.
You’re not important enough.
You don’t have a huge platform.
You’re not a researcher or author.
“But!”

4. T H E T E D TA L K I S N ’ T A B O U T Y O U .

6. Why Me?

7. 3+ million views
“Stop Searching for Your Passion”

8. “It’s Time to Rethink Happily Ever After”
TEDxStLouisWomen - 1 year later

9. I’ve spent my career trying to create
content worth reading and watching.

10. Today, I work with and speak to companies
on how to nail their messaging.

11. And I teach a few online courses, too.

12. I have a
lucrative
speaking
career
Mindshare
BlogHer
Blackstone
Barron’s
Ernst & Young
How Design Live
BlogHer
TEDxKC
TEDxStLouisWomen
Emerson College
Harvard Kennedy School

13. I’m also a stand-up comic in NYC.
This is me
being a wiseass

14. I’ve helped OTHER people create,
develop, and deliver their talks.

15. Let’s Talk

16. 18 minutes or less
Centers on a single idea worth
spreading
About what you give, not what
you get
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.
It IS

17. It’s not
a sermon
a promotional platform
straight storytelling
industry specific
motivational speaking
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

18. You don’t “get” a TEDx talk;
you give one.
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

19. What TEDx is looking for

20. What They Want…
An idea worth spreading
An compelling take or unique perspective
Great storytelling
Intriguing, authentic, confident presenter
Someone others can relate to
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

21. …And Don’t Want
Slick corporate sales/motivational speaker
All style, no substance
Platitudes, cliches, and things we know already
Low energy
Fake energy
A canned talk you’ve given a million times
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

22. It’s born of curiosity.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

23. It challenges an existing idea.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

24. It doesn’t talk“B2B” or “B2C,”
but human to human.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

25. It solves a problem.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

26. It’s an invitation, not an order.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

27. Only you can give it.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

28. It’s not a “motivational” speech.
W H AT M A K E S A T E D - W O R T H Y TA L K

29. Motivational speaking:
Stirs emotions based on what you already know.
A TED-worthy talk:
Illuminates & incites based on new knowledge.

30. A Word About Audience
TEDx talks are universal by design, and yet,
very much for the TED audience vs your
demographic.
TEDx is not just an event; it’s a community
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

31. One requirement:
An idea worth spreading

32. “Your number one task as a speaker is to
transfer into your listener’s mind an
extraordinary gift, a strange and beautiful
object we call...an idea.”
CHRIS ANDERSON, TED CURATOR

33. My original idea:
“Follow your passion is lousy advice.”

34. In TED parlance, it’s called
“the throughline”
(15 words or less!)

35. The idea I delivered:
You don’t follow your passion;
your passion follows you.

36. Your Ted-Worthy Topic…
Raises awareness of one problem

37. Offers a different perspective
on one issue
Your Ted-Worthy Topic…

38. Corrects a single misunderstanding
Your Ted-Worthy Topic…

39. Changes the way people
think about one topic
Your Ted-Worthy Topic…

40. Example #1
Topic: The Selfie
Assumption: Selfies are evidence of narcissism, lost
connection, lack of empathy.
New idea: Selfie is actually evidence of a need to
connect, not a lack of one.

41. Example #2
Topic: Love and relationships
Assumption: True love must last forever to be real.
New idea: Just because your relationship ends doesn’t
mean it wasn’t worth it, and it doesn’t mean you cannot
or will not love again.

42. Think you don’t have an idea?
Wrong.
You have tons!

43. Curiosity
•I always wondered why we do X. So I looked
into it.
•Why are we so afraid of X? I explored it and
here’s what I found.
•I had this problem. Here’s what I did to find a
solution.
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

44. Change Of Heart
•I used to love X. And then Y happened.
•I used to be afraid of X. Until Y happened.
•I’ve done a 180 on X. Here’s why.
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

45. Contradiction
•The worst thing turned out to be the best
thing. Here’s why.
•I used to hate X and now I love it.
•I always believed this, but then I realized that
and now I’m different.
Copyright © 2017 Terri Trespicio All rights reserved.

46. What is one assumption that you challenge?
When did your beliefs change?
Where was the struggle?
Find Your Idea

47. So, how do you get booked?

48. Search for TEDx events at ted.com
Nominate yourself
Have someone nominate you
Pitch it like you would ANY idea to ANY media
How to get booked

49. Why this topic? (Know their theme and how to make it fit)
Why you?
Why now?
How does this serve the TED audience
What’s your throughline?
Questions like:

50. Promotional
Common/broad/non-specific ideas
Industry specific, jargon-based
Soft in the middle, pandering, unoriginal
Blabbity blah
I’ll say it again, promotional.
B E WA R E O F T H E S E C O M M O N M I S TA K E S

51. “Everyone is talented, original,
and has something important to say.”
—Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write

52. “If you know how to talk to a group
of friends over dinner, then you
know enough to speak publicly.”
CHRIS ANDERSON, TED CURATOR

53. THE OBVIOUS QUESTION
How do you pick an idea, create a
TED-worthy talk, and deliver in a
way that gets attention and
leads to more speaking?

54. It’s Time.
Make THIS the year you become the speaker
everyone talks about.
How? With a proven approach for doing it…

55. Here’s How
…an approach that helps you land a
powerful idea, create a talk that connects
with audiences, and changes the way you
approach any stage—so that you can
make every talk a TEDx talk.

56. Remember…
Everything I’ve shared with you today has been
used successfully by me and others I’ve trained to
deliver at TEDx and other high-profile events.
I know how this works.

57. THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO GO:

58. The easy way

59. The hard way

60. Could you do it on your own?
Sure.
But how long will it take you?
Six months? A year?
How will you stay accountable?
How will you know what to do differently?

61. Land your game-changing idea,
create an unforgettable talk,
and pitch it to organizers?
WA N T T O L E A R N H O W T O …

62. Land Your Idea. Craft the Talk. Wow the Crowd.

63. A soup-to-nuts, six-week plan for landing
on your key idea, crafting your talk,
killing it on stage—and getting asked
(and paid) to do it again and again.

64. 4 pre-recorded modules
Semi-annual live Q&A calls
with me
Exclusive access to our
private Facebook group
Lifetime access to the
membership area
WHAT YOU GET
Worksheets, resources, and
guides and slides
Bonus audio with industry
experts and event organizers
Case studies of people just
like you working on their talks
PLUS: FREE tickets to the live
Tapped to Speak event (Fall
2017)

65. 01
Module
Find your idea worth spreading; come
at it with a fresh perspective, tap the
tension, discover the heart of your talk.

66. 02
Module
Find the arc, plan the structure: Choose a
“container” for your ideas and story; learn
to zoom in on the details while creating a
larger arc and the right format.

67. 03
Module
Develop your story; select the key
artifacts that embody and communicate
your idea simply and powerfully.

68. 04
Module
Master the pitch: How to position yourself
and your brand for exposure & networking.
(Plus: insight into the TEDx process!)

69. Work on and apply the principles of the
course to your own talk this week.
*

70. Wrap
Up
Final week wrap up and Q&A! You’ll have
the opportunity to ask questions and
discuss any road blocks.

71. A signature talk that you can start pitching
Clarity on your topic—and your brand messaging
Tools for turning your story into a TED-worthy talk
An understanding of how organizers think
A replicable process for approaching EVERY talk you give
What You Walk Away With

72. You’ll transform your own ability
to captivate and engage
a live audience
Most Importantly…

73. FROM FOLKS
YOU MIGHT KNOW
High Praise

74. “If you want to move the
masses with your words and
ideas, I cannot recommend
Terri’s coaching and expertise
highly enough. She’s one-of-a-
kind and truly a genius at what
she does!
SELENA SOO
CREATOR, IMPACTING MILLIONS

75. “I'm endlessly impressed and
blown away by Terri's work. She
brings precision, priceless
insights, and a little bit of magic. I
can't get enough of this woman!”
FARNOOSH TORABI
HOST OF THE SO MONEY PODCAST,
COLUMNIST, OPRAH MAGAZINE

76. OTHER STUDENTS
HAVE TO SAY
Here’s What

77. “What you get in this course
is access to Terri's creative
and strategic mind. I've been
awed by her ability to turn a
vague idea inside out in order
to find the compelling and
unique nugget that is TED
worthy.”
LAURA TEMPESTA
INNOVATOR & FOUNDER,
BRAVOLUTION
Course Graduate!

78. "I've taken several courses
that cover TEDx style
speaking and I never came
across any that helped me
dig into my idea and
structure like Terri's. I've
definitely become a better
writer for it."
LINDA UGELOW
PRESENTATION &
CONFIDENCE COACH
Course Graduate!

79. “If you have an idea, if you
want to speak, this course will
help to turn your big
inspiration into a speaking
reality. Terri knows her stuff,
delivers with style and cares
about what you have to share
with the world.”
SARAH BYRDEN
SEX EDUCATOR & ADVOCATETapped to speak
at TEDxVail 2017!
Course Graduate!

80. “I decided to sign up for two reasons: To
help me do some focused thinking, and to
help me craft and deliver a compelling
story. While I plan to live to be 100, I don't
want to waste any more time not being the
best version of myself!”
ANNE KRITZMIRE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
NUVEEN
Just Enrolled!

81. “When I present in front of a group I'm
confident with the content, however I
constantly ask myself, Are they
engaged? Am I making this
interesting?
You covered 141 slides in 45 mins and
never was I bored or uninterested. I
want to present like that!”
JENNIFER ALBERDING
SOUTHEAST SR REGIONAL DIRECTOR
WILLIAM BLAIR
Just Enrolled!

82. Are you ready to get your
big idea out of your head
and into the world?

83. OK. SO, WHAT’S IT COST?

84. $5,000–15,000
1:1 Customized Talk By A Pro
for ONE talk, ONE time

85. TOTAL VALUE
$8000
Tapped To Speak Program

86. YOUR INVESTMENT
$997
tappedtospeak.com
Just

87. GO ALL IN:
VALUE: $8000
$997
tappedtospeak.com
Full trainings + recordings PLUS:
Live semi-annual Q&A calls
Private FB group access
BONUS audio with industry
experts

88. How do I know it’s a fit?

89. Want to stick the landing on your
signature talk and are struggling with
the idea
Want to land your breakthrough idea
and ramp up your speaking career
Are craving support, feedback,
accountability
It’s Perfect For You If You…

90. What You Get:
TOTAL
VALUE:
$8000
4 online trainings (2950 VALUE)
5 live Q&A calls ($3250 VALUE)
Worksheets, resources, and guides ($650
VALUE)
Private FB group access ($1000 VALUE)
BONUS audio interviews with industry
experts ($150 VALUE)
FREE tickets to Tapped to Speak LIVE
(fall 2017)

91. GU
ARANTEE
GU
ARANTEE
Money Back
If you do the work,
show me your
results and are still
not satisfied, I will
refund you.

92. TappedtoSpeak.com

93. 6-Week Masterclass
Let’s See That Again….
tappedtospeak.com
Lifetime access to course recordings
Live Q&A calls
Private FB group access
BONUS audio interviews
FREE tickets to Tapped to Speak LIVE
$997

94. Go to tappedtospeak.com
Hit the red “I’m in!” button
Fill out the order form
Check your email for confirmation
tappedtospeak.com
Next Steps…

95. tappedtospeak.com
GU
ARANTEE
GU
ARANTEE
Money Back
“It’s rare to work with such an
engaging and inspiring
instructor.”
JEFFREY SEGLIN,
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL
“I'm endlessly impressed and
blown away by Terri's work.”
FARNOOSH TORABI, HOST,
SO MONEY PODCAST
Discover & create your
signature talk
Get clear on your topic,
mission, and focus
Discover a replicable
process for EVERY talk
Turn your story into a
TED-worthy talk“I cannot recommend Terri’s
coaching and expertise
highly enough.”
SELENA SOO, CREATOR,
IMPACTING MILLIONS

96. My gift to to you!
25 Questions
to Help
You Discover Your
TED-Worthy Idea

97. Text
“BWME17”
to
44222
BWME17
Get your FREE guide!