What makes a TED Talk great?

Speaking
Written By Liam Sandford

As a creative, curiosity driven person you have probably watched hundreds of TED Talks. Before I started creating I was a world class consumer, which included every TED Talk I had the time and capacity to watch.

But what is it about TED Talks that are so great? How can you wind down a rabbit hole of watching 10, 20, 30 a week? So there are some obvious answers such as great storytelling or complex ideas communicated simply, but what are some takeaways that you can use in your next presentation?

To the point

TED Talks have an 18 minute time boundary. That may seem like a long time at first, but ideas worth spreading are not put together in a short space of time. The chances are that every TED speaker can talk for way longer than 18 minutes on their idea.

Every great TED talk is straight to the point. Everything that is said is for the audience. If it does not add value or move the story onto the next critical step it is not told.

The fact that the speeches are kept on point, consistently delivering value makes them great. No fluff, no wasted time, just great ideas that solve problems that you care about. This is the attention game played well.

No distracting slides

When you use slides in a presentation they often act as your crutch. It is a prompt to remember what you are going to say next, or you have too much on screen that means the audience have to focus on the screen whilst you are speaking.

Sure, some TED speakers use slides, but every slide is for the audience, not for them. Their speech is about what they are saying, and anything else supports and enhances the message to help the audience remember the key point.

The focus on the speech being the main event (and not the slides) creates an importance in preparation and storytelling. You want the audience focus to be on what you are saying. You want to engage them. The speaker is intentional about making everything for the audience, not for themselves.

Structure

Have you noticed TED Talks do not open with an agenda? Often it starts with a story. Sure, storytelling is not always a suitable way to begin a board meeting but an agenda should not be the way forward. TED Talks do not open with an agenda and you shouldn’t either. Open with something that captures the audience attention. Something that hooks them in from the start.

The best TED Talks end with a call to action. Something that gives people a very clear directive on what they can do next to help/implement/take action on the idea that they have shared. Making it clear, simple and actionable is always the way forward, and the best way to turn an idea worth spreading into an audience inspired to take action.

Actionable takeaways

  • Keep your speeches and presentations to the point. More words does not mean the audience will understand more. Stay on topic, be intentional with your messaging and make everything for your audience, not for you.

  • Make slides your supporting act, not your main event. Avoid crowding your slides full of information — use them to enhance your message, not to be your message.

  • Open with a hook to capture audience attention. Close with a call to action. This is the easiest way to turn your presentation into something that inspires action and creates impact.

More from me

Liam Sandford
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