Authors: Akash Karia
How to Deliver a Great TED Talk: Presentation Secrets of the World's Best Speakers (How to Give a TED Talk) (14 page)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
8 Ways to Prepare for Your TED Talk
1. REHEARSE YOUR SPEECH
I’m a firm believer in rehearsing your speech in front of an audience. Gather your friends and family members so that you can feel what it will be like to deliver the speech when you have everyone’s eyes focused on you. Your friends and family members will also be able to give you valuable insights regarding what needs to be changed or improved. You may want to join a Toastmasters club where you can practice your speech and get feedback from expert speakers.
If you are not able to rehearse your speech in front of an audience, then verbalize your speech. Lock yourself up in your room and deliver your speech the same way you would if you were in front of a live audience. This means that your volume, tone and gestures should be similar to what you would do on stage. If possible, try to videotape your rehearsal sessions so that you can review them later to see how you can improve.
2. EXERCISE
On the day of your speech, engage in some form of physical exercise. Go to the gym. Do some yoga. Go for a jog. Exercising will release endorphins, which will make you happier. You will feel less stressed and more confident about your presentation.
3. WALK AROUND THE ROOM
On the day of your speech, visit the room that you will be speaking in. Walk around the room so that you can get a feel of how clearly audience members will be able to see and hear you. As you walk around the room, check to make sure that there will be no objects blocking your audience’s view of you when you are speaking on stage.
4. GET FAMILIAR WITH THE STAGE
Walk on the stage you will be speaking on. Familiarize yourself with how much room you have to move around. In addition, walking around on stage will put you into “speaking mode.” It will get you into the right mindset to deliver a powerful presentation.
5. TEST THE EQUIPMENT
If you are going to be using PowerPoint or a microphone, check that it works. Test the microphone to ensure it doesn’t make any screeching noises (due to electrical interference) as you walk around different parts of the room.
6. REHEARSE YOUR OPENING
Once again rehearse the opening of your speech. This way, when you get up on stage, you will find it easier to overcome any stage fright because you will already know what to say.
7. LISTEN TO MUSIC
Mark Hunter, the 2009 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking, told me that he would listen to some music right before his speech competitions. This helped keep him calm and focused.
Before your speech or presentation, listen to some of your favorite music. It can help you relax and focus.
8. VISUALIZE SUCCESS
World-class athletes visualize themselves delivering a world-class speech. This helps them “get in the zone.”
Visualization can do wonders for you. Visualize yourself giving a great speech. Visualize yourself handling any unexpected challenges with ease. Visualization will get you “in the zone.” It will get you mentally prepared for giving a great speech. It will make you feel confident and it will unconsciously prepare you for handling any unexpected challenges.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Wrap-Up: How to Deliver the Perfect TED Talk
So, what is the formula for delivering the perfect TED talk?
The perfect TED talk is simple, concrete, credible, contains an element of unexpectedness, arouses audience emotions and uses stories to drive home the message.
Use the diagram below to breathe life into your presentations:
| SIMPLE | Find your core message Reduce your core message into a simple, memorable Power Phrase Use a simple, easy-to-follow structure (ABC-C). Provide a roadmap |
| UNEXPECTED | Avoid predictable, boring openings. Start with a story, question, quote, interesting/startling statement or a callback Use shocking statistics and facts Talk about something new Give the audience some unconventional piece of wisdom Argue against conventional wisdom Create a wow-moment |
| CONCRETE | Be specific Turn abstract concepts such as failure into concrete images using metaphors, analogies, similes, case studies, examples and stories. Give the audience a concrete next step to take |
| CREDIBLE | Borrow credibility from third-party quotes Get the introducer to build your credibility before you speak |
| EMOTIONAL | Address the elephant in the room Unite people towards a common goal Unite people towards a common enemy Build the we-connection Highlight the pain before offering a solution Use compelling visuals to arouse audience’s emotions Arouse curiosity - tease before you tell Use humor to engage the audience’s emotions |
| STORY | Use the 5C’s of storytelling Use the delivery techniques in Chapter twenty-three for dynamic storytelling |
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WANT MORE?
If you found value in this book, then please check out my other books:
- How Successful People Think Differently
- How to Deliver a Great TED Talk
- How to Design TED Worthy Presentation Slides
- Storytelling Techniques for Powerful Presentations
- Public Speaking Mastery
- Own the Room
- Public Speaking Tips from the Pros
- Stop Negative Thinking!
- How to Get People to Do Stuff
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Talk soon!
Live well, work hard – and have fun doing both!
Akash Karia
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