Give a TEDx Talk

Up for a challenge? TEDx talks are excellent outreach activities and resume builders! Here are a few reason why to give a TEDx talk:

• Reach a Large Non-Nuclear Audience

  • TEDx viewers can largely be described as largely curious intellectuals interested in learning and having their perspective broadened or challenged. This is not a nuclear specific audience which means there is great potential for impact!

• Build Credibility and Recognition

  • The TEDx association instantly elevates your professional profile. Referencing your TEDx talk can open doors and attract new opportunities in your professional life.

• Create Long Lasting Content

  • TEDx talk can exist online for years after and can continue to serve as an enduring advocacy resource. 

You may be surprised to learn how many TEDx events are happening around the globe. Chances are, if you live in a major city, you have one coming up in your area.

While talks are short (typically around 15 minutes) they will take a considerable amount of preparation. You will want to have your talk polished and practiced so you can deliver it with confidence. 

For local TEDx events you will need to contact the organizer that is listed on the event page through whatever contact means is listed. 

• Often LinkedIN is listed

• If you don’t have contact info, then get creative and try to track down through other means such as contacting TED directly or other internet search. 

• Make sure you start this process well in advance of the event as spaces will fill and the organizers will need time to assess your pitch.

The organizers will likely want to assess you and your content before offering the speaking role. 

• This is likely done through an interview and a review of the talk outline. 

• Some organizers may require a 2-minute “preview” video of your speech. A good nuclear-focused pitch will include some interesting additional (perhaps personal) elements that enhance the standard nuclear “stump speech” that we, as advocates, are used to. 

• Telling a personal story is a natural option. 

• One useful framework for making ideas memorable is Dan and Chip Heath’s book “Made to Stick.” Six possibilities for making your speech “sticky” are 1) simple 2) unexpected 3) concrete 4) credible 5) emotional 6) stories.

• “Information overload” can be hard to avoid in technical energy related topics. 

• Be as clear and concise as possible. 

• Use metaphors, examples, and practice comparisons as often as necessary. 

• Excellent explanations make nuclear energy easy to understand.

Typically, TED style presentations are memorized but delivered as if the speech is extemporaneous. 

• Do not start memorizing your speech until you have every word of your written draft worked out precisely. Making changes later on can confuse you if you have two versions  memorized. 

• Speech memorization is not as hard as it sounds. 

  • Prioritize frequency over duration when practicing. 

  • Two short sessions per day is much better than one long session every other day.

  • First memorize, and then practice for delivery. 

• When a speech is memorized, it is easy to speak too quickly and without intonation and body language.

  • When practicing your speech delivery, including important details such as body language and posture, word emphasis, and pace, it is helpful to have a live audience to practice for. 

  • Your friends and family will be bored of your speech by the even date!  

Here are some examples for inspiration!

TEDx Event Locator