Speaking Tips from TEDTalk #2: How Great Leaders Inspire Action (Simon Sinek)

TEDTalk Countdown:  the #2 most-watched video on TED. Video and Transcript The Big Idea: People don’t buy what you do.  They buy why you do it. The overall construct of the speech:  Persuasive, using logic, research and anecdotes Not perfect: His opening rhetorical question took me off-track at the start. “How do you explain when things […]

Speaking Tips from TEDTalk #3: The Power of Vulnerability (Brenè Brown)

TEDTalk Countdown:  the #3 most-watched video on TED. Video and Transcript The Big Idea:  To be fully alive is to be vulnerable.  Embrace vulnerability. The overall construct of the speech:  A somewhat chronological retelling of events leading to insight. Not perfect: Honestly, I was so engaged by this talk that I found it difficult to find fault.  […]

Preview: Public Speaking Tips from the Top 10 TEDTalks

Short, but powerful talks.  Although typically fewer than 18 minutes long, TEDTalks pack a punch:  unique ideas presented with passion. Inspired by a recent NSA-MN Chapter meeting speaker, Hayley Foster, who spoke about creating TED-style talks (post here), I decided that I (and you) could probably learn some public speaking tips from TEDTalks.  For the […]

How to Create a TED-Style Talk: Advice from an Expert

Imagine standing on a TED stage, sharing your passion with the world. Maybe that’s not your dream.  But, wouldn’t you like to have a powerful, TED-like presentation?  TED-style talks aren’t just for TED events.  They are becoming more popular at conferences, too. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association hosted  a presentation […]

How to Deliver a TEDTalk: The Catchphrase

Would you like to know the secrets of the world’s most inspiring presentations? In his book, How to Deliver a TEDTalk,  Jeremey Donovan shares nuggets of wisdom mined from studying the most popular TED Talks.  Just in case you are somehow unaware of TED Talks, TED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading worthy ideas […]