The 10 Commandments Given to TED Talk Speakers Bridget de Maine https://collectivehub.com/2017/04/the-10-commandments-given-to-ted-talk- Key Quote: "But there's a reason the majority of TED Talks take us on such a journey – each speaker invited to present is actually given the 10 TED Commandments, in order to make their speech as engaging as possible." "How to Give a Killer Presentation" Chris Anderson https://hbr.org/2013/06/how-to-give-a-killer-presentation Key Quote: "Since the first TED conference, 30 years ago, speakers have run the gamut from political figures, musicians, and TV personalities who are completely at ease before a crowd to lesser-known academics, scientists, and writers—some of whom feel deeply uncomfortable giving presentations. Over the years, we've sought to develop a process for helping inexperienced presenters to frame, practice, and deliver talks that people enjoy watching." "4 Powerful Public Speaking Tips From TED Curator Chris Anderson" Damon Brown https://www.inc.com/damon-brown/4-powerful-speaking-tips-from-ted-curator-chris-anderson.html Key Quote: "It's not only a matter of having a great story or concept, but making it relatable enough to the audience so that they want to learn more." If you don't already know it, Chris Anderson is the person who started and curates TED Talks. He wrote a book in 2016 entitled "Talk This Way-The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" which was guidance for how to present successfully at a TED Talk. Previous to that book, TED staff would send out the TED Commandments to all TED Talk speakers as guidance and hope for the best. Today they provide significant coaching prior to presentation. The link to the TED commandments is above and provides some good overall advice for every presentation you make. I have also put the link to a more in-depth article by Anderson that was published in Harvard Business Review in 2013 that provides specifics to improve your presentation based upon some of the best TED Talks. But this article was published in April of 2016 shortly before his book was published and I found it brief enough and captivating enough to read it to the end. If you're like me you are fascinated by TED Talks. After reviewing Anderson's guidance, I have found that the guidance to be successful in a TED Talk is different than other presentation authors and coaches emphasize. Whereas, others focus on the message and being concise there is a lot of focus on theater techniques such as voice variety, gestures, stage management, body language and speech mechanics like pausing or speaking in a different pace. TED Talk guidance focuses on the four things that make TED Talks special. Anderson says first focus on one major idea and don't try to cram everything you know about the topic into your time on stage. Second, he says you must give the audience a reason to care about what you are presenting by making it relatable. Third, build your idea by bringing it down to earth with familiar concepts. Finally, you must ask yourself the question who does this idea or talk benefit? If it only benefits you, it is probably not worth sharing. The TED Talk video clips that demonstrate these concepts is worth the read. As are the other web sites and though I have not read it, his book Talk This Way. Granted this is a different focus than what we see at Toastmasters contests but worth the read. | 
