If watching amazing presenters giving awesome presentations fascinates you, then no doubt you've already checked out some of the brilliant videos on TED.com
At this point I must admit to having a moderate to heavy obsession with watching TED videos and I'll often try starting conversations about my favourite talks with friends, family and colleagues - in fact anyone who’ll listen really. This is mainly because I am a sad fan of TED and I've done what sad fans do - deconstructed the talks in great detail - and guess what? I’ve decoded the formulas of my favourite presentations.
But before I share the formula with you I will briefly outline what it’s all about - just in case there’s anyone reading this who has not come across the TED website before.
TED is a non-profit, knowledge -sharing platform dedicated to creating a community of people committed to communicating world-changing ideas. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and this title is reflected in the great variety of talks they host which include each of the three subjects. The talks are usually limited to around 18- 20 minutes in length and as a result are punchy and impactful. TED conferences are held around the world each year and videos of the talks are posted on the TED.com website.
So, here are some of my findings:
1. TED Talks tell a story. Preferably personal with a message people could apply to their own lives.
2. They end as powerfully as they begin so they leave a 'lasting' impression.
3. They tell us something fresh, new, and unique about a subject.
4. They approach their subject from an innovative perspective.
5. They don’t try to 'sell' us a story, they engage us in a story.
6. The content is rigorously structured with a focus on brevity, clarity and impact.
7. The message is usually contagious and could easily go viral.
8. They are always tailored to the audience in style, tone and form.
9. The presenter has thoroughly rehearsed the delivery – This results in a fluid, natural and confident voice tone, body language, stagecraft, ease in handling props and working with PowerPoint.
10. They often have a key phrase that we remember.
Obviously not every talk has all 10 of the qualities listed here but next time you watch the TED videos notice how many apply to the best of them.
If you are thinking of designing and delivering your own talk at a TED conference then you'll probably receive the TED COMMANDMENTS.
And here they are:
Thou Shalt Not Simply Trot Out thy Usual Shtick.
Thou Shalt Dream a Great Dream, or Show Forth a Wondrous New Thing, Or Share Something Thou Hast Never Shared Before.
Thou Shalt Reveal thy Curiosity and Thy Passion.
Thou Shalt Tell a Story.
Thou Shalt Freely Comment on the Utterances of Other Speakers for the Sake of Blessed Connection and Exquisite Controversy.
Thou Shalt Not Flaunt thine Ego.
Be Thou Vulnerable. Speak of thy Failure as well as thy Success.
Thou Shalt Not Sell from the Stage: Neither thy Company, thy Goods, thy Writings, nor thy Desperate need for Funding; Lest Thou be Cast Aside into Outer Darkness.
Thou Shalt Remember all the while: Laughter is Good.
Thou Shalt Not Read thy Speech.
Thou Shalt Not Steal the Time of Them that Follow Thee
Finally, here is a list of the top 5 most viewed talks on TED for you to enjoy, and study for yourself:
Sir Ken Robinson - Schools kill creativity: 8,660,010 views
Jill Bolte Taylor - Stroke of insight: 8,087,935
Pranav Mistry - The thrilling potential of SixthSense: 6,747,410
Tony Robbins - Why we what we do: 4,909,505
Hans Rosling - The best stats you’ve ever seen: 3,954,776
I’d love to hear about your favourite TED talks and any top presenting tips you’ve discovered from watching the presentations, so do leave me a comment.
Happy TEDing!
Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment