Ready for Your TEDx Talk? 6 Questions Every Speaker Must Answer

In my 30 years on the keynote stage, I’ve answered these six questions before every speech I’ve given. They’re the same questions I help my speaker coaching clients answer before they step onto the TEDx stage.

How many can you answer right now?

1. Why Are You the Right Person to Give This Talk?

How does your experience qualify you to speak on this topic? Match your background, the dues you’ve paid, and your formal credentials to what people need right now. Your credibility comes from that match, not from your résumé alone.

2. Can You Stay Patient Through the Process?

A great talk isn’t written in a weekend. Can you develop patience? Can you tolerate the stress of drafting, rehearsing, and revising your talk again and again until it’s ready?

3. How Will You Bounce Back From Setbacks?

There will be setbacks: a draft that falls flat, feedback that stings, a rehearsal that goes sideways. Can you build the resilience to bounce back and reenergize every time?

4. How Does Your Audience See You?

Are you aware of how others see you? Is your appearance aspirational for the audience? Before you say a word, your audience is already forming an impression.

5. What Do You Want Your Audience to Do, Think, and Feel?

Are you clear about your purpose in the talk? Know exactly what you want your audience to do, think, and feel when you walk off the stage. Every story and every line should serve that purpose.

6. Do You Know Your Audience?

Have you watched TEDx talks to gauge the needs and attitudes of the audiences? The better you understand who’s in the seats, the better you can speak directly to them. I tell my clients, “the more you know, the more will flow.”

Need Help Answering These Questions?

If any of these questions stopped you in your tracks, you’re not alone. Answering them is exactly what I help my clients do.

Book Your Free 30-Minute Value Discovery Call

On this complimentary call, you’ll get real value right away, and together we’ll discover whether we’re a match to work together. You’ll walk away with:

• Clarity on which of these six questions to tackle first
• Honest feedback on your talk idea from a speaker with 30 years on the keynote stage
• A clear next step toward a TEDx talk you’re proud of

Schedule your free value discovery call now

Your idea deserves to be heard. Let’s get you ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a TEDx talk? TEDx events are independently organized local events licensed by TED. Speakers give short talks, up to 18 minutes, built around one powerful idea.

How do I prepare for a TEDx talk? Start by answering the six questions above: your qualifications, your patience, your resilience, how you come across, your purpose, and your audience. Then write, rehearse, and get feedback.

Do I need a speaker coach for a TEDx talk? You don’t need one, but a coach helps you find your core idea faster, sharpen your delivery, and avoid common mistakes before you’re on the big stage.