Published: 11/4/2025

How to Prepare for a TED Talk: 5 Lessons for Speaking on the Big Stage

For years, I’ve coached speakers through their biggest moments, but this time, at TEDx Ekamai International School, it’s my turn to distill everything I know about communication into one message worth spreading — something that resonates with everyone in the room, from students to educators to executives.

Here are the five lessons I’m learning as I prepare for my own talk — lessons that apply to any high-stakes presentation.

1. Start with the Big Idea

The first thing TED organizers look for isn’t a famous speaker or talented presenter. It’s someone with a big idea worth spreading. The speaking and stage presence can be coached, but the message has to come from you.

For me, the idea came easily. It’s what I talk about all the time. It’s my career, my life, my purpose. A speech can change your life – now go change yours.

I’ve polished the wording from that first idea, but the core is still there. Your message should be that easy to come up with. It’s nothing new - it’s what you already believe and practice, just in a simple, foundational phrase for your talk.

Everything in your speech should serve that message. If a story or statistic doesn’t reinforce it, cut it. The audience should leave remembering one thing clearly, not five things vaguely.

2. Craft the Story

Data gives your talk credibility, but stories give it life. The real question isn’t “What do the numbers say?” It’s “What does this mean for me – and the world?”

I can and do cite statistics on stage fright, productivity, and professional development. But the real evidence is in the stories – time and again, I’ve seen people overcome their fears and level up their lives through the simple act of presenting themselves authentically.

Connect the dots for your audience. Don’t make them guess why your story matters. When you weave personal narrative with universal insight, people don’t just understand your message — they feel it.

3. Command the Stage

Most people try to write a beautiful script, as if that’s the key to a great performance. But a script is meant to be spoken, not read.

Practice saying your talk with energy and emotion. Watch yourself on video or in the mirror. Then rehearse without your script — before you’ve memorized it. Even if you forget lines, keep the energy.

That kind of practice builds the muscle that matters most: authentic presence. Memorizing every word doesn’t make you sound confident; owning the message does. The words will come. Presence has to be cultivated.

4. Rehearse Relentlessly (But Smartly)

There’s no substitute for stage time. Go to every rehearsal your TEDx team offers. The more time you spend in that space before the big day, the calmer you’ll feel when the lights hit.

Record yourself. Time every run. TED Talks are strict about the 18 minute cap. You probably don’t need 18 minutes to tell your story anyway. Make it easy – leave it at 12 or 15 minutes and give yourself some breathing room.

Then simulate the real deal on stage: use your clicker, wear your outfit, test your shoes. Eliminate surprises so that when it counts, you’re free to focus entirely on connecting with the audience instead of fighting logistics.

5. Get Feedback — and Filter It

Rehearse in front of people you trust. Organizers and coaches are invaluable, but so are friends or colleagues who’ll tell you the truth.

The trick is knowing what to take on board. Some will say, “Add more humor.” Others will tell you to be more serious. One person wants more data; another, more emotion. That’s fine.

Feedback is information, not instruction. Filter everything through one question: Does this help me communicate my big idea more clearly and powerfully?Listen to your heart. Especially after watching your talk on video, you should know instinctively if someone’s advice will help enhance your presentation.

The Building Blocks of High-Impact Communication

These lessons aren’t just for TED Talks. They apply to any moment when your message matters — the client pitch that could change your career, the team presentation that shifts company culture, the conference keynote that defines your brand.

Start with one clear message. Connect data to human stories. Practice presence before perfection. Rehearse in real conditions. Get feedback you trust — and stay true to your idea.

Whether you’re stepping into the red circle or into a boardroom, these are the building blocks of communication that doesn’t just inform — it inspires, persuades, and sticks.

Your expertise earned you the opportunity.

These principles will help you make the most of it.

If you’re preparing for a big presentation or want help turning your message into something unforgettable, let’s talk. Coaching through that process is what I do best — and you don’t need a red circle to speak like a TED speaker.