presentation tips ted talk

"However, as soon as the audience figures out that you’re reading the text, it reads ahead of you because it can read faster than you can speak. The result is that you and the audience are out of sync.”

Kawasaki goes as far as saying that many presenters use small fonts because they haven’t memorized their presentations well enough. His solution? Use a font no smaller than 30 points.

“I guarantee it will make your presentations better because it requires you to find the most salient points and to know how to explain them well,” Kawasaki writes.

Note: Using a font size of 30 and above in your slides is also beneficial for audience members who have visual impairments.

9. Show your passion.

Have you noticed that it’s quite easy to spot when someone is actually excited about the topic they’re presenting — as opposed to someone who doesn’t care?

That’s because passion can’t be faked.

You can spend months getting the outline, words, and delivery right for your speech, but if you aren’t fascinated by what you’re presenting, the audience will catch on. You can’t expect people to be enthusiastic about your presentation when you aren’t excited yourself.

Showing genuine passion for your topic fosters a sense of intimacy between you and your audience. Your listeners will catch the “excitement bug” from you and become interested in what you have to say.

Pro tip: Before you give a presentation, take awesome time to remind yourself why the topic is so fascinating to begin with. When you know why, you’ll be able to pass on that energy to your listeners.

10. Develop stage presence.

The first time I had to give a speech, I was eight years old, and the speech was directed to my elementary schoolmates. My heart was beating so fast, and my hands were shaking.

When the time came, I stood in front of the crowd, stared at some tree in the distance, and reeled off the entire speech without moving a muscle.

My stage presence was zero. Nothing.

If you’re reading this, chances are, you’re not in elementary school, and you’re about to give a serious presentation. While standing stiff as a board with your arms stuck to the sides of your body won’t cut it, you don’t need to do too much either.

In his piece, Chris Anderson, TED Talks’ curator, wrote, “Getting the words, story, and substance right is a much bigger determinant of success or failure than how you stand or whether you’re visibly nervous. And when it comes to stage presence, a little coaching can go a long way.”

According to Chris, the biggest mistake people make with their stage presence is moving their bodies too much.

"People do this naturally when they’re nervous, but it’s distracting and makes the speaker seem weak. Simply getting a person to keep his or her lower body motionless can dramatically improve stage presence.”

Pro tip: If walking around the stage comes naturally to you, you can do that. If not, it’s best to stand still (not stiffly) and rely on hand gestures for emphasis.

11. Engage with the audience.

Earlier, I mentioned that you can start off your presentation by asking your audience questions. Well, the engagement shouldn’t stop there; it should continue throughout the entire presentation, however long it is.

There are many ways to engage with your audience. The most common method is to ask questions they can easily answer. How many of you have experienced this? Can you raise your hand if you’re familiar with this situation?

You can ask direct questions to your audience members to explain a point. Or you can use a person from the audience (whose name you should know) to illustrate a situation or an idea.

12. Practice, practice, practice.

Reading your entire presentation from a slide deck is a recipe for disaster. Slide decks (and other visual aids) are meant to be complementary, which means you’ll have to memorize the bulk of your speech.

“The only way to give a relaxed talk that sounds like it isn't rehearsed is to rehearse it a lot,” says Dr. James Whitehead, the CEO of My Green Window .

“When you can relax a little and rely on muscle memory to do most of the talk for you, you will be able to enjoy the experience and build a more positive relationship with the audience through your body language and clear pronunciation.”

Dr. Whitehead is right. Practice makes perfect. After writing out your presentation speech, you’ll need to practice continually until you know the speech inside out.

There are several ways to practice your speech, including:

• In front of the mirror (it’s cliche, but it works).
• Doing mock presentations to your friends and family.
• Rehearsing your presentation with your colleagues.

Pro tip: Choose a quiet place to memorize your speech so you can concentrate. If you’re rehearsing in front of others (friends, family, colleagues, etc.), ask for honest feedback. You’ll know where to improve. You can also time your presentation so you’ll know how long it’ll take you to deliver it.

Bevy’s talk encompasses all the elements of a great presentation, starting with her opening line, “I am a late bloomer.”

This is a strong start because it’s hard to imagine that Bevy Smith, a prominent TV personality and business professional, didn’t achieve success early in life.

Throughout her presentation, Bevy shared personal anecdotes with the central idea that you can be whatever you want to be, no matter how old you are.

She spoke confidently about how, as a 38-year-old fashion advertising executive, she quit her job when she realized that she was unhappy with her life. She segued into telling uplifting stories about her 94-year-old mother, Lolly, who’d always known what she wanted and who she was at heart.

During the presentation, Bevy peppered her speech with funny quips, like calling Jay-Z a Brooklyn poet and talking about how ‘Black don’t crack’ in the segment about the literal beauty of aging. So, while she didn’t directly ask interrogative questions, Bevy still interacted with the crowd through humor.

For her closing statement, Bevy challenged the common maxim, “Be your most authentic self,” by asking thought-provoking questions like: “What if you don’t really know who you are because you’ve suppressed your inner self?”, “Who am I at my core?” and “How am I perceived — and how would I like to be perceived?”

This is the train of thought that’ll linger in the minds of the audience after Bevy’s long left the stage. That’s her call-to-action.

Throughout the entire presentation, Bevy used no slides. She didn’t move around a lot on the stage, either. Instead, she relied on the power of her voice, her gesticulations, and the substance of her speech to make the necessary impact.

And it worked superbly.

Give a Powerful and Impactful Presentation

Giving a great presentation is a daunting task, but it isn't exactly rocket science.

Quite a lot of people experience presentation jitters, but you can drastically reduce your chances of delivering a bad presentation by following the tips outlined above.

While every audience is different, a general rule is that knowing your topic in and out and practicing your speech well ahead of time will give you the confidence you need to give a great presentation.

Don’t forget to enlist the help of your friends, family, and colleagues; they can look over your slides, help you predict audience questions, and give you pointers on where to improve.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Mastering the art of a powerful TED Talk presentation

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Anete Ezera August 08, 2023

TED Talks have become synonymous with captivating storytelling, inspiring ideas, and thought-provoking presentations. Delivering a successful TED Talk requires more than just having great content; it demands excellent presentation skills and a well-designed presentation. In this article, we’ll explore some essential tips and techniques for how to do a TED Talk presentation. We’ll delve into inspiring examples from past TED Talks, including Prezi presentations, and highlight the latest TED Talk presentations that showcase exceptional presentation skills. Whether you’re an aspiring TED speaker or simply interested in improving your presentation abilities, this article will equip you with the knowledge you need to shine on the TED stage.

The evolution of TED Talk presentations

TED Talks have evolved over the years, with speakers continually pushing boundaries and experimenting with new presentation styles. This section explores the evolving landscape of TED Talk presentations and how speakers have embraced innovative approaches to captivate audiences.

Unconventional presentation formats

While traditional TED Talk presentations often feature a single speaker on stage, there has been a rise in unconventional formats that add a unique twist to the storytelling experience. Some speakers have incorporated multimedia elements, interactive displays, or live demonstrations to create a more immersive and dynamic presentation. These innovative formats not only engage the audience but also leave a lasting impression.

Engaging visual storytelling techniques

Visual storytelling has always been a key aspect of TED Talk presentations, but speakers have been finding new ways to captivate their audience visually. They utilize compelling visuals, animations, and data visualizations to simplify complex concepts and enhance the impact of their message. By using innovative visual storytelling techniques, speakers can create a visually stimulating experience that keeps the audience engaged throughout their talk.

Embracing technology

As technology continues to advance, TED Talk speakers have embraced its potential to enhance their presentations. From incorporating virtual reality and augmented reality elements to utilizing interactive apps and tools, speakers have found creative ways to leverage technology to immerse their audience in their ideas. These technological innovations elevate the overall experience and make TED Talks more engaging and memorable.

Collaborative and crowd-sourced talks

In recent years, TED has experimented with collaborative and crowd-sourced talks, where multiple speakers come together to present a cohesive narrative. These talks bring together diverse perspectives and foster a sense of collective storytelling. By collaborating with other experts and involving the audience in the creation process, speakers can tap into collective wisdom that enriches their presentations and brings a fresh dimension to TED Talks. If you’re planning to co-present, discover essential co-presenting tips . 

The power of micro TED Talks

Micro TED Talks, also known as TEDx Shorts , have gained popularity for their concise and impactful nature. These shorter talks, often under 10 minutes, focus on delivering a powerful message in a concentrated format. Speakers must distill their ideas to their essence, resulting in talks that are concise, thought-provoking, and easily shareable. The rise of micro TED Talks showcases the evolving preferences of audiences who value impactful content in bite-sized formats.

By embracing unconventional presentation formats, engaging visual storytelling techniques , leveraging technology, exploring collaborative approaches, and recognizing the power of micro TED Talks, speakers are pushing the boundaries of traditional TED Talk presentations. These innovative approaches demonstrate the ever-evolving nature of TED Talks and the creativity of speakers in captivating and inspiring their audiences.

Amplify your TED Talk using the power of Prezi

While storytelling and engaging delivery are crucial components of a TED Talk, the visual aspect plays a significant role in amplifying the impact of your presentation. In this section, we’ll explore how Prezi , a dynamic presentation tool, can take your ted talk to the next level by enabling visually stunning and immersive storytelling experiences .

Leveraging the power of non-linear presentations

Traditional slide decks often follow a linear format, limiting the flow and creativity of the presentation. Prezi allows speakers to break free from these constraints and create non-linear presentations that offer a more fluid and engaging narrative. By utilizing zooming, panning, and path animations, speakers can guide the audience through a visual journey that enhances the storytelling experience.

Creating engaging visual metaphors

Metaphors have the power to convey complex ideas in a relatable and memorable way. With Prezi, speakers can utilize visual metaphors to make abstract concepts more tangible and accessible to the audience. By seamlessly transitioning between different visual representations, speakers can create a deeper connection and understanding of their ideas.

Incorporating multimedia elements

Prezi allows for the seamless integration of multimedia elements such as videos, images, and audio into your TED Talk presentation. By strategically incorporating these elements, speakers can enhance the emotional impact of their message, provide supporting evidence, or add a touch of creativity to captivate the audience. Thoughtful use of multimedia can evoke powerful emotions and create a multi-sensory experience. 

Amplifying data visualization

Data visualization is an effective way to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner. With Prezi’s dynamic and interactive features, speakers can transform data into engaging visuals that help the audience grasp key insights. With interactive charts and graphs, Prezi enables speakers to present data in an impactful way that enhances the overall TED Talk experience.

Enhancing collaboration and co-creation

Prezi offers collaborative features that enable speakers to involve others in the creation process. Whether it’s co-creating the presentation with a team or seeking feedback from trusted individuals, collaboration can lead to richer and more diverse perspectives. By leveraging Prezi’s collaboration tools, speakers can refine their ideas, strengthen their narrative, and ensure a more polished TED Talk presentation.

How to take your TED Talk to the next level

Before diving into examples and the presentation tips TED Talks require, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental elements that make a TED Talk truly remarkable. TED Talks are renowned for their captivating storytelling, brevity, and ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level. By incorporating personal anecdotes, relatable examples, and powerful metaphors, speakers can create a memorable and engaging TED Talk presentation that resonates with their listeners.

Top tips for a successful TED Talk presentation

A TED Talk is an opportunity to share unique insights and inspire audiences around the world. Here are some tips that can help you craft a compelling and memorable presentation.

Choose a topic you are passionate about

TED Talks are about sharing your passions and insights. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you believe will inspire and captivate your audience.

Create a strong narrative

Your talk should tell a story. Structure your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Draw in your audience with personal anecdotes and relatable experiences. 

Learn how to effectively structure your presentation in the following video:

Practice your delivery

The way you deliver your presentation can be just as important as the content itself. Practice speaking clearly and confidently, maintaining eye contact with your audience, and using your body language to convey enthusiasm and emotion.

Use visuals effectively

Using engaging visuals can greatly enhance your presentation. A tool like Prezi allows you to create dynamic, interactive TED Talk presentation slides that can add depth and richness to your narrative.

Steps to create an engaging TED Talk presentation

Crafting a TED Talk presentation that resonates with your audience requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some key steps to help you on this journey.

Identify your key message

What is the one key message you want your audience to take away from your talk? Identify this early on and make sure every element of your presentation supports this message.

Plan your content

Outline your presentation, ensuring you have a clear structure and flow. Make sure to include a strong introduction that captures the audience’s attention. Establish a main body where you explore your topic in-depth and add a compelling conclusion that reinforces your key message.

Design your slides

Use a tool like Prezi to create engaging and visually appealing slides. Your slides should enhance your narrative, not distract from it. Keep text minimal and use images, charts, and videos where appropriate.

Discover the best presentation design practices by watching this video:

Rehearse your talk

Practice your presentation several times to get comfortable with your content and delivery. Consider timing your rehearsal to ensure you stay within the allocated time for your talk.

Engage your audience

During your presentation, aim to engage your audience by maintaining eye contact, using appropriate body language, and inviting interaction where possible. The more engaged your audience, the more impactful your talk will be.

Inspiring TED Talk presentation examples featuring Prezi

Prezi presentations have been utilized in TED Talks to create captivating visual experiences. “Blackout: The Hidden Structures of Modern Society” by Marc Elsberg is a prime example of how Prezi can be used to unravel complex societal issues through visually engaging content. 

Another notable example, “The Air We Breathe” by Mark Turrel, employs Prezi to raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on public health. 

These TED Talks demonstrate the versatility of Prezi in enhancing the overall presentation. Discover other highly inspirational and visually capturing TED Talk Prezi presentation examples and get inspired to create your own.

Latest TED Talk presentations showcasing exceptional presentation skills

In recent years, TED Talks have continued to inspire with exceptional presentations. “A Seat at the Table” by Lilly Singh sheds light on the importance of diverse voices and inclusion. 

“The Benefits of Not Being a Jerk to Yourself” by Dan Harris delves into the significance of self-compassion. 

Furthermore, “Why Having Fun is the Secret to a Healthier Life” by Catherina Price explores the connection between joy and well-being. 

All of these TED Talk presentations showcase the power of authentic storytelling and delivery in captivating an audience. 

Learn how you can master TED Talk delivery skills by watching the following video, where we compiled and analyzed the top TED Talk presentation skills from iconic talks: 

TED Talk presentation templates for a polished outcome

To simplify the process of creating visually appealing slides, various pre-designed presentation templates are available. Utilizing templates allows speakers to focus on developing compelling content rather than starting from scratch. Prezi offers a wide range of presentation templates that align with the aesthetics and requirements of TED Talks. By utilizing these templates, speakers can achieve a polished and professional outcome.

Empowering your TED Talk journey

Mastering the art of delivering a remarkable TED Talk presentation requires a combination of storytelling expertise, effective slide design, and engaging delivery. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, drawing inspiration from impactful TED Talk examples, and utilizing Prezi presentation templates , you’ll be well on your way to creating a TED Talk that leaves a lasting impression. Embrace the TED Talk spirit, ignite your passion, and let your ideas take flight on the TED stage.

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TED talks stand for 20-minute presentations on technology, entertainment and design, and everything in between.

The origin of these talks came from Richard Wurman , an American architect fascinated by the interconnections and impact of the tech, entertainment and design worlds.

The first TED talks were posted in 2006, and these fascinating presentations by gifted orators continue to inspire and engage millions over 10 years later.

Veteran TED speakers of all backgrounds and expertise have something impactful to share — from the process of the Titanic discovery to how silence can be dangerous. Whether you're a keynote speaker or are sharing statistics, turn to these TED Talks to gather strategies to empower your presentation.

Here are 10 presentation skills you can learn from TED talks:

1. Self-Disclosure Communicates on Multiple Levels

Kevin Robinson's “ How Schools Kill Creativity ” presentation was one of the first TED talks posted and still is at the top because of his ability to communicate emotion through self-disclosure. A speaker who reaches their audience emotionally shows their relatability through universally human experiences. Robinson tells stories about his family to support his argument that all children are creative and need an outlet for expression.

2. Eliminate Filler Words

Tony Robbins use pauses effectively in his “ Why We Do What We Do ” talk, allowing him to speak mindfully about this topic without filler words. Though it's common practice in conversation to use filler words, such as um, they take up valuable time and space in a brief presentation and reduce your impact and authority on a subject. When you feel tempted to say um, pause for a moment before moving on to your next point.

3. Foster an Engaged and Active Audience

Your audience becomes engaged with a subject when you pose questions and present problems that need solving. Bruce Aylward fosters this environment with his audience in “ How We'll Stop Polio for Good ” when he asks them to close their eyes for two seconds and consider how science or technology changed the world.

4. Hook the Audience

In written or spoken communication, you have anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to hook your audience. Instead of starting with a knock, knock joke, try something similar to Chef Jamie Oliver's hook in his talk “ Teach Every Child About Food .”

Oliver opens with: “Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat.” It's like a powerful hook in a novel, but the statement also communicates the gravity of the talk and how quickly death can strike in the everyday moments you sit down to eat.

5. Cue the Audience into the Close

You don't want your audience to leave thinking, “Is that it?” Just as you want to start strongly, you want to end strongly — not abruptly. In Benjamin Zander's “ The Transformative Power of Classical Music ,” he discusses the link between power and music and gives a verbal cue that the presentation is about to end. This spoken courtesy allows the audience to pause reflectively and brace themselves for his final thought.

6. Speak With Empathy and Elegance

Have you struggled with speaking up only to feel unheard? Sound expert Julian Treasure shares his wisdom and speaking exercises in his talk “ How to Speak So That People Want to Listen .” Use H.A.I.L. to speak with empathy: Honesty (clear with meaning), authenticity (be true to yourself), integrity (practice what you preach) and love (mean well).

When it comes to speaking, be careful with your tone and volume. For example, use volume wisely and speak more softly when conveying a point that evokes a similar feeling. Also, a higher pitch indicates excitement in a speaker. Vocal exercises used by actors and singers help tone your speaking voice.

7. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Your body language affects how others see you, but it also impacts how you see yourself. Psychologist Amy Cuddy shares that power posing is an effective tool to positively communicate your identity and message in her talk “ Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are .” Striking your power pose helps you feel confident even when you feel doubt.

8. Let Your Inner Nerd Shine, But Speak Plainly

In “ Talk Nerdy to Me ,” Melissa Marshall reassures scientists that non-scientists are eager to hear their data points and research, but the key is to speak plainly and with passion. Share your knowledge but don't talk down to the audience — make it accessible. In only four minutes, Marshall demonstrates ways and strategies scientists can be clear and inspirational.

9. Be Courageous: Silence Can Be Deadly

Teacher and poet Clint Smith encourages people to have courage and speak up in his talk “ The Danger of Silence .” As a presenter, you may not only feel shy about what you have to say, but also fearful of angering others or making a situation worse. Silence is dangerous, too.

How often do you listen to the content of what someone says without listening for what is unsaid? Your silences in content and in speaking are powerful. Use them wisely.

10. Feel Confident About Public Speaking

Though Megan Washington grew up with a speech impediment, she used a major talent to transform it into a powerful force that helped her feel more confident about public speaking. She shares what she discovered in her talk “ Why I Live in Dread of Public Speaking .” A highly talented and recognized songwriter and singer in Australia, Washington uses her voice to turn stutters into yes as she sings points she struggles with loudly and proudly.

What talents do you have that will allow you to face your fear of public speaking and shine?

From psychologists to singers, the most accomplished of individuals face doubts about their skills with public speaking, but these TED talks go to show that your voice and what you have to say are powerful. Vocal exercises help a shaky and shy voice find strength and clarity.

Sharing data and statistics doesn't have to feel boring — let your authenticity and passion shine through as you speak conversationally. People will find inspiration and feel informed.

Use these TED talks to bolster your presentation arsenal and get pumped about sharing your wisdom. Be courageous, and speak up. Your talk will be worth sharing, too.

About the Author

Kayla Matthews is a productivity writer and self-improvement blogger. You can read more work from Kayla on MakeUseOf, VentureBeat, TinyBuddha and Inc.com.

Continue to: Top Tips for Effective Presentations Overcoming Presentation Nerves

See also: Presenting to Large Groups | Building Personal Confidence Building Rapport | Self Presentation

How to do a TED Talks Presentation | 8 Tips to Make Your Presentation Better in 2024

Leah Nguyen • 08 Apr 2024 • 9 min read

When you want to find a talk on a topic you are interested in, TED Talks presentations may be the first to pop up in your mind.

Their power comes from original ideas, insightful, useful content and impressive presentation skills of the speakers. Over 90,000 presenting styles from over 90,000 speakers have been shown, and you probably have found yourself related to one of them.

Whatever the type is, there are some everyday things among TED Talks Presentations that you can keep in mind to improve your own performance!

Table of Contents

• Make Your Audience Relate by Using Personal Stories
• Make Your Audience Work
• Slides are to Aid, not to Drown
• Be Original, be You
• Speak with Clarity
• Shape your Body Language
• Keep it Concise
• Close with a Strong Remark

Key Features of TED Talks Presentations

Ted talks presentation templates, frequently asked questions.

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1. Make Your Audience Relate by Using Personal Stories

The fastest way to spur an emotional response from the audience in TED Talks Presentation is to tell a story of your own experience.

The essence of a story is its ability to invoke emotions and interaction from the listeners. Therefore by doing this, they can feel related by nature and immediately find your talk more “authentic”, and therefore are willing to listen to more from you. 

You can also intertwine your stories into your talk to build your opinion on the topic and present your argument persuasively. Apart from research-based evidence, you can use personal stories as a powerful tool to create a reliable, compelling presentation.

Pro tips: The ‘personal’ story should not be out of touch (for example: I’m in the 1% smartest people in the earth and make 1B per year ). Try telling your stories to friends to see if they can relate.

2. Make Your Audience Work

However interesting your speech may be, there may be times when the audience drifts their attention away from your talk for a moment. That is why you must have some activities that win back their attention and get them engaged. 

For example, a simple way to do this is to make good questions relevant to your topic, which gets them to think and find an answer. This is a common way that TED speakers use to engage their audience! The questions can be posed immediately or occasionally during the talk.

The idea is to get to know their perspectives by having them submit their answers to an online canvas like AhaSlides , where the results are updated live, and you can rely on them to discuss more in-depth. 

You can also ask them to do small acts, like close their eyes and think about an idea or an example relevant to the idea you are talking about, just like what Bruce Aylward did in his talk on “How We’ll Stop Polio for Good.”

3. Slides are to Aid, not to Drown

Slides accompany most TED Talks Presentations, and you would rarely see a TED speaker use more-than-colourful slides full of text or numbers.

Instead, they are usually simplified in terms of decoration and content and tend to be in the form of graphs, images or videos.

This helps draw the audience’s attention to the content that the speaker is referring to and flatter the idea they are trying to convey. You can make use of it too!

Visualisation is the point here. You can convert text and numbers into charts or graphs and utilise images, videos, and GIFs. Interactive slides can also help you connect with the audience.

One reason the audience is distracted is their having no clue about the structure of your talk and feel discouraged to follow until the end.

You can solve this with the “Audience Pacing” feature of AhaSlides , in which the audience can pave back and forth to know all the content of your slides and always be on track and get ready for your upcoming insights!

4. Be Original, be You

This has to do with your presenting style, HOW you convey your ideas, and WHAT you deliver.

You can see this clearly in TED Talks Presentation, where one speaker’s ideas could be similar to others, but what matters is how they view it from another perspective and develop it in their own way.

The audience will not want to listen to an old topic with an old approach that hundreds of others might have chosen.

Think about how you can make a difference and add your individuality to your speech to bring valuable content to the audience.

5. Speak with Clarity

You don’t have to possess a mesmerising voice that put the audience in a trance, but projecting it to be clear will be much appreciated.

By “clear”, we mean that the audience can hear and figure out what you said for at least 90%.

Skilled communicators have reliable voices, despite any nervous or anxious emotions they may experience.

In TED Talks presentation, you can see there are barely any muffled sounds. All messages are communicated in a crystal clear tone.

The good thing is, you can train your voice to be better!

Vocal and speech coaches and even AI training apps could help, from how to breathe properly to how to place your tongue when enunciating, they greatly improve your tone, pace and volume in the long run.

6. Shape Your Body Language

Non-verbal expression has 65% to 93% more influence than actual text, so the way you carry out yourself really matters!

In your next TED Talks Presentation, remember to stand up straight with your shoulders back and head up. Avoid slouching or leaning against the podium. This projects confidence and engages the audience.

Use open, welcoming gestures with your hands like keeping them unclenched at your sides or palms facing up in a shrug.

Move around the stage purposefully as you speak to signal enthusiasm for your topic. Avoid fidgeting, pacing back and forth or touching your face excessively.

Speak from the heart with real passion and conviction that your big idea matters. When your own enthusiasm is genuine, it becomes contagious and pulls listeners in.

Pause for effect by going still and silent between key points. Motionless posture commands the audience’s attention and allows them time to process your information, and also allows you time to think of the next point.

Take a big, noticeable breath before launching into a new section of your talk. The physical action helps signal a transition to the audience.

It’s easy to say than to talk, but if you take into consideration that we are humans full of lively movements and expressions, which differentiate us from robots, we can allow our bodies to express freely in TED Talks Presentation.

Tips: Asking open-ended questions helps you to grab more audience opinions, which works perfectly fine with a suitable brainstorming tool !

7. Keep it Concise

We have the tendency to think our presentation points are inadequate and often elaborate more than we should.

Aim for around 18 minutes like in TED Talks Presentations, which is more than enough considering how distracting we are in this modern world.

Create an outline with main sections and time yourself to stay within the time limit as you practice and refine your talk. You can consider following this timeline format:

• 3 minutes – Tell a story with simple, concrete narratives and anecdotes.
• 3 minutes – Get to the main idea and key points.
• 9 minutes – Elaborate on these key points and relate a personal story that highlights your main idea.
• 3 minutes – Wrap up and spend time interacting with the audience, possibly with a live Q&A .

Foster an environment of density and richness within the constraints of a brief time limit.

Pare down your content to only what’s essential. Delete unnecessary details, tangents and filler words.

Focus on quality over quantity. A few well-crafted examples are more powerful than a laundry list of facts in TED Talks Presentations.

8. Close with a Strong Remark

Believe it or not, your goal for perfect TED Talks Presentations goes beyond just sharing interesting information. As you craft your talk, consider the transformation you want to ignite in your listeners.

What thoughts do you want to plant in their minds? What emotions do you wish to stir within them? What actions do you hope they will be inspired to take when they leave the auditorium?

Your call to action can be as simple as asking the audience to view your central topic in a new light.

The very premise of TED talks presentations is that ideas worth spreading are those worth acting upon.

Without a clear call to action, your talk may be intriguing but ultimately indifferent to your listeners. With a call to action, you trigger a mental reminder that change is needed.

Your firm and focused call to action is the exclamation point signalling that something must now be done – and your listeners are the ones who should take that step.

So don’t just inform your audience, push them to see the world anew and move them to take action that aligns with your important idea!

• Simplicity: TED slides are visually uncluttered. They focus on a single, powerful image or a few impactful words. This keeps the audience focused on the speaker’s message.

• Visual support: Images, diagrams, or short videos are used strategically. They reinforce the core idea discussed by the speaker, not just decorate.
• Impactful typography: Fonts are large and easy to read from the back of a room. Text is kept minimal, emphasizing keywords or core concepts.
• High contrast: Often there’s a high contrast between text and background, making the slides visually striking and easy to read even at a distance.

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Want to deliver a TED Talk-style presentation that lingers in audience’s minds? AhaSlides has a plethora of free templates and a dedicated library for users like you! Check them out below:

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Key takeaways.

The key is to distil your big idea down to its essence, tell a story to illustrate it and speak extemporaneously with natural passion and enthusiasm. Practice, practice, practice.

It’s not easy to be a master presenter, but practice these 8 tips so often that you can make big progress in your presentation skills! Let AhaSlides be with you on the way there!

What is a TED talk presentation?

A TED talk is a short, powerful presentation given at TED conferences and related events. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.

How do you make a TED talk presentation?

By following these steps – focusing on your big idea, telling relevant stories, keeping it short, rehearsing thoroughly and speaking confidently – you’ll be well on your way to delivering an effective, impactful TED talk presentation.

What is the difference between a TED talk and a standard presentation?

TED talks are designed to be: shorter, more concise and focused; told in a visually engaging and narrative-driven way; and delivered in an on-the-spot, inspiring manner that provokes thought and spreads important ideas.

Do TED Talks have presentations?

Yes, TED Talks are actually short presentations given at TED conferences and other TED-related events.

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

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How to Give a Killer Presentation

• Chris Anderson

For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. In this article, Anderson, TED’s curator, shares five keys to great presentations:

• Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end).
• Plan your delivery (decide whether to memorize your speech word for word or develop bullet points and then rehearse it—over and over).
• Work on stage presence (but remember that your story matters more than how you stand or whether you’re visibly nervous).
• Plan the multimedia (whatever you do, don’t read from PowerPoint slides).
• Put it together (play to your strengths and be authentic).

According to Anderson, presentations rise or fall on the quality of the idea, the narrative, and the passion of the speaker. It’s about substance—not style. In fact, it’s fairly easy to “coach out” the problems in a talk, but there’s no way to “coach in” the basic story—the presenter has to have the raw material. So if your thinking is not there yet, he advises, decline that invitation to speak. Instead, keep working until you have an idea that’s worth sharing.

Lessons from TED

A little more than a year ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, some colleagues and I met a 12-year-old Masai boy named Richard Turere, who told us a fascinating story. His family raises livestock on the edge of a vast national park, and one of the biggest challenges is protecting the animals from lions—especially at night. Richard had noticed that placing lamps in a field didn’t deter lion attacks, but when he walked the field with a torch, the lions stayed away. From a young age, he’d been interested in electronics, teaching himself by, for example, taking apart his parents’ radio. He used that experience to devise a system of lights that would turn on and off in sequence—using solar panels, a car battery, and a motorcycle indicator box—and thereby create a sense of movement that he hoped would scare off the lions. He installed the lights, and the lions stopped attacking. Soon villages elsewhere in Kenya began installing Richard’s “lion lights.”

• CA Chris Anderson is the curator of TED.

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TED Talks presentation skills you can use

Are you looking to make a great impression in an interview, in a talk, or during a meeting? Even if you are a confident and grounded person, it can be difficult to convey your intention when you are put on the spot. Thankfully, TED Talks presentations offer a great deal of insight, with tips we can use at work every day. Here are some ideas that you can use.

Before listing some of the most-loved presentation tips from TED Talks, keep in mind that the best way to learn is to actually watch what people do in the series. Better yet, read over these suggestions, and then watch the lecturers to see how they use their pointers. Use a pen and notebook to take notes on what you like about their presentations. By reading and internalizing these ideas as well as observing how they are applied, you are sure to be able to reproduce the excellent methods you see.

Here are some ways you can present yourself just like a TED Talks pro:

1. Eat well. What eating well means will certainly vary extensively from person to person. Adults know how and what to eat and which ingredients help their mind work the best. If you’re unsure, do a trial run the week before. Prepare a healthy meal, eat, wait an hour, and then practice your speech. Do you feel energized? Can you think clearly? This is a great way to experiment with an ideal food regimen. If you don’t know what foods to eat, try a high protein, low carb meal. For many people, strong proteins help sharpen their minds, whereas heavy carbs can weigh their bodies down and cause fatigue.

2. Burn stress. Another activity to do before getting on stage or sitting down for a meeting is engaging in some high cardio exercise. Go for a run or use machines at a local gym. Get your heart rate soaring (in a healthy way, slowly building up and releasing afterward) for at least 20 minutes. This is likely to increase dopamine and help you feel relaxed and happy.

3. Emergency plan. Ideally and most likely, all will be well, and you’ll make a grand speech and a grand exit to match. But what if you don’t? What if you have bad luck, the technology fails, you have a non-preventable crisis that morning, or you just wake up and feel low in energy that day? Weeks before the big day, arrange a detailed backup plan to help protect your TED presentation skills. This may involve hand-written notes, backup technology, or another speech altogether. Whatever it is, make sure it’s a process you would feel comfortable with. Imagine the worst day you’ve ever had and then devise a plan that would save you from that potential day.

4. Be real. It’s important to impress, to practice, and to be professional. But it’s also just as important to show yourself as an authentic person who is taking a chance by revealing your ideas to a respectable audience. This is one of the many essential TED presentation skills. To put it another way, you can choose to display yourself as an authentic professional, someone who has experience as an employee but also as a person. One way to do this well is to offer a story from your personal life, but to also mention your professional life within it (or vice versa). For example, “When I was volunteering for a local NGO, my best friend told me…” This reveals you as both a person and a worker. People relate to that. If you can share this, while being emotional (without overdoing it), you’re on the right track.

5. Speak slowly. This may sound quite simple, but the reality is that some people quicken their speech when they are nervous. There are a number of downsides to this. First, the audience may not be able to decipher what you say clearly enough. Second, even if your listeners can hear you, you may not be speaking with a profound emphasis when you discuss meaningful ideas that should be deeply expressed. Third, when you speak quickly, you lose those extra seconds which may be important for you to think, to pause, to survey the room, and to make eye contact, as well as to think on your feet if a question is posed. Finally, when you speak quickly, you lose out on the time you need to breathe deeply. This means that your heart rate may quicken, and you may begin to sweat and lose focus. If you’re out of breath, you’ll have a harder time using your TED Talks communication skills.

6. Think rhetorically. One of the best ways to engage a listener is to propose a question you truly do not know the answer to. How easy is it to answer an easy question or to make an introductory remark, and then fill the remaining time with the various solutions to that idea? Regardless of how creative your solutions are, if you’re responding to a question you are already know the answer to, it’s likely that your audience has answers to it also. Phrase a question that’s unthinkable to respond to, or a problem you know can never be completely resolved. Hopefully, the rhetorical question will also have some emotion to it, some yearning, or some hopefulness.

7. Answer queries. Rarely, but sometimes, people will propose challenges or queries to you while you’re in midst of a lecture. Never tell a participant who dares courageously to speak up to wait until after you’re done speaking to receive an answer. Be diplomatic instead. Stop your train of thought, stand still a moment to consider, and then give a concise but thoughtful response. This conveys respect to your participant, and it also furthers the dialogue, gets people interested, and helps you expand on your idea. Come to think of those questions as helping rather than hindering your speech. Such inclusive behavior will encourage others to take your words seriously, even if they question them all the same.

8. Take your time. One way TED Talks presentation skills famously create attention and drama is when speakers take luxurious pauses between climactic moments. Distilling thoughts—breaking them down in such a digestible way—can be indispensable for speakers and listeners. Listen to TED Talks speeches to get a sense of how this is done.

9. Watch your body. Many TED Talks speakers don’t stand perfectly still as they speak, but nor do they rummage back and forth across the stage in a nervous frenzy. Rather, consider taking a few steps forward to create emphasis or look left or right to gradually survey the room. Always maintain eye contact and distribute it across the audience evenly. This will help the audience connect with you and with your words, without becoming distracted by significant movements.

10. Have a message. Although this may seem relatively obvious, it can be so easy to generate a discussion without a climax that keeps people thinking. It’s important to leave the audience with food for thought, and with a way that they too can exercise their independent thinking. Do they agree or disagree with the ideas you provided? If they agree, what can they do about it? How can they follow your team’s example, make the world a better place, or improve on their work-life balance? Leave a message that is both utilitarian—a call to action—and that also leaves an emotional flavor. When you move people, they are likely to remember you and to take action.

TED Talks communication skills

There is a lot we can learn from the TED Talks communication skills of today, and we should be thankful that we live in a time when such knowledge, confidence, and wisdom is available to us via people who have worked hard to try to develop their communication skills. The best way to make yourself into a sophisticated speaker is by practicing, by working on your confidence, and by establishing healthy routines. Review the TED Talks presentation skills tips regularly and watch their educational videos. Very soon, it will be you standing in center stage.

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6 Tips to Give a Presentation That’s More Engaging Than a TED Talk

Kat Boogaard

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Presentations. Ugh, are your knees shaking and your palms sweating at the sight of that one intimidating word?

You aren’t alone. Many of us dread having to stand up and deliver a presentation. Beyond it being incredibly nerve-wracking (honestly, that whole “picture the audience in their underwear” trick only makes things worse), there’s another big thing you’re worried about: being plain ol’ boring.

We’ve all suffered through our fair share of presentations that are so dry, they make watching paint dry sound like an exciting break. In fact, an astounding 91 percent of professionals admit to daydreaming during presentations. Another 39 percent? They’ve confessed to actually falling asleep.

But, here’s another statistic for you: 70 percent of employed Americans say that presentations are a critical part of career success. So, if you’re going to have to give them anyway, you might as well make them good—and, ideally, avoid inspiring as many back row naps as possible.

So, how can you pull this off? How can you make sure your presentation is engaging enough to keep your audience captivated—or, at the very least, prevent them from nodding off?

Start by taking a few cues and tips from some of the most interesting and engaging presentations out there: TED talks .

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6 Presentation tips stolen from TED talks

1. start strong.

You have only 60 seconds or less to capture the attention of your audience. This means you have almost no choice but to start with something impactful and attention grabbing.

Fortunately, as all sorts of different TED speakers prove, there are tons of ways that you can command the attention of the room right from your first few words.

Whether you want to state a shocking statistic, use a powerful quote, display a grabby visual, ask a question, or utilize any other creative idea you can come up with (stand on your head if you have to!), make sure that the start of your talk proves that you’re worth listening to—and, beyond that, that you don’t intend to bore everybody to tears.

Another great tip you can use for a strong introduction? Explain right away why the audience should care about what you’re speaking about. Jane McGonigal does that by kicking off her talk with this provocative statement:

I'm a gamer, so I like to have goals. I like special missions and secret objectives. So here's my special mission for this talk: I'm going to try to increase the lifespan of every single person in this room by seven and a half minutes. Literally, you will live seven and a half minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.

2. Tell a story

Here’s another thing TED speakers are awesome at: Weaving narratives into their presentations. They tell personal and powerful stories in order to make their points and drive their messages home.

Why is storytelling such a great communication tactic? Well, let’s have a brief science lesson.

Let’s say that you’re sitting through a standard presentation filled with bullet points and statistics. As you listen, the language processing parts of your brain will be activated—Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, if you want to sound super intelligent at your next dinner party.

When somebody tells a story? Not only are those language processing parts working hard, but the other parts of your brain that you would use if you were actually experiencing the story’s events join the party too.

“If someone tells us about how delicious certain foods were, our sensory cortex lights up. If it's about motion, our motor cortex gets active.”

Need an example of solid storytelling in a presentation? Check out Shawn Achor’s talk on achieving better work, where he jumps right in with a story from his younger years:

"When I was seven years old and my sister was just five years old, we were playing on top of a bunk bed."

3. Appeal to emotions

You likely already know that appealing to emotions is a powerful marketing tactic. It all goes back to Aristotle and his ethos, pathos, and logos models of persuasion .

But, as effective as emotions can be in marketing and advertising, the same can hold true in your presentations. As a matter of fact, in a survey that asked 169 people whether they thought it was better to start a presentation with emotion or reason, a whopping 79 percent voted in favor of emotion .

The variety of emotions you can solicit from people run the gamut. Maybe you want to make your audience feel inspired. Perhaps you want to make them laugh and experience joy. Or, maybe you want to draw out feelings of concern or sympathy.

Whatever suits your presentation best is up to you. But, don’t forget to appeal to the emotions of your audience.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that this needs to be a long and drawn out process either. Stacey Kramer proves in her talk that you can make a big emotional impact, without taking up tons of time:

It was a rare gem—a brain tumor, hemangioblastoma—the gift that keeps on giving. And while I'm okay now, I wouldn't wish this gift for you. I'm not sure you'd want it. But I wouldn't change my experience. It profoundly altered my life in ways I didn't expect in all the ways I just shared with you.

4. Involve your audience

Want a surefire way to prevent your audience members from snoozing and daydreaming in their seats? Involve them in your presentation.

Not only does this keep your audience on their toes—weren’t you always afraid to zone out when there was the looming threat of the teacher calling your name?—but it also makes them that much more engaged in what you’re presenting, as they feel like they’re actively involved in what’s happening.

Maybe you want to ask questions throughout your presentation. Or, perhaps you want to hide something—like a graphic, quote, or even typo—in your slides that you tell your audience they should keep their eyes peeled for.

There are plenty of things you can do to make sure your audience is not only listening, but feels like an active participant in what they’re learning. Just check out this awesome example of how Bobby McFerrin uses his audience members to talk about the pentatonic scale.

5. Keep it short

Do you know why you’re willing to actually sit through a TED talk? Because you know you aren’t going to have to invest an entire afternoon in it. TED talks are notoriously short, and that’s no mistake.

Research has noted that most people can only pay attention to something for a certain length of time—typically around 10 minutes. So, TED decided that 18 minutes would be the absolute maximum length of any of their talks.

Nobody, no matter how famous, wealthy, or influential is allowed to speak more than 18 minutes on a TED stage.

While the time restrictions for your own presentation might not be so strict, it’s still important for you to remember that the briefer you can keep things, the better—unless you’re willing to accept those glazed over eyes staring back at you.

Want proof that you don’t need to be long-winded in order to make a point? Check out this TED talk that clocks in under three minutes:

6. Don’t be a robot

Another thing you’ll never see TED speakers do? Stand in one place, nervously grip the sides of the podium, and read directly from slides or notecards.

Body language is important. Some even go so far as to say that communication is made up of 93 percent nonverbal cues (including movements and tone of voice) and only seven percent verbal.

Fortunately, this is one thing that pretty much all TED speakers are great at. Even though they’re presenting on one of the best known stages in the world, they still treat it as a less formal discussion. They move around. They make gestures. They’re conversational and casual.

So, resist the temptation to over-rehearse and commit every last piece of your presentation—down to when you’ll breathe—to memory. Your audience will remain much more engaged if you’re a little more relaxed and flexible.

Don’t think you can pull this off? Because of her cerebral palsy, which she discusses in her talk, Maysoon Zayid is one of few TED speakers to stay seated in a chair. But, she still manages to be incredibly captivating:

Take advantage of these presentation tips

Nobody wants to invest hours and creativity into a presentation, only to look out at the audience and be met with crickets and blank stares. Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to up the interest level of your presentation and keep your audience engaged.

Take a cue from these TED talks, and your audience members will be totally tuned into your presentation—rather than mentally making their shopping lists.

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Kat is a writer specializing in career, self-development, and productivity topics. When she escapes her computer, she enjoys reading, hiking, golfing, and dishing out tips for prospective freelancers on her website.

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