One of my “claims to fame” is that I’m a 3-time TEDx speaker.
So naturally one of the questions I get asked a LOT is
“How can I do a TEDx talk, Nausheen?”
The truth is – TEDx talks lend you added credibility.
Doing a TEDx talk has the potential to:
→ Showcase your expertise on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
→ Connect you with tens of thousands of prospects & collaborators.
→ Become a “calling card” for you and open new doors.
My first time on the TEDx stage, back in 2022
But most entrepreneurs get intimidated by the idea of applying and then being on the TEDx stage.
I’m going to simplify the entire process for you – so all you’d need to do is follow it step by step. (Most TEDx coaches charge thousands of dollars for this):
Step 1: Come up with a TEDx worthy topic for your talk
This is critical.
TEDx has a very stringent criteria for what they consider to be “TEDx-worthy” topics.
Make sure your topic fulfills the 3 most important requirements:
- It should appeal to a broad audience.
- It should be actionable, not just your story.
- It should something new or surprising about a topic that you’re in a unique position to talk about.
Step 2: Look up TEDx talks in your area + neighboring areas
TEDx doesn’t pay for you – so you’d have to travel on your own expense.
If you’re willing to travel to other places – you’ll increase your odds of getting into a talk.
Step 3: Let’s pitch your talk
At this stage, aim to marry the theme of the TEDx event with the topic you identified in step 1.
Most TEDx events either have their own website which tells you how to pitch, or you can find the organizer’s contact info and ask them how you can pitch.
Be prepared to spend some quality time developing and refining your pitch.
Aim to pitch early – most events start looking for speakers 5-7 months ahead of time.
Step 4: Follow up and build relationships
Pitch to 10-15 events at first, and aim to create a relationship with the organizers.
That may not affect your chances of getting in – but if they turn you down, you can ask for feedback on your pitch.
Aim to iteratively improve your pitch this way. Then apply to more events in batches of 7-10.
Step 5: Be prepared for multiple interviews
Getting into TEDx is a multi-step process.
If your pitch gets shortlisted, you’ll be asked for a meeting (or a few) where the organizers and past TEDx speakers will interview you.
You don’t need to write out your full talk at this point – but do flesh it out to the extent where you can discuss what you’d be talking about.
Getting into TEDx can take months or sometimes up to a year.
But it’s a dream that you can absolutely turn into reality in 2025.
