How to Talk Like TED: Create a TED-Style Talk That Inspires
November 06, 2025
Do you need a TED talk coaching? How do you write and deliver a TED-style talk? How do you prepare for a TED talk? How do you talk like TED?
Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball
Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London. Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page.
If you’ve ever watched one of the latest talks on TED and thought, “I’d love to speak like that,” you’re not alone. TED speakers make it look effortless. But behind every seamless delivery is careful speech writing, detailed rehearsal and expert coaching.
With the right TED talk coaching, you can learn to speak with that same confidence and clarity, whether you’re preparing for a TEDx event, a major conference or your next company presentation.
What Makes a TED Talk So Powerful
TED has built a global community of thinkers, doers and dreamers, from scientists to business leaders, from artists to activists. Every TED event, whether at TED conferences or local TEDx gatherings, is dedicated to sharing world-changing ideas.
If you explore the library of TED talks, you’ll see that every one of them feels natural, engaging and clear. The speakers hold the audience’s attention from the first word to the last; and that’s not luck. It’s the result of thoughtful preparation and guidance from a TEDx coach.
Lessons from TED’s “Commandments”
When someone joins the TED stage, they receive TED’s famous set of principles: ten “commandments” that shape every great talk. Here are a few worth printing out and keeping beside your desk:
- 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, not 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.
This advice applies to every presentation, not just TED. Following these simple rules could easily turn your next talk into your best decision of the year.
How to Prepare a TED-Style Talk
A great TED-style talk starts with one big idea. TED’s slogan is “ideas worth spreading”, and that’s the goal. Your talk should offer something worth sharing that challenges, inspires or helps others see the world differently.
Here’s how to build a talk that feels as fresh as anything in the collections of TED talks online. This advice is based on the 15 years’ experience of the coaches at Benjamin Ball Associates.
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How to Talk Like Ted – 6 Top Tips
1. Start with a provocative question
The best talks begin with something that makes your audience lean in. Try asking a question that surprises or challenges them.
2. Tell stories that matter
Every memorable talk includes a story. Your experiences, setbacks or lessons learned make your message real. Read how to create powerful business stories.
3. Keep it short and sharp
Most TED offerings run under 18 minutes, and for good reason. Brevity keeps your message powerful.
4. Speak from the heart
Authenticity connects. The most moving TED speakers , from TED Fellows to innovators supported by the TED Institute, are open about who they are and why their idea matters.
5. Practise — and then practise again
The entire process of preparing for a TED talk involves rehearsal after rehearsal. Record yourself, refine your timing and test your message on a trusted listener. Keep editing and changing until it can’t get any better.
6. Use visuals wisely
Many great Ted Talks do not use visuals. If you need visuals, keep your slides simple. One clear image or phrase per idea is enough to reinforce your message without distraction.
What You Can Learn from TED’s World-Changing Initiatives
TED’s strength lies not just in its talks but in its world-changing initiatives , from the TED Institute (which helps organisations share groundbreaking ideas) to TED Fellows, who receive training to support innovators around the world.
There’s also a growing emphasis on educational content through TED-Ed, and on spreading good news that highlights progress and creativity. TED’s mission has always been to move people: to spark curiosity, hope and courage.
That’s the same energy you want in your own talk: something that pulls people out of their comfort zone and ends with a standing ovation.
Why Work with a TEDx Coach
Even the most confident speakers benefit from coaching. A skilled TEDx coach helps with:
- Speech writing — refining your idea into a clear and compelling message
- Performance — polishing your delivery so you connect naturally with your audience
- Rehearsal — guiding you through the entire process, from script to stage
- Confidence — helping you manage nerves and own the room
Working with an experienced coach gives you the structure, discipline and insight that every great talk requires.
Get TED Talk Coaching That Transforms How You Speak
At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve helped speakers around the world deliver talks that captivate audiences: from TED conferences to corporate stages. Our coaching helps you:
- Refine your message into one clear idea
- Edit and tighten your script
- Polish your delivery so it feels effortless
- Rehearse until you’re confident, calm, and ready to impress
We can even help you craft a quick mix of stories and examples that keep your audience’s attention throughout.
So whether you’re preparing for your latest talk or planning something bigger, our TED talk coaching will help you communicate your message with clarity and impact.
Book a free consultation today and find out how we can help you deliver a TED-style talk that truly connects.
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FAQ: How to Talk Like TED
1. What makes a TED-style talk different from a normal presentation?
A TED-style talk is centred on one clear, powerful idea that’s worth sharing. It’s short, personal and engaging, often built around a story rather than a list of facts. The best talks feel conversational, not scripted (even though they are!) and connect emotionally with the audience.
2. How can TED talk coaching help me?
TED talk coaching helps you turn your ideas into a structured, inspiring talk. A coach works with you on every stage of the process, from shaping your core message to refining your delivery. You’ll improve your communication skills, gain confidence and learn how to keep your audience’s attention from start to finish.
3. What’s the ideal length for a TED-style talk?
Most TED talks are 18 minutes or less. This format forces you to concentrate on what truly matters and helps your message stay memorable. It’s long enough to share an idea with impact, but short enough to hold attention.
4. How do I choose the right topic for my TED or TEDx talk?
Start by asking yourself what you believe is worth sharing. Look for stories or insights that could change how others think or act. Explore the library of TED talks and collections of TED talks for inspiration. Notice how each one centres around a single, powerful idea.
5. What’s the role of a TEDx coach?
A TEDx coach helps speakers through the entire process — from brainstorming ideas to perfecting their performance. They’ll give you constructive feedback on structure, storytelling and delivery so you sound natural, authentic and confident.
6. How should I structure my TED-style talk?
A typical structure looks like this:
Opening: Grab attention with a provocative question, image or story
Main idea: Explain your idea clearly and show why it matters
Examples: Use stories, evidence or data to support your message
Conclusion: End with a memorable takeaway or call to action
7. How do I deal with stage fright?
Stage nerves are normal. Rehearse until your talk feels second nature, and focus your attention on your audience rather than yourself. Breathing techniques, visualisation and positive self-talk all help. Many TED speakers say that preparation, and a calm mindset, make the biggest difference.
8. Should I memorise my TED talk?
It’s better to learn your structure and key transitions rather than every word. Memorising word-for-word can make you sound robotic. Instead, know your flow so you can adapt naturally on stage.
9. How do I make sure my talk feels authentic?
Be yourself. Speak as if you’re talking to one person, not a crowd. Share personal experiences and be honest about your failures as well as your successes. Audiences value vulnerability and authenticity over polish.
10. How do I create visuals for a TED-style presentation?
Keep slides simple and visual. One strong image or phrase per slide is usually enough. Only use visuals if they add value to the audience.
11. Can anyone give a TED talk?
Yes. TED and TEDx events welcome ideas from people in all walks of life. Many speakers come from business, education, science, and the arts. Explore the TED Institute and TED Fellows programmes if you’d like to see how TED works to support innovators and share world-changing ideas.
12. How do I get a standing ovation?
Inspire, don’t instruct. A talk that moves people emotionally is the one that earns applause. Bring energy, clarity and a touch of vulnerability; and always end with a clear, memorable message.
13. How can I start preparing my own TED-style talk?
Begin by outlining your idea and practising how you’d explain it in under a minute. Then work with a professional coach who can guide you through structure, storytelling and delivery. Coaching helps you move beyond your comfort zone and perform with confidence.
14. Where can I find more inspiration?
Browse the library of TED talks or explore TED’s collections of talks by topic. You’ll find a quick mix of science, creativity, leadership and educational content from speakers who are part of TED’s global community.
15. How can Benjamin Ball Associates help me?
Our TED talk coaching and TEDx speaker training help you write, rehearse, and deliver your talk with clarity and impact. We’ll refine your script, polish your performance, and help you feel calm and confident, ready to deliver a world-changing idea of your own.
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Book a free consultation today and find out how we can help you deliver a TED-style talk that truly connects.
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How to create a compelling talk
Tips for your next TED talk. Get TED talk coaching today.
Study the 20 most watched TED talks
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