Talk Like TED

About the Author

Carmine Gallo is a renowned communications coach, speaker, and author who has dedicated his career to helping individuals improve their communication skills. With a background in journalism and corporate communications, Gallo has a deep understanding of the principles of effective communication. He is the author of several best-selling books, including "Talk Like TED," which distills the secrets of successful TED speakers into actionable principles that anyone can apply. Gallo's insights are drawn from extensive research and interviews with some of the world's most engaging speakers, making his advice both practical and inspiring.

Main Idea

The core idea of "Talk Like TED" is that anyone can become a strong public speaker by adopting nine key principles commonly used by successful TED speakers. These principles are divided into two main categories: content and logistics. The first six principles focus on the content of your speech, while the last three address the logistics of preparing and delivering an effective presentation. By mastering these principles, you can captivate your audience, convey your message powerfully, and leave a lasting impression.

Table of Contents

1. Pick a Topic You’re Passionate About
2. Tell Your Audience Stories
3. Present Something New
4. Incorporate a Shocking Moment
5. Use Humor
6. Present Content That Triggers Multiple Senses
7. Keep Your Talk Brief
8. Plan and Practice
9. Be Yourself

Pick a Topic You’re Passionate About

The foundation of an engaging presentation is choosing a topic that genuinely excites you. Gallo emphasizes that your passion will naturally translate into enthusiasm, making you more captivating to your audience. He explains,

"When you're passionate about something, you’re likely to speak about the subject energetically. You'll be much more interesting to watch than a lackluster speaker." — Carmine Gallo

When selecting a topic, consider what excites you most. For example, if asked to present about a recent sale, choose the one that was most thrilling for you. Passion is contagious, and your excitement will draw in your audience.

However, what if you're assigned a topic you don't feel passionate about? Gallo advises reframing the subject to find an angle that does excite you. For instance, if you’re passionate about workplace efficiency and asked to present on accounting software, focus on how the software enhances efficiency. This way, you can bring genuine enthusiasm to the topic, which will be evident to your audience.

Tell Your Audience Stories

Stories are a powerful tool in public speaking. They make your message more relatable and memorable. Gallo identifies three types of stories you should incorporate:

• A personal story about your own experiences
• An anecdote about someone else, such as a famous person
• A story about a product or brand

Stories captivate because they provide real-world context and emotional connections. Gallo explains,

"Storytelling is much more gripping than many other methods of sharing information." — Carmine Gallo

To make your story engaging, include these attributes: