Our TEDx Journey (twice)
A friendly guide to preparing, calming the nerves and giving the talk of your life
Harry and I have had the privilege of doing it twice. Our first talk was at TEDx Melbourne, a local TEDx event held at Federation Square.
Our second was part of the TED Global Idea Search, a TED initiative run out of Vancouver and the USA that travels the world to find the best new ideas. The TED Global team partners with leading TEDx events in nine countries, joining forces with local organisers in places like London, Mumbai, Sydney and Buenos Aires.
If you ever get the chance to share your idea through the TED network, take it. It will change how you see yourself, your story and what your idea can do in the world.
Sharing an idea on a TED or TEDx stage is one of the greatest privileges you can have.
It’s scary, humbling and unbelievably rewarding. Along the way we’ve picked up a stack of tips to help anyone thinking about doing the same.
Below is our honest guide on what to expect, how to prepare and the small things that make a big difference.
Let’s start with our first talk in Melbourne.
TEDx Melbourne
A slick, supportive and unforgettable experience
TEDx Melbourne is run with real heart and real precision. From the moment you submit your first script draft, the curators start shaping your idea with you. They help you tighten your message and remove anything that distracts from the core idea.
On event day you stay together with the other speakers as a tight little team for about five hours. You get coaching, reassurance and more kindness than you expect. The whole environment feels like it’s cheering for you.
You also get time to rehearse on stage before the audience arrives. The crew help you settle your nerves and step onto the red dot with confidence.
And here’s the quiet truth. If you forget a line or freeze, it’s ok. Five to seven cameras shoot everything and the editors can fix tiny stumbles.
The TED Global Idea Search
A mini TV production following your idea
The global idea search is a completely different world. A dedicated film crew follows you for two days capturing your story, interviews and behind the scenes moments. It feels like being part of a documentary.
The main stage talk is filmed by the local TEDx team while the global crew captures the energy around it. They even filmed us walking on and off stage to show the nerves and build up.
Melbourne gave us fifteen minutes. The global talk was a strict six minutes with a giant red countdown clock reminding us of every second. Timing becomes your best friend.
We chose three simple slides for the global talk. TED is about ideas worth spreading, not slides worth spreading. Slides should support you, not steal focus.
The Opening Line
Grab their attention in the first ten seconds
Your opening line is your handshake with the audience. It sets the tone, pulls them in and signals that you have something to say worth listening to.
At TEDx Melbourne we opened with
“The world doesn’t need any more ideas.”
The whole room leaned in. We finished with
“The world needs people with ideas who are prepared to have an idea, fail, rebuild and keep going until it’s one worth sharing.”
For the TEDx Global Idea Search, Harry opened with a line no one expected from a fourteen year old
“We open on a hot steamy shower scene.”
Then he paused. A long pause. The room froze.
Then
“The person doesn’t know it yet but they’re about to have an idea.”
That talk explored ideas, where they appear and the success formula we built after failing more than two thousand five hundred times.
A great opening line surprises, creates curiosity and makes the audience sit forward.
The Script
Draft, feedback, rewrite, repeat
Your first draft is never the one you deliver. TED curators help you sharpen the message and remove anything that weakens the idea.
You must memorise your talk. No notes. No autocue. Nothing on stage. Once it’s committed to memory your delivery becomes natural.
We practised everywhere. In the car. Walking to the shops. Making dinner. Those tiny runs add up and give you confidence.
Someone once said you do twenty eight hours of preparation for every minute on stage. After two talks, I believe it.
Nerves and Self Doubt
Why they show up and how to handle them
Backstage you’re surrounded by world class speakers. Imposter syndrome hits hard. Let that thought go quickly. The curators selected you for a reason.
The audience wants you to win. They want your idea. If you show a little vulnerability, they warm to you even more.
Perfection creates distance. Humanity creates connection.
In both talks I forgot a key line. My mind went totally blank. Heart racing. Silence. Twenty long seconds. I had to turn to Harry in front of everyone and ask him to help me remember the next line. He stepped in both times, I found the words again and the moment became human instead of humiliating. The audience cheered for us both times.
(The picture below is Harry whispering my line to me)
People don’t want perfect. They want real.
Tip Sheet
Start with an opening line that pulls the room toward you
Surprise them. Challenge them. Make them curious.
Use pauses
A pause in the right moment is pure magic. It builds tension and gives the audience space to feel the moment.
Add one humour break
The head curator of TED Global told us this. One well timed light moment lets the audience release their tension. It helps them connect and relax into your talk.
Focus on connection
Look at the audience. Let them feel included.
Keep slides simple
Use bold images and minimal text. They should support your message, not distract from it.
If you forget a line, you’re still ok
Smile. Breathe. Pick it back up. Editors can fix tiny stumbles. The audience will love you for being human.
Practise more than feels normal
Short runs in random places build confidence over time.
Remember your why
You’re sharing something that matters. Hold onto that.
Final Thoughts
What this journey taught us
TEDx pushes you, stretches you and surprises you. It’s frightening and exhilarating at the same time. It changes you in the best possible way.
If you ever get the chance to share your idea through the TED and TEDx network, take it. It will change how you see yourself, your story and what your idea can do in the world.
While this blog focuses on TED and TEDx, every tip here works just as well for any presentation at school, work or in everyday life.
You’ve got this.
Visit Harry and Nik's speaking page
