How To Become A TEDx Speaker
Updated: Mar 10, 2025
Written by: Elena Paweta, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Is speaking at TEDx on your bucket list? As a TEDx organizer and speakers coach for over 8 years, I know that in order to speak at the magical red dot you need to have an idea worth spreading. Do you have one? Let’s do what I am always doing with my clients at the first coaching session – let’s check your idea
Now stop reading for a moment and write down your idea that you want to share from the TEDx stage... Are you ready? Let’s go!
1. Look at your idea and answer sincerely ‒ is it new?
Was it shared before? On the TED stage or maybe in the book that you have read recently? If it is something that is not that new or doesn’t have a new innovative angle to it, it might be hard for you to get accepted as a TEDx speaker. What are you bringing to this topic, what is your own unique input? For example, in my first TEDx talk I shared the results of my Ph.D. research on the qualities of international entrepreneurs.
2. Are you credible to speak about this topic?
Did you conduct research on this topic? Did you write something about it – books, articles, blogs? Do you have professional experience in this field? Do you have a podcast on this topic? Are you an expert? And how can you prove it?
3. Is it based on facts/evidence?
Can your idea be backed up by scientific research? By facts? Statistics? How can you prove it? TED is very strict about ideas that cannot be proven by science (energy healing etc.) It doesn’t mean that the topic is not interesting – it is just not for a TED stage.
4. Now let's answer the last question ‒ is your idea interesting to your audience?
Is it relevant for your local audience at this moment of time? Is it interesting for the broader audience? For someone outside your inner circle? How it will help them, support them, and change their lives? How was your test? How many yes-es do you have? If you don’t have all yes-es – don’t worry! It only means that you still need to work on your idea a bit more before applying for TEDx stage. Let me know on LinkedIn – are you ready for the TEDx stage? What is your big idea that is worth spreading? Looking forward to your answers!
Elena Paweta, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Elena Paweta is an executive communication coach, speaker, TEDx organizer, and university professor. She conducts courses, trainings, and workshops on effective communication and business presentations internationally. As a TEDx organizer, she coached top speakers who achieved over 1 million views of their talks. Now she is lecturing at leading business schools and working with managers and CEOs on their business presentations. Elena is also a marathon runner and mother of 2 daughters.
