Do you enjoy TED talks as much as I do? Want to figure out why? Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo gives the reader an incredible behind the scenes idea of why TED talks have become so popular…and how the strategy involved in Talking like TED is something that we can incorporate into lots of different public speaking opportunities, especially in the classroom! It took me longer than normal to finish this book because of the fact that I kept putting it down to download the awesome TED talks referenced throughout the book. This book is a wealth of information…pick up a copy today! Below you will find the things that I highlighted while reading…
- Ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century.
- The world was and still is clearly hungry for great ideas presented in an engaging way.
- Remember, you can’t inspire anyone else with your ideas, it won’t matter how great those ideas are. Ideas are only as good as the actions that follow the communication of those ideas.
- The most engaging presentations are: (EMOTIONAL) They touch my heart, (NOVEL) They teach me something new, (MEMORABLE) They present content in ways I’ll never forget.
- Great communicators reach your head and touch your heart.
- Create those moments. Captivate your audience. Inspire them. Change the world.
- Dig deep to identify your unique and meaningful connection to your presentation topic.
- What makes your heart sing?
- If you find your topic fascinating and interesting and wonderful, it’s more than likely your audience will, too.
- The first step to inspiring others is to make sure you’re inspired yourself.
- If you’re going to tell a “personal” story, make it personal. Take the audience on a journey. Make it so descriptive and rich with imagery that they imagine themselves with you at the time of the event.
- A well-told story gives leaders a strong advantage in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.
- Great speakers are indeed mavericks, adventurers, and rule-bending rebels who take risks. They tell stores to express their passion for the subject and to connect with their audiences. Ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century and stories facilitate the exchange of that currency. Stories illustrate, illuminate, and inspire.
- True persuasion occurs only after you have built an emotional rapport with your listeners and have gained their trust. If your voice, gestures, and body language are incongruent with your words, your listeners will distrust your message. It’s the equivalent of having a Ferrari (a magnificent story) without knowing how to drive (delivery).
- The video camera is the single best tool to improve your public speaking ability.
- “When you walk into a classroom you have two jobs: one is teach and the other is to recruit everyone in that classroom to join the pursuit of truth.” Titanic Explorer, Robert Ballard
- And when you get a jaw drop, you can inform. You can put so much information into that mind, it’s in full receiving mode.
- Sometimes the date you present might not be earthshaking or entirely unfamiliar to the audience, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver it in a fresh way.
- Only through seeing your own world through a fresh lens will you be able to give your audience a new way of looking at their world.
- Before a presentation I ask myself, What’s the one thing I want people to take away?
- If more teachers gave “icky” presentations—emotionally charged ones—students would retain more of what they learn in high school and college.
- “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” Sir Ken Robinson
- Hook people. Craft and deliver repeatable quotes. Your ideas deserve to be remembered.
- Great communicators are good storytellers. Stories create impact moments.
- Every performer has at least one jaw-dropping moment—an emotionally charged even that your audience members will be talking about the next day. Every presentation needs one. Get one and use it. Your presentation content will make a better impact if it can be stamped onto the minds of your listeners.
- Empowered employees create memorable moments for their customers.
- The longer the presentation, the more the listener has to organize, comprehend, and remember. The burden increases along with a listener’s anxiety.
- Talk far too long and your audience will find ways to distract themselves from your content.
- “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Albert Einstein
- When you deliver a presentation, your goal should not be to “deliver a presentation.” It should be to inspire your audience, to move them, and to encourage them to dream bigger. You cannot move people if they don’t think you’re real. You’ll never convince your audience of anything if they don’t trust, admire, and genuinely like you.
- Repetition frees your mind to tell your “story” in a way that is interesting, dynamic, and more important—authentic.