How to prepare a compelling, concise, and effective talk. Presented at NCSL Summit -2016

1. DEEP DIVE:
TALK LIKE TED
NCSL Summit 2016
Marianna Swallow mariannaswallow.com

2. A little about me…
• Former actress and
Improv performer
• Graduate of the Second
City Conservatory
• Professional trainer &
speaker since 1997
• Ukulele novice
• Author,
21 Ways to Engage Your
Audience
(amazon)

3. GOAL:
STEPS TO
MAKE TALKS
COMPELLING
& CONCISE

4. a about
today’s

5. “How will use this in
my

6. In this hour we’ll cover…
1. Purpose
2. Takeaways
3. Audience

7. ANTIDOTE TO
RAMBLING:
PREPARATION

8. ALWAYS
PREPARE.
EVEN IF YOU’VE
BEEN DOING THIS
FOR 20 YEARS…

9. …YES,
EVEN IF YOU’VE
GIVEN THIS
SPEECH BEFORE.

10. “STYLE WITHOUT
SUBSTANCE IS AWFUL.”
— CHRIS ANDERSON,
HEAD OF TED
TED TALKS

11. Beware the
expert.
— Marianna
Swallow

12. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
1. Know Your Purpose
2. Know Your Takeaways
3. Plan for Your Audience

13. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
1. Know Your Purpose

14. WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE?

15. PURPOSE STATEMENT
What is your specific purpose?

16. Purpose statement
My goal is to _______________.
I want my audience to
(know/do/feel)
__________________ .

17. Know your purpose
My goal is to teach my audience
how to draft a bill.
I want my audience to
(know/do/feel) the first three steps
to draft a bill effectively.

18. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
1. Know Your Purpose
2. Know Your Takeaways
3. Plan for Your Audience

19. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
2. Know Your Takeaways

20. What do you want them to
leave with?
• This may be time-driven.
• Should be short, concise.
• If they leave with only ….
–One thing? Two things?
Three things?

21. ALL CONTENT
MUST
SUPPORT
YOUR
PURPOSE.

23. SUPPORTING
YOUR
PURPOSE
MAKES IT
CONCISE.

24. OVERVIEW OF
TED FORMAT

25. Introduction: Preview
Why this is important
(effect on jobs, outcomes, etc.)
Main Concept(s)
Implications
Conclusion
(recap, questions)
Source: TED Talks The TED Guide to Public Speaking,
by Chris Anderson

26. “IT'S MUCH EASIER TO PULL
IN AN AUDIENCE BY FRAMING
THE TALK AS AN INTRIGUING
RIDDLE THAN A PLEA FOR
THEM TO CARE.”
— CHRIS ANDERSON,
TED TALKS

27. In short…
1. What?
2. So What?
3. Now What?
Source: TED Talks The TED Guide to Public Speaking,
by Chris Anderson

28. Quick Prep Tips
For last-minute talks …
1. Grab a notecard.
2. Write 3 most important things.
3. Off you go.

29. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
1. Know Your Purpose
2. Know Your Takeaways
3. Plan for Your Audience

30. Three tips for a compelling,
concise, TED-like talk:
3. Plan for Your Audience

31. CONNECTING
WITH YOUR
AUDIENCE
MAKES IT
COMPELLING.

32. In order for adults to
learn…
…2 things
…3 ways to connect

33. TWO things
1. The whys

34. WHAT IS
IMPORTANT,
AND
WHY?

35. TWO things
2. The WIIFM?

36. WIIFM:
What’s in it
for me?

37. THREE ways to connect
1. Make it relevant.
2. Make it engaging.
3. Speak their language.

38. 1. RELEVANT:
What is important, and
why?
…relate to real world

39. 2. ENGAGING:
Communication styles
Learning styles

40. Communication Styles
DISC
—Dominance
—Influencer
—Steadiness
—Conscientious

41. 2. ENGAGING:
Learning styles

42. Learning Styles
Auditory Visual Tactile

43. 3. SPEAK THEIR
LANGUAGE
Meet them where they are
Explain jargon & acroynms
“Beware the expert.”

44. “LANGUAGE WORKS ITS
MAGIC ONLY TO THE EXTENT
IT IS UNDERSTOOD BY
LISTENER AND SPEAKER.”
— CHRIS ANDERSON,
TED TALKS

45. Notes on
making a
video…

46. Plan it out
Rehearse a
minimum of
ONCE without
taping
Slow down
Allow pauses
Mix elements to
reinforce
learning
Borrow from
TED!
Anticipate
questions

47. YOUR QUESTIONS GO HERE.

48. Resources
TED Talks, Chris Anderson
ted.com
Watch talks, borrow what you like.
The 10-Minute Trainer, AUTHOR
atd.org
Association for Talent Development

49. TED talks to view &
deconstruct
Anthony Goldbloom –
“The jobs we’ll lose to machines…”
Amy Cuddy –
“Your body language shapes...”

50. Thank You!
Marianna Swallow
mariannaswallow.com

51. Thank You!
Marianna Swallow
mariannaswallow.com

52. Thank You!
Marianna Swallow
mariannaswallow.com