This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- How to land a TED Talk in 2025
- FREE Webinar on AI & Communications
- Stories Sell: Storytelling Secrets for Leaders
- How to Write for Busy Readers
How to land a TED Talk in 2025
Many of you have asked me how I landed my TEDx talk.
(It happens in just six weeks and I will speak on the impact of AI on leadership communications.)
It was actually relatively simple, so let me share my exact step-by-step blueprint with you.
Step 1: Go to the TED website and check where TEDx events happen near you.
Step 2: Identify the organizers. They are all named on the website for each event.
Step 3: Connect with them on LinkedIn, or get an introduction via a mutual contact.
Step 4: Send them your pitch by DM or email. Follow up if necessary. Needless to say, your pitch needs to be compelling.
Step 5: If they find it interesting, schedule a call to introduce yourself in person.
Here’s how you increase your chances of landing speaker slots:
- Build a strong personal brand and large audience. This has become a big factor.
- Offer to add value to the event, for instance by promoting it to your audience.
- Create video content to persuade organizers of your public speaking skills.
You want to avoid these mistakes:
- Getting the timing wrong: You want to focus on events 3-9 months out.
- Pitching an idea that lacks punch: Test your idea with a few friends and check the most successful talks on the TED website for inspiration.
- Not sticking to your guns: The organizers may ask you to adapt your topic to accommodate their theme. You may end up with a Frankenstein-idea (I learnt this the hard way).
All of this also applies if you want to speak at other events like industry conferences. For those, make sure you are talking to the organizers, not the marketing people who want to sell you their sponsorship package.
FREE Webinar on AI & Communications
How to use AI to become a top 1% communicator
Join me join me on January 29th to find out how to use AI to create...
- Killer presentations in minutes
- Content that stops the scroll and
- Stories that build real connection with your audience.
It is free but places are limited to 100.
ICYMI: You can now watch last week’s session on How to Become a Top 1% Communicator in 2025 here.
During the session we covered how to…
- Become a confident presenter who captivates any audience.
- Land a TED talk or an industry conference speaking slot in 2025.
- Score guest spots on major podcasts to amplify your message.
- 5X your LinkedIn presence and engagement.
PODCAST
Stories Sell: Storytelling Secrets for Leaders
I do a podcast to help you become a Top 1% communicator.
My first guest of 2025 is Matthew Dicks, bestselling author of Storyworthy and Stories Sell.
He reveals how stories captivate, connect, and inspire.
Matthew’s journey to global authority began with a surprise win at The Moth storytelling competition, but it wasn’t luck.
His years as a writer, teacher, and even wedding DJ prepared him to hold any audience’s attention.
We discuss why authenticity beats perfection, how many businesses get storytelling wrong, and how leaders can apply storytelling to build trust and culture.
Listen on Spotify and Apple:
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
How to Write for Busy Readers
Ever written to a busy person without hearing back? You are not alone.
Professionals delete half of all emails without reading them. And as for the other half – well, reading does not mean responding.
Harvard Prof Todd Rogers shows us how to communicate effectively in the real world where most messages go unanswered because the readers did not think it was worth their time.
Three key insights:
- Everyone skims. Write for skimmers, not readers.
- Busy readers have a very low threshold for moving on. Don’t give them any reason for an early exit.
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There are three reasons why readers may not follow through on a requested action:
- The request is unclear.
- It is not seen as important enough.
- The reader delays the action because it is not seen as urgent (and then never gets round to doing it).
Todd will be on the Speak Like a CEO podcast in February to share how we can write so that busy people respond.
Have an inspired week,
Oliver
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