In early September, I had the incredible opportunity to join the amazing group of Mompreneurs Colombia in Miami for a transformative journey that combined personal growth, professional development, and inspiration. I participated in a TEDx masterclass, and the experience was nothing short of life-changing, so I couldn’t wait to share my insights with you.

The Miami trip was more than just a getaway; it was a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and camaraderie. Surrounded by fellow mompreneurs from Colombia, we deeply discussed our challenges, triumphs, and aspirations. This sense of community reminded me that we’re all in this together, each on our own path but united by a common goal: to make a positive impact through our work.

Crafting ideas for the TEDx stage: A deep dive into talks that resonate

Imagine a room of speakers—all ambitious and ready to tackle the TEDx stage—and within hours, it becomes clear: delivering a TEDx talk is far from straightforward. It’s a deep dive into the art of communicating ideas, not stories, with an exacting standard that forces us to get out of our own way.

As we participated in the TEDx workshop, we discovered that delivering a TEDx talk is far from straightforward. It’s a deep dive into the art of communicating ideas, not stories, with an exacting standard that forces us to get out of our own way. The workshop provided practical tools and strategies to help us refine our messages and enhance our presentation skills.

For nonfiction authors and authorpreneurs, TEDx offers a powerful avenue for connecting with audiences on a new level, but it also presents unique challenges. This post will dive into what makes a TEDx talk different from the everyday talk, why the TEDx platform is so particular about its content, and how you can craft an idea that truly connects. Let’s uncover what it takes to make a TEDx talk that has the power to stick with an audience long after the talk has ended.

TEDx talk criteria: For writers looking to share big ideas

Before we even touched on structure or delivery, we dug into the essential criteria TEDx looks for in a talk. Here’s a summary of what it takes:

• It’s About the Idea, Not You: TEDx talks aren’t for personal promotion or “hero’s journey” storytelling. If the core of your talk depends on your personal story, it won’t make the cut. For nonfiction writers, think of it as writing an article focused purely on the subject without being attached to you as the author.
• Originality is Essential: The idea has to bring a fresh perspective, not rehash what’s already been said. It’s like publishing an article with new research or an unexpected angle—audiences should feel a moment of genuine insight, not déjà vu.
• Challenge Perceptions, Gently: TEDx aims to shift perceptions without forcing a viewpoint. Your talk should invite listeners to explore a new lens, but it shouldn’t demand their agreement. This is key for writers who seek to engage minds rather than convince or preach.
• Well-Researched and Credible: Facts matter. TEDx requires verifiable sources, ideally recent ones, to support any claims. For authors, this is akin to writing a nonfiction piece with reliable sources and thorough footnotes (minus the footnotes on stage, of course).
• Inspiration with Practical Application: It’s about sparking reflection or inspiring an action. Your audience should be able to walk away with something to think about or try out—not just a vague sense of motivation.
• Avoid Sales or Agendas: TEDx maintains a strict policy against commercial, political, or agenda-driven topics. No selling ideas, products, or beliefs. And definitely no plugs for books or services! (One attendee learned this the hard way, inadvertently pitching their latest product in their first talk draft.)

From page to stage: Translating your ideas into TEDx format

As writers and authorpreneurs, we’re often told to “tell your story,” to “sell yourself,” or to “be the protagonist of your brand.” TEDx is refreshingly different. It’s not about selling, and it’s not about us—it’s about ideas. This was one of the hardest adjustments for everyone in the room. We all knew what our companies and goals were about, but to strip away the ego and dig purely into the idea? Easier said than done.

We explored what makes an idea TEDx-worthy and why the speaker’s role is to fade into the background. Here’s a memorable quote from one of our instructors: “Your talk needs to be like a gift. It’s not about you giving a performance; it’s about the audience receiving value.” TEDx encourages us to think of ourselves as conduits for ideas rather than as center-stage personalities. For those of us who are authors, it means that our personal success story or brand isn’t relevant—only the resonance of the idea is.

At one point, I caught myself doing the very thing I’d been warned against: subtly packaging my idea as a “TEDx-friendly” story. And let’s just say I wasn’t the only one! A few of us found ourselves back at the drawing board as we practiced removing personal motivations and getting back to the core of the idea.

Next week, in Part 2, I’ll dive into the TEDx talk structure and how it can elevate our storytelling. You won’t want to miss these insights that will help you connect more deeply with your audience!