Colby Kultgen’s Post

My #1 TED Talk of all time? Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban. Not just me — in fact >1.9 MILLION people feel the same. And the reason’s quite simple. ➡ Tim showed how relatable he was in his daily struggles. Can you even imagine a TED talk where the speaker ONLY shares their wins? - No struggle. - No relatability. - No real journey. Like they're born with a silver spoon. If you’re not relatable, you’re not likeable. So take this as a sign to embrace your struggles... But in a positive way. As if there's a TED talk that your future self is waiting to give. P.S. If you were invited to give a TED-talk, what would the title be?

I studied tons of TED Talks & discovered 2 reasons why some of them go viral. 🎤 REASON #1: PREMISE This is the premise that works wonders: "You think x, but really y." 🎤 REASON #2: PROMOTION You need to promote your TED Talk like it's a full-fledged book launch. Get as many people as possible to watch your video as soon as it's live. 🎤 BONUS REASON: Your title needs to be ace. Don't just slap any old title on it. Get feedback and help from pros to write your title. Do you have a TED Talk? Thinking about doing a TED Talk? In the process of preparing a TED Talk? Let me know so I can cheer you on! (And if you would like some help prepping your TED Talk, I’ve got something for you! Comment "CALL" for a free strategy call with my team @brandbuildersgroup. This is our jam. 🤘) #tedtalk #tedtalks #speakingtips #tedxtalks #tedx

🎙️ A Captivating Start: The Magic of an Engaging Opening in TED Talks 🌟🚀 Have you ever been instantly hooked by a TED talk that drew you in from the very beginning? It's the art of an ENGAGING OPENING that sets the stage for greatness! ✨🔥 A great TED speaker understands that the opening is their moment to captivate the audience's attention. They craft an introduction that's not just memorable but sparks curiosity, emotion, and a sense of wonder. An engaging opening is like a powerful magnet, pulling the audience into the speaker's world and making them eager to journey along. It's the spark that ignites our interest and keeps us glued to the talk. So, whether you're gearing up for a presentation or a public speaking opportunity, remember this: Your opening is your invitation to the audience. Make it irresistible, make it unforgettable, and watch your message soar to new heights! 🚀🎤 Have you been inspired by a TED talk with a captivating opening? Share your favorites in the comments below. Let's celebrate the art of starting strong! 🗣️👏 #TEDTalks #PublicSpeaking #EngagingOpening #Inspiration #TEDSpeaker #GetrudeMatshe #speakingcoach #speakingtips #TEDspeakercoach #SpeakingFromTheHeart #SpeakingFromTheHeartAndHowToLandYourFirstTedTalk

There have been many studies into how people make a first impression, over the phone or in person….. Now it appears video is dominating the space and one particular study has used TED Talk speakers as it’s subject. The researchers curiosity was sparked when they observed that some speakers would get a few thousand views while other’s videos would go viral. I’ll cut to the chase… 3 groups were assigned to watch specific TED Talks Group 1 watched the whole talks. Group 2 watched just the first 7 seconds of the talks. Group 3 watched just the first 7 seconds of the talk but with no audio. The results..? Group 3 selected roughly the same speeches as Group 1 & 1 as their favourites. Meaning…? The main first impression indicators as whether a speech will be good or not, even for those who viewed only the first 7 seconds with no volume, is whether the speaker is confident on stage and smiles before speaking. So there you have it… all you need is confidence and a friendly smile.

Want to give a TED Talk? Here's the secret that no one talks about. Most people apply blindly, thinking they can win on content alone. But the real edge? Understanding the selection committee. - Apply to every TEDx you can find. - Set a Google alert for TEDx events. - **Attend their Q&A sessions.** These are gold mines. Meet the committee, understand what drives them, and learn what they’re looking for this year. I skipped these sessions for my first 10 applications, thinking they were fluff. Big mistake. When I finally attended, I realized these sessions were the key to cracking the code. It’s not just about what you say—it’s about aligning with what they value. Do your homework. Ask them what they learned from last year, and tailor your pitch to match the vibe they want this year. It’s about connection, not just content. Who’s ready to land their TED Talk in 2024?

It’s no secret that TED Talk speakers are some of the most influential and successful speakers to have ever stepped on stage. But do you know why their speeches are so effective? One main reason is the TED Talk format. You see, to deliver a successful TED Talk speech, you must transfer your ONE big idea in a clear and concise yet powerful way that sticks with your audience… in under 18 minutes. Read More:

The single biggest mistake in my public speaking journey: Not getting started soon enough. I spent way too much time - watching TED talks, - studying the techniques of seasoned speakers, and analyzing every detail. - doing everything except actually getting on stage and speaking. I convinced myself that I needed to be fully prepared, to know everything inside out before I could stand in front of an audience. But here’s the truth: there’s no amount of preparation that can replace the experience of just getting up there and doing it. Don’t make the same mistake I did. The more you wait, the harder it becomes to take that first step. There will never be a perfect moment where you feel completely ready. The only way to get better is by doing—by stepping up to the mic, making mistakes, and learning from them. So, if you’re serious about becoming a better speaker, stop waiting for the stars to align and start now. Your future self will thank you.

Want to pitch like a TED speaker? 🌟 TED hosts the worlds’ brightest minds on stage. All go through notorious speaker preparation. They know a thing or two about public speaking. Chris Anderson, Head of TED, says there’s one key task of a speaker: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Here’s how any founder can go about this task: 1️⃣ Focus on One Major Idea → Make it the core of your talk → Connect everything back to this idea → Use vivid examples and context 2️⃣ Give People a Reason to Care → Stir curiosity with questions → Highlight gaps in their knowledge → Make them eager to learn more 3️⃣ Build with Familiar Concepts → Use your audience’s language → Employ metaphors for clarity → Make complex ideas relatable 4️⃣ Make Your Idea Worth Sharing → Ask: "Who benefits from this?" → Aim to inspire or change perspectives → Make it a gift to the audience Great public speakers are not a coincidence. They are methodical and specific in their strategy. Check out Chris’s advice in the video below. 👇

The thought leaders and public speakers who can master this skill are going to win in 2024... 👇 This 113-second clip is taken from one of the most underrated TED talks of all time 🍿. You've probably never seen it. Or even heard of the speaker. When we think about TED greats, we talk about Brene Brown, Simon Sinek and Ken Robinson 🔴... So much so that they've become a cliché 🙄. Julie Lythcott-Haims's TED talk on parenting is a masterclass on how to balance heaviness with humour. 🗿 Heaviness NEEDS humour 🤭 The majority of speakers forget this. And they suck the life and energy from their audience's souls as a result 😱. Three things you can learn from this clip... 1. You can be serious and funny 🌓 2. Humour doesn't undermine your important points, it amplifies them 📣 3. You don't need jokes to make your audience laugh, just the element of surprise 😲. Humour gives our audience hope 🌈. And a little bit more of that in the world and in our talks; no matter the severity of the subject, can only be a good thing 🌎. --- I share an advanced public speaking tip like this with 587 of tomorrow's thought leaders every Monday lunchtime. Head to my bio to become the 588th! #publicspeaking #keynotespeaking #publicspeakingtips #foundertothoughtleader #makeitcount #micdropmoments