Becoming a TEDx Speaker

The TEDx platform, giving speakers the opportunity to share insightful, innovative, and intriguing ideas, has a stage for optometrists, too. Here, two ODs share their experiences presenting and offer takeaways for those interested in becoming speakers themselves.

PRESENTATION PEARLS

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, who practices in Davis, California and gave a TEDx talk on selective vision, notes that preparing for a TEDx talk is quite different from preparing for a traditional lecture.

“The goal is to communicate one idea worth sharing in a way that people will remember,” she says.

Pamela E. Theriot, OD, FAAO, who practices in Lafayette, Louisiana, and talked on vision preservation and the importance of an annual eye examination, emphasizes having a clear message worth sharing on a global stage and being able to explain why the world needs to hear it.

“The TEDx platform is very competitive,” she says. “Be prepared for the process: applying and interviewing, then writing and editing, practicing, and performing the talk.”

TAKEAWAYS

Dr. Barnett says she learned several key lessons while creating her talk:

1. Focus on One Central Message.“You may have dozens of stories, statistics, and lessons you want to share, but the strongest talks revolve around one central message,” she offers. “Everything in your talk should support that.”
2. Tell a Story. Stories are relatable and create connection, giving the audience a reason to care about your message, Dr. Barnett points out.
3. End With an Invitation. “A memorable talk should leave the audience with more than a message; it should give them a reason, and a way to act on it,” she explains. 

For someone considering a TEDx talk, Dr. Barnett recommends taking the first step and applying on the TEDx website speaker-nominations.ted.com/. If accepted, she suggests practicing delivering the talk whenever you can. 

“Every presentation is an opportunity to become more comfortable, intentional, and effective on stage,” she notes. “Repetition creates the freedom to be present, rather than focused on remembering your next line.”

Working with a public-speaking coach may offer a valuable opportunity to hear an outside perspective that can help refine your message, strengthen your delivery, and identify habits you may not recognize yourself, she adds.

Dr. Theriot says she made the decision to complete a professional speaker training program before her TEDx talk.

“I hope more optometrists pursue the TEDx path and bring their most important messages to the world,” she says.