Highlight #1

Learn from a professional speechwriter and speaker coach who organized a TEDx event for nearly 10 years. His results: 30 million views, 60% TEDx Editor's Picks, multiple features on TED.com, one Top Ten TED Talk, and promotions on every TED and TEDx platform.

Highlight #2

Learn everything from the mindset you need, common pitfalls to avoid, and even what to expect after the event. Discover how to captivate your audience, deliver a compelling talk, and leave a lasting impact on the TEDx stage.

Highlight #3

Uncover Jeff's time-tested speaker framework for refining your concept, sculpting your narrative, and composing a manuscript for optimal impact.

About the course

Unlock the secrets of TEDx speaking with this detailed course. Delve into the necessary mindset, confront typical speaking obstacles, and understand the emotional complexities of public speaking. Explore the process of refining your ideas into a compelling narrative that captivates your audience. Master the art of creating persuasive TED Talks that inspire and influence for years to come.

Jeff Motter

Jeff is a rare blend of practitioner, professor, and coach. With a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Indiana University Bloomington, he’s studied the world’s most powerful speeches—and written a few you may have seen. As a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, he directed TEDxCU for a decade, serving as curator, coach, and writer. He’s guided over 150 TEDx speakers, with 60% of those talks selected as TEDx “Editor’s Picks,” one Top Ten TED Talk of 2021, multiple features on TED.com, and promotions on every single TED and TEDx platform.  What sets Jeff apart is his ability to meet speakers where they are. Whether you’re a CEO, scientist, activist, or artist, he knows how to draw out your idea, shape it for maximum impact, and coach you until every word feels like your own. His approach is equal parts academic rigor, creative collaboration, and emotional resonance. Because the truth is: your ideas are the foundation. Your story is the spark. Jeff just helps build the fireworks.

Curriculum

10 Chapters · 59 Lessons

  1. 1

    The Essentials of a TEDx Talk

    1. The TEDx Basics Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The power of speaking genres

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The defining feature of a TED Talk

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The four categories of TED Talks

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The dangers of staying in one lane

  2. 2

    Where do I start?

    1. Understanding the pressure Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The mindset you need

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The emotional stages of speaking

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      What's your role in the story

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Conclusion & the power of mindset

  3. 3

    How to develop your idea

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Developing your throughline

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      A Step-by-Step Guide to the Throughline Worksheet

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to develop an emotional structure

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      How to create an idea outline

  4. 4

    Applying to TEDx Events: Best Practices

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Why you should wait to write your manuscript

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Understand your why

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The most important part of a TEDx application

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Three more components of a successful application

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Common mistakes to avoid

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Most common application types

  5. 5

    Speechwriting 101

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to begin writing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Why manuscripts are essential

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Writing for the ear, not the eye

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Golden Rule: Keep it simple

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The power of short sentences

  6. 6

    Grammar & Speechwriting

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Bend and break the rules

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 1-Conjunctions at the beginning of sentences

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 2-Sentence Fragments

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 3-Prepositions can go at the end of a sentence

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 4-The power of repetition

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 5-Contractions help flow

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid Clauses

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid too many conjunctions

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid overusing commas

  7. 7

    How to write your manuscript

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to go from Idea Outline to Manuscript Version 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Write Version 2 with your head

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Write version 3 for the ear

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Moving from version 3 to 4

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Crafting the introduction

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The opening hook

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The conclusion

  8. 8

    How to do a speech review

    1. Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 1-Does the flow of your ideas make sense?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 2-Does each main point support your throughline?

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 3-Do your examples support your point?

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The Final Step

  9. 9

    How to learn your talk

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 1-Read it over and over again

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 2-Reduce your reliance on notes

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 3-Your speech will change and that's ok

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 4-Reverse engineer your talk

  10. 10

    Delivering your talk like a PRO!

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Speaking for impact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions-Verbal Pauses

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions-Posture

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions-Talking with your hands

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice-How to feel your talk

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice-The power of cadence & rhythm

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice-Vocal intensity & tone

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Body-Gestures & body language

Impact isn't improvised.

My process will transform your random thoughts into an idea that changes everything.

Enroll now Free preview