3 Top TED Talk Prep Books
Read any of these?
By Devin D. Marks | Published July 16, 2024
People ask me all the time, what book do you recommend to prep for my TED Talk?
Frankly, there’s not one. There are three.
No one book, alone, really offers the full TED and TEDx picture. But these three combined, come the closest, in print.
That said, pick one of these and you’ll be ahead of the game. Read all three (in the order I’ve listed) and you’ll have woven the best insight set to exist in print.
And yes, I know. There are many, many others. In this world of self-published, self-anointed author-experts, the internet is awash in a lot of garbage. Flotsam.
Investor James Altucher once said, “Read every book, blog, website, whatever about what you want to be an expert in.” And (painfully), I’ve purchased and read ‘em all. Amazon is awash in countless options: eBooks, self-published-last-night disappointments in broken English; and loss-lead freebies. Then there’s every how-to video, special report, and even "I gave a TED talk (or run a TEDx event) and can teach you to do the same" online classes... Yikes.
Happily, you skip that long learning curve and jump up your solo TED prep game by zeroing in on the top three (credentialed, traditionally published-vetted-edited, and endorsed by me) prep books. And they will help.
If you’re giving a TED talk, get to know these three:
Carmine Gallo’s excellent work, Talk Like TED is a must-read starting point for any wannabe TEDster. A former TV reporter and current corporate speaker trainer, Gallo’s take on the TED craft offers a great overview and mix of practical how-to steps. Obviously the art form continued to mature after 2013. But this first-mover, example-rich resource is a classic. (c) 2013, March
Jeremey Donovan’s, How To Deliver A TED Talk. It offers TEDster students a very granular and technique-focused approach to preparation, rehearsals, and delivery. Donovan comes from the Toastmasters tradition of public speaking and brings that distinct lense to the form. It is a useful primer when read in combination with Gallo. (c) 2013, August
Chris Anderson's TED Talks is the third (and final) book worthy of your attention. This book benefits from downstage insights, a ten-thousand miles up view of the TED movement — and the two prior books. But again, it is not a stand-alone resource. Prepping a book smart TED Talk or TED-style message is best done with this title, in concert with the laudable insights offered by Gallo and Donovan. (c) 2016, May
Chris Anderson's TED Talks is the third (and final) book worthy of your attention. This book benefits from downstage insights, a ten-thousand miles up view of the TED movement — and the two prior books. But again, it is not a stand-alone resource. Prepping a book smart TED Talk or TED-style message is best done with this title, in concert with the laudable insights offered by Gallo and Donovan. (c) 2016, May
When I got my start in coaching TED-sters these books became some of my best friends. Yes granted, I was also in the TEDx event trenches – volunteering, getting muddy, learning in the swirl.
But books grounded my learning curve in ways that live speaker rehearsals could not. They were a constant companion during my daughter’s nap time; they were there in hotel rooms and on planes; even while I was standing in line to get my espresso.
Devour them, then let's talk!
DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers — including Harvard’s Dr. Robert Waldinger for his all-time Top 10 TEDx Talk. The result: 100s of millions of views for clients. He helps niche experts, authors, and leaders spread world-changing ideas.
You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here. His newsletters are here.
LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE™