Finding A Sherpa For Your TED Talk Summit
4 Tips for a climb to ted
By Devin D. Marks | Published Oct. 4, 2022
As one of the world's leading TED Talk coaches, a Sherpa, with clients enjoying tens-of-millions of views and record-shattering talks...
I'm often asked in interviews what I love about my work.
“Devin, what motivates you? What pushes you?”
My answer: Belief in the potential of my clients' world-changing ideas.
Truly.
My highest motivation is the success and radiating impact of their dreams. I don’t work with everyone. I sift-sort my clients. That's because I need to believe in their calling and Big Idea. (Here's one client example with 49M views.)
Only then can I help a speaker connect with an audience and compel them to take action.
Over the years, in my 100s of "summits" with speakers, I've learned that the impulse driving me can be summed up in one word: Belief.
- Belief in my speakers.
- Belief in their Big Ideas.
- Belief in their world-changing potential.
As one best-selling author (with 5-figure speaking fees) once shared with a peer:
"What Devin's clients like me love is that his ambition is my success. He’s a true servant-leader: Everything he brings to his coaching is geared to help you realize your goals. His highest ambition is snapping that photo of you holding the summit flag — your center stage standing ovation!"
(Thanks, TC.)
Yes, a world class TEDx Talk is the Mount Everest of public speaking. And yes, I love (figuratively or literally) snapping those center-stage summit photos.
I also find there's a special satisfaction found in calling out something in a thought leader that they didn't quite think they had. And affirming (honoring) that in each step up the TED Talk mountain.
The hints of *all that* aren't found in slick advertising, trendy TikTok promo videos, or long sales pages with unending email sequences.
Evidence of an authentic servant-leadership posture is found in the consistency of endorsements offered by "alumni" clients.
Other hints? Consider these:
1. RADICAL ADAPTABILITY.
Has the coach worked on multiple TED stages, leading TEDx events, and even created TED-style events?
(Beware the coach who simply volunteered for a single TEDxNowhere event.)
2. HIGH FLEXIBILITY.
Can the coach meet your demanding schedule with live, virtual and in-person feedback and even be on site when you deliver?
(Beware the online-only, high-volume coaches who outsource their expertise to subordinates.)
3. MULTI-MILLIONAIRES.
Does the coach have clients with million-view and even multi-million view TED and TEDx Talks?
(Beware the coach who has a multitude of endorsements by low-performing TEDx clients.)
4. SPEAKER-FOCUS.
Are the merits of the coach’s record, his TEDx Talk(s) or those of *successful* speakers he has coached?
(Beware the "watch my Talk" coaches with multiple low-view talks who claim those talks as their bonafides.)
There's more I could say... But that's a solid start, right??
Now, keep in mind there are no certifications to qualify TED speaker coaches. And given there are tens-of-thousands of past TEDx events around the world... There are a LOT of former (volunteer) speaker coaches out there — with varied results.
So verify their marketing claims. And then use the Sherpa attributes referenced above in making your decision.
Finding your TED Talk Sherpa isn’t something you should leave to algorithms, click bait, and advertising campaigns. IHMO.
Results should guide your selection process.
I’m a Sherpa. I guide my clients up a hill that I love climbing and that I've summited many, Many MANY times.
My belief in my client's ideas helps me spread world-changing ideas.
It’s good stuff.
If you've an “idea worth spreading,” drop me a DM.
Let’s explore climbing — and believing — together!
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.
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