The 10 Commandments Of TED

Break 'em at your own peril!

By Devin D. Marks | Published Feb 14, 2025

Delivering a successful TED Talk involves a multitude of steps and strategies. But it all begins (and can end) with ten clear instructions from on high.

Referred to as The Ten Commandments of TED, they are a set of time-proven guidelines for giving a talk. Developed by Chris Anderson, the conference curator, they are based on his experience of hosting and producing thousands of talks.

Fun Fact: In the early days of TED, each speaker was sent an actual rock-styled “tablet” inscribed with the ten.

Hint: Don’t think of these ten as comprehensive. But do regard them as table ante for crafting, rehearsing, and delivering a successful talk.

COMMANDMENT I

“Thou shalt not simply trot out thy usual schtick.”

A TED Talk is not a retread (or repeat) of a keynote that you delivered in the past. After all, a TED audience wants to hear something that only the TED conference can provide. It is a mistake made far too often. Indeed, at this very moment, thousands of talks are wallowing away on YouTube with speakers scratching their heads wondering why their idea was deemed not worth spreading.

Extra Credit: There are always ways to recontextualize what is shared from your body of knowledge. You can still speak to a familiar topic in a fresh way.

COMMANDMENT II

“Thou shalt dream a great dream, or show forth a wondrous new thing, or share something thou hast never shared before.”

You are a leader pointing to a future that will change the world for the better. (Or at least someone introducing a novel approach or idea.) And even if you’re riffing off someone else’s ideas, don’t fail to weave your own story and “Ahaaa!” into the mix. After all, an original thought is worth a thousand (and 1) clichés. Original thinking is what awakens, inspires, and drives ideas worth spreading.

Extra Credit: Let your light shine so others feel your energy for something new. That may require an entirely new approach to your message — or the type of talk you bring to center stage.

COMMANDMENT III

“Thou shalt reveal thy curiosity and thy passion.”

Bring your own energy for a topic to stage. Chasing a subject because it “should go viral” is the wrong approach. Your talk should be a white snow path, fueled by your big idea. Think about it, if you’re “Mehhh...” about your topic it is absurd to expect your audience will be motivated to share and celebrate your ideas.

Extra Credit: Don’t second-guess that you should be there sharing what you’re passionate about. Own your moment in the spotlight. This isn’t time for imposter syndrome either.

COMMANDMENT IV

“Thou shalt tell a story.”

Hook-and-loop the audience’s attention (and hold it) by telling stories that are structured to stick. After all, flow, clarity, and structure need a story — to connect with and compel an audience. Too often, speakers think the data will speak for itself. It doesn’t. Data needs to be brought to life and made relatable through a story.

Extra Credit: Stories are intentionally designed to leverage brain science. They aren’t vignettes, examples, or asides. And in the best of situations, they are sticky.

COMMANDMENT V

“Thou shalt freely comment on the utterances of other speakers for the sake of blessed connection and exquisite controversy.”

Don’t avoid a spirited exchange (intelligent and respectful) by failing to comment on or critique other ideas or talks. After all, If you disagree or can add to an idea shared by other speakers... Voice that! In fact, you can reference previous talks from other events (TED or TEDx). It all drives ideas worth spreading. Pointing viewers to other talks helps continue the conversation. And in a rising tide, all banners fly higher on the horizon!

Extra Credit: The cross-pollination of ideas is a powerful tool to enrich the wider post-conference conversation. And this can be approached both on and off stage. Think social media, podcasts, newsletters, and more.

COMMANDMENT VI

“Thou shalt not flaunt thine ego. Be thou vulnerable; speak of thy failure as well as thy success.”

Using the stage to fluff your importance (instead of genuinely sharing your less-than-perfect self) is a no-no. After all, your failures and struggles make up your authentic story. Sincerity is always a winning approach. The good, bad, and ugly causal events of your life are all part of the story and that helps you connect with an audience.

Extra Credit: Be cautious of stage presence norms. This includes “thoughtful finger” poses. Be your warmest self on stage. And don’t adopt the persona of any popular TEDster. You be you.

COMMANDMENT VII

“Thou shalt not sell from the stage; neither thy company, thy goods, thy writings, not thy desperate need for funding; lest thou be cast aside into outer darkness.”

Selling from stage subverts your highest purpose (i.e., to serve the audience) and plops a tacky sales hat on your head. After all, your goal is to connect with the audience and compel members to pursue your trail of thought, not to run from your sales pitch. Don’t think about driving books sales, consulting requests, or donations. Instead, focus on driving forward your idea worth spreading.

Extra Credit: If you must reference your work, do so as an aside — but don’t name your book title or brand. Don’t turn off the audience. Serve them!

COMMANDMENT VIII

“Thou shalt remember all the time: laughter is good.”

Keep this caution in mind, Jerry Seinfeld makes it look easy. But he works really, really hard at comedy. So while humor can be a powerful tool for engaging an audience, it should be used sparingly. (And only after testing, refining, and rehearsing it.) Try to strike the right balance and not overdo it, as too much humor can distract from your message.

Extra Credit: Consider including humor in your presentation as an optional “buffet of side dishes.” The talk should connect without it, but if it feels right, be polished enough to share it.

COMMANDMENT IX

“Thou shalt not read thy speech.”

Reading off index cards, a teleprompter, or attempting to deliver a word-for-word message without putting in the requisite rehearsal regime kills your on-screen energy. Rehearsals, rehearsals, and (still more) rehearsals with live practice audiences make all the difference. A full delivery that’s playful (instead of merely memorized) is only accomplished by pursuing an ongoing feedback loop. And that must be augmented by your solo readings, recordings, and practice flurries.

Extra Credit: You want to rehearse beyond the level of mere memorization. Go overboard. Push things to the point that you can be playful with your content. Think Cirque du Soleil, not Dancing With The Stars.

COMMANDMENT X

“Thou shalt not steal the time of them that follow thee.”

Blowing off the countdown clock because you’re the *special* speaker is a party foul. After all, in the TED conference environment, everyone is allotted a predetermined amount of time. Yes, you are special. But so is the speaker stepping to center stage immediately following your close. TED events are incredibly, tightly timed. And the countdown clock is a taskmaster to be honored.

Extra Credit: There are many, many additional rules to “playing well with others” in the TED sandbox. Don’t stop with these ten. From what to wear on stage to “jazz hands” and smiling, there’s a lot more to learn.

Want more about other rules? Click here.

Seems clear and common sense, right?

Sadly, what’s seemingly clear and common sense is too often clearly missed (or ignored) again, and Again and AGAIN. Too many TEDx speakers think they’re special (“I’m the exception to the rule!”) or their coaches miss check-listing these rules.

These. Are. Not. Suggestions.

(Hence the word commandments.)

These ten are designed to help speakers deliver powerful, engaging talks that are focused, concise, and memorable.

Think of it this way, follow these rules, and you have a chance for your talk to make it past the elimination round that involves elevating you from the TEDx “Minors” to the TED.com “Majors.”

The NYC headquarters staff decide what TEDx Talks are (briefly, but powerfully) featured on the TED home page. Don’t give them a reason to reject your “idea worth spreading.”

Live by (and speak with) The Ten Commandments of TED. You break 'em at your own peril!

Now go, and sin no more!

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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