How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World's Most Inspiring Presentations, revised and expanded new edition, with a foreword by Richard St. John

CHAPTER 20

Preparing Without Fear

TIP 103: Practice your talk a minimum of three times in a feedback-rich environment.

Controlling public speaking anxiety actually begins long before the day of your presentation. In particular, if you are giving a TED Talk, you should practice a minimum of three times in a safe, feedback-rich environment. A single expert speaker qualifies as providing a feedback-rich environment, though you may wish to gather a small group of your friends and peers. Your goal is to speak conversationally and avoid memorizing or reading from a script. Practicing three times will give you the needed familiarity and confidence with your content to do that.

Presenting in front of a group of friends or going to a Toastmasters meeting ...