How do I know what TEDx coach is right for me?
It can feel scary to invest in a coach — especially when you’re headed into something like TEDx, where you really aren’t sure what to expect. (But that’s when it’s most important to have an expert to guide you!)
There are a lot of folks out there who work with TEDx speakers, so one of us is going to be a great fit for you.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you check out your options.
Make sure your coach has given their own TEDx Talk or at least been part of a TEDx curation team.
Most public speaking coaches who specialize in TEDx have given TEDx Talks themselves, so there’s no reason to work with a coach who hasn’t.
TEDx-style talks and the events themselves are quite different from other types of public speaking, so you want to work with a coach who is personally familiar with the style and parameters.
When I interviewed Tamsen Webster on TEDxDemystified: The Podcast, she mentioned that even after working as a TEDxCambridge event producer for several years, she felt it was important to give her own TEDx Talk. She knew that in order to best serve TEDx speakers, she needed to go through that process as a speaker herself.
Find out if they have a specialty.
Some TEDx coaches specialize in working with deeply academic or scientific speakers. Others specialize in performance art or other highly creative talks. I coach business owners — because there are business-specific tripping hazards that entrepreneurs need to avoid on their TEDx adventure!
Some TEDx coaches write talks for their clients. In my programs, I work alongside my clients to create their talk scripts. I believe the strongest talks include the speakers in the drafting process, but I’m also highly involved in idea generation and in the editing process. I use my experience as a speaker, copywriter, and editor to form each speaker’s talk script.
Ask prospective coaches how they keep their speakers on track.
TEDx is a process. It’s a long game.
There are a lot of elements that go into creating a TEDx Talk, and the vast majority of business owners need external accountability to continue “moving the needle.”
I always ask my speakers:
How confident are you that you can keep yourself accountable to research events and write, edit, and rehearse your TEDx talk for several months? (I give them a 1-5 scale from “Eek, I’m not confident at all” to “100%, totally confident.")
It’s very rare that someone says they feel 100% confident. Staying accountable to yourself is hard! Especially when you’re balancing so many roles, goals, and needs within your business.When you’re feeling resistance or you’re avoiding something, how do you tend to show up? What does that behavior look like? And when that happens, how can I best help you move through it and move forward toward your TEDx goal?
This information helps me not only keep an eye out for what I call “sticky” spots, but to know how to customize my own coaching process when I see that behavior come up for my clients.
Know how you learn best — and ask prospective coaches about their coaching style.
What kind of learner are you?
So many courses and programs are built based on what worked for the coach who created them. And if they're a different learning style than you, it can feel so frustrating to work through the curriculum!
I'm a kinesthetic/visual learner. Movement and pictures/video help me learn. I learn best when I can watch a demo and then try it myself.
You might be:
🎧 an auditory learner (learn by listening, enhanced by music or other auditory stimulus)
📖 a verbal learner (learn by writing or reading)
🕺🏻 a kinesthetic learner (learn by doing)
👀 a visual learner (learn by seeing)
Before I was a copywriter and TEDx coach, I owned an arts education company. I trained teams of educators and also taught our programs to kids preschool through high school. Through my work as both a team trainer and a theatre teacher, I learned to teach in multiple ways, using varied resources.
Because when you only use one or two styles to train a team or teach a child, it leads to frustration in the moment — and can even cause emotional harm long-term.
Same with business owners.
When I began coaching TEDx speakers, I knew I wanted my methods to be as accessible as possible.
To that end, one of the first things I have my speakers do is take an assessment of their learning style.
Throughout the program, I provide resources for each of the 4 styles. So whether you learn best by watching a video, listening to audio, reading, writing on a worksheet, moving your body, or a combination, I’ve got you covered.
Not only do I build my programs to support the different learning styles, but I also design them to be neurodivergence-affirming.
(Did you know 1 in 3 entrepreneurs have ADHD? Combine that with folks who have anxiety, are autistic, or have other neurodivergencies — entrepreneurship is an accessibility issue!)
Whether neurodivergent or neurotypical, my clients all benefit from access to:
Short videos (generally, 3-5 minutes)
Accessible captions and transcripts
Ability to adjust video speed (from 0.8x to 2.5x)
Live, real-time coaching
External accountability tools
Visuals and other examples
And other flexible, accessible resources.
All that to say — know how you like to learn and ask how your potential coach teaches!
Check the vibe.
Attend free events to get a sense of whether you LIKE and RESPECT this person. You’re going to spend a lot of time with them! And you really want to be sure you trust their feedback. (Otherwise, save your $$$!)
Join me at my free live Q+A to check my vibe (and get your TEDx questions answered)!
If you want a TEDx Talk, you can get a TEDx Talk. And there’s a coach out there who can help you do it.
Want to learn more about what it’s like to work with me as your TEDx coach? Save a seat at my next live Q+A.
Drawing on her decade+ experience as an actor, director, writer, editor, and educator . . .
Messaging Expert Cathlyn Melvin helps visionary business owners design and deliver their world-changing messages through TEDx coaching and done-for-you copywriting services.
Her insight has been featured via TEDx, Thrive Global, Fempreneur Online, Much More Media, Captivate + Convert, She Built This, The Writing Cooperative, and other outlets. Learn more about her copywriting and TEDx coaching services.