1.
TEDxBaltimore
x = independently organized TED event
SPEAKER MANUAL
Read these important pointers. We want you to give a breathtaking talk!
TEDxBaltimore / January 25, 2013 / Morgan State University / tedxbaltimore.com

2. TEDxBaltimore will be held on Friday January 25, 2013 from 9am – 5pm
Location: Morgan State University
Murphy Fine Arts Center (map)
2201 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21251
Rehearsals will take place on Thursday January 24, 2013 at the venue
YOUR TALK
>> Should be directed at a smart general audience (avoid industry jargon)
>> Should focus on one unique aspect of your story (don't try to cover too much)
>> CANNOT be a sales pitch (absolutely no corporate plugs!)
>> You may use slides or video to augment your talk. Do not depend on your
slides/video to convey everything
TELL A STORY. Be passionate. Make the audience laugh. Make them cry. Make them
feel what you feel. Hand gestures, movements, demonstrations, and the pitch of your
voice all contribute to the atmosphere that you want to convey
MULTIMEDIA
>> You must submit slides/video to us by Friday January 18, 2013. Otherwise, we
cannot guarantee you’ll be able to use them
>> We only accept presentations in PowerPoint or Keynote format, videos in mp4
format or DVD. Do not send us .pdf files, image files, or prezi links
>> When creating your slides: use a 16:9 aspect ratio (Powerpoint) or 1280x720 or
higher resolution (Keynote)
>> Use a sans‐serif font (such as Helvetica) it is easier to read from a distance
>> To avoid last‐minute glitches with your presentation onsite, font files should be
embedded in your presentation file.
TEDxBaltimore / January 25, 2013 / Morgan State University / tedxbaltimore.com

3. >> Use a dark background color. White or light colors project a very bright light in
the background and distract (audience won’t focus on you!) and you will be a lot
harder to photograph
>> Less is more. Don’t cram too much on each slide. General rule of thumb: 2 slides
per minute
>> You must properly license all images for TED’s use in worldwide video and
web distribution. Don’t grab images from the web unless they are clearly licensed
under Creative Commons for use.
THE THEME
TEDxBaltimore: Re‐wired
Baltimore has strong historical roots as an engine of growth which played a key role in
the emergence of America as a global leader. Today, innovation and entrepreneurship
are transforming the city and the world. New leaders and innovative thinkers are
using bold ideas and emerging technologies to reshape the city and the region as a
cornerstone for the New Economy.
The future of Baltimore is Re‐Wired, and TEDxBaltimore is a forum for identifying,
discussing, and building its foundation.
>> Read the theme then forget it
>> Please do not explicitly address this theme. Reflect on the concept, and then
try to bury it deep within the framework of your talk
WORDS OF WISDOM
>> Show us the real you. Share your passions, your dreams... and also your fears. Be
vulnerable. Speak of failure as well as of success
>> Make the complex plain. Don’t try to dazzle intellectually. Don’t speak in
abstractions. Explain! Give examples. Tell stories. Be specific. While TED speakers
are often acknowledged experts in their field, TED talks shine when they can explain
important concepts to a bright but cross‐disciplinary audience
>> Connect with people’s emotions. Make us laugh! Make us cry!
>> Don’t flaunt your ego. Don’t boast. It’s the surest way to switch everyone off
TEDxBaltimore / January 25, 2013 / Morgan State University / tedxbaltimore.com

4. >> No selling from the stage! Unless we have specifically asked you to, do not talk
about your company or your organization. And don’t even think about pitching your
products or services or asking for funding from the stage
>> Feel free to comment on other speakers, to praise or criticize. Controversy
energizes! Enthusiastic endorsement is powerful!
>> If possible, do not read your talk. Notes are fine. But if the choice is between
reading or rambling, then read
>> You must end your talk on time. Otherwise you steal time from the speakers
that follow you
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Reaching Presentation Nirvana
Great TED Talks
These are some TED talks we find absolutely amazing both in their content and
delivery. Use them as sources of inspiration to craft your own talk:
• Luis von Ahn at TEDxCMU • Ken Robinson at TED2006
• Robert Ballard at TED2008 • Anthony Atala at TED2011
• Charles Limb at TEDMED and • Erica Frenkel at TEDxMidAtlantic
TEDxMidAtlantic
Resources
• “10 Ways to Prepare for a TED Talk” (link)
• Thoughts from an attendee:
o The bar for TED Talks is that someone gets on the stage and says
“look at this interesting stuff I’m doing”
o The talks I talk about all week are the ones where the person gets
on the stage and says “look at this interesting stuff I’m doing and
here’s why I’m passionate about it”
o The talks I’ll talk about all year are the ones where the person gets
up there and says “look at this interesting stuff I’m doing and here’s
why I’m passionate about it AND here’s why you should care about it”
• Your TEDxBaltimore organizers— they are experienced TEDx’sters who
want you to succeed!
TEDxBaltimore / January 25, 2013 / Morgan State University / tedxbaltimore.com

5. How To Give A Terrible TED Talk
Advice from TED Curator Chris Anderson on what NOT to do
• Take a long time to get started, chatter away
• Slow down and pompously orate
• Make sure everyone knows how important you are
• Keep referring back to your brilliant book
• Use abstract language and lofty concepts. Provide no concrete detail. Exhibit
faux intellectualism
• Who needs substance? Just inspire!”
• No need to build an argument and persuade the audience
• Are you an artist or architect? Sound as intellectual as possible. Don’t bother
showing us your work
• Don’t waste time telling stories
• Use pseudo–scientific jargon to beef up your talk
• Copy your visuals off the Web
• Be very serious. Humor is a distraction
• Slip in some snarky political comments
• Give lots of info on the history and structure of your organization
• Cram in every single aspect of your work.
• Don’t bother rehearsing for time
• Wing it
• Memorize 90 percent of your talk. Visibly stress out during the remaining 10
percent
• Read your talk off the confidence monitor
• Avoid eye contact with the audience
• “Crack the TED formula” for a great talk and copy it
• Don’t risk being true to you
• Manipulate audience emotions
• Use a gratuitous picture of a family member
• Talk fast to cram more in
• Make a subtle funding pitch
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
The organizers of TEDxBaltimore are veteran TEDx’sters who know the essence of
a great TEDx talk. Feel free to bounce ideas off of us. Need to practice your talk?
Need a design consult? We’re here to help you!
Jen Gunner Sarge Salman
jgunner@greaterbaltimore.org sargesalman@gmail.com
TEDxBaltimore / January 25, 2013 / Morgan State University / tedxbaltimore.com