352.242.8111

Ideas Worth Spreading

Ideas Worth SpreadingIdeas Worth SpreadingIdeas Worth Spreading

Ideas Worth Spreading

Ideas Worth SpreadingIdeas Worth SpreadingIdeas Worth Spreading

352.242.8111

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Please do not submit inquiries for speaking at this time.

The letter is from TEDxEustis 2023 Speaker Katie McCleary.

She speaks about the experience of being a speaker on our stage. OUR TEDx stage.

Download PDF

HOW TO SUGGEST YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE TO SPEAK

WHEN TO SUBMIT

The SUBMISSION period for our next event is now closed. 

We NEVER accept submissions by third parties, as in someone that you have hired to represent you or an assistant.  You will benefit greatly by watching the videos and any other training we offer you before you submit your submission during any year. We want you to have a successful submission.  


We also keep an eye out for opportunities to recommend that someone send in a submission.


Your submission is the most important document you will give us.  We base everything about your submission on the content of your submission.  How you write it and the amount of thought you put into it is really important.  If you do not share very clearly what your idea worth spreading is, you might as well not submit.


Speakers are limited to 10 minutes on our stage for our TEDx.  

We do NOT allow slides or other props.


You MAY NOT have someone else complete your submission. That includes a publicist, assistant, or a business you pay to get you speaking opportunities.

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

If speaking at a TEDx event is NOT on YOUR bucket list, don't submit.  Also do not have your assistant or your publicist submit for you.  We have very specific criteria you must meet when you submit, so it is in your best interest to wait until you have seen our videos on How to Apply/Submit.  


Tip: It will not help your chances to speak if you contact us in advance.  If we happen to know you, that will not help your chances, either.


HUGE TIP: Follow ALL directions.  Even the most simple one, that is ignored far too often.  Your location, including the state!  If you will not follow those simple instructions, then...


EVEN BIGGER TIP: If speaking at a TEDx event is just to pad your resume, don't do it.  You will not enjoy the prep work and time.

WHEN YOU SUBMIT

Don't rush to get your submission in on day one. We don't even look at them until they all come in and you want this to be the very best submission you have ever completed.  No submission has priority over another.  


Tip: We do not decide on our Theme for our event until after submissions have been received.


Tip: Before you hit the send button, re-read our instructions and your answers. We frequently get submissions that do not follow the rules or answer the questions properly. 


PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST, MUST, MUST BE IN EUSTIS FOR BOTH DAYS OF REHEARSAL AND THE EVENT. YOU CANNOT LEAVE EITHER EVENT UNTIL THEY ARE COMPLETED!

Those dates are January 31st and February 1st, 2025.

OUR PROCESS AFTER SUBMISSION

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

THIS PROCESS WILL BE FINE-TUNED SOON...

A week or so after the deadline passes, the submissions are provided to our team of readers, approximately 9 people.  They read and score them based on our criteria and without your name and other identifying details on the submission.  


Tip: Every talk we select is fact-checked by a total geek!  You won't even get sci-fi past previous TEDxEustis Speaker, Curator Sabrina Sterling!


Our previous fact-checker was Ann Ivey, the Eustis Memorial Library Director.  We thank her for the time she put into the chosen submissions over the years.

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

If we call and offer you the opportunity to speak, you need to know the following: 

- We cannot pay speakers or your expenses.

- You will be assigned a coach, and deadlines are critical.  

- You will need to be in Eustis, Florida, for 2 days, rehearsal day and the event.  


Tip: This is not like any other talk you have ever given. It is 6 months of very hard, time-consuming work.


Tip Two: If you are unwilling to commit to every single coaching session, rehearsal, and reply to every email and/or text, do not accept the offer.

COMMUNICATION IS A MUST

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE CHANCE

Communication between all parties is critical. You must read and reply to many emails from the team, you must stay in contact with and work with your coach, and you must let us know when there is an issue that impacts deadlines.


Tip: We know life happens, but if you communicate with us regularly, we can work with issues that arise.


Communication Starts Here!

Read everything on this page!

Remember when completing the submission to follow every direction.




Do You or Someone Else Have an IDEA WORTH SPREADING?

By Sabrina Sterling

Do you know someone with an idea worth spreading? Do you know someone who has previously applied to speak at a TEDx event and just missed the cut? Or, someone who has been thinking about doing a talk but hasn’t built up the courage? If so, spread the word! We would love for you to give your friends and family a gentle push to fill out the TEDxEustis Speaker Application. We are looking for speakers (and other folks, too!). 


Just in case you have or get questions, here are a few frequently asked questions:

What is a TED or TEDx Talk?
Here are a few categories of talks that resonate with audiences. Source TED. 

  • The big idea: The talks that make one or two very strong points, and it’s important. Examples: Bryan Stevenson, Onora O'Neill, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • The tech demo: An onstage look at some clever new invention that the speaker was a part of creating. Examples: Tan Le, Markus Fischer, Raffaello D'Andrea
  • The performance: Music, dance, magic, puppetry, or some other performance to captivate your audience. Examples: Usman Riaz + Preston Reed, Arthur Benjamin, Pilobolus
  • The artist’s statement: In these talks, artists showcase their art and explain the meaning and process behind what they create. Examples: Raghava KK, Liu Bolin, Aparna Rao
  • The “dazzle with wonder”: These talks are mainly about the amazement of science and discovery. Examples: Yoav Medan, Marcus Byrne, Janna Levin
  • The small idea: These talks are not about one big, world-changing idea, but instead a very engaging take on an interesting topic. Examples: Mary Roach, Joe Smith, Charlie Todd
  • The “issue” talk: These talks expose your audience to an issue that they may not otherwise know much about. Examples: Rodrigo Canales, Lawrence Lessig, Rose George


I’ve never spoken in front of a group before, can anyone help me?
We have coaches that will help you through the process from concept to completion and practice to presentation. 


Is there a cost?
Just your time and your own expenses. We have a projected schedule with checkpoints that we follow to keep things flowing smoothly.  We do not pay your expenses to get here to Eustis and stay here for the days required.

The 7 Disciplines of a TEDx Speaker by Tim DeTellis

  1. Begin with the idea worth sharing.
  2. Meet submission deadlines.
  3. Welcome input from your coach.
  4. Practice, practice, practice.
  5. Schedule live and zoom rehearsals of your talk.
  6. Attend rehearsals of other speakers.
  7. Rest and be ready for your historic day on the TEDx stage.

Becoming a World-class Speaker by Tim DeTellis, Co-Curator

  1. Be authentic — you are a one-of-a kind story and speaker.
  2. Prepare and practice to give your best talk ever.
  3. You can already know the TEDxEustis audience wants to hear your talk.
  4. Don’t forget daily practice is your best friend. Audio or video record yourself and listen to your talk.
  5. Find an audience to practice in front of before your big day at TEDx. 

Create Your TEDx Talk Guidelines by Tim DeTellis, Co-Curator

  1. The audience already loves you and wants to hear your talk. Step on the stage as the authority of your subject.
  2. Be authentic and lean into your unique perspective because what you have to share is from your vantage point.
  3. Speak from your personal story advantage with detail and character development.
  4. Pausing and space welcomes the audience to ponder and think.
  5. Your goal is the audience believes your idea worth spreading.

These 10 Tips Are The Heart of a Great TEDx Talk

1)  Dream big. Strive to create the best talk you have ever given. Reveal something never seen before. Do something the audience will remember forever. Share an idea that could change the world.

2)  Show us the real you. Share your passions, your dreams ... and also your fears. Be vulnerable. Speak of failure as well as success.

3)  Make the complex plain. Don't try to dazzle intellectually. Don't speak in abstractions. Explain! Give examples. Tell stories. Be specific.

4)  Connect with people's emotions. Make us laugh! Make us cry!

5)  Don't flaunt your ego. Don't boast. It's the surest way to switch everyone off.

6)  No selling from the stage! Unless we have specifically asked you to, do not talk about your company or organization. And don't even think about pitching your products or services or asking for funding from stage.

7)  Feel free to comment on other speakers, to praise or to criticize. Controversy energizes! Enthusiastic endorsement is powerful!

8)  If possible, don't read your talk. Notes are fine. But if the choice is between reading or rambling, then read!

9)  You must end your talk on time. Doing otherwise is to steal time from the people that follow you. We won't allow it.

10) Rehearse your talk in front of a trusted friend ... for timing, for clarity, for impact.

You've Read all of the Above?

TEDxEustis Speaker/Performer Submission

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Expert Speakers, Inc., d/b/a TEDxEustis

TEDxEustis@gmail.com

The quickest and most preferred way to reach our all-volunteer team is always via email.

This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.

Licensee: Timothy Totten

TEDxEustis was founded in 2017.

This website was designed and is maintained at no cost by Volunteer, Robin Richter.

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Speaking
  • Photos
  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • Kaizen | Jan 2018
  • ReBuilding | Jan 2019
  • Think Again | Jan 2020
  • Humanity | Jan 2021
  • connecting | Jan 2022
  • Intersections | Jan 2023
  • Bonds | Feb 2024
  • unravel | Feb 2025
  • Terms Conditions Privacy
  • Health Resources

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