APPLICATIONS

September 10, 2021

Advice to help you submit your best application.

We want to give you the best experience when submitting to TEDxMSUDenver. On this page you will find everything you need to help you submit your best application.

Please review ALL the information below before submitting your application.

TEDx Talks are about Ideas Worth Spreading. A Great ideas is not only worth sharing, but it has lasting impact. A Great idea might alter the audience’s current perspective, or even open them up to a completely new way of thinking. To help you better understand how TED and TEDxMSUDenver think about ideas, please view/download our PDF Ideas Worth Spreading.

Please also view/download this year’s Commitment / Milestones timeline so that you understand the expectations and time commitments we have for our presenters. (Please do not apply if you feel that you will not be able to meet all of these commitments.)

What will you need to include in your application?

The application consists of an online form with questions in addition to your contact information.

These questions include: What is your Idea Worth Spreading? Why are you the best person to give this talk? Why will the audience care about your talk? What takeaway(s) will the audience receive from your talk? What 3 hash tags would you use to describe your talk?

In addition you will be required to create a 30-40 second video answering one simple question: Why is your idea worth spreading?

The help you better understand the application and the required video, we have created a short video to help. Please take few minutes to watch it.

Application Tips Read these tips, they contain important information on what TO DO and NOT do.

Your Idea

The first two questions (after your contact info) deal with your Idea Worth Spreading. 90% of applications get rejected because of their answers to these questions.
TED(x) Talks are NOT simply MOTIVATIONAL talks or Stories. You must have an actual IDEA. Do you have a unique idea/opinion about your subject? A new way of approaching an old problem? Something that challenges the way things currently are? or perhaps some new and thought provoking research? If so, now it’s time to boil your idea down into something easily understandable.

Your Idea in 240 characters.
This is where we want to know that you’ve given your idea some thought, that you could tell your friend in one or two sentences what the main crux of your idea is and they would understand it. Now pretend we’re your friend.

When we ask you to tell us more about your idea, this is where you can expand a little. Tell us what you wanted to tell us in #1 but didn’t have the room. Always remembering that less really is more. We have a LOT of applications to review. Get to the point. Don’t try to convince us, just explain your idea to us.
You
Why would the audience care?
Takeaways
Hash Tags

What three words (or short phrases) would you use to best describe what your idea/talk is about?
If you’re going to start a movement with your idea you need people to rally around it. One way to do that is to have a powerful hash tag.
If you’re not starting a movement and simply have an idea that you want people to change their perspective around, having an easy to learn/use hashtag will help get your message out across social media.

* Hash Tags are a word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites and applications, to identify messages on a specific topic.
Video

PLEASE NOTE: the video is only supposed to be :30-:40 seconds long. If your video is longer than :40 seconds your application will NOT BE CONSIDERED. (we received hundreds of applications each year and do not have time to watch long videos).
Also, please rename your video file with your first and last name before the file type (example: janesmith.mov)

Why so short? Because the first 10 seconds is just you giving us your name and the name of your idea. The next 30 is simply to answer the question: Why is your idea worth spreading? that’s all, nothing else.

What it is NOT is a rehash of what your idea is. You just did that in questions #1 and #2 of the application, don’t go over the same thing in the video. Just answer the simple question Why is your idea worth spreading?

We are NOT looking at the production quality of the video. There is no need to spend a lot of time on production quality—a video from your phone or computer camera is fine. This just helps us to meet you virtually and get a sense of how you will engage with our audience. You will NOT be penalized because of the quality of your video.

Make sure you have energy and passion in your tone of voice, body language, and words. Those, and the content of why your idea is worth spreading are all that we’re looking for.

Chris Anderson is the head of TED.

Here you can watch Chris’s video on TED’s Secrets to giving a great TEDxTalk.

FAQ

How are you handling the Global Pandemic

Our first priority is the safety of everyone involved in our events.

With the fluid nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic we are preparing for multiple scenarios for this year’s event.

Ideally we are planning to hold an in-person event with some audience members as well as a virtual Live Streamed event.

All social distancing and safety precautions will be taken for speakers, crew, and TEDx staff.

IF another pandemic wave requires quarantine on the day of the event, we have backup plans in place and will adjust accordingly with the goal to still be able to LiveStream the event as scheduled.
Do I have to be an experienced public speaker?
How does the selection process work?
How many presenters are selected?
When will I find out if I have been selected?
Will I get coaching?
What is the time commitment if I'm selected?

Prior to accepting a spot in the lineup, we ask that speakers agree to 50+ hours of coaching and content development for their talk. This time is comprised of working through multiple training sessions of their talk, practice sessions in between training, attending two in-person meetings, and attending three social events in additiona to the main conference.

You can find out more by downloading our Timeline/Milestone PDF which will give you an idea of what is involved.
Does it help if I've written a book?
Can I give a talk that I gave at another TEDx?
Will there be a teleprompter?
How long will I have for my talk?
Does TEDxMSUDenver pay speakers?
Do I get any free tickets if I'm selected?
Can I nominate someone to speak?
Can I give my talk about my company?

Our call for Speakers and Entertainers is OPEN.

Please use the appropriate button below to apply.

SPEAKER APPLICATION

ENTERTAINER APPLICATION

Please use the button(s) above to access the application forms.
Use the form below for questions or assistance only.