Is TEDx Right for You? (And How to Find One That Actually Matters)
Let's start with the truth nobody's saying out loud:
TEDx isn't for everyone.
There. I said it.
I know that's not what you'll hear from the "10 Steps to TEDx Success" crowd. But here's what I've learned after coaching speakers through the TEDx gauntlet: chasing a red dot just because it looks good on LinkedIn is a terrible strategy.
TEDx is a tool. A powerful one, yes—but only if you're wielding it for the right reasons, at the right time, with the right message.
So before you start Googling "TEDx events near me" (spoiler: that's exactly what you shouldn't do), let's talk about whether TEDx is actually the move that serves your authority, your business, and your legacy.
The Real Question Isn't "Can I Get a TEDx?"
It's "Should I?"
Here's the thing: TEDx is not a participation trophy. It's not the speaking equivalent of checking off "ran a marathon" on your bucket list.
TEDx works when it's a strategic play in a bigger game—when you're using it to:
Cement your authority in a market where you're already playing at a high level
Amplify a Big Idea that positions you uniquely (not generically)
Create a legacy asset that drives visibility, credibility, and opportunity for years
But TEDx doesn't work when:
❌ You're hoping it'll build your confidence
❌ You think the red dot will magically make you bookable
❌ You don't have a clear Big Idea (or worse, your "idea" is advice everyone's already heard)
❌ You're not ready to do the deep story mining required to make your talk unforgettable
The psychology behind this matters: our brains are wired to seek external validation. TEDx feels like the stamp of approval. But if you're chasing it to prove you belong, you've already lost. Authority doesn't come from a stage—it comes from owning your expertise so completely that the stage is just amplification.
Why Most People Find TEDx Events All Wrong (And End Up Wasting Months)
Okay, so you've decided TEDx makes strategic sense for you. Great. Now comes the part where most speakers completely blow it.
They open Google. They type "TEDx events." They scroll through a random list, pick one that's nearby or soon, slap together an application, and… crickets.
Here's why that approach fails:
1. Not all TEDx events are created equal
Some TEDx events are meticulously curated, with selection committees that review 500+ applications. Others are struggling to fill their lineup and will take almost anyone with a pulse.
You want the former. Because the quality of the event determines the quality of the audience, the production value, and ultimately, how much your talk will matter.
2. Proximity is not strategy
Just because there's a TEDxYourCity doesn't mean it's the right fit. What's their theme? Who's their audience? What's the caliber of past speakers? If you can't answer those questions, you're applying blind.
3. Timing matters more than you think
Most TEDx events open applications 6-12 months before the event. If you're rushing to apply to something happening in 8 weeks, you're either late to the game or looking at a lower-tier event.
4. Your story has to align with their mission
Every TEDx event has a theme. Every organizer has a vision. If your Big Idea doesn't naturally align, you're going to sound like you're forcing it. And forced = rejected.
The behavioral psychology angle: When we're anxious (like when we want something badly), we make impulsive decisions. We grab the first opportunity instead of the right opportunity. That's your amygdala hijacking your prefrontal cortex. Strategy requires slowing down.
The Strategic Way to Find the RIGHT TEDx Event (Not Just A TEDx Event)
Alright, here's the method I use with my clients—and it's nothing like what you'll find in a "TEDx How-To" blog.
Step 1: Start with reverse engineering, not random searching
Don't look for events. Look for speakers who inspire you.
Go to YouTube. Search TEDx talks in your industry or niche. Find the ones that make you think, "Damn, that's good." Then ask:
What TEDx event was this?
What year?
What was the theme?
Who else spoke at that event?
You're not just looking for an event—you're looking for the caliber and culture of event that attracts speakers at your level.
Step 2: Research the organizer, not just the event
Every TEDx has an organizing team. Stalk them (professionally). LinkedIn, their event website, past speaker lineups. You're looking for:
Professionalism – Do they have a polished web presence? Good production quality in past talks?
Audience quality – Are they attracting thought leaders, industry professionals, or just friends and family?
Curation standards – Do they have a rigorous application process, or does it feel like "first come, first served"?
Pro tip: If the event's Instagram is just selfies and motivational quotes, keep looking.
Step 3: Match your Big Idea to their theme (not the other way around)
Once you've identified 3-5 high-caliber events, look at their upcoming themes. Your Big Idea should feel like a natural extension of that theme, not a stretch.
If you're forcing your message to fit their theme, the selection committee will feel it. And they'll pass.
Step 4: Build relationships before you apply
Here's what most people don't know: TEDx organizers are humans who want to work with people they trust.
Before you submit your application, engage with the event:
Attend a past TEDx (in person or watch the livestream)
Comment meaningfully on their social posts
Reach out to past speakers and ask about their experience
If appropriate, email the organizer with a genuine question (not a sales pitch)
You're not gaming the system—you're demonstrating that you care about this specific event, not just the logo.
Step 5: Apply to multiple events strategically
Don't put all your eggs in one TEDx basket. Apply to 3-5 events over the course of a year, all of which align with your Big Idea and meet your quality standards.
Why this works psychologically: You're playing the long game. You're not desperate. Desperation leaks into your application. Confidence (backed by preparation) shines through.
Red Flags vs. Green Lights: How to Vet a TEDx Event
Not sure if an event is worth your time? Here's your checklist.
🚩 Red Flags (Run Away):
No clear theme or mission
Amateur production quality in past talks
Organizers are unresponsive or unprofessional
They're charging speakers to participate (major no-no)
The audience is mostly friends and family, not industry professionals
Past speakers have little to no online presence or authority
✅ Green Lights (This Could Be It):
Rigorous application process (shows they care about quality)
High-production-value talks on YouTube with solid view counts
Past speakers are established thought leaders in their fields
Clear, compelling theme that aligns with your expertise
Professional organizing team with a track record
The event attracts media attention or industry recognition
The Question That Actually Matters
So, is TEDx right for you?
Only if you can answer "yes" to these three questions:
Do you have a Big Idea that's genuinely unique and worth spreading? (Not "be kind" or "follow your passion"—something that challenges how people think)
Are you already established enough that TEDx amplifies your authority rather than trying to build it from scratch? (TEDx is a megaphone, not a foundation)
Are you willing to do the deep work—story mining, message architecture, rehearsal—to make your talk unforgettable? (Half-assing a TEDx is worse than not doing one at all)
If you answered yes to all three, then TEDx isn't just right for you—it could be the defining moment that cements your legacy.
But if you're still building confidence, still figuring out your Big Idea, or hoping TEDx will make you feel worthy?
Do the inner work first. Get clear on your authority. Then step on that stage.
TEDx is a Tool, Not a Trophy
The speakers who crush TEDx aren't the ones chasing the red dot.
They're the ones who already know they belong on that stage—and use TEDx strategically to amplify the message they were born to share.
So stop Googling "TEDx near me."
Start asking: What's the Big Idea I'm ready to own? What's the legacy I'm here to build? And which TEDx event would be honored to amplify that message?
That's the mic-drop moment.
Want help finding the right TEDx event for your Big Idea—and building a talk that actually gets you selected? That's exactly what I do. From research to application to talk architecture to delivery coaching, I strategically guide you through landing and delivering the most impactful speaking engagements of your career.
Because your expertise deserves a platform that matches its weight.
Let's make it happen. 🎤
