Is TEDx Still Relevant in 2025?

Let's address the elephant in the room

You're asking this question because you've noticed something.

Maybe you've seen "TEDx Speaker" plastered all over LinkedIn profiles like it's the new MBA. Maybe you've watched a TEDx talk with 147 views and thought, "Wait, is this actually prestigious anymore?" Maybe you've heard whispers that podcasts or summits are the "new TEDx."

So here's the truth nobody's saying out loud: TEDx isn't dead—but it's not the automatic credibility hack it used to be.

And that's actually good news for the right speakers.

Let me explain.

What's Changed (And Why Everyone's Asking This Question)

In 2010, getting a TEDx talk was rare. It meant something. The red dot carried weight because there were fewer events, tighter curation, and the format was still novel.

Fast forward to 2025:

There are 3,000+ TEDx events worldwide. Some are meticulously curated with Stanford-level selection processes. Others will take anyone who fills out the form and doesn't drool on stage.

The market is flooded. YouTube has millions of TEDx talks. LinkedIn is drowning in "TEDx Speaker" headlines. The signal-to-noise ratio is… not great.

Attention has fragmented. Your ideal client might be more likely to discover you on a podcast, a LinkedIn post, or a 90-second Instagram reel than by randomly stumbling on your 18-minute talk buried in YouTube's algorithm.

New platforms have emerged. High-level summits, invite-only stages, niche podcasts with engaged audiences, virtual conferences with better production value than some TEDx events—the landscape has exploded with alternatives.

So the question isn't just "Is TEDx relevant?"

The real question is: "Is TEDx the right strategic move for YOUR authority goals in 2025?"

When TEDx Is STILL Absolutely Worth It (And Why)

Here's what TEDx still does better than almost any other platform:

1. The Brand Recognition is Unmatched

Like it or not, "TEDx Speaker" still triggers instant credibility in most people's brains.

Why? Psychology of social proof. The TED brand (even the "x" version) carries decades of association with brilliant minds and world-changing ideas. When someone sees that red dot, their brain takes a shortcut: "This person must be legit."

Does it guarantee you're brilliant? No. But it opens doors that "I spoke at the Phoenix Business Summit" doesn't.

2. It's a Forever Asset

Your TEDx talk lives on YouTube forever. It becomes:

• The first thing people watch when vetting you

• The centerpiece of your speaker page

• The video you embed in pitch decks

• The link you drop in every media kit

• The asset you repurpose into reels, quotes, blog posts, and email sequences

One talk. Infinite leveraging.

3. It Forces You to Crystallize Your Big Idea

The TEDx format is demanding: 18 minutes. No notes. One core idea.

That constraint is a gift. It makes you distill your expertise down to its essence. You can't hide behind PowerPoint slides or ramble through 47 teaching points. You have to own your message at a level most speakers never reach.

And once you've done that? Every other talk, keynote, or presentation becomes easier.

4. It Positions You Above "Regular" Speakers

Whether we like it or not, there's a hierarchy in the speaking world:

• Bottom tier: Local networking events, free workshops

• Mid-tier: Industry conferences, paid corporate gigs

• Top tier: TEDx, high-level summits, exclusive stages

TEDx puts you in the top tier conversation. It signals: "I'm not just someone who speaks. I'm someone who was selected, curated, and trusted to share an idea worth spreading."

5. It Opens Doors You Can't See Yet

I've watched clients land:

• Corporate keynote contracts because a VP saw their TEDx talk

• Book deals because a publisher needed proof they could communicate big ideas

• Media features because producers search "TEDx + [topic]" when booking guests

• High-ticket clients who binge-watched their talk and reached out ready to buy

You don't control where your TEDx talk travels. But in 2025, video is currency—and TEDx gives you premium currency.

When TEDx is the WRONG Move (And What to Do Instead)

Now for the truth bomb: TEDx isn't always the right play.

Here's when you should skip it (or at least delay it):

1. You Don't Have a Big Idea—Just Advice

If your "message" is "believe in yourself" or "embrace failure" or "follow your passion," TEDx isn't your stage.

Those aren't ideas worth spreading—they're bumper stickers.

Better move: Work with a strategist (hi 👋) to mine your story and uncover the actual Big Idea hiding in your experience. Then come back to TEDx.

2. You're Still Building Foundational Credibility

If you're early in your business, don't have established expertise, or are still figuring out your positioning, TEDx won't fix that.

It's a megaphone—not a foundation.

Better move: Focus on building your authority through consistent content, client results, and smaller speaking opportunities. Let TEDx be the exclamation point, not the first sentence.

3. Your Ideal Client Isn't on YouTube

If your target audience hangs out on LinkedIn, you might get more traction from a viral post than a TEDx talk.

If they listen to podcasts during their commute, guest appearances on 10 niche shows might serve you better than one TEDx talk.

Better move: Go where your people are. TEDx is valuable, but it's not the only path to visibility.

4. You're Chasing the Red Dot for Validation

If you're hoping TEDx will make you feel worthy, confident, or "finally legit," you're doing it for the wrong reasons.

Better move: Do the inner work first. Get clear on your authority. Build confidence through results, not stages. Then step on the TEDx stage as someone who already knows they belong there.

5. The Event You're Applying to is Low-Quality

Not all TEDx events are created equal. Some are beautifully produced with 500+ attendees and rigorous curation. Others are held in a high school gym with 30 people and zero production value.

A bad TEDx experience can hurt more than help.

Better move: Be strategic. Research the event. Vet the organizers. Apply to TEDx events that match your caliber. (Or work with someone like me who already knows which ones are worth your time.)

The 2025 Reality: Platform Stacking is the New Game

Here's the shift I'm seeing with my highest-level clients:

They're not choosing between TEDx and podcasts and summits and LinkedIn.

They're stacking all of them strategically.

Here's what that looks like:

1. TEDx becomes the anchor asset – The 18-minute talk that establishes your Big Idea and lives forever (or less)

2. Podcasts amplify reach – You go on 10-20 niche podcasts, telling pieces of your story and driving listeners to your TEDx talk

3. LinkedIn builds daily connection – You repurpose your TEDx content into posts, carousels, and short videos that keep you top-of-mind

4. Paid keynotes monetize – You leverage your TEDx credibility to command higher speaking fees at corporate events and industry conferences

5. Summits expand network – You get invited to exclusive stages because people saw your TEDx talk and want you in their ecosystem

TEDx isn't the whole strategy. It's the centerpiece.

Think of it like this: TEDx is your flagship store. But you still need pop-up shops (podcasts), billboards (LinkedIn), and a sales team (email list, speaking agent, referral network).

The Honest-to-God Truth About TEDx in 2025

So, is TEDx still relevant?

Yes—if you use it strategically.

Here's who should absolutely still pursue TEDx in 2025:

Established experts who want to cement their authority with a legacy asset
Thought leaders with a genuinely unique Big Idea (not recycled advice)
Strategic operators who understand TEDx is one move in a bigger game
Long-game players who want an asset that compounds credibility over years
Speakers ready to do the deep work of story mining, message architecture, and delivery mastery

Here's who should skip it (for now):

❌ People hoping TEDx will build their confidence or prove they're worthy
❌ Speakers without a clear, unique Big Idea
❌ Anyone treating TEDx like a participation trophy
❌ People who aren't willing to research and apply to high-quality events
❌ Anyone expecting TEDx alone to "make them famous"

What TEDx Can't Do (That You're Probably Hoping It Will)

Let's get real about what TEDx doesn't do:

❌ It won't automatically make you go viral. Most TEDx talks get under 10K views. Some get millions. But views ≠ business impact. I've seen clients land $50K contracts from talks with 2,000 views—because the right 2,000 people watched.

❌ It won't build your business for you. TEDx is a door-opener, not a revenue-generator by itself. You still need an ecosystem: an email list, an offer, a way to convert attention into clients.

❌ It won't fix unclear positioning. If you're confused about your message before TEDx, you'll just have a beautiful video of your confusion. Clarity first. Stage second.

❌ It won't make you confident. Confidence comes from owning your expertise, not from external validation. If you're looking for a stage to make you feel worthy, you're going to be disappointed.

The Bottom Line: TEDx in 2025 is a Tool, Not a Trophy

TEDx is still one of the most powerful credibility tools on the planet—if you wield it with strategy.

It's not a magic bullet. It's not a cure-all. And it's definitely not a replacement for doing the hard work of building authority, clarifying your message, and showing up consistently.

But for the right speaker, at the right time, with the right Big Idea?

TEDx is still a defining moment.

It's the asset that lives on your website for the next decade. It's the video that gets you booked for $20K keynotes. It's the proof point that opens doors you didn't even know existed.

So stop asking, "Is TEDx still relevant?"

Start asking:

• "Do I have a Big Idea that deserves the TEDx stage?"

• "Am I ready to do the deep work to make it unforgettable?"

• "How does TEDx fit into my bigger authority strategy?"

If you can answer those questions with clarity and conviction, then yes—TEDx is absolutely still worth it in 2025.

And if you need help figuring out whether it's the right move for you (and if so, how to land it and crush it)?

That's exactly what I do.

From Big Idea development to event research to application strategy 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 build your authority the right way. 🎤