Talk Like TED Book Summary - Talk Like TED Book explained in key points
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Talk Like TED summary

The Nine Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds

4.6 (490 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo provides insights from the world's top TED speakers, highlighting the qualities that make a great talk memorable and engaging. This book provides practical tips to help anyone deliver a compelling talk that captivates and inspires their audience.

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    Talk Like TED
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    TED talks can help you to improve in an important area of life: your presentation skills.

    In 1915, Dale Carnegie wrote the world’s first self-help book, The Art of Public Speaking. In this work, Carnegie explained how people could get their point across in the most memorable and engaging way.

    This suggests that even 100 years ago, people had to find a way to distinguish themselves from the crowd to succeed. And if this were true a century ago, it is especially so today.

    In our globalized world, competition is tough. To make your idea stand out, you have to learn how to sell yourself.

    The author Daniel Pink is well aware of this, claiming in his book To Sell is Human that today we’re all in sales, whether or not we want to be.

    But where can you learn how to best sell yourself? What’s the contemporary world’s equivalent of The Art of Public Speaking?

    The TED talk.

    TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a popular conference for leading thinkers and inventors to present their ideas. Each presentation, all of them freely available to watch online, is a model example of effective selling skills.

    Started in 1984 as a one-off event, TED’s popularity grew rapidly. Today, TED has a global presence. In fact, every single day, five TEDx events (an international franchise of the original event) take place in more than 130 countries.

    Because TED talks feature some of the brightest and most successful people in the world, they’re a valuable resource for anyone wanting to become a better public speaker. With that in mind, the author analyzed over 500 TED talks and was able to identify many of their common features.

    But what are these commonalities? What are the skills that TED presenters use to get their message across? The upcoming blinks present the most important tools used by the best sales people from all over the world.

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    What is Talk Like TED about?

    In Talk like TED (2014), you’ll learn about presentation strategies used by the world’s most influential public speakers. Author Carmine Gallo analyzed more than 500 TED talks to identify common features that make these talks so influential and appealing.

    Talk Like TED Review

    Talk Like TED (2014) by Carmine Gallo is a captivating guide that reveals the secrets behind powerful and persuasive public speaking. Here's why this book is definitely worth your time:

    • Packed with inspiring examples from the most popular TED Talks, it teaches readers how to deliver talks that entertain, inform, and inspire.
    • By breaking down the techniques used by exceptional speakers, it provides practical tips on how to create memorable speeches with impact.
    • The book's emphasis on storytelling and emotional connection ensures that readers won't find it dull, as it keeps them engaged and eager to learn.

    Best quote from Talk Like TED

    There is nothing more inspiring than a bold idea delivered by a great speaker.

    —Carmine Gallo
    example alt text

    Who should read Talk Like TED?

    • Anyone interested in founding a start-up
    • Anyone interested in giving effective, memorable presentations
    • Anyone who wants to learn how to sell themselves better

    About the Author

    Carmine Gallo is a former anchor and correspondent for CNN and CBS as well as the author of a number of books, including The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs (also available in blinks). He has worked as a business executive coach for companies such as Coca-Cola and Intel, and is often a keynote speaker at major conferences.

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    Talk Like TED FAQs 

    What is the main message of Talk Like TED?

    The main message of Talk Like TED is to effectively communicate and deliver powerful presentations.

    How long does it take to read Talk Like TED?

    The reading time for Talk Like TED varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Talk Like TED a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Talk Like TED is worth reading for its practical tips and insights on public speaking. It provides valuable advice to help you captivate and inspire your audience.

    Who is the author of Talk Like TED?

    Carmine Gallo is the author of Talk Like TED.

    What to read after Talk Like TED?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Talk Like TED, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • TED Talks by Chris Anderson
    • Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas
    • The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
    • Quirkology by Richard Wiseman
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic
    • How to Become a People Magnet by Marc Reklau
    • Presentation Advantage by Kory Kogon
    • Speak Like a CEO by Suzanne Bates
    • The Art of Laziness by Library Mindset