Talk Like TED – Book Review

Whether you are embarking on your first presentation; giving a best man’s speech or pitching to win, then Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds is for you. Written by Carmine Gallo it’s available in paperback, e-reader and Audible.

I bought it on Audible and loved it. Carmine narrates it himself and you can tell exactly what makes his heart sing! You’ll find that little gem, and many others, in Chapter One.

Initially you’d think he is Steve Jobs’ biggest fan but Carmine is a communications coach for the big boys and being able to Talk Like TED is what you need to do if you want to play in the grown-up world of business.

As you read or listen to Talk Like TED have your laptop or tablet close by because you’ll want to hop over to TedTalks.com to find the presentation Carmine refers to so you can watch the full length version on top of the snippet in the book. You’ll learn lots by watching but you’ll need to know, learn and understand Carmine’s 9 public speaking secrets to pull off your own TED talk.

This book is still relevant to you even if you don’t plan to do a TED talk – the tips, advice and help included in the book with everyday presentation success.

Those 9 secrets are shared, explained and demonstrated. There are 3 sets of 3 under the heading of Emotional, Novel and Memorable. With chapter headings such as ‘Unleash the Master Within’, ‘Deliver Jaw-dropping Moments’ and ‘Stay in Your Lane’; you know that you are in for a different type of presentation lesson; and one that will help you end death by PowerPoint!

This isn’t a short cut to writing a great presentation, it’s a route map of hard work to deliver, as Carmine says; ‘the talk of your life’. This is essential reading for business owners, but also for anyone who sells or presents, regardless of their TED ambition.

This book was so good, that after listening to the audio, I bought the book too and still reference it regularly. It’s also one of the most recommended to my clients. If you haven’t read or listened to it yet you’re missing out.