How many TEDx events are held each year?

Thousands of TEDx events are held each year, with figures often cited around 3,000 to over 4,000 annually, though the exact number fluctuates as they are independently organized local events that bring the TED spirit to communities worldwide, with recent years showing numbers like 3,076 (2022) and 3,410 (2021).

Is being a TEDx speaker a big deal?

Yes, being a TEDx speaker is a big deal as it significantly boosts credibility, opens doors to new opportunities (like books or paid gigs), and establishes you as a thought leader, though it's not an instant ticket to global fame like a main TED talk, and success depends heavily on the quality of your idea and marketing efforts. It's a prestigious accomplishment that looks great on a resume and LinkedIn, offering huge exposure through the TEDx YouTube channel. 

How much does it cost to host a TEDx event?

There is no license fee for any public, community-based TEDx event. Some TEDx events held for, and by, companies may require a fee. Please note that the TEDx Business event fee is discussed directly with the TED Partnerships team. There is no application or membership fee of any kind to apply for a TEDx license.

What are the biggest TEDx events?

TEDxPortland in Portland was the largest indoor TEDx event in the world, with over 8,000 attendees, making it the largest TEDx conference in North America.

What are the 10 most popular TED Talks of all time?

The "top 10" TED Talks vary by year and theme, but consistently popular ones include Brené Brown's "The Power of Vulnerability", Sir Ken Robinson's "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", Amy Cuddy's "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are", and Simon Sinek's "How Great Leaders Inspire Action", often cited for their powerful messages on human connection, innovation, self-perception, and leadership. Other frequent mentions involve happiness (Shawn Achor, Robert Waldinger), social justice (Bryan Stevenson, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), and technology's impact, reflecting timeless themes of personal growth, societal change, and finding purpose. 

TED & TEDx Explained

Do TED talkers get paid?

No, speakers do not get paid for giving TED or TEDx talks; it's a platform for sharing ideas for free, with the main TED conference offering an honorarium and covering travel/hotel, while local TEDx events rely on volunteers, though they may cover some expenses. Speakers gain exposure, build a fan base, and find opportunities, but TED and its licensees don't pay for the talks themselves, and organizers are forbidden from paying speakers or charging them to speak. 

What is the most successful Ted talk in history?

The most-watched TED Talk of all time is "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" by Sir Ken Robinson, with tens of millions of views, followed closely by talks on vulnerability (Brené Brown), body language (Amy Cuddy), and leadership (Simon Sinek). These talks explore universal themes like education reform, self-confidence, emotional strength, and inspiring action, making them consistently popular across different platforms. 

Are TEDx events paid?

TEDx events are truly volunteer endeavors - no one from the organizing team may be paid and speakers may never pay, or be paid, to share their ideas at a TEDx event.

Who is the youngest Ted Talk speaker?

The youngest TED speaker is widely recognized as Molly Wright, who delivered her talk "How every child can thrive by five" at just seven years old, discussing early childhood brain development and the importance of connection and play, making her one of the youngest ever to speak at a main TED event. Another contender for youngest TEDx speaker is Bhagwat Das Brahmachari, who spoke at TEDxVCE at age 5 years, 6 months, though Molly Wright holds the record for main TED.
 

What are common TEDx talk mistakes?

THE MISTAKE: DISTRACTING MOVEMENT

One of the biggest mistakes even the most experienced speakers make is using unfocused or wishy-washy movement on stage. Repetitive movement, especially hand gestures, distract your audience and undermine your powerful message.

Who decides TED Talk speakers?

The theme and speakers for these events are chosen by the local organizers. These organizers do have to get licensed by TED to run the event (more on that later), but TED is usually not primarily involved in the logistics of TEDx events.

How long does a TED Talk typically last?

While 18 minutes is the traditional limit for TED and TEDx Talks, many talks are even shorter — some of the most impactful TED Talks have been just 5 minutes long. That said, the ideal length can vary based on the format.

Can anyone host a TEDx event?

The first step is to get a license, which is a requirement before you start planning the event. By securing a free TEDx license, you'll get access to our 25 years of experience hosting conferences and sharing ideas.

What does TEDx stand for?

TEDx is a program of local, independently organized events that bring the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) experience to communities worldwide, focusing on "ideas worth spreading". These events feature live speakers and recorded TEDTalks videos to spark discussion, but are planned and run by local volunteers under a free license from TED, adhering to TED's format while allowing for community-specific content. The "x" signifies an independently organized TED event, making the global idea-sharing platform accessible at a local level.
 

What are 5 qualities of a good speaker?

Traits of a great public speaker

• Confidence. Confidence is one of the most important characteristics of a public speaker. ...
• Conciseness. Effective communicators know how to get their points across in a succinct way. ...
• Ability to read the room. ...
• Enthusiasm. ...
• Self-awareness. ...
• Authenticity. ...
• Adaptability.

What is the rarest first word?

Some babies' first words come from the animal kingdom - in Spain, the most uncommon first word is 'panther' while in Canada it's 'goose'! The most obscure first word for Australian babies is 'country' - which is even more unusual than 'jam' as their most popular first word!

What are the 10 most popular TED Talks?

The "top 10" TED Talks vary by year and theme, but consistently popular ones include Brené Brown's "The Power of Vulnerability", Sir Ken Robinson's "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", Amy Cuddy's "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are", and Simon Sinek's "How Great Leaders Inspire Action", often cited for their powerful messages on human connection, innovation, self-perception, and leadership. Other frequent mentions involve happiness (Shawn Achor, Robert Waldinger), social justice (Bryan Stevenson, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), and technology's impact, reflecting timeless themes of personal growth, societal change, and finding purpose. 

Does Ted Talk pay their speakers?

Are there any direct financial benefits for TEDx speakers? While TEDx does not pay speakers, many offer benefits like covering travel costs where necessary, and access to exclusive networking events. No fee is paid for speakers.

Do TED Talks use teleprompters?

As you've probably noticed, you have to learn a TED talk off by heart – no teleprompter, no flash cards, and very limited slides. This memorisation process was, as you can imagine, the single biggest source of stress for the speakers, and at the dress rehearsal stage almost nobody got through without a stumble.

Who organizes TEDx events?

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

How much is a TED talk ticket?

Attending a main TED conference is very expensive (thousands of dollars, often $5,000-$12,500+) and requires an application, while watching most talks online or at local TEDx events is free or very cheap; TED Live offers paid streams for around $50-$500, and local TEDx events are ticketed up to around $150. Costs vary greatly depending on whether you attend a major TED conference, a local TEDx event, or watch online. 

What did TED stand for?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, the three broad fields that originally brought the conference's founders together in 1984, though the organization now covers ideas from virtually all disciplines, sharing them under the slogan "Ideas Worth Spreading". 

How long is a typical TED Talk?

TEDx talks are typically under 18 minutes and most often delivered by a single presenter. Many talks are even shorter, with 3-9 minutes being ideal for a focused idea.

How are TED speakers chosen?

We search year-round for presenters who will inform and inspire, surprise and delight. But a lot of our speakers come from recommendations from you! If you know someone who belongs on the TED stage, or if you belong there yourself, we want to hear from you. Please use our speaker recommendation form.