Speaking in 2025: 7 Lessons from the Red Dot for the Rest of Us

MarketingProfessional SpeakingTED-Style Speaking

Jan 13

In 2024, our team at Conquer the Red Dot® had the privilege of helping 7 students book their talks and 11 speakers to deliver the talk of their dreams at conferences including TEDxAlexanderPark, TEDxBocaRaton, TEDxWesternU, and TEDxBelltown Women.

They spoke on topics from finance to activism to mental health to the science of balance, racking up a combined 1,724,000 views and one Editor's Pick. In fact, 4 of them were in the Top 10 in the World the month their talk hit the TEDx Talks YouTube channel.

Our students leveraged their Red Dot moments into major media appearances, landing their first paid professional speaking engagements, getting signed to speaking bureaus, increasing their speaking fees to $5,000, $10,000, and even $20,000. One was actually invited to be a guest expert on a reality show!

After working with so many speakers over the past year, we noticed patterns—common traits that separate good talks from exceptional ones. As we step into 2025, here are 8 lessons that all speakers should learn.

1. Clarity Reigns Supreme

TED-style talks thrive on clarity. The speakers who stand out are the ones who can articulate their idea in one sentence—what the talk is about, who it's for, and why it matters. If the audience can’t easily repeat your idea after your talk, it wasn’t clear enough.

For more on message clarity, read this article.

2. Storytelling is a Tool, Not the Goal

Stories are powerful, but they’re not the star of the show—your idea is. The best talks use stories to reinforce the message, a real-life example that makes a point. Vulnerability and emotion should serve the argument, not overshadow it. Think of storytelling as the vehicle, not the destination.

For more on how to entertain your audience, read this article.

3. Paradigm Shifts Over Solutions

Audiences crave a new way of thinking, not just a how-to guide. The most compelling talks challenge the audience’s assumptions and introduce a fresh perspective. Instead of giving all the answers, inspire the audience to see the problem differently.

For more on paradigm shifts, read this article.

4. Don’t Neglect the Premise

Too many talks jump straight to the speaker’s solution without addressing the audience’s existing wants, beliefs, fears, or problems. Start where your audience is—acknowledge what they want or struggle with—before taking them to a new way of thinking.

For more on earning buy-in, read this article.

5. Proof Beats Passion

Passion might grab attention, but proof sustains it. Audiences are more likely to adopt your idea if you provide evidence. Data, real-world examples, and credible case studies make your paradigm shift believable and actionable.

For more on making data interesting, read this article.

6. The Magic Happens in Editing

The difference between a good talk and a great one is ruthless editing. Every sentence should serve your core message. Cut anything that’s repetitive, tangential, or unclear. Truly, you must be willing to kill your darlings. Aim for brevity without sacrificing impact.

For more on making every word count, read this article.

7. Your Audience Only Gets One Shot

Unlike a book, your audience can’t re-read a talk. That’s why structure matters. Each idea must flow naturally into the next, building a logical and emotional journey. Confusion is the fastest way to lose your audience.

For more on structuring a talk, read this article.

Bonus: Give 'em Something to Do Next

A great talk doesn’t just inspire—it equips. End your talk with a clear, actionable step your audience can take immediately. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a small habit, or a bold action, giving your audience something to do bridges the gap between inspiration and transformation.

Make it simpler. Then make it simpler. And then, when you think it's so simple people will find it boring, make it simpler again. Listen, our client Carole Blueweiss told her audience to try putting on your socks while standing on one leg and it went viral. You can never make the action step too simple.

Go Make a Dent in the Universe

As you prepare your next talk in 2025, keep these lessons in mind. Whether you’re dreaming of stepping onto the Red Dot or speaking to an audience of one thousand or one, these principles will help you craft a message that sticks—and one that matters.