The BIG IDEA Mill™
Refine your "idea worth spreading" into a TED-worthy message!
Four recorded lessons that will teach you to focus, challenge, and refine your idea
Monthly live "office hours" with The TED Talk Whisperer
Worksheets, formulas, recordings, TEDster feedback, and more
Access to a learning community of exclusive content and discounts
In this 4-lesson training, you will:
SKETCH your idea into a 400-word statement.
SIFT your idea through a key question filter set.
COMPARE your idea by reviewing the message landscape.
CHALLENGE your idea by asking 5 cultural lens questions.
SHARE your idea for trusted and diverse feedback.
REFINE your idea by distilling it down to a trigger phrase.
Hi, I’m Devin, The TED Talk Whisperer.
I’m driven by catalyzing BIG IDEAS for a better world! I've spent years training niche experts, authors, and leaders (just like you) to deliver powerful messages.
I teach people to connect with audiences and compel them to action!
This course contains 4 pre-recorded lessons, plus a bonus opportunity to work directly with Devin D. Marks (aka, The TED Talk Whisperer) in a group setting. In addition, the course includes homework sheets, “learn more” content, and access to an exclusive CONNECT to COMPEL online learning community.
You will have the option to upgrade to a 1:1 live Zoom session with Devin (45-min.) to refine your BIG IDEA; create a next-step plan for taking your idea to a TEDx organizer; and prepare to begin working with a coach.
The principal trainer for the The BIG IDEA Mill training is Devin D. Marks, the nation’s premier TED-style speaker coach. Devin has spent years training 100s of leaders, just like you, to captivate audiences. His clients hail from organizations like Boeing, Texas Instruments, and Harvard Medical School. His clients' talks have garnered 100s-of-millions of worldwide views. Devin leads an award winning team of renowned experts in speaker messaging and story training. More of Devin’s background can be found here, and on LinkedIn.
Once you purchase the training, the recordings are yours to access for one year.
We do not allow sharing or transferring access to the training or recorded sessions to someone else. However, If you want to make a gift of the training or train your group, contact our support team directly at [email protected], or inquire here. Please allow 48 hours for a response, Monday through Friday.
The program fee is $1,997. Once you click the BUY NOW button, you'll be directed to a payment page in our online learning platform, Thinkific (and if you were given a discount code, this is where you will enter it). If you have any issues, please contact us at [email protected].
After you click the BUY NOW button, you’ll be taken to a check out page to purchase the course and access the material (we use Thinkific for our online training platform). If you don't already have one, you'll need to create a username and password, by choosing the SIGN IN link in the top right corner of our Thinkific page. Then choose CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT. Save your login credentials and use them any time to access the password-protected training.
Prepping a TED Talk begins with a quality BIG IDEA. A "good idea" isn't good enough to capture the attention of a TED or TEDx organizer. In fact, even a great idea will fall short. You need a TED-worthy idea. The BIG IDEA Mill is highly effective because the end product is a trigger phrase that will meet the expectations of TEDsters. It will produce your BIG IDEA worth spreading!
No. This is not a TED Talk speaker coaching program. It is, however, the first and most critical step in a longer process of TED-style talk preparation. If you want to take it further, you’ll be given suggestions for a number of options (DIY, mini-course, solo coaching, etc.). For example, if you want to deliver a TED-caliber message, we offer a course which is the full-blown, soup-to-nuts training. Devin also works 1:1 with speakers.
To inquire about the full, interactive course, submit your interest here.
Yes! However, only dedicated, veteran communicators will be considered. Presently, we are only accepting applicants from the United States. The certification process begins with an application and requires a 3-month commitment. Prerequisites include: 10+ years of professional communications experience; demonstrated results (awards, etc.). Apply here.
We love to help! Just send us an email at [email protected] or call us at (617) 804-6020. Our nimble little team will get back to you as soon as we can, usually within 48 hours, Monday through Friday.