How to create an idea worth spreading.

A BIG IDEA that is TED-worthy is one that is focused, spreadable, and drives action. That's a TED Talk BIG IDEA.

Lots of people have good ideas. But a mere "good idea" won't make it to a TED stage. It needs to be even better than a great idea. It needs to be BIG!

Sadly, many aspiring TEDsters think "good" is good enough.

But a "good" idea isn't refined and focused.

It's not memorable ... what I call sticky.

And it certainly won't drive action.

A BIG IDEA must...

Be the red thread.
Be the silver bullet.
Be the through line.
Be the central theme.
Be the controlling idea.

Isolating your singular BIG IDEA, distilling it, and milling it into its essential and fundamental elements... that is where the power of your message gets its Ummmmph!

The BIG IDEA Mill™ can get you there.

Here's what it includes:

  • Four live group trainings by Zoom with Devin D. Marks (aka, The TED Talk Whisperer)

  • Live workshopping your BIG IDEA and ongoing interaction (via email, text, Slack, Loom, and/or Zoom)

  • One live solo session with The TED Talk Whisperer to rework and tweak your BIG IDEA — and the recording.

  • A second recorded critique (via Loom or Zoom) of your next level Big Idea and ongoing Q&A feedback (Slack, Loom, or email)

  • Access to an exclusive CONNECT to COMPEL online learning community of vetted TEDsters and TED-caliber idea-spreaders

  • Worksheets, formulas, recordings, TEDster feedback, and more...

Beginning April 3, 2024 (11:00am EDT)

Program fee = $1,497

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It takes a lot to "mill" your expertise into a focused spreadable, and actionable statement!

  • It's a process...

    The process of discovering and refining your BIG IDEA is just that — a methodical, iterative approach. You don’t need to have your idea perfected at the outset. Many get stuck there. They don’t act until they have their idea finalized. That’s a mistake. Get started NOW and allow your idea to crystalize as you go. You may jettison your idea at a future point and exchange it for another in the cue. This is a process!

  • It's hard work...

    The process of refining your BIG IDEA is hard work. You are wrestling a concept into clear, concrete, compelling language. That can take a tremendous amount of time. But it’s worth it. Every moment you spend gaining clarity will pay dividends for your audience. By laboring for a crystal-clear idea, you ensure that you’re paying the price for your listeners — not the reverse. This is hard work!

  • It's audience-serving

    The process of reaching an audience with your BIG IDEA begins with the heart and motivation that brings you to stage. Everything you are about to put into words takes place after your initial interpretive, audience-first work. You don’t have to have an exhaustive knowledge of the topic (Is that even possible?), but you should be intimately familiar with it — and how it applies to your viewers. This is audience-serving!

The BIG IDEA Mill is a system.

In this 4 session, live Zoom training, you will:

  • SKETCH your idea into a 400-word statement with 3 supporting points

  • SIFT your idea through the 3 key questions filter set

  • COMPARE your idea by reviewing the Message Landscape

  • CHALLENGE your idea by asking 5 cultural lens questions

  • SHARE your idea with TEDsters for trusted, diverse feedback

  • REFINE your idea by distilling it down to a Tweet

Your Guide

Devin D. Marks

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!

  • Coached TOP 10 TED speaker, Dr. Robert Waldinger (48M+ views).
  • Trained multiple million-view TEDsters.
  • Worked with 100s hailing from groups like Boeing, Texas Instruments, and Harvard Medical.
  • Innovated as nation’s 1st TED-Style online coach.
  • Lead a team of certified trainers delivering award-winning results.
  • Clients enjoying 100s-of-millions of views!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's the format of the training?

    Weekly, group training sessions are conducted via Zoom, with your facilitator, Devin D. Marks (see next FAQ, below). The 4-week engagement includes: four 30-minute weekly lessons combined with 30-minutes of live Q&A and work-shopping; ongoing digital interaction (via email, Slack, phone, Zoom, etc.); optional homework sheets; optional “learn more” content; session recordings; one 1:1 session with Devin (30-min.) to rework and tweak your BIG IDEA; a next-steps plan for taking your idea to the next level (a TEDx organizer, a coach, a TED stage); personal Q&A e-feedback (Slack, Loom, or email); access to an exclusive CONNECT to COMPEL online learning community.

    ** NOTE: Weekly trainings are scheduled for Wednesdays, 11 a.m. ET. If you miss a session (or several of them), your progress can continue. The sessions will be available for 12 months of access.

  • Who is Devin D. Marks?

    The principal trainer for the The BIG IDEA Mill training is Devin D. Marks, the nation’s premier online 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.; their talks have garnered hundreds-of-millions of worldwide views. Devin leads an award winning, international team of renowned experts in speaker messaging and story training. More of Devin’s background can be found here, and on LinkedIn.

  • Will this training prepare me to give a TED Talk?

    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 called the mySHORTtalk training, which is the full-blown, soup-to-nuts course. Devin also works 1:1 with speakers.

    The principles that comprise The BIG IDEA Mill training are a derivative of larger mySHORTtalk course.

    To inquire about the mySHORTtalk course submit your interest here.

  • How long is the training content available? Can I share it with others?

    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, please contact our support team directly at [email protected], or inquire here. Please allow 48 hours for a response, Monday through Friday.

  • How much is the program? And what about payments and discount codes, if I have one?

    The program fee is $1,497. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, 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].

  • How do I access the recorded training sessions?

    After you click the APPLY TO JOIN THE NEXT COHORT button, you’ll be taken to our application form. If approved, you will be given admission to purchase the course and access our online training platform (we use Thinkific). You will need to create a username and password (if you don't already have one), 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.

  • What is it about The BIG IDEA Mill process that explains those viral results your clients enjoy?

    The world is a noisy, distracting place. While there are no guarantees, my clients get the results they do because we zone in on ways of cutting through the dissonance to meet four goals: brevity, levity, charity, and clarity. The BIG IDEA Mill is highly effective because the end result zips through noise to capture an audience’s imagination — instantly.

  • Can I become a certified CONNECT to COMPEL trainer in my organization?

    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; top-tier TEDx or TED (main stage) event experience working with speakers; demonstrated client results (views, awards, etc.). Apply here.

  • What if I have other questions?

    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.