Want to prepare a TEDx Talk?
My TEDx Talk Preparation Video Guide It’s TEDx Talk coaching season — at least for me! I’m currently working with 2 incredible speakers on their upcoming talks, and it has reminded me just how important the prep process is. There’s absolutely a right way and a wrong way to prepare for a TEDx talk. Let me tell you a quick story about the wrong way. Just yesterday, a dear friend got a call from a TEDx organizer asking if he’d be one of their featured speakers. He was honored — thrilled, even — and immediately said “YES!” Then came the kicker: The event is on October 15. That’s just 15 days away. As excited as he was, I had to tell him the truth: There’s no way to prepare a great TEDx talk in two weeks. That’s a recipe for disaster — on a very public, very permanent stage. TEDx talks can go viral. They have the potential to reach millions. It’s not the kind of opportunity you want to “wing.” Ever. I’ve coached over 25 speakers, have been the speaker coach for 4 TEDx events, and I’ve given a TEDx talk myself. I’ve seen what happens when people don’t prepare properly: they bomb.The talks fall flat. The ideas don’t land. The views don’t come. So… have I scared you a little? Good. You should take your TEDx prep seriously — and luckily, I’m here to help. I’ve created a short video series that walks you through the process of how to write, memorize, rehearse, and deliver your TED talk the right way. ⬇️ ⬇️ Watch the first video below ⬇️ ⬇️ If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping onto that red dot — this is for you. Let’s make your message unforgettable! 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆? It looks like chaos! Between the mental preparation of the actual audition, the outfit choice and preparing the family (the kids, the pup and yes, even the hubby) for my 4AM wake up call to catch the train to Cinecittà in Rome – I can safely safe it is … taxing. Even after all these years of auditions, the excitement, the adrenaline, the worry and the stress are always on “high” as I get close to the set. But, I have my calming techniques (like 4-8-7 breathing or Box breathing) and my years of experience as a professional actress to depend upon, so that I can focus on the thrill that can be an audition! “𝑾𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑾𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒙𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆. 𝑾𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉.” – Elia Nichols When I first began coaching public speakers, I noticed a pattern: many focused on appearing confident but forgot the equally powerful skill of connection.It’s not enough to stand tall if you can’t also put others at ease and really connect with them. Truly great speakers blend presence with warmth—power with empathy. 👉 Discover how posture, relaxation, and presence can transform the way you lead and communicate. Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
Nervous before speaking?
A simple 4-step technique to instantly ground you ! If you know me, you know that my favorite way to calm public speaking (and ANY) nerves is 4-7-8 breath exercise. BUT many people don’t like holding their breath for 7 seconds. That’s why I want to show you another equally powerful tool: Square Breathing, also known as Box Breathing. It’s an incredible technique for quickly reducing anxiety and finding your focus. Watch the video, try it out, and let me know which one works best for you! This Time Last Year I Stepped on the TEDx Stage… Now 91K People Have Watched in Just 4 Months! When I first watched Simon Sinek’s original TED talk years ago, I quietly set myself a goal: one day, I would give one too. My motivation wasn’t about fame or recognition. I wanted to help people look and feel more confident — and a practical technique I’d learned through years in the theatre, one that anyone could use to communicate with greater ease and presence. In just a few months, more than 91,000 people have watched my talk. That number is humbling. But what’s even more important to me is the impact: messages from people around the world who feel encouraged and equipped to speak with greater confidence. When we think of iconic TED talks — Brené Brown, Sir Ken Robinson, Simon Sinek — it’s tempting to believe their success was instant. In reality, their influence grew steadily, over 10, 15, even 20 years. A TEDx talk does not transform life overnight. What it does create is momentum. The energy around me has shifted. I’ve been approached by new clients locally and internationally. I’ve gained more credibility and recognition in my field. It has been a meaningful reminder that sharing ideas can quietly open doors we never expect. And perhaps most importantly, I feel an even deeper sense of gratitude — for the work I get to do, for the people who have supported and challenged me along the way, and for the opportunity to continue helping others find their voice. Work hard? – Vacation Mandatory! As a public speaking coach and actress, my schedule can get pretty intense. But this summer has been a powerful reminder of how important it is to press pause, recharge, and reconnect with the people who matter most. My summer has been a whirlwind of beautiful moments. From visiting my parents and sister in Washington D.C., to feeling the energy at a professional tennis tournament, and spending time on Long Island with dear friends, it has been a season of connection. The joy continued when one of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit me with her family. Now, I’m finding myself at the beach on the stunning Tuscan coast with the Italian side of my family. It’s in these moments of travel and quality time that I find my balance and renewed energy. As much as I love my work, it’s these personal connections that truly fill my cup and give me the foundation to show up fully, both on stage and in life. I hope you’re all finding your own ways to enjoy the summer and make time for what truly matters. Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
Articulation tricks, summer reads and a posture trick
Need some articulation help? I often do voiceovers. It’s one of my favorite (paid) pastimes. 😀 Ever since I misused and temporarily damaged my voice at the star-studded Williamston Theatre Festival when I was 19, I’ve been obsessed with the speaking voice. I realized that, at least in my profession, if you don’t have a strong, healthy voice, you don’t have much. You can’t act, you can’t speak at events, you can’t have normal conversations with friends, family, team members… It is extremely debilitating. Upon return to university from that summer theatre festival, I had to take 6 months off acting and go to a speech therapist. It was a traumatic experience for me, but thankfully, it worked. In graduate school, I focused heavily on voice classes so that I could learn a vocal technique (the Patsy Rodenburg technique) that would ensure I’d never lose my voice again. Fast forward 27 years, and, except for 2 bouts with laringitis, I’ve never lost my voice again! Last week, the voiceover studio that I often work for called me and asked if my (bilingual) 10-year old son would be interested in doing an audition for a voiceover. I was delighted as was he! He’s never done a voiceover before, so I helped him rehearse for the audition. He was great at delivering the lines in character, but his articulation was a bit lacking. I led him in a quick articulation warmup, the same one my graduate school teacher had taught me. All of a sudden, his voice sounded more clear and more fluent in the English language. After receiving his self-tape audition, the recording studio told us he sounded like quite the little professional! We’ll see if he gets the job!😎 Has anyone ever told you that you don’t articulate well? It’s the easiest and fastest thing to resolve! Check out these videos of mine where I teach you a few of the articulation exercises that I’ve learned over the years and that I teach to my clients daily! It works! Watch My TEDx Talk: Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarno Summer Reads on Public Speaking I had the absolute pleasure of returning as a guest and guest host on my amazing friend and colleague’s podcast, 15 with Fosca. We laughed, we shared, and yep — there’s a little Looking for some great reads to sharpen your public speaking skills this summer? As you relax on your beach towel, consider diving into one of these! I’ve found them to be full of helpful insights on public speaking. Talk Like Ted, by Carmine Gallo Are you giving a TED talk soon or would you like to? Before you start writing it, read this book. Carmine Gallo watched and analyzed hundreds of TED presentations to identify common elements that make them so impactful. He breaks down the secrets of the most effective and inspiring TED Talks to help anyone improve their public speaking skills. How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking by Sarah Lloyd-HughesEasy to read, well-organized, this book speaks to the modern speaker, whether that be a business person, a TEDx speaker, or a doctor at a conference. It has immediately-applicable tools to make your presentations and speeches engaging, heart-felt, and well-delivered. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath The Heath brothers explore the fundamental reasons why some ideas grab our attention, are remembered, and ultimately influence our behavior, while others quickly fade away. This book has helped me understand why so many business people give boring, uninspiring presentations, and HOW they can make their ideas stick! surprise waiting for listeners 👀🎁 Don’t miss it! Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
Are they really listening?
This pre-summer month has been a whirlwind — between dashing back and forth to Rome for a corporate training with a new Austrian client, launching new masterclasses, being a guest on the “15 With Fosca” podcast, and even stepping briefly back on stage — I’m equal parts exhilarated and exhausted. And here’s a little secret: despite all my years of experience, I still find myself wondering, “Are they really listening?” That’s why this month’s feature is all about how to be truly engaging in your work presentations — because clarity alone isn’t enough. If you’re curious about how to make a lasting first impression, don’t miss my TEDx Talk (recently selected as an Editor’s Pick!) where I share what every professional can borrow from an actress’ toolkit. Whether you’re speaking to a room of ten or a theatre of hundreds, connection is everything — and I’m here to help you create it. Check out my tips below on how to be engaging in any type of work presentation. Speak Easy Secrets Are they really listening? How to engage during a work presentation We’ve all sat through presentations where the speaker was technically “good” — clear voice, straightforward content, polished slides — but… our minds wandered anyway and we remembered nothing after! Here’s the truth: Being clear is not the same as being compelling. If you want your audience to lean in, not tune out, you need to go beyond just delivering information. You need to engage! Watch My TEDx Talk: Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarno Back in the mic hot seat! 🎙️ I had the absolute pleasure of returning as a guest and guest host on my amazing friend and colleague’s podcast, 15 with Fosca. We laughed, we shared, and yep — there’s a little surprise waiting for listeners 👀🎁 Don’t miss it! Me (Elia Nichols) as Audrey—one of my three roles—in As You Like It with NYU’s La Pietra Players. Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
How to Be Engaging in Work Presentations
How to Be Engaging in Work Presentations We’ve all sat through presentations where the speaker was technically “good” — clear voice, straightforward content, polished slides — but… our minds wandered anyway and we remembered nothing after! Here’s the truth: Being clear is not the same as being compelling. If you want your audience to lean in, not tune out, you need to go beyond just delivering information. You need to engage. Here’s how: 1. Interact with them, don’t speak at them Make your audience feel like part of a conversation. Ask rhetorical questions. Reference shared experiences. Use “you” more than “I.” Instead of: “Our leadership program improved team collaboration across departments.” Try: “Quick show of hands — how many of you have ever led a project where one department just wasn’t on the same page? …Exactly. That’s what we set out to fix.” 2. Start with a hook! They say that an audience decides within 7 seconds whether to listen to you or not. But how much can you actually say in 7 seconds? Not much! Audiences begin forming opinions about you the moment you step on stage — based on your posture, facial expression, eye contact, and tone of voice. What this means for speakers: You don’t need to be perfect in 7 seconds — but you do need to: Instead of: “Let’s begin by reviewing the current trends in patient engagement.” Try: “One in three patients leaves their appointment confused about what to do next. That number hasn’t changed in a decade — despite advances in medicine and technology.” (this is the hook!) And then tell the audience why they should listen to you by on e ring the hook to your presentation: “So today, we’re going to explore why that gap persists — and what we can do to close it, both at the system level and in everyday conversations with patients.” 3. Vary your voice and pace I always say that Monotony is the death of a presentation. Use vocal variety to emphasize key points, signal transitions, and be energetic and enthusiastic about what you’re saying! 4. Tell stories, not just facts People remember feelings, not bullet points. Stories make us feel and they provide real life proof of your argument! Wrap your message in a story or a case study — even a short one — to make it memorable and relatable. 5. Make eye contact — even on Zoom Connection is made through real eye contact. If you’re in person, look at everyone in the room. Let your eyes connect with each audience member for 3-4 seconds before moving on to the next person. On video, look into the camera lens — not at the faces on your screen— so your audience feels like you’re speaking directly to them. When you combine small, intentional habits like these — voice, stage presence, storytelling, and connection with the audience— you don’t just engage. You create credibility and trust. And that is what keeps people listening! 👉🏽 Want personalized feedback on your presentation style? I help speakers turn good content into unforgettable delivery. Email me HERE to book a free discovery call.
The Hidden Power of Status
I love the month of May. The days are longer and brighter and everything (including us) is stretching toward the sun. It’s the perfect moment to open up toward that warm sun, take in some Vitamin D, and maybe even raise your status… literally! In this month’s Speak Easy, we’re diving into a subtle but powerful topic: status — not the kind tied to job titles or zip codes, but the kind we silently communicate every day through our body language, our voice, and even the way we enter a room (or a Zoom). You’ll find out how micro-shifts in presence can lead to macro-shifts in your personal and professional life. As always, I’m thrilled to share insights you can actually use — whether you’re speaking on stage, in a meeting, or bumping into an ex at the grocery store. Speak Easy Secrets The Hidden Power of Status: Tiny Shifts in Body Language that Transform Your Life Everyday interactions are deeply influenced by the “status” we project through our body language, not just our words. Small cues—posture, eye contact, tone of voice—signal confidence or insecurity, dramatically affecting how others respond to us.Status is not fixed; it’s a dynamic “game” we play, and learning to adjust it can transform relationships and outcomes. By consciously raising or lowering your status, you can attract, persuade, or put others at ease, both in person and online. Micro-adjustments in your behavior can lead to major shifts in how you’re perceived—mastering status is a powerful tool for personal and professional success. Watch My TEDx Talk: The secret to looking more confident | Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarno If you enjoyed the article above, you already know how crucial posture is when it comes to leadership and human interaction. But if you’d like to see what I mean—literally—have a look at my recent TEDx talk, “The secret to looking more confident.” It was just selected as an Editor’s Pick by TED.com, and in under 15 minutes, you’ll gain practical insights into how small physical shifts can transform the way you’re perceived and how you feel in your own skin. It’s a great place to start if you’re curious about how to project quiet authority without saying a word. Did you miss last month’s Speak Easy Secrets? No worries! You can read all my tips from Madrid on “How to Rock your Keynote speech” , just click on the image below. Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
My Tedx talk is online!
It’s here—my TEDx Talk is now live on the TEDx YouTube channel! I received the amazing news that TEDx chose my talk as an Editor’s Pick! Only 0.07% of TEDx talks receive this honor, which means TED’s editorial team sees it as a standout talk with a powerful message. It’s already received 36,000 views! You can watch “*The secret to looking more confident*,” by clicking the image below. In it, I speak about how to look confident even when you’re not, and I share tips that I’ve learned over 20 years of stage and screen experience that can help anyone radiate confidence! After you watch, I would be thrilled if you leave a comment that’s longer than 6 words. It seriously helps boost visibility and pushes the video up in the rankings. And then, please share it with at least two people who need this message! Thank you so much for your support!! To watch my TED talk, click on the photo below Watch My TEDx Talk: The secret to looking more confident | Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarn Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
Keynote Speech Success? ➡ Know Your Audience!
Hi there – March is here, bringing with it the luck of the Irish. But did you know that in the theatre and public speaking world, it is considered bad luck to say “Good luck,” before someone takes the stage? Instead, tradition dictates saying, ‘Break a leg.’ This stems from the belief that wishing bad luck ironically brings good fortune. I share this fun tidbit as a reminder that public speaking success isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation, confidence, and most importantly, understanding your audience. In this month’s Speak Easy section, we’ll explore how understanding your audience can transform the way you communicate. I am also excited to share my latest experience lending my voice to Ferragamo in Milan. And, I am throwing in the most recent Speak Easy Secret video in case you missed it! Speak Easy Secrets How to Rock your Keynote speech… Tips from Madrid Last month I had the good fortune of being asked to give a keynote speech at a medical conference in Madrid. The topic I was speaking about? Captivating presentations in a Congress setting. The audience was an 80-member group of infectious disease doctors from all over Europe. The ages ranged from 30 to 65 more or less, and I was the only speaker that spoke on a topic that was not related to medicine. My first thought? How do I ensure that my speech will resonate and benefit my audience? The answer? Audience analysis. It is fundamental to understand, as best as possible, the audience that you will be speaking to, and to adapt your talk to them. Otherwise, you will see bored faces, tired eyes or WORSE…the audience looking at their cell phones!!! Audience analysis is all about empathy, putting yourself in the shoes of your future audience. Before writing this specific talk, I asked myself: What is the most crucial and useful information that busy doctors need to know about creating an engaging presentation in a congress setting? What do they NOT need to know? From these simple questions, I create the bulk of my talk… and then, I adapt my content to THE AUDIENCE. For example, while building my talk, I make sure that every story I tell is of interest to the medical industry. When I lead the audience in articulation voice exercises, I use medical terms like “streptococcus” and “anti-microbial resistance” as the tongue twisters. The images and graphs that I show to demonstrate how to make data and statistics engaging to look at and easy to understand, come from the medical world, not from mine. I also ask myself questions about the audience that allow me to understand them and their needs further. What is the audience’s:► age? gender? nationality? education level?► need or curiosity about my topic?► familiarity with the topic? Do they know a lot about it or a little?► shared fears, concerns or problems related to my topic?► shared interests, beliefs, values, goals, hopes related to my topic?► objections to my content? Even if I know very little about my audience, I can still guess at many of these questions and tailor my talk to them. The result in Madrid? A fully engaged audience from start to finish, who took notes, asked insightful questions, and participated actively throughout. By the end, they walked away with valuable takeaways, actionable lessons, and practical tools to ensure their next congress presentation is a total success! For some, that can be a little daunting, right? But don’t worry, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AS DAUNTING AS IT SEEMS! I’m here to help you feel confident in any spotlight, whether it’s a room full of colleagues or a cocktail party full of strangers. Did you know? I am the voice of the Ferragamo Museum! I went to Milan last week to give the voice to the Museo Ferragamo. What an honor! Salvatore Ferragamo’s story and career is incredible! Did you know he was personally responsible for over 375 patents just for shoes!? That due to the lack of materials available during WW2, he turned to cork, cellophane candy wrappers, and other easily available and cheap materials, to continue making comfortable and innovative shoes!? That he created shoes for Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, the Duchess of Windsor, Sofia Loren, and Greta Garbo to name a few? To add to the WOW factor, the recording that I did last week will be finalized with Dolby Atmos which means that the audience will have a 3-D audio experience. The Dolby Atmos surround sound systems add height channels, which are interpreted as three-dimensional objects with neither horizontal nor vertical limitations. The effect is that the sound seems to move around you, up, down, behind and in front of you! It’s an incredible experience!!It’ll all be ready at the end of March, at Museo Ferragamo in Florence, Italy, and via online experience on Bloomberg Connects. Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia
Managing fear in any situation!
✨ Exciting News: My TEDx talk will be published soon! 🎉 I’ll let you in on a little secret. Despite being an experienced actress and public speaking coach, I was terribly nervous before stepping onto that TEDx stage! My heart raced, my mind froze, and I felt completely out of sync. Why? Because I cared deeply about my message. The weight of sharing an “idea worth spreading” made it all the more important—and intimidating. Then, the words of the famous biblical phrase, “Physician heal thyself,” came to mind. And I thought, “Take your own advice, Elia!” That’s why, in this month’s Speak Easy, we’re talking about overcoming fear in public speaking. January Speak Easy Secrets Calm Anxiety, nerves & fear My go-to tool? The 4-7-8 breath exercise—a technique used by psychologists to calm panic attacks and anxiety. I learned this approach from my first business coach, Crystal Davis (LinkedIn), and it remains my most trusted method for regaining focus and confidence and to calm the all-too-common anxiety, nerves, and fear! To learn and practice the 4-7-8 Breath Exercise, watch here: This is a miracle tool. In only 57 seconds, I was brought back to a place of calm, mental freshness, relaxation, and joy thanks to this quick, fail-proof breath exercise. When it was time to walk out onto that TEDx stage, I felt like the best version of myself! If you want to learn more tools and techniques on how to deal with your glossophobia (public speaking fear), contact me for a session! Did you know? Next week I’ve been asked to do a keynote speech in Madrid at the pharmaceutical conference, “iINFLUENCE – Infection in Focus!” I’ll be speaking on “How to Give Effective Presentations in a Conference Setting.” I’ll leave you with one last thought about public speaking fear. Fear is just a sign that you care! With one little breath exercise, you can reign in that fear! So, take a deep breath, step onto that stage, and own your message with confidence! Remember my mantra, awareness is power! – Elia
Making small talk at holiday parties!
Hi there , It’s Elia Nichols, your go-to Public Speaking and Communications coach, Keynote speaker, and Actress—and I’m so excited to reconnect with you! Can you believe this is my first newsletter?! No one is perfect! One of my favorite quotes of all time is: “People don’t connect with your successes… They connect with your messes! Your message is in your mess!” LES BROWN, Motivational Speaker Well my mess is that I despise marketing myself. It doesn’t feel natural. It doesn’t feel easy. I feel my work should speak for itself and yet, that’s not how the world works! As my friend and fellow public speaking coach says: “All too often I meet talented professionals who work harder than everyone else; they are technically brilliant at their job, yet they are not visibly brilliant. They hide in the background, happy to stay behind the scenes. The problem is – if you are invisible… how can people hire you, recommend you, reward you or promote you if they don’t know you exist? Put yourself out there!“ ESTHER STANHOPE, TEDx speaker So here I am, sending this newsletter to you and making myself more visible!! And I do, in fact, have lots of great things to say and share with you! Each newsletter will feature a “Speak Easy Secrets” with a helpful public speaking or communication tip that you can use right away! I’ll also share any news or upcoming events! So stay tuned! Speak Easy Secrets Making Small Talk With the holidays just around the corner, you’re probably already gearing up for a whirlwind of office parties, family gatherings, and social events where you’ll meet new people and—yep, you guessed it—make small talk. For some, that can be a little daunting, right? But don’t worry, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AS DAUNTING AS IT SEEMS! I’m here to help you feel confident in any spotlight, whether it’s a room full of colleagues or a cocktail party full of strangers. Have you ever missed a great networking or social opportunity because you aren’t good at small talk? I’d love to hear your story! Email me your Small Talk Experience here Coming soon…How to Look Confident Even When You’re Not: Secrets from an actor Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarno If you’re looking for more ways to own your confidence on stage (or at your next holiday party), don’t miss my upcoming TEDx talk—details coming soon! There, I’ll dive deeper into ways you can feel more confident in any conversation, big or small. I wish you all a fabulous and festive holiday season!! May it bring you peace, rest and joy!! AND… Remember my mantra, awareness is power! That’s all folks! – Elia