Q: What is the number one task of a TED speaker?

A: The number one task of a TED speaker is to transfer an extraordinary gift: a strange and beautiful gift called "idea."

According to Chris Anderson, the Curator of TED, it's not about "giving a talk on a round, red rug,” or “sharing a childhood story,” and neither is it about “divulging a personal secret” nor “ending with an inspiring call to action”

"No. That’s not how to think of a TED Talk. In fact, if you overuse those devices, you’re just going to come across as clichéd or emotionally manipulative."

But how does one really do that?

Anderson went to say that the steps to transferring that gift of idea are the following:

1. Pick one idea. Make sure everything you say links to that idea.

2. Give your audience a reason to care by stirring their curiosity. Identify what doesn't make sense and provide the answer.

3. Build your idea piece by piece. Use the language that your audience understands.

4. Make your idea worth sharing. You can ask yourself, "Who does this idea benefit?" And of course, be honest to yourself about the answer.

"If you believe that the idea has the potential to brighten up someone else’s day or change someone else’s perspective for the better or inspire someone to do something differently, then you have the core ingredient to a truly great [TED] talk, one that can be a gift to them and to all of us." - Chris Anderson.

You may also watch Chris Anderson's talk, "TED’s Secret to Great Public Speaking."