Craft Compelling Speeches

Learn how to create impactful and engaging speeches that resonate with your audience.

Confidence on Stage

Build confidence and stage presence to deliver your message with conviction and charisma.

Communicate with Clarity

Learn how language works to move people with your ideas and your voice.

About the Course

Led by Jeff Motter, the speechwriter, speaker coach, and the mind behind TED and TEDx talks with over 30 million views. This course is your guide to turning powerful ideas into unforgettable presentations. Whether you're delivering a high-stakes keynote, pitching a game-changing idea, or leading from the front of the room, Speak to Lead gives you the tools to craft talks that don’t just inform—they move people. Jeff's clients have delivered keynotes on six continents (Antarctica, we’re coming for you), and a track record of coaching leaders, creatives, and changemakers across industries, Jeff brings proven strategies that blend substance with style.

Jeff Motter, Ph.D.

Jeff is a rare blend of practitioner, professor, and coach. With a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Indiana University Bloomington, he’s studied the world’s most powerful speeches—and written a few you may have seen. As a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, he directed TEDxCU for a decade, serving as curator, coach, and writer. He’s guided over 150 TEDx speakers, with 60% of those talks selected as TEDx “Editor’s Picks,” one Top Ten TED Talk of 2021, multiple features on TED.com, and promotions on every single TED and TEDx platform. What sets Jeff apart is his ability to meet speakers where they are. Whether you’re a CEO, scientist, activist, or artist, he knows how to draw out your idea, shape it for maximum impact, and coach you until every word feels like your own. His approach is equal parts academic rigor, creative collaboration, and emotional resonance. Because the truth is: your ideas are the foundation. Your story is the spark. Jeff just helps build the fireworks.

"Working with Jeff was truly an exceptional experience!! He brought such a thoughtful, grounded approach to the process, helping me shape my story with both precision and heart. His ability to listen deeply, guide structure, and elevate key moments made all the difference. I felt incredibly supported throughout, and I walked away not only with a phenomenal talk—but with greater confidence in my voice and message. I can't recommend him highly enough!" Raquel H. Physician & Thought Leader

"I hired Jeff last month and couldn't have asked for a better experience or coach!! Jeff truly cares about your success and will cater his feedback to your specific strengths and weaknesses to maximize your confidence. He's kind and will work with your schedule to make this a comfortable, pleasant experience. He has a great deal of knowledge on what will work with audiences in different settings and he will help you find your AUTHENTIC voice so you can best connect with your audience. I will definitely reach out to Jeff if I need help in the future!" Summy. Executive @ NBC

"Jeff is OUTSTANDING. If you're reading this, please just hire him. Just do it. Jeff is professional, produces, AMAZING quality work, and was able to efficiently convey my ideas and thoughts into a MEANINGFUL experience. Thank you thank you thank you!!" Raven B. Ph.D. Executive for a large medical system.

Course Curriculum

10 Chapters · 56 Lessons

  1. 1

    Intro

    1. Introduction Free preview
  2. 2

    The foundation of all presentations

    1. Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Propositions of Fact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Propositions of Value

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Proposition of Policy

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      How do fact, value, and policy work together?

  3. 3

    How to develop your idea

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Developing your throughline

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      A Step-by-Step Guide to the throughline worksheet

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to develop on emotional structure

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      How to create an idea outline

  4. 4

    Speaking genres and how to use them

    1. What are speaking genres? Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The forensic genre

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The friendship genre

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The epideictic/ceremonial genre

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The prophetic genre

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The deliberative genre

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The constitutive genre

  5. 5

    Speechwriting 101

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to begin writing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Why manuscripts are essential

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Writing for the ear, not the eye

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Golden Rule: Keep it simple

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The power of short sentences

  6. 6

    Grammar & Speechwriting

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Bend and break the rules

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 1–Conjunctions and the beginning of sentences

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 2–Sentence fragments

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 3–Prepositions can go at the end of a sentence

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 4–The power of repetition

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Rule 5–Contractions help flow

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid clauses

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid too many conjunctions

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Avoid overusing commas

  7. 7

    How to write your manuscript

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to go from Idea Outline to Manuscript Version 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Write version 2 with your head

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Write version 3 for the ear

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Moving from version 3 to 4

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Crafting the introduction

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The opening hook

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The conclusion

  8. 8

    How to do a speech review

    1. Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 1–Does the flow of your ideas make sense?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 2–Does each main point support your throughline?

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Level 3-Do your examples support your point?

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The Final Step

  9. 9

    How to learn your talk

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 1–Read it over and over again

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 2–Reduce your reliance on notes

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 3–Your speech will change and that’s ok

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 4–Reverse engineer your talk

  10. 10

    Delivering your talk like a PRO

    1. Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Speaking for impact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions-Verbal Pauses

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions–Posture

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Eliminate Distractions–Talking with your hands

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice. How to feel your talk

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice. The power and cadence & rhythm

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Voice. Vocal intensity & tone

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Body. Gestures & body language

Ready to Shine on the TEDx Stage?

Join our course today and unlock your potential to become a captivating TEDx speaker. Take the leap towards transforming your speaking skills and making a lasting impact.

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