How to Stop Speaking Filler Words During Your Presentations

Have you ever noticed yourself talking to an audience or during a presentation? You might have heard yourself use a lot of ahs, mms “like”, “you know” and similar filler words in between your sentences. These filler words, while seemingly harmless, can detract from the power and clarity of your message.

The next time you see someone, who’s an expert in their field, give a talk, notice if they use these filler words. You’d be surprised to see just how controlled their speech is. There would be almost 0 filler words or sounds, and they would sound articulate.

With a little effort, you can achieve this. Here is how you can stop using filler words and sounds during your presentations to sound like a confident and polished presenter.

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Awareness:

Most people are already at this step. The first step to stop yourself from using filler words is to be aware of them. You can record yourself practicing giving a speech or delivering a presentation, and then listen to yourself. Notice where you tend to use fillers. Being aware of this habit will help you have control over it.

Pause:

Filler words are usually used to fill uncomfortable silence when you speak. But have you noticed that many influential speakers actually pause a lot when they speak? Silence can be a powerful tool. Instead of rushing to fill the gap, embrace the pause. Pause between sentences to collect your thoughts, and before speaking. A well-timed pause allows your audience to better understand your message, and at times it can also create anticipation for what’s next.

What words do you use often?

Everyone has a word or two that they use often. When I speak, it’s usually “basically”. Other common culprits include “um”, “ah”, “you know”, “so”, etc. Once you know the words and phrases you use commonly, take a conscious effort to either replace them with silence, or to an alternative phrase.

Practice as much as possible.

Just like any skill, eliminating filler words from your speech requires a lot of practice. Here are some exercises you can use to practice:

Look around you and choose a random object. Set a timer and describe the object for 30-60 seconds without using filler words. Focus on taking pauses, and on being clear. Use short sentences to make things easier.

Prepare in advance:

Before your presentation, ensure that you’re well prepared. Feeling unprepared can lead to nervousness and can increase the chances of you using filler words. Preparing well builds confidence and ensures that your message is delivered smoothly. Know your presentation material inside and out, anticipate questions and rehearse your delivery.

Actionable tip:

Every time you feel like you’re going to speak a filler word, just try to take a deep breath. Not the extreme version of it that people who are new to yoga try to do, I don’t want you to look like you’re hyperventilating. But just breathe in and breathe out whenever you feel like a filler word is about to drop from your mouth. A lot of people have had success with this method, try it out and let me know if it worked for you as well.

By following these tips and practicing consistently, you can eliminate filler words from your speech and deliver presentations that are impactful, clear, and confident.