6 Things to Stop Saying When You Present—Like—Today
Image courtesy of Shubham Dhage

6 Things to Stop Saying When You Present—Like—Today

When you’re going with the flow in your presentation, it’s easy for crutch words or filler words and phrases to creep into your message. Words such as “um,” “like,” “you know” that we subconsciously rely on to connect thoughts or to unnecessarily fill space are what I’m talking about. A sparing use of them is fine, but when you use them so much until that’s all the audience can remember from your message, it becomes a problem.

You may think “What’s the big deal, Bridgett? We all use filler words, including you, girlfriend!” I cannot disagree with you. But notice I indicated a sparing use is fine; a lack of awareness of your use of them and/or an overuse of them is when you start to run into problems. It’s like having a misspelled a word on a slide once is no big deal, but then the word appears on another slide … and it’s still misspelled … then another slide … and it has yet to be corrected … and another slide … and another …

*cracked face*

All you see and remember is that misspelled word.

So, how do you know you’re committing the offense, clouding your message with unnecessary words or phrases? Record yourself presenting, then listen to yourself.

But do you cringe at the thought of listening to or watching yourself present (like I do!)? Ask a friend or colleague in the audience to keep record of how many times you use filler words in a presentation and to report back to you afterwards.

However, does the thought of having that conversation with a friend or colleague give you hives? Don’t have a conversation; ask that they just provide the tally via email or text, then you set out to do the work of reducing or eliminating them from your speech.

Unsure of how that’s done? Pause and say nothing. Seriously. When you feel like you are about to utter a filler word, don’t. Take a brief pause, then finish your thought. It will just appear as a contemplative pause, and no one is the wiser.

Do you need more strategies? Get a copy of Real Talk, 2eI include seven more strategies for you to employ.

So, at this point, do you wonder what are some examples of fillers that commonly creep into a speaker’s script? You know I’ve got you. Here are a few that I hear quite often that need to get revised or — better yet — completely deleted from speeches.

“Right?”

Delete it. Yes, the audience agrees with you or thinks you have a valid point. And even if they don’t, saying “right?” after a statement will not make them agree with you or find validity in what you’re proclaiming. Instead of “right?” follow-up with support for the statement in the form of an example, explanation, or anecdote.

For example, “Everyone loves a great presentation, right?” becomes “Everyone loves a great presentation, especially one that’s delivered with energy and that’s filled with practical tools you can use." (There's nothing wrong with wrapping up a statement with "right" a few times, but when you do it more than a few times, it's noticeable and can get in the way of your message.)

“Well/But, guess what?” AND “Why?”

Use this once — max! If you use it a second time, it has lost its zip. It is usually preceded by a statement of conventional thinking or a widely held belief, and its utterance suggests you’re about to present the audience with a surprising or little-known fact. Lovely. Do it! Give me the scoop or the factoid with an appropriate transition and without the lame build-up or the rhetorical “Why?” How does that look?

Instead of saying this: “Most college graduates had to take a public speaking course, but guess what. That course didn’t teach you how to address real-life presentation challenges.”

Say this: “Most college graduates had to take a public speaking course; however, that course didn’t teach us how to address real-life presentation challenges.”

Rather than saying this: “You should start your presentation in a way that gets your audience’s attention. Why? Because you need to immediately get their minds off everything else and focused 100% on you.”

Say this: “You should start your presentation in a way that gets your audience’s attention because you need to immediately get their minds off everything else and focused 100% on you.” (And in the process, you also fix that fragment that started with “because.” It’s a win-win!)

“Can I …?” AND “How many …?”

Some examples are …

“Can I share a story?

“Can I tell you something?”

“Can I get real with you?”

“How many of you want these strategies?”

“How many of you are already making a million dollars in your business?”

“How many of you want me to bring the fire?!”

First, you don’t have to ask for permission to do anything in your presentation (as long as you don’t plan on going rogue on folks). I’ll accept that the queries have a certain touch of charm to them; at the same time — and as is the case with a few of the other filler examples — I recommend you use either one only once. But do not use them multiple times in the same presentation. Next, unless you are conducting a training where you need to provide directions and explicit steps and check on the audience's progress — Can you see the green button to click? How many have completed and submitted the form? — avoid narrating your speech. Just do it. Share the story. Tell us the thing. Get real. Give us the strategies. Show us how to make a million. Bring the fire. Git 'er done.

“I hope …”

Oftentimes, presentations end with this messaging. Don’t hope “this was helpful” or hope “everyone got a new idea” or hope “you will put this information in place.” Know. Walk away knowing it was helpful, knowing everyone got a new idea, and knowing they will put a strategy in place.

Instead of “I hope this was helpful,” say “I trust this was helpful.” (I’m not a fan of concluding a presentation this way, though; however, it seems to provide some level of validation for the speaker. You want to know that you did a good job, and hearing or believing in that moment, by making that statement, that you did indeed deliver value can be a good feeling. But I look for other signs that I hit the nail on the head such as people waiting in line and conversing with me after the presentation; purchasing one of my books; connecting with me on social media; subscribing to receive my LinkedIn newsletter, Medium articles, or new episodes of my Own the Microphone podcast. You get the idea. But … hey ... that’s just me.)

Instead of “I hope everyone got a new idea,” say, “Turn to your neighbor and share a new idea you got.”

Instead of “I hope you will put this information in place,” say, “Write down one new action you will take as a result of this information.”

So … well … don’t just sit there. Do it! LOL! Post in the comments one new action you will take as a result of reading this article.

You’ve got this!


Stand out the next time you're on the mic! Take advantage of more ways to improve your presentation and communication skills by subscribing and listening to the five-star rated Own the Microphone podcast. You will get real strategies from Bridgett McGowen and her guests on how to own the microphone and deliver a message people love. 

Visit AmazonBarnes and Noble, or wherever you like to purchase your books to order a copy of Real Talk: What Other Experts Won't Tell You About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, 2e for all of the presentation skills strategies that Bridgett uses.

Visit BridgettMcGowen.com for more resources and services built on Bridgett’s more than two decades of experience as an award-winning professional speaker. 

And if you are ready to share your message on a larger stage, Press 49 is ready to make your dream of becoming a published author a reality.

Laurel Griffin

Consulting - Background in Human Resources and Finance

1y

Your article makes me think that "crutch" words and phrases may be generational, My personal bane is "man..." and I say it much too often. I'm going to watch out for that one. I don't speak in public, but I do bore friends and family whenever I can!

Elaine “Lainey “ Hunt

Fractional Senior Human Resources professional ready to step in and support your team. Fluent in conversational Spanish to help with diversity needs. Excellent at onboarding, recruiting, training and development.

1y

I will continue to read and contact you again!!!

Janice B Gordon - Customer Growth Expert FISP FPSA

Helping CEOs CROs Sales Leaders Expand Key Customers with Productive Sales Professionals. Delivers Customer-Centric Revenue Growth | RevTech Strategist Award 2024 I Speaker-Educator-Consultant ScaleYourSales Podcast Host

1y

I love this Bridgett

Sharon Leid, MPA

Founder NetStruc PR | Publicity Strategist | PR Consultant | PR Speaker | Adjunct Professor John Jay College (CUNY) | Founder of Ladies Of 3rd Thursday |

1y

I love these tips, I find myself saying "I hope" all the time, thinking it is appropriate. Reading this article, I see the difference. Thanks Bridgett McGowen

Karin Rex

instructional designer | writer | elearning developer | virtual facilitator | geek! | rex@karinrex.com

1y

Guilty of "guess what!" -- will work on this. Excellent reminders. Thanks for sharing them.

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