Do you use filler words?

Perhaps a better question: Which filler words do you use? Most presenters encounter a temporary mental block at least once in a presentation. Not knowing what to say next can send you into panic mode. Falling back on filler words is a common way presenters try to cover up for these fumbles, but they could actually do more harm than good.

Filler words – like the big three: uh, um, and you know – fit their title. They don’t add to any of your points, and they make it obvious that you’re stalling.

Protect your credibility and keep your core message intact by avoiding filler words altogether. Here’s how.

1. Breathe in, breathe out

One way to do that is to identify the root of the problem (usually anxiety) and nip it in the bud.

Relax with a few basic warm-ups before your pitch. You have control over your mind. You can stress out with presentation anxiety, or you can keep a clear head and better organize your ideas. Preparing yourself to keep a clear frame of mind lessens the chance of mental blocks and filler word use.

2. Know your basic moves

At the same time, remember that your deck isn’t there for you to read from. Strictly sticking to what’s written on the slide can confuse you, and worse, bore your listeners. Establish stage presence and engage people effectively by stepping away from your PowerPoint and owning the space around you.

This means using hand gestures and other forms of body language to form that necessary connection between you and the audience. Take a tip from social psychologist Amy Cuddy’s breakthrough study on the effect of power posing on individual confidence.

Stand straight and put your hands away from your body to exude the self-assurance you need to command attention.

3. Pitch to your reflection

Practice in front of the mirror, or record yourself a couple of times, to catch your speech habits. Knowing how often you use filler words makes you aware enough to stop yourself when you’re on the stage itself.

More importantly, familiarize yourself with your key points. These will anchor you to your core message when you start forgetting your overall outline or script. When you really know what you’re talking about, you’ll never get lost in your pitch.

For more information on kicking the habit, check out this infographic by SlideGenius about eliminating filler words (click and magnify):

About the author

Rick Enrico is the CEO and Founder of SlideGenius, Inc., a global presentation design agency. He regularly publishes expert presentation tips on the SlideGenius blog. He currently oversees an experienced team of designers, software developers, and marketing professionals that specialize in creating custom corporate presentations and cloud publishing applications. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.