What are some tips to avoid filler words and vocal pauses?

Another point to consider is whether you speed up when unsure of yourself. One of the keys to giving a good presentation is your pace. We want to avoid monotony, but also want to avoid verbal roller coasters. It is not uncommon to use vocal pauses and filler words to slam on the brakes when we become aware of pacing problems.

As a great friend and mentor, Ty Boyd, taught me years ago…No one knows what you’re going to say next. Be aware of what you’re saying and be comfortable with a pause. Then add meaningful words for your story…not ums and ahs

Absolutely agree! Strategic pauses are a powerful tool in communication. They not only allow the speaker to gather thoughts but also give the audience time to absorb the information. Pauses can emphasize important points and create a rhythm in your speech, making it more engaging. Instead of filling spaces with 'ums' and 'ahs', a well-placed pause can significantly enhance the impact of your message, demonstrating confidence and control over your narrative.

Yes, and why we are so unwilling to do this is really baffling. The time it takes to practice what you say and how you say it makes your communication just that much more powerful and impressive.

Practicing in front of a mirror is another key to presentation success. Your goal should be to sound like you have practiced, but not rehearsed. I prefer working from a detailed outline instead of committing every word to memory. Recording your remarks in front of a mirror will help you match up actions with your words to sync them up most effectively.

One of my partners is a voice coach and we now call this giving yourself 'permission to speak freely'. We live in such a fast-paced world it almost feels odd to pause. When we are in meetings, we are almost competing to speak and anytime we pause, it ensures someone else jumps in. When speaking or presenting, we have permission to pause, think, breathe and connect. There is so much power in that- so use it to your advantage!

Pauses can also be filled with gestures. Because I work from detailed outlines, my presentations are numbered and proceed from the most important points to the best examples. For those who write down what you are saying, using your fingers to indicate points 1-5 can help your audience follow along as well as help you to avoid annoying fillers. Instead of uncomfortable pauses, you now have established a pace and given your audience points to look forward to.

For me, it's about the pace. I've always needed to slow down and when I do and I'm deliberate and intentional about what I'm saying, it's much more effective.

Signposts are a speaker’s best friend when used properly. Transitional words help your listener to know what to expect as well as assure them that you are presenting remarks in an orderly fashion. First, next, finally—any and all of these establish expectations as well as flow to your presentation. Please avoid “in conclusion” or similar phrases that remind listeners of high school speech class. You want your audience nodding their heads in agreement, not shaking their heads in disbelief!

In the example speech provided, the signposts are: Introduction Signpost: "Today, I want to take you on a journey through the three pivotal stages of renewable energy adoption: the initial investment phase, the implementation phase, and the long-term benefits phase." Transition Signposts: "By the end of this talk, you'll understand not only the challenges but also the immense rewards that come with transitioning to renewable energy." These signposts help the audience know what to expect and provide a roadmap for the speech, making it easier to follow and understand.

Instead of replacing with better words you can use that pause as a chance to get some audience engagement. So, if you just finished making a point you can say "Raise your hand if that resonates with you" or something along those lines.

Another point to consider is how to incorporate the best words for your subject matter. Specificity counts. You are trying to make an immediate impact. One method of doing so is to provide language that the listener will remember years from now. Winston Churchill used alliteration. Martin Luther King used repetition of key words and phrases.

There is nothing better than asking the people you trust and the people who care how you could improve. Networking with other professionals is very important when you are trying to find greater success. You don't have to do an entire presentation, just portions of it where you tend to struggle. Break it down into smaller pieces and tackle one part at a time.

Test driving your subject matter is always a good idea. Why do stand-up comedians enjoy working small clubs before taking their acts on the road? Less pressure, more intimate settings, immediate feedback from friendly audiences who are glad to see you come to mind. The same holds true when you run material by those you trust to give you an honest appraisal. Have you ever read the acknowledgment sections of best-selling books? Authors are always happy to mention how many folks read their drafts before the book was published for the same basic reasons.

You can also just pause as opposed to saying something. When you pause it allows your audience to process what you just said while also building anticipation for what you'll say next.

Experimenting with pace is always a good idea. No one likes monotony. Similarly, no one likes to hear speakers who race through their material like they have a plane to catch. YouTube is full of presentations from the best in their field. The more of these you watch and hear, the more you will notice that the more comfortable they are with the subject matter, the more engaged their audiences become. There is no substitute for practicing. There is also no substitute for continuous improvement. Use new examples to illustrate established points. Vary your pace to bring your listeners and viewers along on a journey, not just a presentation.