Umm, Ahh & Y'know walk into a bar...

When speaking and presenting, filler words (or non-words) like umm, ahh + y’know will leave your audience questioning whether you’re the authority on your topic.

It's one of those things you don't even realise you're doing until you listen back to a recording of your voice. There it is : "My first introduction to... umm.. technology was in school when...umm.. my teacher installed our first PC". 

I’m coaching a speaker at the moment who ends every few sentences with rhetorical “…right?”. There isn’t a question, he’s using it as a full stop.

We have all caught ourselves being irritated as an audience member or listener when the speaker/presenter is doing this. The next time you hear our Aussie Prime Minister speak, listen out for it.. you’ll never forgive me for pointing this out, sorry!

As a subject-matter-expert, blogger or industry professional you will be asked to speak in front of an audience, do an interview or appear on a podcast. 

Why do we umm, ahh + y’know?

There are 2 main reasons we’re adding these non-words into our speech..

1. In conversation, when it’s our turn to speak, we sometimes unconsciously try to keep control by adding in 'umm' instead of a graceful pause - because we're not ready to leave a gap and risk giving the other person their turn to speak.

2. To gather our thoughts.

Long live the full stop (or ‘period’ for US readers)

To banish the filler words, remember: The full-stop deserves to live. It is a character (with full-stoppy feelings) JUST like all the other characters you so lovingly enunciate. Don't kill it off with an 'umm'.

At the end of your point, or if you need to gather your thoughts, take a beat... take a breath... just say "____" (nothing). This gives the audience/listener a chance to catch their thoughts too. Respect the silent beat.

Follow these handy hints to ensure you're well prepared and less likely to fill the space with non-words and more likely to create beautiful fluffy voluminous gaps:

1. Map out your speech on one page, with the context in mind (why have you been asked to speak on this topic to this audience?). 3 main headings with 3 bullet points under each one. Now you’re ready to flesh it out with a story for each main point to bring it to life. THAT’s preparation. I’ll cover more on the ‘plan on a page’ in an upcoming article - be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.Subscribe now

2. You’ve earned the right to be there. You were asked to deliver this message because you’re the authority on the topic. Own it. The MC should introduce you using a script YOU provided - that script is the start of your talk and outlines why you’re the one who’s up there.

3. This isn't about YOU. If you're stuck in your own head, worrying about how you sound/look/come across, you'll trip on your words and fall back on 'umm'. You're the VEHICLE for the message. SERVE the audience/listeners. Calmly and concisely. With gaps.

Refer to my guide to reduce anxiety and build speaking confidence: