Aug 28 2023 18 mins
On this episode, I'm going to cover the dreaded errs and uhms. Yup, those filler words that High School teachers and Toasting Clubs try to eliminate from the speeches of their students and members. However, I think you will be shocked to learn that just about everything that you have ever learned about those errs, uhhms, and other filler words is just flat-out wrong.
So stick around, and I will share with you a few truths about this symptom of nervousness.
Filler words are a natural part of everyday conversations. In fact, if they aren’t there, you’ll sound strange (or even fake) to the audience, so you don’t want to eliminate the filler words altogether.
However, that doesn’t mean they have to be a major part of your speeches and presentations either. Overuse of filler words has the potential to detract from your message, so as you become more and more comfortable speaking in front of a group, it might be a good idea to fine-tune your message by reducing these distractions.
The best speakers in the world have trained themselves, over time, to minimize their use of filler words. (Notice that I said minimize, not eliminate.) Excessive use frustrates the audience and makes the speaker less credible. With a bit of practice, you can also minimize filler words.
Show Notes: How to Stop Saying Errs, Uhhms, and Other Filler Words in Speeches.