So, um....like...What is a Filler Word?

So, um, what exactly is a filler word? Well...uh...a filler word is, like, a part of speech that is usually not written (this article being the exception), but used as a place holder to give a speaker time to find the right word or to gather his thoughts. If I had a dime for every time I heard a speaker struggle with eliminating the "ums" and the "uhs" from his vocabulary, I'd be, like, a millionaire.

In our Excellence in Speaking course, we call filler words "non-words". They contribute nothing and weaken your overall effectiveness as a speaker. Non-words make you sound unprofessional and give the impression that you are not prepared and not confident. Therefore, breaking the habit of filling your silences with non-words is of the utmost importance.

Primer Magazine refers to filler words as "the heroin of the language world" and warns that withdrawals are not easy. But it can absolutely be done and we can help.

Getting past the usage of non-words enables you to become a noticeably more effective communicator. Here are a few guidelines:

• Don't be afraid to pause and take a break: You don't have to fill in the pauses with empty words. A pause causes your audience to lean in and listen. It introduces an element of anticipation and heightens expectations. Not only does it make your speech easier to listen to, it makes your communication come across as more compelling. And remember, a pause is never as long to the audience as it feels to you. Each time that you take a significant pause during a presentation, take a deep breath.

• Organize your thoughts: Think about what you want to say before you say it - and then say the words.

• Practice: When you know your speaking topic inside and out, you will be more confident and better prepared - which is the first defense against non-words. Practice in front of a friend or colleague and have them count the number of times you use a non-word. Or better yet, have them ring a bell every time you utter a filler.

• Keep it simple: Delivering large volumes of information can be overwhelming for the speaker as well as the audience. Pick a few points, emphasize them, and then wrap it up. Talking about  too many things makes your speech ripe for ah and um takeover.

Let the coaches at Ty Boyd, Inc. help you communicate your message more clearly, create a more commanding, confident image and help you avoid um, er and ah.