How to Remove Filler Words and Speak Confidently in Public
Filler words like ‘um’, ‘uh’, and ‘like’ can silently undermine your public speaking. Even experienced presenters use them when nervous, rushed, or unsure what to say next. These small words might seem harmless, but they distract your audience, reduce your authority, and make key points harder to remember.
The good news is that with awareness and deliberate practice, you can remove filler words and deliver presentations that command attention and respect. Mastering this skill is not about perfection; it is about intentional communication, building credibility, and making your ideas resonate with your audience.
Why Filler Words Occur and How They Affect Your Audience
Filler words appear when your mind moves faster than your mouth or when you are uncomfortable with silence. They are a subconscious way to avoid pauses, but when you use them in every sentence you signal to your audience a lack of confidence and preparation.
Filler words are only bad if you use them in every sentence. Excessive filler words can:
Distract your audience from key points
Undermine the authority of your message
Reduce retention of important ideas
Awareness is the first step to elimination. By understanding your triggers, such as nervousness, uncertainty, or speed, you can take steps to replace fillers with deliberate pauses and intentional phrasing.
Step 1: Slow Down Your Speaking Pace
Speaking too quickly is one of the biggest causes of filler words. When you rush, your brain scrambles to keep up, and your mouth fills gaps with unnecessary words. Slowing down gives you time to think, project calmness, and speak with authority.
Replace Filler Words with Pauses
Pauses are a powerful tool. A brief moment of silence before moving to the next idea signals confidence and allows your audience to absorb your message. Start pausing for one or two seconds whenever you feel a filler word coming. These quiet moments are barely noticeable but dramatically improve delivery.
Train Your Mind to Think Before Speaking
Slowing down also slows your thought process, letting you plan sentences carefully. When your brain has time to catch up, you reduce the urge to say ‘um’ or ‘like’. Each pause is a strategic moment to structure your words for clarity and impact.
Step 2: Focus on Your Audience
Many speakers focus on themselves, worrying about how they sound or look. This self-focus is a major trigger for filler words. Shifting your attention to the audience naturally improves clarity and reduces unnecessary words.
Understand Audience Needs
Ask yourself what your audience wants to hear. What are their goals and expectations? Delivering information tailored to them reduces filler words because you are speaking purposefully rather than reacting to your own nerves. If you are using the nano speech, you will have a structure that allows you to focus on the audience, so you ultimately reduce your filler words.
Simplify Your Message
A concise and structured message is easier to speak smoothly. Break complex ideas into digestible points. Simpler sentences mean fewer opportunities for filler words. Clarity is key to confident delivery.
Step 3: Build Awareness of Your Filler Words
Awareness is crucial. You cannot remove what you do not notice. Start observing when and how often you use filler words in everyday conversations and practice sessions.
Record and Review Your Practice
Recording yourself helps identify patterns. Noting filler words improves your ability to catch them in real time. Over time, your delivery becomes smoother and more confident. When watching yourself back, only focus on the filler words, nothing else. This will help you avoid being super critical of your performance which can ultimately hurt your confidence.
Practice in Low Pressure Settings
Rehearsing in small, safe environments is essential. Using the nano speech you can turn every day conversations into relevant presentation practice. In low pressure environments you are more likely to build successful public speaking reps because you are more relaxed. This will help you reduce your filler words as you build comfort.
Step 4: Embrace Imperfection
Even the best speakers use filler words occasionally. The key is to control them intentionally.
Be Patient with Progress
Removing filler words is a gradual process. Celebrate small wins and track improvements over time. Each presentation with fewer fillers boosts confidence, authority, and audience engagement.
Humanize Your Speech
Perfect speech is not necessary. Occasional fillers make you relatable. The focus should always be on controlled, intentional communication, not flawless execution.
Actionable Takeaways to Remove Your Filler Words
When speaking, replace filler words with pauses. When writing, remove words that do not help the reader.
It is not about you, it is about your audience. If it does not help your audience, leave it out.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s okay to use filler words, just be conscious of when you use them and where possible slow down your thought process.
If you want more actionable tips on improving your public speaking skills, check out the Ultimate Guide to Public Speaking article.
More From Liam Sandford
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