Public Speaking Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs and Wedding Professionals and Small Business Owners.
I recently posted a video of myself online and noticed something that made me cringe a little bit. I said the word “so” a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.
The funny thing is that I also use “so” frequently in my writing. Apparently, it has become one of my favorite transition words. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the occasional “so,” too many filler words can weaken your message and distract from your expertise.
If you’ve ever listened back to a presentation, podcast interview, Instagram Reel, or YouTube video and found yourself repeatedly saying “so,” “like,” “um,” “ah,” or “you know,” you’re not alone. Filler words are one of the most common public speaking challenges for business owners.
The good news? They can be reduced with practice and awareness.
Over the years, I’ve spoken at conferences, led workshops, facilitated meetings, and recorded countless videos. While I’m certainly not perfect, I’ve learned a few techniques that help me communicate more clearly and confidently.
Here are five (5) ways to reduce filler words before your next presentation or video recording.
1. Practice Until Your Brain Knows the Route
Public speaking is a lot like playing a musical instrument. The more repetitions you put in before the performance, the less mental energy you’ll spend trying to remember what comes next. Many filler words appear when our brains are scrambling to find the next thought. When you’ve rehearsed your content several times, your brain develops a roadmap. If you lose your place or momentarily forget a point, you’re more likely to recover smoothly instead of filling the silence with an endless stream of “ums.” You don’t need to memorize every word. In fact, I don’t recommend it. Instead, become deeply familiar with the flow of your message. The more comfortable you are with your content, the more confidently you’ll deliver it.
2. Relax Your Body Before You Speak
Here’s a secret: Even experienced speakers get nervous. I speak in front of audiences regularly, and I still feel those pre-presentation butterflies. One of the first places I notice tension is in my shoulders. When my shoulders rise, my chest tightens. When my chest tightens, my breathing becomes shallow. And when my breathing becomes shallow, my brain starts moving faster than my mouth. That’s often when filler words show up. Before I speak, I intentionally relax my body. First, I drop my shoulders several times. Then, I exaggerate my vowel sounds by slowly saying: A, E, I, O, U.
Then, I let out a big fake laugh. It sounds silly, but it works. The fake laugh almost always turns into a real laugh, which helps calm my nervous system and loosen up my voice. By signaling to both my body and brain that I’m safe, I create the conditions for clearer communication.
3. Slow Down More Than You Think You Need To
As someone who grew up in New Jersey, I’ve often been accused of speaking at lightning speed. It could be the fact that I am from the Northeast OR it could be the fact that I simply have a lot to say. The truth is, most people speak faster when they’re excited or anxious. The problem is that our mouths often outrun our brains, and when that happens, filler words become bridges that help us buy time while searching for the next thought. By slowing your pace, you give your brain enough time to choose the right words before your mouth has to say them. And, as a bonus, your audience will find you easier to understand. Remember: Speaking slower doesn’t make you sound less intelligent. It makes you sound more intentional.
4. Embrace the Quiet Space
This one is still challenging for me because I naturally want to fill every second of silence. Many creative entrepreneurs do because we are storytellers, problem-solvers, and idea generators. So, we like momentum. But, silence is not your enemy. In fact, strategic pauses are one of the most powerful communication tools available. When you stop fighting every quiet moment, you allow your brain the opportunity to think before speaking. And, remember that your audience benefits from the quiet space because the pause gives listeners time to absorb what you’ve just said before moving on to the next idea. The next time you feel an “um” coming, try this instead:
- Pause.
- Take a breath. (Smile)
- Then continue.
Most audiences won’t even notice the silence. What they will notice is how confident and composed you appear.
5. Replace Filler Words with Deliberate Pauses
Let’s take the idea of silence one step further. Professional speakers don’t necessarily eliminate every filler word because they’re superhuman communicators.
They replace fillers with something better. A pause. Many TED Talk speakers train themselves to substitute verbal fillers with intentional silence. They also practice what communication coaches call “landing phrases,” which are natural stopping points that encourage regular breathing and create space between ideas. Instead of saying, “So, um, what I want to talk about next is . . . ” Try, “The next thing I’d like to discuss is . . .” Pause, then continue. Those brief moments of silence feel much longer to the speaker than they do to the audience. What feels like an eternity to you often feels like confidence and authority to everyone else.
Progress, Not Perfection
If you’re building a personal brand, recording videos, speaking at conferences, hosting client meetings, or growing your visibility as a creative entrepreneur, remember this:
- Your goal isn’t perfection.
- Your goal is clarity.
Everyone uses filler words occasionally. The objective is to become aware of them, practice intentionally, and replace them with habits that strengthen your message.
And if you’re wondering whether I’m still working on my overuse of the word “so” . . . The answer is yes. Old habits die hard.
But, awareness is the first step toward improvement. And every video, presentation, podcast interview, and client meeting gives us another opportunity to practice.
Because the more confidently we communicate, the more effectively we lead.
Love and Soul Always, Kawania
Kawania Howerton Wooten
With 30+ years of experience shaping conferences and high-end events for Washington DC’s elite, Kawania Wooten seamlessly blends her expertise in event management with her early culinary industry experience. As a recognized wedding industry expert, Kawania brought her knowledge to the classroom for eight years, where she taught courses at Prince George’s Community College. Her award-winning contributions to the event industry and her company’s celebrated client care have solidified her reputation as a driving force within the industry.
