Ums, ahs, uhs and you know are verbal tics usually heard from inexperienced speakers although I have certainly had occasion to hear them from well-known presenters too. I once had a client, a young college student, who was taking my course along with several other telesales colleagues I would video the participants on the phone in real conversation with perspective clients and then play it back. A basketball player with amazing drive and determination, this fellow came back the next week and surprised us all when he was able to speak on the phone with nary an um or an ah! While the pause can nicely fill the gap for the um or the ah, that does not mean pausing every 4-5 words because that type of rhythmic delivery will put your audience to sleep faster than your ums.

Tags: presentation, public, ah, speaking, public speaking jobs, ums

Ums, ahs, uhs and you know are verbal tics usually heard from inexperienced speakers although I have certainly had occasion to hear them from well-known presenters too. I once had a client, a young college student, who was taking my course along with several other telesales colleagues I would video the participants on the phone in real conversation with perspective clients and then play it back. A basketball player with amazing drive and determination, this fellow came back the next week and surprised us all when he was able to speak on the phone with nary an um or an ah! While the pause can nicely fill the gap for the um or the ah, that does not mean pausing every 4-5 words because that type of rhythmic delivery will put your audience to sleep faster than your ums. The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!

Tags: ahs, speaking, public speaking opportunities, public, the art of public speaking, public speaking