The Number 1 Tip for Eliminating Nerves - Media - Presentations - Public Speaking

Now, I'm going to give you my number one tip on how to eliminate the uhs, ums, verbal tics in your speeches, presentations and talks. This is the absolute most effective technique. It's also the least popular technique, so you're not going to like it. You can say, teacher, I don't want to do that. I have to tell you what it is, and you can be the judge of whether you use this technique. The technique is any speech, any presentation, any talk. You're about to do any important voicemail with a client or prospect. I want you to practice what you're saying, holding up your cell phone and recording it on video. If you hate the idea of video, then use audio, but preferably video, and then watch it and listen to it. First of all, I want you to focus on, is this interesting? Would I want to listen to me? Let's solve that problem first. Then, and only then do I want you to count the ums. And ahs. Keep doing it until you're comfortable with how you come across and your number of ahs and ums. Remember, no one's going to remember one or two ahs or ums throughout a presentation or a talk or a conversation. They will remember if you have 20 in the first 30 seconds. So don't strive for perfection. I do want you to focus on a number that you're comfortable with, so please do that now. Think of any topic you want, anything you ever discuss in briefings, meetings, talks or conversations. Record yourself. You can use a cell phone, iPad, a webcam, and keep doing it. That's the key. It's not about doing it once and ripping yourself apart for 10 hours. Do it once and then quickly do another one. Keep redoing it until you're comfortable with how you come across, how fluid you are, how interesting you are, and how few verbal tics you have.