5 Ways to Eliminate Filler Words

Learn 3 tools & 2 techniques to reduce, and eventually eliminate, filler words when you are speaking. I'm also sharing a tip for improving your speaking in 2 mins per day.
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[@PhatNutz]

another helpful tip is to not be afraid of silence. not a dramatic pause, but give ppl a few seconds to think about what you said while you think about what to say next. 😉 thx cat and keep up the great work! 👊

[@CatMulvihill]

💯 Embrace some silence and let your message sink in!

[@joshm1636]

@@CatMulvihill I've had calls where I think the speaker has disconnected from the call because they're paused for effect but aren't moving around on camera either. It can sometimes distract from the message! 😅

[@xyzoub]

@@CatMulvihill I think the ability to use silence is largely based on confidence, which itself is built on practice.

[@peterlepine]

Yes, I plead guilty to using filler words. Your tip on closing your mouth between sentences is what I need to begin my journey to reducing this most annoying habit. Thank you for doing this video and for the tip, Cat.

[@CatMulvihill]

You've got this!

[@user-ic9ir1fn3n]

This will definitely help me with my Sales calls! Thanks!

[@bradcrittenden1789]

This is great advice. I like your reminder suggestion to help reduce filler words when unexpectedly having to say a quick elevator pitch.

[@CatMulvihill]

The daily reminder tip is helpful on SO many levels!

[@gugong]

thank you for mentioned this!

[@sunvaj6754]

Hello Cat, this is an great subject to talk about. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@johntarnoff]

SO helpful, Cat - thanks!

[@CatMulvihill]

So glad!

[@JohannBauer]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

[@CatMulvihill]

You're very welcome!

[@EricahXOXO]

Powerful share, Cat! It's true that filler words can negatively impact credibility. I've learned that preparation is important and can combat the use of such words in a conversation or an interview. Having the confidence to know when to speak and when not to is just as important. Keep up the great work!❣

[@djneo]

Thank you Cat. This was really helpful. Appreciate all your efforts.

[@CatMulvihill]

You're so welcome!

[@careyrobson5722]

Well done. Its good to see, (and hear), you bring your extensive knowledge to the table.

[@CatMulvihill]

Thank you so much 😊

[@joricksikkes]

Thank you Cat! Been focusing on this a lot lately, will use these tips!

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad to hear you've been focusing on this! It's a powerful skill.

[@conference-interpreter]

These tips are so great ❤

[@CatMulvihill]

So glad!

[@evamaria_x]

great video. love your hair!

[@augustoramospadilla8963]

Good info❤❤

[@MikeRenouf]

I recently started livestreaming and watching back at my recordings has been really educational - evidence that I need this advice! Absolute gold. Thank you!

[@CatMulvihill]

I'm impressed you are watching back! It's very illuminating.

[@MikeRenouf]

@@CatMulvihill its equal parts pain and reward 😆

[@JohnVanDeVoort]

Awesome strategies. For those that have Microsoft Word, it has a dictation feature as well. It’s how I make scripts for videos in my speaking style.

[@CatMulvihill]

Great idea! Dictation definitely makes me focus much more, so I could see it being a helpful way to train yourself.

[@kaimagaldi]

Thank you for the tip John. Makes many things easier for me 🙂

[@kaimagaldi]

Thank you Cat. Like the idea with the reminder to become as clear as possible aware of my filler words👍

[@CatMulvihill]

You're so welcome!

[@kiphakes]

Awesome video Cat! 🎉

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad you liked it!!

[@CyberGizmo]

Am dealing with this problem too, thank you, Cat for some approaches and techniques to apply will get to work on it

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad to hear it!

[@chenellco]

That reminder tip is genius!

[@CatMulvihill]

It's been SO eye-opening! The question are straight-forward, but answering them clearly and concisely is harder than it seems.

[@rysheaklightwon4705]

This is good thank you, i rarely use filler words, however i have several friends who use filler words way too much and i am not sure how to talk to them about it. Thank you again.

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

Great tips. Thank you (like, totally 😉)

[@randyperino4471]

Cat, I watched your video on using the cameo functions in PowerPoint; and, because of your succinct and comfortable speaking style, I found myself watching two more of your videos simply for enjoyment's sake. And, guess what? The content of these two videos divulged some of the secrets behind your most agreeable speaking style. I so appreciated how you introduced some of the technical aspects of vocalization while remaining focused on the practicalities of effective communication. Were you to consider narrating a novel, I would be first in line to download that audiobook. Thank you. You inspired me!

[@CatMulvihill]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback 😊 I appreciate it!

[@LucaImage]

Great stuff Cat! I think you're the #1 on these topics. Since I follow you on YT I've spent a lot on money ... I've a question about your setup (not related to this video). I remember that you're using a Sony 7R as webcam, right? Do you use the battery charger or you've find a way to have a direct power connection? Thanks for reply. Have a nice day.

[@CatMulvihill]

Thank you 😊 As for the camera, I use the Sony ZV-1, and it's plugged into the power outlet directly using a MicroUSB cable.

[@markmiller489]

I would guess I have about a 9th grade education, so naturally my grammar and communication skills are really subpar IMO. The record idea is excellent! Besides practicing I thought I would actually record conversations with my uncles that I hang out in my garage with.

[@xyzoub]

There is an English classroom buzzer game adapted from the BBC radio and TV show _Just a Minute!_ which helps identify and reduce the use of filler words in a fun way. Students pick up topic cards and must speak about the subject in one minute without using filler words, repetitions, hesitations, or drifting off the topic, to win points. Other students have buzzers and win points when pressing the buzzer identifying the filler words of the student speaking. The first thing is, most people are not conscious of their use of filler words. Also, many come to the realization they cannot communicate without fillers, and modify the game conditions to include _a maximum number of_ fillers allowed before losing a point. Pretty interesting stuff. It's a good thing to propose alternatives and practice them: instead of saying the word "like" for comparing, why not use the following words or expressions : _as such_ or _that ressembles,_ etc.). Many filler words are used through habit, and breaking a habit takes time and practice.

[@telanjurgamingpodcast]

I have been watching your videos for a couple of weeks now. Thank you for all the tips! I have a mini-session tonight (with friends basically) and I think I'm gonna ask the audience to become "the partner" to reduce my filler words.

[@CatMulvihill]

I'd love to hear how it went if your friends helped out!

[@raspyni]

GREAT video, Cat. Thank you. I wish there was a pill to make filler words go away, but that wasn't one of your tools. 😁

[@SrinivasaAshokKumar]

You are brilliant and beautiful appreciate the tips.

[@akauppi2]

Awesome! At speaking training - if I recall right - it was claimed that filler words are used to ”keep the speaking status”, i.e. to convey to others we still have something to say. So odd we’d use them when making a recording all on our own.

[@CatMulvihill]

Yes, I've heard the same thing! We want to continue to make a sound so people know we aren't done yet.

[@MrBobisadog]

So, Cat, great video and tips! My filler word as you might expect, is “so.” OMG! I used that word to fill blank air on a radio interview a few years ago and when I listened to the recording I was shocked how often I said that blasted word. Thanks again for the help!

[@CatMulvihill]

Me too! So & now are the ones I'm trying to reduce. I think they make sense in some cases, so I don't want to eliminate them completely but don't want to rely on them as a filler/crutch.

[@MrBobisadog]

@@CatMulvihill thanks and agreed!

[@GamerRev]

This like many of your videos, was very helpful. Thank you

[@CatMulvihill]

You're very welcome 😊

[@BradHackett]

subscribed. Great content! My filler word I'm trying to break is "so"

[@user-yl3lj4hy6j]

When writing or typing ive never used filler words...but when it comes to speech i didnt realise my habit till my cousin pointed it out today

[@mistertechnicalwriter]

Really valuable tips. I wonder if you cover vocal exercises. 😄

[@mistertechnicalwriter]

I wonder if your dad was an attorney. ;-)

[@CatMulvihill]

Gee, I wonder 😉

[@MaikFrank]

Hey Cat. Very much resonate. I use the app poised on my mac to get immediate feedback on filler words in meetings. might be a good extra tip. Btw, what app do you use to generate the overlays in this video? Thanks!

[@CatMulvihill]

Thanks for sharing! I use Ecamm Live for my overlays 😊

[@SamFigueroa]

First of all thank you for this. If you watch this back and pay close attention to where your eyes are pointing do you notice this too?: You keep glancing to the script (I assume) and this breaks the connection you have with the viewer. it felt just like when a filler-word is used, just on a more visual level if that makes sense. (Somewhat ironically I'm noticing, given the topic of this video, now that I'm writing this).

[@Anon-xd3cf]

I used to use filler sounds and sometimes wkords and phrases out of place rather than simply pausing or taking a longer breath. My problem now, is that i have overcome this and see so few people attempting to change this behaviour in themselves... If they recognise it at all.

[@chrisabboud3949]

I was hoping this would be a topic of yours for a while. The first thing I noticed about your videos was the lack of filler words, because they're so pervasive on other channels. Ive been trying to get better myself by closing my mouth between thoughts, which eliminates the words as well as lets my brain focus on what I'm saying next without multitasking. One of my coworkers has a filler 'gasp'....they talk until they run out of air and have to take a breath to continue. It's crazy how such a small thing can affect how others see you while presenting though. And it's super hard to break the habit without thinking about it. Would you say you still think about it? Or does it ever become 'natural'? I'm still conscious of it with every sentence, and hoping that goes away at some point.

[@CatMulvihill]

I've definitely been guilty of the gasp 😉 I would say it has definitely gotten easier over the years. When I'm in "presenter mode", I would say there is a gentle awareness, but it doesn't require much concentration. But casual conversations with family and friends definitely have filler words and choppy sentences.

[@otomakannioc8213]

Filler words are annoying and a real pain if they are used intensively by a speaker. So far, thanks for your helpful coaching regarding this topic. You provide real, timeless value which is nicely illustrated by the clock behind, pausing for a while out of respect for you ;-)

[@CatMulvihill]

😂 How I wish the clock was respecting me and not so loud that I pulled out the battery! Thank you for the kind words 😊

[@Mendaz]

I moved to California from Texas recently-I have noticed and so has anyone I speak to from Texas that I say like so much as an interjection now-so much so that I’ve had to watch multiple videos on how to stop 😭😭

[@HugoRodriguezLab]

Good tips Cat! I always try to reduce filler words in my classes but if I'm not fully concentrated some always get out of my mouth :-P Talking slowly (which is something hard for we spaniards, believe me) an think the next sentence is the key for me. BTW: Your camera always look a bit soft, like if it was simply HD, not FullHD nor even 4K at all. I guess the camera (I remember you said it's a Sony) maybe can't do better but as you seem so picky about all the details of your videos, I thought this is somewhat intentional. Isn't it?

[@CatMulvihill]

Glad you enjoyed the tips! As for the camera, it may be that I need to do some investigating if something along the line between my camera to Ecamm is not actually 4K. As long as you can see and hear me is what matters most 😉 Until then, I should probably stop filming in 4K 😂

[@michaelshettig7805]

I'm in the same boat. I made up a video using the OSB software interfacing with the iriun camera app on my iPhone however the quality and sharpness are about a 5 out of 10. No good. Let me work with this HD or 4K and see what I can do unless you have an idea. A filler phrase that my superintendents try to use is "to be honest with you" I stop them and ask, "What are you telling me, everything else that you tell me that is not prefaced with that phrase is a bold-faced lie?"

[@stephenlibman]

Thanks Cat. The "Toastmaster" in me is smiling...!

[@CatMulvihill]

Aw yeah. Are there specific suggestions from Toastmasters for filler words?

[@Lifeisgood33669]

thanks beautiful

[@davidlittle7182]

I listen to podcasts where people use the word ‘like’ regularly 5 times or more in one sentence. The worst part is noticing it

[@JoelEmberson]

once you hear it, you stop listening to any other words haha

[@FrauBaur]

you are so beautiful 😭🫶🏼 thanks for the tips 🎉

[@imaginise6110]

There are also irritating filler phrases such as "at this moment of time" rather than "now". One of the worst is a speaker asking "Does that make sense?" every few minutes, because if it doesn't, they shouldn't have said it.

[@fawadali3025]

Using filler words might not seem disturbing to others as much as to the one who is using heheh

[@michaelleeannspringer3247]

Those who end every sentence making it sound like a "question" when they speak.

[@joemahma3457]

You’re so beautiful 😻

[@Anon-xd3cf]

Why is it that media people, people whos job it is to speak, are so often incapable of starting and finishing whole sentences? Also, how come these people get to keep such high paid speaking jobs when they can't and don't train themselves to stop using filler words and sounds? So many news presenters sound like children learning to read.

[@user-dw6ww7pl2c]

You need to replace your clock battery 😀

[@ashtray3608]

My speaking is terrible

[@MrPankaj1982]

great orators are ok with long pause but they dont use filler words.

[@Gray-Today]

Write down your script. Read from it. You'll be fine. Then offer it as a transcript - many of us can still read.

[@valuecalc]

People sound like idiots when they keep using those stupid words. If it's someone on TV, then I change the channel. If someone does it with me, then I'll tell him to stop it.