Here’s an article from Paul Evans which I could relate extremely well. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Have you ever worried that you might freeze? concerned that you might forget what you’re supposed say next? Here’s some GOOD news for you! There some aspects of your speech you SHOULD forget. Public speakers are notorious for using dead words an valueless phrases. Even some of the pros use far too many. Eliminate the following…

“How’s everyone doing today?”

Just get on with it. Most are doing fine. Some are doing great. And a few would love to tell you all about their problems for the next 32 days. [Author’s Note: Oops, guilty as charged!]

“Is this thing on?”

Don’t tap the microphone. Don’t blow into it. The average and below average speaker acts like the mic is a foreign object and treats it as such. Assume the mic is on. If you’re wearing a lavaliere have someone check the settings before going on stage.

“Give yourselves a round of applause.”

Have you been in an audience when you were ask to applaud yourself? Alan Weiss says, “I find that it’s silly for the audience and represents a speaker who has simply run out of ideas and energy.” True.

“I’m really not a speaker.”

There’s no reason to say this. People will find out if it’s true or not soon enough on their own. Making the statement makes you AND the crowd more nervous.

“In conclusion…”

This makes the audience wrap up mentally. They begin to think about their next move. Instead, just conclude. Whatever close you have in place, put it into action without drawing attention to it.

Now then, all those ideas (and there’s a lot more, by the way) may seem small and insignificant. Does it really make a difference? Will the speech be better? Will the impact be different?

Yes.

Valueless statements hurt flow. They draw attention away from the message you’re presenting. It’s the subtle differences that separate mediocrity from good, and good from great.

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