How to Present, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 7Watch your language!

Presenters regularly use a variety of statements or turns of phrase that are very clever and powerful, and engage their audience. Unfortunately, other statements can be quite a turn-off — and sometimes we're not even aware that we're using them. Let's first look at some of the common expressions that are off-putting to your audience — and good news, I will suggest an alternative for any of the common words or statements that I recommend you don't use. Later in this chapter, I then provide some tips and tricks for really firing up your language — and your audience — in all your virtual and face-to-face presentations.

Avoid turning your audience off

After all your planning, you don't want to turn your audience off by using words and phrases that reduce the rapport and confidence your audience feels towards you — or just plain annoy them. In the following sections, I run through some of these words and phrases, and what to use in their place.

‘For those of you who don't know me … '

This combination of words is not inclusive in nature. What about the people who do know you? I suggest you replace this option with something like, ‘I have met some of you before and I look forward to getting to know everyone here today. My name is … ' Or simply, ‘My name is … ' Or you could try, ‘It's wonderful to see you here today. I'm [insert name].'

‘Um', ‘ah', ‘like' and ‘so' as filler words

Most presenters use a number of filler words when they don't know what ...