9 Public Speaking Mistakes That Make You Lose the Room (and How to Avoid Them)
Public speaking can go really well—or really awkward. And often, it's not because of what you're saying, but how you're saying it. Maybe you've got the right content. Maybe you've rehearsed it. But if you're falling into some of these common traps, you're losing the audience before you even realise it.
1. Saying “like” every five seconds
We all know the one. The speaker who fills every pause with “like,” “um,” “uh,” and “you know.” It doesn’t just distract people; it chips away at your credibility.
You might be making solid points, but if you're peppering your sentences with filler words, it sounds like you’re unsure or unprepared. That’s the opposite of how you want to come across.
What helps
So, how can you stop saying like? Try recording yourself and playing it back. That’s often...