Advice on how to stop saying "uhm"?!

Hey Everyone,

I am so bad for doing this!! Every call it feels like I say "uhm" or "uh" in place of a comma when I'm on a call! Sometimes I even keep everyone on their toes and throw in a "Uhm-uh" lol

It's almost like listening to the sneakers squeak during an NBA game... I can't stop listening to myself, and others, repeat "uh" or "uhm" every time there is a gap in speech cadence.

I always feel like it comes off unprofessional, and also gives a sense that I don't actually know what I'm talking about (I don't, but the customer doesn't need to know that!)


Anyone have any tips or tricks to help me cut down the "uhm"s I use in a call or demo?

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27
CuriousFox
WR Officer
11
๐ŸฆŠ
Embrace the silence. If they have something to say they will speak up. If not that's fine too. Give yourself the few seconds to reset.ย 
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
3
Rolling 20's all day
When silence is present, roll around in it and embrace it! If it's uncomfortable, you just have to either
1) get used to being comfortably uncomfortable
2) not care about the outcome which will lead to you not being uncomfortable
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
7
sales
Youโ€™ve got step one completed, recognizing it. Step two is just discipline and reminders. Put a note on your desk that says โ€œdonโ€™t say uhmโ€ and look at it while youโ€™re on calls. Third, practice your script until it naturally flows with the uhmโ€™s gone. Go get em!
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
4
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Controversial opinion potentially, but this isn't a critical sin.ย 

If every other word is uhm then ok worth focusing on. However, I know a bunch of v.siccesful A.E's who use filler words like uh/uhm etc.ย 

Often other areas of the pitch that more meaningful improvement can be done.ย 


Just my 2.centsย 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
โ˜•๏ธ
Here's how I stopped using filler words:

1) I had a colleague tally every time I used one.
2) I started to pause and be silent when I was between sentences or felt myself about to use a filler word.
3) Each week I had a goal of going down x number of uses.

I now have it set up in AVOMA (Gong without the bullshit) to record every time our reps use them and we can turn that into instant coaching.
Coop
Executive
1
Account Executive
This is a great idea. Will definitely be implementing this or something similar!ย 
Executioner
Politicker
2
Business Dev.
Every time you want to say it, pause. Makes you sound considered and measured in your speech, instead of uncertain.ย 


Also, gimmicky trick (bordering on self-harm), put an elastic band on your wrist. Every time you say it, pull it back as far as you can and let go. you get a sore wrist and you back off pretty quick lol
justatopproducer
Politicker
2
VP OF SALES -US
I hear this when people say "like" . In speech courses I have taken we were taught to just pause and not say anything at all. It is a bit awkward at first but eventually you either get used to the awkwardness which helps in general when speaking to strangers. The only down side is sometimes I pause so long people think I am lost or it is a fill in the blank game. Must be the blonde hair?
UserNotFound
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Practice practice practice! Once youโ€™re in your role long enough, your talk tracks will all become sort of similar, even in various situations. Know that talk track inside and out, and when compelled to โ€œumโ€ try a different filler word just to maintain control of it. Throw in a โ€œsoโ€, โ€œokโ€, etc. While youโ€™re relying on fillers, at least keep the habit fluid enough that you donโ€™t eventually get to a point that you do it unconsciously.
someoneinsales
Tycoon
2
Director of Sales
Every time you say Uh or um burn yourself with a lit cig. That should help you stop saying it
butwhy
Politicker
1
Solutions Engineer
Slow down your talking pace and breathe. It's filler while your brain catches up to what you are talking about.ย 
nomdeguerre
Executive
1
Account executive
Substitute with "you know, you know, you know"... there fixed it for ya! ๐Ÿ˜‚
Jbeans
Opinionated
1
Director of Sales
Hilarious Timing. Doing video prospectingโ€ฆ wow. Um is killing me . Hate that I do this. I do it when Iโ€™m overthinking what Iโ€™m saying. I donโ€™t talk like that normally. Iโ€™ve slowed down and that helps a lot, sometimes when I rush or feel I have to get it all out to hold attention itโ€™s much worse. Try telling yourself to slow down a bit. Worked for me, .. but so did 78 takes and a shot of vodka. ๐Ÿ˜Ž
MinisterOfChaos
Politicker
1
Commercial Account Executive
I used a sticky note taped to my monitor to remind me not to say "uhm". Then I consciously began forcing myself to stop talking when I could feel it coming on and just say it in my head. This had the added benefit of making me sound more confident and knowledgeable.

It still comes out at times but it is far less and doesn't necessarily have an impact on the conversation, from what I can tell.
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Understand that taking a short pause to compose your thoughts before continuing isn't a bad thing. Listen to Elon Musk talk. The dude doesn't sound rushed at all, doesn't worry about pausing before answering or continuing a thought. Actually makes him sound more put together and causes the listener to pay more attention to what he is about to say.
happyhunter
Politicker
1
spittin' sunshine
Here for this! I'm the same! Another problem I have is sounding too "west coast" as my bosses put it...or too laidback/saying awesome, like, and totally when talking to hot shot C-levels.ย 
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
so if this is prohibiting you from communicating effectively then its a problem. But my general thought on "filler words" like this, is that its NOT a big deal.ย 

You probably notice more than your prospects do, and as long as you are having good conversations i dont think ppl care.ย 

managers like to give feedback to reduce filler words but thats just cus they are lazy and dont have anything more valuable to add.ย 


AutoSmiler
Arsonist
1
Account Executive
learn, read and study. Become a sponge for the industry you're in. The more you know the less time you'll spend using filler wordsย 
mitts2
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I use "kinda" and "sort of" a lot.ย 

I try to just slow my cadence down. Slowing your pace will allow you to control your thoughts / words more carefully and will push you in the right direction.
DamianLillard
Member
1
Enterprise AE - field
Some great advice in this thread, but honestly I have the same issue and Iโ€™m a high producer. The bottom line is, if you donโ€™t know what youโ€™re talking about, then the uhโ€™s and uhmโ€™s will make you look like an idiot. If you are sharp in every other way, then people wonโ€™t even notice.
techsales
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
My strategy is to be dating a fellow sales savage who, because of the design of our house, is able to hear every word of all my sales calls, and is honest enough with me to say that it makes me sound less intelligent when I say um.
beerisforclosers
Politicker
1
Account Manager
The more confident you are in the topic, the less likely you are to fall back on filler words. Practice some of the things you talk through frequently in the car or shower where you can stop and correct yourself over the 'uhms'!
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Slow down.
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
I find moving the phone away from you helps? I tend to put it on the desk on speaker and carry on working on something else so it sounds natural? Might be just me though!
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