Why Your Words Matter in Public Speaking
As a corporate events host and communication skills speaker, I get the privilege of dipping into many different industries and watching experts share their knowledge. It’s inspiring to see professionals present their ideas. However, I also find myself frustrated when I hear certain phrases that instantly undermine their credibility.
If you want to know how to deliver a presentation that hits home, or how to be memorable on stage, it’s not just about what you say, it’s also about what you don’t say. Because the wrong words can cause your audience to switch off, doubt your professionalism, or disengage completely.
Here are five phrases you should never say in a presentation or pitch, and what to do instead.
1. “Let’s skip this slide, it’s not important.”
If it’s not important, it shouldn’t be in your presentation in the first place. Every slide should earn its place and serve a purpose.
When you dismiss a slide as irrelevant, the audience begins to wonder: If this isn’t important, what else in this talk doesn’t matter?
A stronger approach is to curate your slides carefully and only include what supports your message. This is one of the simplest tips for public speaking – less is often more.
2. “I’ll let you read this for yourself.”
The moment you say this, you lose control of the room. Your job as a presenter is to guide the audience through your message at your pace.
If you put up a text-heavy slide and invite them to read ahead, half the audience will stop listening to you and start scanning the screen.
Instead, break information down into digestible points and deliver it piece by piece. As a result, you’ll improve audience engagement and reinforce your authority as the speaker.
3. “I didn’t have much time to prepare.”
This phrase immediately destroys confidence. Even if it’s true, never admit it.
Your audience wants to feel that you value their time and respect the opportunity to present. Saying you weren’t prepared sends the opposite message.
Great speakers know that preparation is everything. In fact, one of the most powerful tips for public speaking is that the more natural you want to appear, the more preparation it takes behind the scenes.
4. “You probably can’t see this, but…”
If they can’t see it, it doesn’t belong in your presentation. A tiny chart or cluttered graphic only frustrates people and distracts from your message.
Clear, simple visuals keep the audience focused on you. Therefore, always ensure your slides support your story, not compete with it.
To keep your audience engaged, you need to keep your message clear, uncluttered, and easy to follow.
5. “Does anyone know the answer to this?”
This is a classic trap. If you ask a question where the obvious answer is “no,” you risk embarrassing the audience and creating negative energy in the room.
Instead, rephrase your statement so that the audience feels included, not excluded. For example, instead of: “Does anyone know this?” try: “Here’s something you may not know …”
This keeps momentum moving forward and avoids awkward silences.
Final Thought: Tips for Public Speaking That Build Trust
The way you speak on stage can either build or break trust. If you want to be memorable on stage, or want to deliver a great presentation, start by eliminating these credibility-killing phrases.
Curate your slides carefully. Prepare thoroughly. Deliver your message with clarity and authority. These simple changes will instantly improve your performance, promote audience engagement, and help you stand out.
In conclusion, being memorable isn’t about flashy tricks or gimmicks (even if it sometimes is for me on occasion!). It’s about mastering the fundamentals of communication and applying proven public speaking skills to ensure your audience remembers you for the right reasons.
👉 Want to sharpen your presenting skills? Visit my Keynote Speaker page to see how I help teams improve communication, stage presence, and audience connection.