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Fred Miller

Clichés: Avoid Them Like . . .

Updated: Jan 13


Clichés

The PLAGUE!

Oops! That probably is one!

Perhaps, Clichés are a necessary evil. Some say, ‘It is what is is.‘ I think there is light at the end of the tunnel for ridding presentations of them.”


“Even against all odds, because they are often in our DNA and we always give 110% and think outside the box,” we can do this!


“To add insult to injury, we get bent out of shape because we are often ahead of our skis while sucking all the oxygen out of the room trying to say what we mean”


YIKES! STOP Using Clichés!

Clichés are words and phrases that were, at one time, interesting. However, they’ve been used so many times they’ve lost their original effect. Many are too general and not specific to the speaker’s topic. They are uninspiring and should be left out of presentations.


Using Clichés is as bad as retelling old jokes or recounting  “Abe Lincoln” or “George Washington” stories about honesty. We’ve all heard them multiple times!


WHY you don’t want to use Clichés.

  1. They make you seem boring and who wants that label on them! By using a cliché, you’re telling your audience you lack originality, and they may stop listening because they think you’re rehashing information they already know.

  2. You lose credibility. Your audience will not see you as an expert if you can’t come up with a better description than a cliché. They’ve heard them too many times already.

  3. They are imprecise. Specific details and explanations make better evidence than generalizations and overused phrases.

HOW to rid you presentations of Clichés.

  1. First, be aware you are probably using some. Making an audio recording of your presentation, then listening with a critical ear, is a good way catch them.

  2. Say precisely what you want to say. Usually, keeping it simple works best and less is more.

  3. Research your topic more and you’ll find new information to present. Your audience will like that!


Follow this advice for deleting clichés from your talks and they will be absolutely, positively – NO SWEAT!

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Clichés are to be avoided when presenting.

About the Author

Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills.

They do this because they know: Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

They also know: We perceive really great speakers to be Experts, and we like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with – NO SWEAT!


Services:

  1. Keynote Speaker

  2. Workshop Facilitator

  3. Breakout Sessions

  4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

Topics:

  1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

  2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

  3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

  4. We are All Self-Employed!




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