Stop Saying “um”
Every “um” chips away at your authority—here’s how to stop.
Three Key Points:
- – Use pauses instead of fillers.
- – Practice with recordings.
Slow down your pace
“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” – Mark Twain
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From Fearful to Fearless:
How to Answer “Tricky” Questions
When you stay calm, clarify with repetition, and bridge back to your core ideas, you guide the dialogue rather than chase it. The result? You come across as thoughtful, credible, and persuasive exactly the qualities clients and colleagues remember.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Sound as Good as You Look
Trade shows can showcase your talent and brand but shouldn’t cost you your voice.
The Designer’s Elevator Pitch:
If you can’t explain your vision in a minute, you’ll lose the moment. In the world of design, opportunities often appear unexpectedly,a quick chat at a showroom, a brief meeting at a networking event, or a chance encounter with a potential...
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Advanta Strategies, LLC
814-360-1950
linda@advantastrategies.com
Such practical advice! I love the reminder that silence can actually be powerful. Using pauses instead of fillers not only builds confidence but also gives our words more impact. Definitely something I need to practice more intentionally.
Thank you Tiffany – My daughter is an American Sign Language Interpreter, it is she who reminded me that silence is OK.
Good advice! I try to use pauses as well. Also, if someone asks a question, instead of saying “um” while thinking, I answer, “That’s a good question!” while my brain thinks of what to say.
Thank you Angie – I love the good question!