March 25, 2019

The Top Podcasting Crutch Words and How To Stop Saying Them

The Top Podcasting Crutch Words and How To Stop Saying Them
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Apple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconPocketCasts podcast player icon

What is Your Crutch Word - How Did You Get Rid of It?

Crutch words are we words we use when our brain can't come up with something to say. They are used to fill up silence that some feel is awkward. We all have them, and they are only an issue when they are used so much that it becomes distracting/annoying. Please realize that never having a crutch word may be impossible. Often we don't even hear them. So we have to start with identifying that we have a crutch word. When I asked you about your crutch words, here are the ones you are trying to avoid:

Craig fromIngles Podcastis "So" and has lots of examples of what to avoid.

Brad fromThe Cinema Guyspodcast is "Like" as well as "So Anway..."

Brenda from theMy Tech Toolbelt Podcast"Is a Big Fan of..." as well as "Right"

Darwin Dave from theDealing with My Griefpodcast "So"

Tim From theHe Said She Said Movie ReviewsPodcast

Arnie at theFootball History DudePodcast says "Dude..."

Nina fromFarm Food Healthhas lots of ums...

Mark from theResourceful DesignerandPodcast Brandinghad a listener let him know he was saying Basically a ton.

Mel FromBeer with an Engineerhas lots of ums, and so.... but turned it into a drinking game.

Mike Dell fromPodcast Help Deskand Podcast Help Desk News crutch words is "Anyway...." and he's just been pausing instead.

Stephanie from theExpat Rewindhas "soooo many..."

Lee fromThis is Rammyfinds himself saying "Obviously"

Win fromAsk Winfinds herself saying "Like"

Kim Krajci fromToastmasters 101has some tips on how to avoid crutch words.

SPONSOR: Alitu Web Based Podcast Maker

It's a web app, where people can log in on their web browser and then use it to edit and produce their podcast episodes. Mobile app coming soon too.

Podcasters record their show as normal, then upload their recordings to Alitu. Alitu then processes, levels, converts them all, pieces the clips together, adds your theme music automatically, and publishes the episode, direct to your podcast host. If you need to edit out any mistakes, then you can use Alitu's custom podcast editing tool to do just that, before creating your finished episode. The idea behind Alitu is to make Podcasting and quick and simple as possible, removing a bunch of the tech barriers and to let you concentrate on the bit you do best – talking about something you love! It can take an interview where each person records their side of the conversation, and it will combine them together (how cool is that?) Check it out atwww.alitu.comcheck out thisvideoHow To Get Rid of Crutch Words
  1. Identify them
  2. Monitor your use of them
  3. Practice NOT Using them. This may include getting use to silence (that you can edit out)
  4. Try to figure out what is going on when you use it. Try to determinewhyyou chose to use that word at that time.

Next Month's Question:

Are you paying for any part of your podcast process? If so how much, and on what? (not so much who you are using).

I need your answers by 4/27/19 see my contact page for more information (you can upload pre-recorded files)

Mentioned in This Episode

Alituweb-based podcast Creator

You Wanna Do What Podcast"You Can't Read the Label from the Inside of the Bottle."

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Other Events You Might Want to Check Out

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Audience Survey

I Want Your Opinion

I am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey25

2025 Audience Survey

00:00 - Untitled

01:43 - alitu.com

03:12 - Top Crutch Words

29:52 - How To Fix Crutch Words

44:05 - April Question of the Month

46:49 - Where I Will Be