Speaking is Sexy
Volume III, No. 1                                                                      December 2011

"It's amazing what ordinary people can do if they set out without preconceived notions."
                                            ~ Charles Kettering          
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Included In This Issue
What's Marion Up To Now?
Have you downloaded your FREE report yet?
Speaking Is Sexy Tip #26, Vol. 2, The Easiest Way to Write a Speech
Is it time for you to be the Sexy Public Speaker you've always wanted to be?
Food for Thought
More about Marion Claire ~ Revealing an Embarrassing Secret
Why is it called Speaking is Sexy? 
When what someone says and how they say it sends chills up and down your spine, that's sexy! 
 
Whether you're giving a speech, having a conversation, saying your wedding vows, teaching your kids, exhorting your sales team, or talking in your sleep, if someone is listening, you are inspiring them.  It's important to remember that whenever you speak, someone is influenced by each word you say. 
 
Be a positive influence.  Be an inspiration.  That's very sexy.
 

Did you miss a previous Speaking Tip?

You can find them here!
 
If you are...
  • Currently speaking in public,
  • Thinking of speaking in public, but procrastinating like crazy,
  • Afraid to speak in public,
  • Envious of people who speak confidently in public, or
  • Would just like a few tips on how you can speak better than they do...
This newsletter will give you tips and techniques to become the accomplished speaker you've always longed to be.

MARION CLAIRE coaches solopreneurs, business owners, middle managers and executives who want to become calm, confident, sexy speakers who influence and inspire others with the power of their voice. www.marionclaire.com

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What's Marion Up To Now?     

        Looking forward to being  guest speaker at the LA Jewish Chamber of Commerce on January 11, 2012 where I'll be revealing more tips and techniques on becoming a Unique and Sexy Speaker to grow your business and your bottom line in the new year.

 

        Working hard on my book, "PUBLIC SPEAKING IS SEXY: 131 Vital, Quick & Useful Tips on Facing the Audience, Overcoming Fear, Writing Your Speech and Becoming a Unique & Sexy Speaker" day by day. If you'd like to know more about it, just email me at  [email protected] and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED YOUR FREE REPORT YET?     

 

Go to www.marionclaire.com and on the Home page, you will find a link to download this valuable speaking tool:

 

5 MAGIC KEYS TO CREATING ANY SPEECH!

 

Knowing the answers to these Five Questions will enable you to create a fabulous speech for almost any occasion.  Download your Free Report now and make creating your next speech so much easier! 

   Speaking Is Sexy Tip #1, Vol. 3  

 

Are You Crystal Clear? 

 

         In one of my favorite movies, "A Few Good Men"**, the Marine Colonel on the stand gets a bit hot under the collar when questioned by the Navy's young, brash Lieutenant attorney. After giving his answer, the Colonel repeats angrily, "Are we clear?"

        "Yes," the Lieutenant replies.

        "Are we clear?!" the Colonel spits out, even more angrily.

        "Crystal!" answers the young Lieutenant.

        And then he goes on to ask a key question that nails the Colonel in a clear case of perjury. It's a great scene for many reasons, not the least of which is that we, the audience, are absolutely clear about what's going on in the verbal battle between these two mighty opposing forces.  conftable

 

        No matter what the occasion, whenever we get up to speak, our key job is to make sure the audience is crystal clear about what we're telling them. We can be the most experienced expert in our field, we can have side-splitting anecdotes and killer stories to illustrate our points, show fabulous visual aids, use perfect eye contact and body language, and have spent hours carefully developing our talk, but if they don't get it, what good is all that preparation and knowledge? If they can't understand us, we might as well be talking to the wall.

       Have you ever sat in the audience, straining to hear a speaker who spoke too softly? Or too fast? Who didn't know how to use a microphone properly and stood either too close or not close enough so you only got every third word? Crowded too much information into long, rambling sentences that left you confused and irritated? Spoke with an accent so strong you weren't sure he was speaking your language? Jumped too quickly from one topic to another, without giving you time to absorb what he just said? Walked back and forth so much you got seasick watching or had to crane your neck just to see and hear him?

        Most speakers are unwitting perpetrators of all of these at one time or another. Here are some simple solutions to avoid 'crimes against your audience' so you'll never have to worry about being properly understood again.

        a) Speaking too softly? Ask the audience if they can hear you. Many audiences nowadays are not shy and they'll speak up loud and clear if they can't. Get used to working with a microphone so you know how close or far away from it your mouth should be and are accustomed to the sound of your amplified voice.

        b) Speaking too fast? Have a strong accent? SLOW DOWN!   It's always better to speak too slowly rather than too quickly. Train yourself to speak slower than you think you need to. Not only will it make it easier for the audience to get every word, but they'll also have time to hear and understand the thought you're expressing. Practice speaking slowly. Emphasize the key points of your topic by pausing after each significant word to let the audience know, 'This is important!'

        c) Jumping from topic to topic or crowding too much information into long rambling sentences? Simplify! Chunk it down. Break your key points and supporting data into short sentences. When you come to the end of a sentence, stop. Breathe. Give the audience a chance to absorb what you just said before offering them more. When you rehearse, record your talk with a timer to verify the length. Play the recording in the car, when you're doing household chores, as often as you can. Identify where you're giving too much information or not enough, so you conftablecan cut what's not necessary and beef up what is.

       d) Dancing around too much, making your audience seasick? Stand still and deliver. Speak your first important point from one spot. Don't move until you're ready to go on to your next important point. Stand still and deliver that one. Don't move again until you've completed that thought. Whether you're walking back and forth across a stage or moving about in the audience, the key is to stand still and deliver what you most want them to remember. When moving around in front of the audience, less is more.

       Put all of these techniques in your speaking repertoire. Then if anyone ever asks your audience, "Are we clear?", you know the answer will be, "Crystal!"

 

(**"A Few Good Men" was written by Aaron Sorkin)


DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES who would benefit from seeing this Speaking Is Sexy eZine?  Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I'll send them a copy and tell them it's from you!  www.marionclaire.com 
Want to use this Speaking Is Sexy Tip in your Newsletter or Blog?  
You can, as long as you include this entire blurb:  For thirteen years, Marion Claire has coached entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals of all kinds to become the confident, sexy speakers they longed to be.  She'll also help you write your speeches for almost any occasion.  For more information about Marion and her programs, check out her website at www.marionclaire.com 

Is it time for you to be the
Sexy Public Speaker you've always wanted to be?



It's easier than you think to overcome your nervousness and increase your confidence.  You don't need to be reluctant to get up to speak ever again.  Amaze yourself at how quickly you can get rid of whatever is holding you back!  Give yourself a break!  Let me help you become the speaker you'd really like to be!

Take advantage of my "SPEAK TO WIN" PRIVATE COACHING PROGRAM, a series of three sessions for the price of two.  Quickly eliminate fears that have been holding you back and acquire tips and techniques to enable you to be calm, confident and sexy every time you speak! 

Do you have a Desire to InspireGive yourself a gift that will last a lifetime.  Let me show you how to check your fears at the door and look and feel like a superhero whenever you get up to speak! 

Talk to me confidentially about your special speaking needs and get more information about the SPEAK TO WIN Program at the same time.
  I'm always available for a *free* half-hour consultation at 310/659-8956 or email me at [email protected]

How Can I Help You?  Let Me Know! 

 

Would you like to comment on what you've seen here?  Your feedback means a great deal to me.  Contact me at

[email protected]

Did you miss previous Speaking Tips?  You can find them at

www.marionclaire.com/newsletter

Food for Thought

 

conftable
If you gave your inner genius as much as credence as your inner critic, you would be light years ahead of where you now stand.

                                 ~Alan Cohen 

More about Marion Claire

 

Revealing an Embarrassing Secret   

 

      We all have an embarrassing secret that we don't want to reveal because we're afraid people will think less of us if we do so. For many, many years I hid mine. I was sure that people would look at me strangely or not want to be around me if they knew I was less than perfect.  

      Boy, was I wrong!

      The thing about hiding the truth about yourself is that you are depriving yourself and the folks you come in contact with of the opportunity to have an honest relationship with you. True, you don't want to just blurt out your deepest feelings or most painful memories at inappropriate moments. You want to be sure your revelations will be received with kindness, consideration and sympathy, and not with distaste, anger or ridicule.

      But it is far better to be open about the things you cannot change that have shaped who you are. Facing the secrets of the past helps you understand yourself and it helps others understand you. And with understanding come the gifts of appreciation, sympathy, empathy, and love.

 

      So here's the embarrassing secret I used to be afraid to reveal.

      For over 20 years, I suffered from agoraphobia, the fear of crossing open spaces. Sometimes I couldn't leave my house for more than five minutes, without scurrying back inside.

      My enemy was not the great outdoors. It was simply fear.

      Everyone experiences fear on occasion. And everyone's fear is a little bit different, personal to the individual. Mine was fear of being alone out in the world. I didn't feel safe by myself. Although I was perfectly content to live on my own, I needed the comfort and companionship of someone I knew well whenever I ventured out of the safety of my home. No way could I dream of getting up to speak in front of a room full of strangers!

      I'm so proud to say that I overcame my fear. It took, first of all, the courage to admit there was something wrong. Then came the desire to fix it and to seek out the help I needed to overcome it.

      And wow! Look at me now!

      Today I speak in front of groups of all sizes, shapes and interests. If I can do it, so can you! Let me help you. Contact me at   [email protected].   

Speak Your Mind with Marion Claire

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