Speaking is Sexy
Volume III, No. 17                                                                     July 2012

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises."

                                    ~ Demosthenes               

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Included In This Issue
What's Marion Up To Now?
Your Unique and Sexy Speaker at your next Event!
Have you downloaded your FREE report yet?
Speaking Is Sexy Tip #17, Vol. 3 ~ Finding Places To Practice
There's Still Time!!!
What Do My Readers Say?
How Can I Help You?
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, unique and 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?

Featuring my Summer Special on Speeches for Special Occasions      

            Do you need to speak at your son's wedding, your daughter's engagement party, your mother's milestone birthday or your father's retirement party? Not sure what to say or how to say it? Need someone to help you become a unique and sexy speaker for this very special occasion? Let me make it easier for you. We'll work together over the phone, fast but thorough, and you'll have your speech in record time.

            Why struggle all by yourself when you can get it done the easy way? Email me at  marion@marionclaire.com Subject: I need a speech!, or call 310/659-8956 and tell me what you need. Take advantage of my Special Summer Discount between now and September 3rd.  

             Be smart. Get help. You'll be delighted you did! 

 

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  conftable

 

      Had to take a brief hiatus from my book, SECRETS OF A UNIQUE & SEXY SPEAKER, for a little knee surgery, but I'm back at the computer, moving along just fine.  The book is a Handbook of Speaking Tips used by experts that you can keep in your pocket or desk for a bit of quick help to make you look and sound like a sexy professional speaker.

      If you'd like to be on my special Advance List to be the first to have the opportunity to purchase a copy, please send your request to me at:  Marion@marionclaire.com

      This is a book for speakers of all levels, from beginners to experienced. You're sure to find in it helpful Speaking Tips for any type of speech or speaking occasion that will save you time and uncertainty and make creating your next presentation a joy instead of a struggle!
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YOUR UNIQUE AND SEXY SPEAKER AT YOUR NEXT EVENT!

      "Marion Claire brings light into the room as she sets everyone at ease so they are ready to learn.  Our team mostly had no experience in public speaking, and so were shy and stumbling at first, but gained confidence quickly under Marion's effective guidance.  They were left with solid information that they could use as they practiced putting speeches together and then giving them.  And as a seasoned speaker myself, I nonetheless learned a thing or two to make my speaking more effective."

~Pauline Field, Chair, www.5050Leadership.org 


     

      Looking for a speaker for your next event? Want to know what it means to "Be a Unique and Sexy Speaker!"? Let me show you ASAP!  

      You need a speaker who walks her talk. I'll be delighted to speak to your group in your neighborhood. Just let me know what you need. I'll customize a program for you and show your group time-tested techniques that'll make them the speakers they've always wanted to be.

      Send me an email at: Marion@marionclaire.com or call me at 310/659-8956.

      All you need to do is ask!

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 #17, Vol. 3    

 

          Finding Places To Practice          

       One of the top reasons why folks fear speaking in public is they don't think they're going to be very good at it. For many people, it's not something they do every day. More accurately, the opportunity to speak in public doesn't pop up for them every day of the week, at least not obviously. For some reason, we tend to think of making a speech as something very different from the kind of speaking we do in our normal lives. And yet, given half a chance, most of us would talk at great length about something we feel passionate about if someone was listening.

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           Think about the last time you tried to convince your brother-in-law that the stock you're about to invest in was a great buy. You'd done the research, you knew who was running the company, their financial history, the future projections, you'd been following its movement for some time and you were absolutely sure now was the time to jump on it. Your brother-in-law was skeptical, but after 20 minutes of listening to you lay out your case, he was excited enough to at least check it out for himself. Maybe you didn't realize it at the time, but you were practicing to give a speech.

            It doesn't matter what subject you're passionate about. Whenever you talk to someone about something that means a lot to you, it's practice for your next speech. You're saying exactly the same things you'd be saying if you were on your feet in front of the room convincing an audience to believe what you're telling them. Whether the audience is a party of one or a hundred listeners seated around luncheon tables, the information you're presenting is going to be exactly the same. Giving a speech is no more, and no less, than sharing your passion for something you believe in.

            There are opportunities everywhere you look to practice your speaking skills informally. Take the supermarket. You're looking over the cantaloupes, and a gentleman comes up to the display looking lost; obviously he doesn't know which one to choose. You're an expert at choosing ripe cantaloupes, not to mention pineapples and watermelons. With a smile, you generously offer to show him what to look for, how firm it should be, how it should smell, how long it'll keep in the fruit basket or refrigerator in his home. This takes less than five minutes, but by the end, he's smiling broadly, thanking you profusely, and moving confidently off toward the pineapples and watermelons. You've not only made his day, you've just practiced a bit of public speaking.

            There are loads of opportunities like this for you to talk to people during your regular daily routine. Every time you enter a store, there's someone for you to discuss the merits of the products with. When you're standing on line almost anywhere, there are people in line with you to practice on. When you're having lunch with a friend, it's a chance to run some new ideas by her and get some feedback. When you've just attended a meeting or a conference that inspires you, there's sure to be another attendee who wants to hear your opinion of what you both just learned. Certainly, if you're in a networking situation, there are many opportunities to talk about the merits of your business, why your product is so valuable, or how your services will benefit your listener. All of these are mini-public speaking gigs. Whether you realize it or not, you're always practicing for your next speech.

            What do they all have in common? Every time you speak, you have the opportunity to influence your listener with the knowledge you have gained about the subject at hand. When you stand in front of a room of people, you're conftable there to do exactly the same thing... give the audience the gift of your knowledge about the subject they came to hear. When you're passionate about your subject, when you believe in it so strongly that all you can think of is how best to convey your passion to your listener, you're inspiring your audience to join in and believe it, too.

            Every time you open your mouth to speak, and someone is listening, you have the opportunity to influence and inspire. Whether you're talking to your neighbor down the street or standing in front of a roomful of colleagues, being influential and inspirational not only will make you a terrific public speaker, it'll make you a unique and sexy speaker as well!


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 fourteen years, Marion Claire has coached entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals of all kinds to become the unique and 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 
 There's Still Time!... In 2012 to become the Unique and Sexy Public Speaker you've always wanted to be!


Give yourself a break! 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! Let me show you how to become the speaker you'd really like to be!

If the thought of giving a speech absolutely paralyzes you, it's time to change your thinking! You can overcome those debilitating fears. Let me show you a special process that focuses specifically on getting rid of the limiting beliefs that keep you from speaking with confidence and joy. At the same time, acquire tips and techniques that will make you a calm, confident, unique and sexy speaker every time!  

 

Smooth and Polish your present speaking skills! You can easily learn useful techniques that will increase your confidence and make you sound like a pro.

 

Need to give a major speech for an important occasion? Can you use some guidance on writing and delivering it? In a very short time, you can learn how to organize your thoughts, create a winning presentation, and speak from your heart with authority and enthusiasm.

 

Give yourself a gift that will last a lifetime.
Talk to me confidentially about your special speaking needs. I'm always available for a *free* half-hour consultation at 310/659-8956 or email me at Marion@marionclaire.com

What Do My Readers Say? 

 

I look forward to reading your 'Speaking is Sexy' newsletter, which always has some unique, thoughtful and important information that will help me in both my business and personal life.  You have great insight, wisdom and practical tips to help guide me in my many speaking opportunities and coaching experiences.  Thank you, Marion!
~Mary Berney, MSW, Executive Coach, DISC Trainer  

Ж Ж Ж Ж 
 
 
Each month I read the tips in Speaking is Sexy and it helps me refresh my skills.  As a lawyer, I need to be able to feel comfortable in giving speeches and the tips in the newsletter have continued to help me.  Thank you Speaking is Sexy!
                                  ~Sharon Kopman, Attorney at Law

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 Marion@marionclaire.com

 

Did you miss previous Speaking Tips? You can find them at www.marionclaire.com/newsletter

 

conftableFood for Thought

 

 

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

               ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne                

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   Marion@marionclaire.com.   

Speak Your Mind with Marion Claire

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