Speaking is Sexy
Volume III, No. 19                                                                     August 2012

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
it's about learning to dance in the rain."

                                    ~ Author Unknown               

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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 #19, Vol. 3 ~ Focus On The Gift, Not The Giver
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?

Time Is Running Out!
Don't Miss 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! 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~  

  conftable

 

      Have you heard about my upcoming book, SECRETS OF A UNIQUE & SEXY SPEAKER?  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!
conftable

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 #19, Vol. 3    

 

    Focus On The Gift, Not The Giver              

      For some people, just the mere thought of giving a speech makes their stomach turn flip-flops, their hands go all sweaty, and it's suddenly really hard to breathe. If asked, these folks will say, "I don't know why I freeze up and feel like I'm going to die, I just do." Or they'll look deep into their past and remember the time in the 6th grade spelling bee when they got so nervous they couldn't spell their own name. They don't remember why they failed. All that has stayed with them is the 30 pairs conftable of eyes staring at them, the teacher in the corner glaring at them, and that awful shaky feeling that came over them from head to toe, making uttering a coherent word all but impossible. After an experience like that, who wouldn't be afraid of getting up in front of the room to speak?

      The interesting thing about the fear of speaking is that it's not actually saying the words that people are afraid of. Speaking is easy. We do it all day, every day. The fear comes from what we think the reaction of the audience will be. Doesn't matter who the audience is, something buried deep in our subconscious tell us, "Whatever you say, the audience won't like it. So save yourself from embarrassment, humiliation, ridicule, failure or anything else bad you can think of. Don't get up to speak!"

      However, there's another part of you... the conscious part... that knows that you have something to say that's important for people to hear. You can provide a service or a product or advice or something else that will make their lives better. You know you have a great gift to offer. You also want to help people benefit from what you know. The conscious part of you knows they'll be glad to have your gift, and that they'll like and appreciate you for giving them the chance to get it. There just seems to be that gap between knowing that the audience needs what you have to give and actually giving it.

      What can you do to bridge that gap?

      There's a saying that's been around for awhile, "If you believe you can, or you believe you can't, you're right." The key word is believe!

      What do you believe about yourself and the gift you want to give your audience? Do you believe your audience needs to receive your gift? Do you believe you have the expertise you need to present it in the best possible light? Do you believe it actually will make life better for the people who get it? If you can answer 'yes' to these questions, you're halfway to creating a speech you're going to be happy to give.

      Here's another great saying: "Focus on the gift, not on the giver!"

      When you focus on how terrific your gift is, when your attention is devoted to showing the audience how much they'll benefit from it, how important it is, how much it's going to change their lives, you'll be so busy thinking about them... you'll be so clear about the good it's going to do for them... that you won't have room in your head to think about anything else.

            When you are focused on the good you're doing for someone else, you can't possibly be thinking about yourself. When you believe that your message is valuable and important, you won't need to think about how you're delivering it. The human brain is so constructed that we can only handle one thought at a time in any given moment. We think sequentially... one thought after another. As long as we are totally focused on thinking about the great good we're offering to the audience, we'll forget completely to think about ourselves. We won't have time or room in our brains. It's just a physical impossibility. It's only when we stop focusing conftableon the message that we have time to think about the messenger.

            What would your life be like if you could get up and  speak? What would you have that you don't have now? What would you think of yourself if you could overcome this little problem? How would you feel if, the next time you have to face an audience, you'd know you have a gift

worth giving, and that your audience will benefit hugely from everything you have to say?

      Think about that. Think about the great gift you have to offer. Think about how you'll feel when your audience comes up to thank you for making their lives better.

      Focus on your gift. The rest will take care of itself.  


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? 

 

Re: Speaking Tip Vol. III #18,
Do You Really Need To Rehearse? 

Great tip about rehearsing and in it you give lots of sub tips about a great speech.
~ Brendan McMahon, Financial Advisor,  
Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management 

Ж Ж Ж Ж
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 newsltter 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 not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

             ~ Margaret Lee Runbeck    


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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