Volume V, No. 2                                                                    February 2014

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."  
                                                            
   ~ Oscar Wilde              
                   
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Included In This Issue
Need a 30-60 Second Elevator Speech?
What's On My Bookshelf?
Special Occasion Speech?
What's Marion Up To Now?
Speaking Tip Vol. V, #2 ~ The Inner Game of Speaking
The Clock Is Ticking! (Time to Be a Unique & Sexy Speaker)
Food for Thought
Have Speech, Will Travel!
More about Marion Claire
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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Need a 30-60 Second 'Elevator' Speech? 

  

"Marion, your presentation (on the 30-60 second Intro) today was excellent! I definitely have take-aways from it, especially your suggestion that we 'provide a solution to an emotional problem people have'.  That's a nice twist on the difficulty of doing a good elevator speech!  I think it will enhance our communication and will foster more referrals.  Thank you very much for your expertise." 
~ Ivy B. Rappaport, LTC & Life Insurance Specialist  
   
        Be irresistible in 30-60 seconds or less. Describe yourself in compelling terms that show people how much they'll benefit from working with you. Show them with confidence and flair that you can answer their questions and help them solve their problem. Contact me at 310/659-8956 or marion@marionclaire.com.  I'll coach you to put your best foot forward in a minute or less!

What's On My Bookshelf? 
  

      
       Want to know the speaking tips used by experts?  SECRETS OF A UNIQUE & SEXY SPEAKER, 155 Helpful Speaking Tips for Writing Your Speech, Facing the Audience & Overcoming Fear! may be the perfect solution.  Keep it in your pocket or on your desk for a bit of quick help year round to make you look and sound like a unique & sexy professional speaker. This is a book for speakers of all levels, from first-timers to 'been there, done that'.


        Your personal autographed copy is available
                  now at marion@marionclaire.com

Don't want the autograph?  Go to www.BalboaPress.com www Amazon.com, or www.BarnesandNoble.com. 
      Keep your New Year's Resolution to become a better speaker in 2014! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

  

"I have a whole new mindset about getting up to speak after reading Marion's book.  I was quite nervous before, but she showed me another way of looking at the audience which made me feel more confident.  And I liked the way the Speaking Tips reinforce the advice in every chapter.  It's a terrific book and it really helped me."

               ~ Larry Freedman, Dynamic Nursing Service 

  


Special Occasion Speech?      

  

         Do you need to create a talk for a company gathering, a toast for your son's wedding, your mother's milestone birthday or your father's retirement celebration? Make it easier to have a speech you'll be proud of. We'll create it together over the phone, quickly and thoroughly, and you'll have the right words in record time.

         Why struggle when you can get it written without the trauma? Contact me at marion@marionclaire.com or call 310/659-8956 and get it done fast.              

 

           

"After working with Marion Claire, my fear of speaking in front of a group of people is practically gone.  I still get a few pre-speech butterflies, which Marion assures me are totally normal, but my former severe anxiety has disappeared.  Marion taught me simple techniques to release my pre-speech tension and build up my confidence.  Her knowledge and easy-going manner make her very easy to work with.  She's the real deal and I'm happy to recommend her."
~ David Feldman, CPA,www.feldover.com

 

What's Marion Up To Now? 
  • Planning my new Conference Room Workshops for businesspeople who need to improve their speaking and presentation skills.  I'll bring tips and techniques to become a Unique & Sexy Speaker right into your Conference Room for 3 or more participants.  You won't have to waste time traveling or even leave your office.  Watch this space for more details or contact me at marion@marionclaire.com.

 Ж Ж Ж Ж  

  • Speaking at the GLAAM (MENSA) Regional Gathering in Woodland Hills on February 16.  Topic: "Stand and Deliver: How to Impress Your Audience as a Unique & Sexy Speaker." 

Speaking Tip Vol. V, #2 

 

The Inner Game of Speaking 
       

      There's an erroneous belief firmly entrenched in the minds of many folks who hate to give a speech. They're convinced the audience is there to judge them and find them wanting. They're sure they'll forget something important or say something bass-ackwards, garble a sentence, turn red from embarrassment, speak too fast or too slow, and generally show that they're totally lacking in confidence or competence. They endure hot flashes, cold sweats, upset stomachs, the shakes, and can't wait to get it over with.                                        

      Flash! It's not true. The audience is not waiting for 

you to make a mistake, or licking its lips gleefully to see you make fool of yourself. On the contrary, the audience is rooting for you.

            If you're a skeptic who thinks, 'Well, that's easy for her to say, but I know better," give yourself a break and stop torturing yourself. Take it on faith. The audience is on your side. They want you to succeed.

            Think about it. Why is the audience there? The truth is they came to learn. You have the knowledge and the information they came to get. They want to know more when they walk out of the room than then did when they came in.

            You can make that happen. All you have to do is get control of your inner game of speaking.

            What is the inner game? It's thinking about them, not yourself, while you're standing in front of the group. It's understanding that what you have to say is your gift to them and you want to be sure they get it. They're like a bunch of baby birds in a nest, saying "Feed me! Feed me!", and you're the mama or papa bird ready to give them the food they need to survive.

            When you're thinking about giving your gift, when you're focusing on your message and making it land, you  can't possibly be thinking at the same moment about how perfectly you're doing it. Your brain is wired to focus on only one thought at a time. When you're giving all your attention to the audience to make sure they're getting it, when you're passionate about letting them know your information, you'll forget to think about yourself entirely because you'll be looking outward at them, not inward at your navel. It'll never occur to you to think about whether you're saying it right or to wonder if someone else could say it better because you won't be thinking about yourself at all.

            Your job, when you're in front of the audience, is to give them your gift. You will say it right, no one else could possibly do it better, because you're unique. They won't be able to take their eyes off you because your way of expressing yourself is special to you.

            If they're doing any judging, it'll be to approve and appreciate you. They'll carry your energy and enthusiasm with them when they leave, and their memory of your presentation will be totally positive. Their only judgment will be that you're a winner!
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:  Marion Claire coaches entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals of all kinds to become the confident public speakers they long to be.  An autographed copy of her book, SECRETS of a UNIQUE & SEXY SPEAKER, is available on her website.  She'll customize a Keynote Speech or Workshop for your organization and help you write your speech for almost any occasion.  For more: www.marionclaire.com 

The Clock Is Ticking!  It's Time to be the Unique and Sexy Speaker you've always wanted to be!
 
 

"Public Speaking was terrifying to me AND necessary to my business.  Within a short time of working with Marion, my fears subsided and my confidence grew.  With her program and knowledge, I am able to speak publicly for the first time.  She gave me the tools necessary to make this painless and even FUN!  I learned a lot and feel so much better about myself in general.  Thank you so much, Marion. "

      ~ Jennie S. Crowley, Chef Eric's Culinary Classrom

  

 
        If the thought of giving a speech paralyzes you, it's time to change your thinking! Working with a coach will streamline the process of organizing your ideas, help you create a skilled presentation to deliver with authority and enthusiasm, and increase your ability to look and sound professional.  You'll learn the tips and techniques you need to make you a calm, cool, unique & sexy speaker!  

 

        All inquiries are confidential. Call for a *free* half-hour consultation at 310/659-8956 or email me at Marion@marionclaire.com. 
Did you miss previous Speaking Tips?  You can find them at www.marionclaire.com/newsletter or www.speakingissexy.com

conftableFood for Thought

 

 

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."     
 ~ Alice Walker        

Have Speech, Will Travel!

   

     Looking for a Speaker for your next meeting or conference? Let me show you how to Stand and Deliver: Impress the Audience as a Unique & Sexy Speaker, whether this is your first speech or your fiftieth.

 

        I'll customize a Presentation or Workshop specifically for you and your organization in a one, two or three-hour format, your choice, including techniques to overcome pre-speech nerves, grab the audience's attention, keep them tuned in and leave them wanting more.  

 

      I'll reveal the secrets of making eye contact no matter how large the audience, establishing your presence, speaking with or without a microphone or slide program, what to do with your hands, ways to keep moving around the room without making the audience seasick, and lots more!

 

      Contact me at:  Marion@marionclaire.com or call me at 310/659-8956. Let me help you solve your speaking needs.

 

"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

 
           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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