Volume V, No. 12    
October 2014
       

"Every person is the creation of himself, the image
of his own thinking and believing."

   

Eleanor Roosevelt               
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Included In This Issue
What is Marion Up To?
Get Help Writing Your Speech!
Do You Have A Copy Of My Book Yet?
Speaking Tip Vol. V, #12, Geot Out of Your Head!
Need a 30-60 Second Elevator Speech?
Have Speech, Will Travel!
Food for Thought
The Holidays are Coming! Be a Unique & Sexy Speaker
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 Is Marion Up To?

 

 

DID YOU SEE WHAT I SAID IN
THE HUFFINGTON POST?

 

How did you overcome your biggest business obstacle?

That's the question Julie Barnes asked in the Huffington Post recently, and she posted my answer. Find it at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-barnes/how-to-overcome-your-bigg_b_5555290.html

 

 

AND ALSO ON YOPROWEALTH.COM!

 

If you could give your younger self one piece of financial advice, what would it be? Take a look at Austin G. Netzley's Blog on NoProWealth.com: http://yoprowealth.com/one-piece-of-financial-advice-for-my-younger-self-part-1/#more-2122

 

 

Please send me your comments. I'd love to know what you think!


GET HELP WRITING YOUR SPEECH! 

  

"Wow!  I am totally blown away, Marion!  Thank you!  Hope to use your services again soon."
~ Victoria Ferro, CEO, MicroKey Solutions, Inc.

          Do you need to create a talk for a company conference, your daughter's bat mitzvah, your son's wedding, your mother's milestone birthday, your father's retirement celebration or even a eulogy for a memorial service? Too overwhelmed to do it yourself? Get the help you need to 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 just when you need them.  

 

         Why struggle when you can get it written without the trauma? Contact me at [email protected] or call me at 310/659-8956 and get it done fast.

 

Thank you for your help. Love it. If you don't mind, I will use you again when I have to speak. Thank you so much.
~Andrew Lotter, CEO, Ameriflight, Inc. 

"My speech was a hit! Thank you so much for your guidance and help.  I received so many compliments from the audience. I would love to retain your services in the future to help me become a more comfortable writer and speaker."
~ Angela W.

Need help with your speech? CALL MARION!


Do You Have A Copy Of My Book Yet? 
  

      
      

            If you have a copy, and have read and liked it, please go over to Amazon and say so! The more likes and positive reviews folks see on Amazon, the more it'll help spread the word.
Many thanks!
    
            SECRETS OF A UNIQUE & SEXY SPEAKER,155 Helpful Speaking Tips for Writing Your Speech, Facing the Audience & Overcoming Fear! is full of speaking tips used by experts. It's perfect to keep 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. It's for speakers of all levels, from first-timers to 'been there, done that.'

            If you don't have your own copy yet, an autographed copy is waiting for you at www.marionclaire.com. Or pick it up without the autograph at www.BalboaPress.com, www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesandNoble.com.
     

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

"This is a very good book. I have been recommending it to everyone I know!

                   ~ Dr. Tamara Eskenazi, Professor, HUC 

  

  

"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 

  



Speaking Tip Vol. V, #12

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD!

 

            David is president of his own company which he built from the ground up. He speaks to large groups of employees at his satellite offices and is also invited to address meetings of his professional organizations from time to time. He's not afraid of public speaking; he's confident and entertaining and always receives positive feedback from his audiences. 

            But in the middle of his talk, when he thinks he's moving along swimmingly, he'll suddenly experience hot flashes, light-headedness, a pounding heart, and forget what he's supposed to say next. He feels embarrassed, is sure the audience thinks he's incompetent, and while he manages to recover and get through the rest of his speech, he feels like a failure.

            It has happened so often that he now waits expectantly for the moment when he knows he's going to blow it, usually about halfway through his speech. He can feel himself tensing up, the blood rushing to his head, and try as he might to focus, he knows what's coming and can't seem to avoid it. What's wrong with him?  

            David has a syndrome I call Get Out Of Your Head! It's that moment in the speech when you suddenly stop focusing outward on what you're saying to the audience and instead begin to focus inward on how you're saying it. Did you make a mistake? Did you forget something important? Do they approve of you? Are you keeping them interested? Do they think you're a terrible speaker? Do they hate you? Do they wish you'd just shut up and sit down? You're firmly stuck in your head thinking about yourself instead of the audience.

            The mysterious part of it is you don't know why it happens. You'll be going along smoothly, telling them exactly what you want them to know, and all of a sudden something triggers you and boom! You're in your head, worrying about you instead of reaching out to them.

            It could be anything: the way the light shines on a glass, someone looking around the room but not at you, a sudden, unexpected noise. Or it could be that you've just said something differently than you expected to say it; you're thrown by the new thought or not sure of its validity; you've forgotten something important or garbled a phrase that you wanted to say perfectly. Or something else. Suddenly, instead of thinking about the information you want the audience to have, you're worrying that you're a terrible speaker or they don't like you, and you get the shakes.

            What to do? How to get out of your head and back to focusing on the audience?     

            Stop. Breathe. Take a sip of water if it's handy. Say to yourself, "It's not about me, it's all about them! It's all about them!" Repeat "It's all about them!" to yourself as many times as you can while you consult your notes and decide what to say next.    

            "It's all about them" is shorthand for what you're there to do.   

            Your job, when you're in front of an audience, is to give them a gift. That gift is your knowledge, which is what they came to hear. They really don't care what you look like or how you're delivering it, as long as it's clear, they can understand it, and they can take it home with them when they leave. They do want to learn from you. Your job is to make it easy for them to absorb and appreciate your wisdom.    

            If you have a particular speaking difficulty which bothers you, i.e., a heavy accent or a lisp, or you're not totally familiar with the language, etc., and you fear people won't understand you because of it, just speak more slowly than you normally would. The audience will get it. They're focused on what you're saying. They'll get used to an accent or other speaking anomaly within a minute or two and never notice it after that. As a matter of fact, there's probably someone in the audience with the same problem who'll admire your courage for not letting it stop you from speaking to crowds of people.   

            It's not about you, it's all about them. When you're focusing on them and the message you want to gift them with, you can't at the same moment be focusing on yourself. Our brains are made to think sequentially, only one thought at a time. So when we're focusing on them, it's impossible to think about ourselves.  

            Give your gift with all the enthusiasm and passion you can muster. Focus outward on them. That's the secret to getting out of your head!

 
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 Speech or Workshop for your organization and help you write your speech for almost any occasion.  For more information go to: www.marionclaire.com 

Need a 30-60 Second 'Elevator' Speech? 

 

          Be irresistible in 30-60 seconds or less. Describe yourself in compelling terms that tell people how much you can do for them. Show them with confidence and flair that you can help them solve their problem. Contact me at 310/659-8956 or [email protected]. I'll coach you to put your best foot forward in a minute or less!

"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  

 

Need a 30-60 second intro? CALL MARION!
"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, [email protected]

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 

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

Have Speech, Will Travel!

 

 

Do You Want to Be
a Better Speaker?

 

 

"Your talk was smashing!  Thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise with our NAWBO-LA membership.  We truly appreciate it!"

~Mina Trujillo, PR & Marketing Specialist

 

      Do you need an entertaining, informative Speaker for your next meeting or conference? Want a value-laden talk or workshop designed specifically for you and your organization? You'll learn the secrets professional speakers use including techniques to overcome pre-speech jitters, grab the audience's attention, and keep them focused on your message and enthusiastically talking about it. Choose 30 minutes, an hour, two hours or more in your choice of formats. Contact me at: [email protected] or call me at 310/659-8956 for help to solve your speaking needs. 

  

 

Looking for a terrific Speaker? CALL MARION!

conftableFood for Thought

 

Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it's going on when you don't have strength.   

   
 ~ Napoleon Bonaparte           
 
The holidays are coming! Be the Unique& Sexy Speaker you've always wanted to be at all your end of the year parties!
 

 

"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 holiday talk or a toast at a party paralyzes you, it's time to change your thinking! Work with a coach to streamline the process of organizing your ideas, create a delightful presentation to deliver with authority and enthusiasm, and increase your ability to look and sound professional. You can quickly 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 [email protected].

Need a speaker's coach? CALL MARION!

 
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. 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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