Volume VI, No. 9
September 2015
  
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
                                                                        
                                                                        - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

                                                - Walt Disney
You have received this email because you have a relationship with Marion Claire, have exchanged business cards, or it was forwarded by someone you know.  Enjoy!
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Included In This Issue
GET HELP WRITING YOUR SPEECH
SPEAKING TIP, VOL VI, #9 WHEN YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY SPEAKER
HAVE YOU READ THIS?
HAVE WORKSHOP, WILL TRAVEL!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A BETTER SPEAKER = A BETTER LEADER!
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 be confident, unique and sexy speakers who influence and inspire others with the power of their voice.
www.speakingissexy.com

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"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, david@feldover.com

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 an Introductory Speech that highlights your brand, your talent and your experience, and will draw lots of new potential clients? Need a wedding toast, bar/bat mitzvah speech, birthday, retirement or memorial speech? Not sure what to say or too overwhelmed to do it yourself?  We'll create your speech together, face to face or over the phone, and you'll have the right words just when you need them.  Why struggle on your own? Contact me at speakingissexy@aol.com or call 310/659-8956 and get it done fast.

"Words just cannot express just how happy I am with the professional speech writing services I received from Marion Claire. My experience was very positive mostly due to the fact that she spent quality time with me to understand exactly what I needed to say and the audience I needed to say it to. I will absolutely use her services again and highly recommend her to others as well."
~ T.F., Paralegal Manager

Need help with your speech? CALL MARION!
 
Speaking Tip Vol. VI, #9

WHEN YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY SPEAKER  

     
       You're an expert in your field who's been asked to join a panel on the latest techniques for achieving specific goals. You've done your research and chosen some of the most recent, cutting-edge practices that you use with your own clients. You've prepared carefully, your bullet points are all in a row, and you've even planned ahead for any objections to your conclusions. All systems are go.

      You're the next to last speaker, so you're listening carefully to what the other panelists have to say. To your horror, one of the speakers ahead of you has chosen a similar point of view, even used some of the same examples, and said almost exactly what you were going to say! What are you going to do? You have just a few minutes to completely revamp your remarks so that you don't sound like a trained parrot or an unprepared copycat riding the coattails of the speaker who came before.

      Fortunately, this particular nightmare doesn't happen often, but knowing how to deal with it is a technique that should be in your speaker's toolbox. The good news is that you can handle it with just a few tweaks to the comments you were planning to give anyway.

      What can you do and how fast can you do it?

      First of all, stay calm! It only feels like a disaster. You're still in control of your part of the program. Say to yourself: "I can do this! I am in control!"

      Take a deep breath. Then take another. Deep breathing will keep your heartbeat down around normal which will allow the next important step.

      Think! Focus! Ask yourself, "How can I turn this Volkswagon into a Mercedes-Benz?"

      There are a number of things you can do to differentiate yourself from the previous speaker.

      Select the points you were planning to present that have not already been said. Tweak them so they become the focus of your remarks. Jot them down on a few notes or keep them in your head, whichever works best. If you can, add some of the points you'd previously decided to omit when you were preparing your speech.

      When it's your turn, tell the truth. Admit that there are similarities in your approach to that of the previous speaker. Great minds do run in similar paths.

      Compliment yourself and the other speaker for being on the same wave length and having a similar point of view. Avoid saying anything negative about either one of you. Create the feeling that you're friends, not enemies. The audience will admire you for your candor and generosity.

      Piggyback your points onto what's already been said by delving deeper and expanding on your information. Segue from those points to yours using simple transition phrases like, "In addition to (what was said), it's also important to know that..." and "Along with (what was said), we should also be concerned about..." or a simple, "Goal setting, as we know, is different for every individual, and thus..."

      Keep smiling. The audience doesn't know this isn't the way you planned it. They'll never suspect you're anything but absolutely confident and knowledgeable. And you'll be proud of your cool head in a crisis.
"I met with Marion Claire for training in speaking in front of an audience during a book tour. Marion is intelligent and affable. She helped me re-write my "pitch," and worked with me on its delivery. My presentation was all the better because of her attention to detail and the genial manner in which she delivered her critiques. I hate to think of the talk I would have given without her help." 
                              ~ Bill Aron, Photographer, Author
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.speakingissexy.com 

HAVE YOU READ THIS? 
      
This may be the best book on public speaking in the last ten years!  Okay, that's my opinion, but in all honesty, others tell me they feel the same way. Have you got your copy?  Has it been helpful to you?  Please go over to Amazon.com and say so!  When folks see positive reviews on Amazon, they'll want to take advantage of the tips and techniques inside. 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 for speakers of all levels, from first-timers to 'been there, done that'. 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.
     
~~~~~~~~~~~~    
  
"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

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.speakingissexy.com  

Did you miss previous Speaking Tips?  

HAVE WORKSHOP, WILL TRAVEL!
 
 
  "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
 
       Are you looking for a value-laden Speaker's Workshop designed specifically for the folks in your organization who need to polish their speaking skills?  Let me show you the secrets professional speakers use, including techniques to overcome pre-speech jitters, grab the audience's attention, and keep them focused on your message. Choose an hour, two hours or more in your choice of formats.  Contact me at: speakingissexy@aol.com or call 310/659-8956 for help to solve your speaking needs.
 
"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!  Thank you very much for your expertise."
~ Ivy B. Rappaport, LTC & Life Insurance Specialist. 
 
Looking for a terrific Speaker/Workshop?
CALL MARION!
Food for Thought
 
Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.   
 
      ~ Margaret Lee Runbeck
 
A BETTER SPEAKER = A BETTER LEADER!
 

 

"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 Classroom

 

  

     If you're running your own business or leading a team in a large or small company and the thought of giving a speech paralyzes you, it's time to change your thinking! A Coach will help you become a better leader by becoming a better speaker. Learn to streamline your ideas, create a solid presentation, and increase your ability to look and sound professional. Quickly learn the tips and techniques you need to make you both a better speaker and a better leader!

 

All inquiries are confidential. Call for a *free* half-hour consultation at 310/659-8956 or email me at speakingissexy@aol.com.


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 speakinginsexy@aol.com.  

Speak Your Mind with Marion Claire

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