Why Some Stage Hypnotists Fail
Many who start out with the greatest of intentions and dreams of being the best stage hypnotists often drop out shortly after they begin. There is no doubt that stage hypnotists have somewhat of an advantage over a hypnotherapist simply because of the theatrical advantages associated with being on stage …there’s a mystique that naturally comes along with the lights and curtains and showmanship.
It is difficult for any hypnotherapists to compete with flash and glitz. This is why many who start out as a hypnotherapist turn to doing stage shows. Almost every stage hypnotist will tell you that they are approached after their shows by people who want help losing weight or to stop smoking …these are simple leads that could be considered as part of the BOR (Back Of The Room Sales) like CD’s and DVD’s. What could be better than performing a show, showing how you can drop ten to twenty people into hypnosis and then having several audience members rushing the stage and asking for an appointment for your services?
The problem for many stage show wannabe’s is that they get the usual Las Vegas seminar trainings that teach you a limited number of so-called techniques and then they are sent home only to find that they really don’t know what to do. I have seen it hundreds of times and it’s sad to see so many waste hard-earned money only to search elsewhere to find the “real” secrets to stage hypnosis. I truly feel bad for these people and would be more than happy to offer up solutions if they contact me.
Even Stage Hypnotists Need A Hypnosis Pretalk
Now, to the reason for writing this hypnosis blog. I have gone to many lengths to watch new and upcoming performers do a stage hypnosis show and I have witnessed many a perplexed face as one volunteer after another walks off of the stage …never to be hypnotized. “What went wrong?” is written across the forehead of the hypno-newbie standing on stage. There should be no reason why these people didn’t drop into a deep trance, everything was done by the book …almost. There is one very important thing missing and it’s the one main advantage that the hypnotherapist has over the stage hypnotist – A Good Hypnosis Pre-Talk.
If you want make certain that you will have the odds in your favor when you begin your stage induction, you had better make sure you provide the best Pre-Talk possible to your audience. I mean, cover as much as you can to dissolve any doubts, fears and misconceptions that every individual sitting out there might have.
Dispel the untruths, wipe away the Hollywood images of zombie-like people being forced into following the wishes of the evil hypnotist (people still believe this stuff) and provide a sense of safety to everyone including yourself. Believe in what you are saying and your volunteers are more likely to believe you too. Take the time to perform a few suggestibility tests like the locking hands, locking fingers or even the lemon test and get the entire audience involved. You may not locate all of your best subjects with these but it’s a great way of showing many that you know what you’re doing.
I would also suggest that you take the time to learn some solid, tried and true rapid and instant inductions (I can make a few suggestions on these trainings). Nothing blows away an audience better than having a hypnotist pull someone out of the crowd after a few suggestibility tests and drop them into a deep state of hypnosis BEFORE there was even an induction! Remember, you are an entertainer at that time …entertain them! Stack the deck in your favor every night and you will not be one of those who quickly dropped an exciting career before it ever got off the ground.
Go out prepared and come home feeling good about your performances!
HypnoRich
Stage Hypnotist
Fri, Aug 8, 2008
Hypnosis Training, Stage Hypnosis