Modern Stage Hypnosis Excerpt

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33 page excerpt from top selling stage hypnosis training book

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EXCERPT

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STAGE HYPNOSIS

THERONNING GUIDE TO MODERN

Excerpted from Ronning Guide to Modern Stage Hypnosis

For a complete version go to HypBook.com or Amazon.com

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© 2008 by Geoffrey RonningWestward PublishingPhone: (623) 476-2437Fax: (623) 476-2438P.O. Box 1131Phoenix, AZ 85340

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in anyfor or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from theauthor, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

This publication is designed to educate and provide general information regardingthe subject matter covered. While the author has taken reasonable precautions inthe preparation of this book, and believes the facts presented within the book areaccurate, neither the publisher nor author assumes any responsibility for errorsand omissions. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability resultingfrom the use or application of the information contained in this book.

Publisher’s Cataloguing-in-Publication

Ronning, Geoffrey Canton.

The Ronning guide to modern stage hypnosis: how to startfrom scratch, hypnotize any group, create a satisfying showand have as many bookings as you desire in 21 days! / Geoffrey Ronning. — 1st ed. — Phoenix, AZ : Westward Pub.,c2008.

p. ; cm.

ISBN: 978-0-9712929-8-7“With contributions from worldwide experts.”— Cover.

1. Hypnotism. 2. Hypnotism— Handbooks, manuals, etc.3. Hypnotism—Therapeutic use—Handbooks, manuals, etc.4. Mental suggestion. I. Title.

RC495 .R66 2008 2007939072

154.7—dc22 0801

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper.

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GEOFFREY RONNING

How to Start from Scratch, Hypnotize any Group, Create a Satisfying Show, and Have as Many Bookings

as You Desire in 21 Days!

STAGE HYPNOSIS

THERONNING GUIDE TO MODERN

WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM WORLDWIDE EXPERTS

WW e s t w a r d P u b l i s h i n ge s t w a r d P u b l i s h i n gPhoenix, Arizona

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SECTION I: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HYPNOSIS 1

Introduction 3

Just Who Is Geoffrey Ronning? 4

Why Do I Want to Help You? 6

Why Do I Think a Hypnosis Show Is the Best Show in the World? 7

Chapter 1: Success Can Be Yours 11

Why this Book Is Important for Your Success 11

For the Doubters 16

The Top Five Reasons Hypnotists Fail to Achieve Success 19

Chapter 2: One Brain, Two Minds 23

What Is Hypnosis? 23

Hypnosis Defined 24

The Two Minds – Conscious and Subconscious 26

The Great Divide Between the Conscious and the Subconscious Mind 31

Brain Wave Activity 33

The Foundational Cornerstone of My Training 34

Foundational Thought #1: The world’s greatest subjects 34

Foundational Thought #2: Subjects will give continual feedback that they need to enter a trance state 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SECTION II: ON WITH THE SHOW 37

Chapter 3: Kick-Starting a Great Show 39

The Pretalk – How to Create a Powerful Connection with Your Participants 39

Ronning’s Seven Pretalk Rules 42Pretests As Part of Your Pretalk 44Know Your Audience—Plan Your Pretalk 48Developing Rapport 50The Geoffrey Ronning Pretalk Framework 60Rote Is Wrong 67More Power Tools, Strategies, and Techniques

For Effective Trance and Communication 74Additional Hypnotic Language 84Wake Me When You Are Done! 88The Law of Fractionation 91Abreaction – A Negative Reaction To Hypnosis 92Conscious / Subconscious Dissociation #1 97

Chapter 4: The EKG Induction for Modern Audiences 101

The GR Stage Hypnosis Induction Theory 101Benefits of EKG Induction Framework 104Using Dissociation During Induction 106Disguised Depth Testing 107EKG Induction Framework Structure 112EKG Induction Framework Script 113The Best Way for You to Practice? 117Advanced EKG Practice 119

Chapter 5: Successful Show Routines 121

Basic Show Routine Concepts 122Rules for Routines 123Three Types of Routines to Always Avoid 126Impressing Yourself or Others 128

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How to Create a Show 128They Are Hypnotized—But Do They Have Talent? 129To Post-Hypnotic or not? 130Who Cares about Post Hypnotics when You’re Thinking

About Post Show Bookings 135How to Craft Winning Suggestions for Your Tranced

Super Stars 132

Chapter 6: Fun and Easy Routines for Your Show 135

How do I Get an Hour of Entertainment Out of Those Few Skits? 147

SECTION III: ADVANCED CONSIDERATIONS 151

Chapter 7: Everything You Need to Know AboutShowmanship at this Stage of the Game! 153

It’s Not About Hypnotism 153Four Aspects of Successful Entertainment 158Ten “Dos” for Stage Hypnosis Success 166The Three Never Do Rules for a Hypnosis Show 172

Chapter 8: Setting the Stage 173

Preferred Stage Setups for Sound 174Seating on the Stage 176What About the Sound System? 178Other Staging Considerations 178

Chapter 9: How to Deal with Problems 181

Three Major Challenges 181Dismissing Volunteers 192Making Your Participants MOVE! 194Minor Accidents 197Major Medical Problems/Accidents 199Small / No Stage 201Small Audiences 203

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Sound Problems 206Drunks 209Druggies 211Uptight Audiences 213Shorter Show 215Longer Show 216Bad Introduction 217Split Audience 218People in the Audience Entering Hypnosis 219Volunteers Moving Their Chairs 220Volunteers Using Inappropriate Language 220

SECTION IV: HOW TO GET AS MANY BOOKINGS AS YOU DESIRE WITHIN 21 DAYS 223

Chapter 10: Booking Your Show 225

Getting Your First Show Bookings 225

Chapter 11: BOR = Smart Move + Additional Markets 235

It Just Makes Sense 235BOR Table Location 237Duck and Run! 238Move the Line! 239Boost Your Sales by Accepting Credit Cards 239Additional Show Venues 240Value, Value, Value 243

Conclusion 245

Guest Expert Contributions 249

Bonus Segment 329

Meet Our World Wide Expert Contributors… 369

Glossary 373

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S E C T I O N I

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW

ABOUT HYPNOSIS

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INTRODUCTION

Stage hypnotists are some of the highest paid and mostsought after entertainers in show business. It is the kindof entertainment that can be performed almost anywhere:clubs, casinos, schools, corporate offices or conferences,

cruise ships, and all manner of community get-togethers. But on adeeper level, stage hypnosis is a big draw because it is fascinatingentertainment performed in front of a live audience. Friends, neigh-bors, and co-workers watch in amazement as their fellow audiencemembers become part of the show. It’s great fun and, for thoseseeking a career in this profession, it can be enormously rewardingboth personally and financially.

This book is designed to help you, the budding stage hypnotist,plug into that growing market of exciting venues for this type of entertainment, to learn the business from the ground up, tobegin to hone your skills so you can build and develop as a greatperformer…and to make a very good living in the process.

But how can you make the most of your abilities in this greatbusiness?

The answer is twofold: offer a “killer” performance at each andevery show and, THIS IS IMPORTANT, know how to get bookings,the show dates that are the lifeblood of your business.

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If you are really interested in becoming a successful stagehypnotist, this book will give you all the information you need. It isgoing to be up to you to apply this winning formula with hard work,dedication, and persistence. But, if you do, I can almost guaranteea bright future for you and your family.

I can hear the naysayers and the skeptics already. “Who is heto make such a claim? How can he say that he can teach me to bea success in this field?”

That’s OK. I like a little challenge and I can understand yourskepticism. I’m the same way.

Let’s tackle each of these questions separately.

JUST WHO IS GEOFFREY RONNING?I am a very successful stage hypnotist who has delivered

top notch performances to delighted audiences all over thecountry for many years. I work with my wife and partner, WendyRonning. As a measure of our success, we are invited back forrepeat performances by almost all of our clients. This is notsome part-time gig for me; nor am I semi-retired. This is how Imake my living.

Need more convincing?

I’ve gone from successful stage shows in Seattle to hypnoti-cally programming a golfer from Melbourne, Australia, to improvehis game. I have performed at thousands of live shows in a varietyof venues from small intimate, exclusive groups, to entertaininghuge crowds of 22,000-plus at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George,Washington.

I have published twelve stage hypnosis educational programsand currently market more than forty hypnosis products. Recently, Istarred in a television pilot with a hypnosis plot line called Sleepers.

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I have appeared on more television programs and radio programsthan I can remember!

As a Certified Hypnotist and a Certified Instructor of Hypnosis,I keep abreast of the latest advances in the field and pass thisinformation on to my students.

One more important thing: I know how to book shows and makemoney with entertainment. And I know I can teach you this criti-cal part of this business.

In 1997 my wife, Wendy, and I began The Stage Hypnosis Centerat the request of other stage hypnotists who saw our success andwanted to duplicate it. Our goal was to help others improve theirbusinesses. But in doing this, we have managed to help hypnotists allover the world and in the process become, according to our students,“the most successful stage hypnosis training on the planet.”

Visit our website (www.StageHypnosisCenter.com). Read aboutmy success in this business. Even better, take a look at the manytestimonials. Go into the discussion forum where former and currentstudents tell their personal stories of success. You can literallytrack their success by searching this forum and read their honestopinions on my methods and products. It’s a far better endorse-ment than me telling you how great I am.

After you spend some time on the website, my hope is that youare convinced of my qualifications and expertise in stage hypnosis.Perhaps you noticed that I did not put my professional certificationsfirst. As far as I am concerned, my most valuable credential is that Iam an accomplished, financially successful stage hypnotist with first-hand, up-to-date knowledge, and many accomplished students toshow for it. I think stage hypnosis is the best entertainment businessin the world and I’ve had a lot of time to make that determination.

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My goal with this book is to take that initial interest you have instage hypnosis and help you turn it into a life-changing experience.

WHY DO I WANT TO HELP YOU? I want to share what I’ve learned for two very important

reasons:

First, believe it or not, I get a tremendous amount of satisfactionhelping others succeed. More and more, for me, the real thrill of thisbusiness is watching my students make it. Nothing pleases me morethan hearing of one of my protégés giving a great performance orbuilding a terrific business from scratch.

How can you not get excited when you hear about a studentwho paid off their mortgage early, or another who was able to quita boring day job, or a woman who was able to spend more timewith her family because of stage hypnosis. These are real peoplesharing real stories.

The second reason is the financial reward. If you succeed, I willtoo. The more your business grows the more likely it is that I willbe involved in that growth with training materials and support. So,I want to be your partner. I offer you a real plan, with verifiablesuccess, from a leading expert in stage hypnosis. If you take thetime and effort to apply this knowledge, we will both become verywealthy…together!

I want to develop a long-term relationship with you, one that ismutually beneficial for both your family and mine. And, I should pointout that many of my students and www.StageHypnosisCenter.commembers have been with me for years. They are regular and happybuyers of our training materials. These savvy entrepreneurs wouldnever continue to hand us money unless we were making it wellworth their time and effort.

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This can be your story, too. With hard work and energy, youwill succeed.

WHY DO I THINK STAGE HYPNOSIS IS THE BEST SHOW IN THE WORLD?

To me, a stage hypnosis show is the best show in the worldbecause it is based on audience participation. It’s packed withhilarious interactions and demonstrations of the amazing power ofour minds! But this just doesn’t just happen. It depends on carefulpreparation and planning.

Since you decided to become a stage hypnotist, your main objec-tive should be to entertain the audience. Always keep in mind thata great show is not just a spectator sport, involving the audience iswhat puts this show in a class by itself. A key to a great show isfiguring out what your audience wants and then constructing yourshow to satisfy those requirements.

When I do my show, I concentrate on the entertainmentcomponent. But a really good stage hypnosis show is not onlyentertaining; it also has meaning and purpose. While the hypnotistshould offer a compelling performance, the real stars of the showare the volunteers drawn from the audience.

Let’s consider these objectives.

First, the best shows are full of audience participation. Youraudience will laugh endlessly, applaud wildly, urge volunteers on,and have great fun. The best show in the world uses the talentsof the volunteers to create new, exciting, and innovative showseach and every time. Perhaps one of your volunteers will holdhis pet elephant while introducing it to the audience. Maybe avolunteer will meet her favorite movie star or singer…and it justhappens to be you!

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Second, a show must have continuity, meaning, and purpose.The best show in the world is not just a bunch of routines throwntogether haphazardly. Every performance, like every good story,has a beginning, middle, and an end. It has a structure that youraudience can see so that they can get the maximum benefit andfun from their experience.

I ’M QUITT ING ON MONDAY!

This private corporate show was fun. The audience waslaughing hysterically and the applause was overflowing.

Following the show one of the women who had volun-teered asked if she could talk to me privately for a moment.

She took me outside and told me volunteering for theshow changed her life. She said for the first time in years shefelt relaxed, clear and focused.

She was about thirty years old and in terrific shape. Shewas trembling with excitement. She told me she had workedfor this corporation for the last several years and until tonight,she did not realize how much life it had drained out of her.

Sleep was difficult for her, she never relaxed anymore,and she had no social life. She told me she wanted to fall inlove, get married, and have children.

I listened. She said on Monday she was quitting her job and

reclaiming her life. She gave me a big hug and thanked mefor giving her back her life. She meant it.

The impact we can have on volunteers is nothing shortof miraculous; the value we bring as entertainers is only

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overshadowed by the impact we can make on our audience.This profession has many levels of personal and profes-sional satisfaction. Start doing your own shows and you willexperience them as well.

The stage hypnosis shows are terrific because the audiencelearns something about themselves even while laughing, havingfun, and watching volunteers on stage being the stars.

And perhaps most important, hypnosis shows can changepeople’s lives.

It’s true. (See sidebar one, page 8.)

You would think that this would be more than enough for the bestshow in the world, but there is even more! Consider these benefits:

1. This kind of show is very portable, it can be done almostanywhere in front of almost any kind of group of people.

2. You are not going to spend a lot of money on props orexpensive equipment.

3. A great moneymaker—executive income without the execu-tive headaches.

But a warning about number three: this is not a get-rich-quickscheme, even though it may seem like it because success can andhas come fast to some.

I don’t say this lightly. I have many students who have quicklygotten up and running full-time and earned mid-five-figure incomesin their first year. Many of them had never been an entertainer; theyhad worked full-time in other positions totally unrelated to showbusiness. Now they have a successful stage hypnosis career. You willmeet some of them later.

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But remember, while I can give you the fundamentals to succeed,it’s up to you to put in the work. You are the person who has tocreate that skilled, smooth stage performer. You are responsiblefor carefully planned routines. You must put in the rehearsal time,the study, and the energy and enthusiasm necessary to become asuccessful performer. This book can offer a lot—a plan, criticaltraining advice, real world experience, success stories—but thecrucial ingredient is your work ethic and persistence. You need toact. Will you?

If you do act and apply yourself, you will be hypnotizing volun-teers, staging super shows, and booking as many venues as you canhandle all within the next twenty-one days. Some may see that as atall order, but I can guarantee that if you follow my advice, it is 100percent achievable, even if you currently have a full-time job.

In fact, if you want to jumpstart your success, you can find lots offreebies right now at www.StageHypnosisCenter.com/bookextras.html.So, let’s get started.

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C H A P T E R 1

SUCCESS CAN BE YOURS

WHY THIS BOOK IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR SUCCESS

Why read The Ronning Guide to Modern Stage Hypno-sis when there are other hypnosis books out there?Before I answer that, let me emphasize that overthe course of your career you should read all the

other books available. I’m a great believer in lifelong learning. Ispend a great deal every year on education. I consider it my greatestreturn on investment.

One of my favorite sayings from Jim Rohn is “Poor people havebig TVs and rich people have big libraries.” So I encourage you toread everything you can get your hands on. Study every resourceavailable. Listen to all the audio programs. Watch all the DVDcourses and attend all live training you can.

But for ultimate success, I think it is important for you to haveone mentor at a time. I would recommend that you manage yourtraining regimen by concentrating on one expert at a time. Trying tosplit your performance and business objectives to satisfy multiplementors will dilute the full value of what you are learning. If you

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try to combine too many disparate philosophies at the beginningyou will end up with a mess. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

So I suggest that you study everyone eventually, but to achievesuccess you can only follow one mentor at a time.

So what is important and different about this book? And whyanother book on stage hypnosis?

There are five significant differences between my book and theothers I’m aware of. I don’t point out these differences to disparagethose other books. I’m sharing the reasons I wrote this book and thevalue you should receive from my book because of those differences.

The first and most important difference is that everything youwill see here is about MODERN DAY stage hypnosis. The old stuffis great to read and can be very valuable, but I provide you withreal tools for the real world of today. I have read the greats. I knowall about what Mezmer, Braid, Esdaile, Elman, and Erickson addedto the field of hypnosis.

It cannot be overstated. It is the foundation of all we have, buttimes have changed.

Secondly, this book is the culmination of several years’ effort tocreate the modern day stage hypnosis techniques that are success-ful with contemporary audiences and today’s modern demands forboth artistic and business success.

Thirdly, the book is about empowering you to be the best youcan be. This book is not about reproducing the best show in theworld! I don’t want you to reproduce anything. What works for meand for my audiences will not be the best for you and yours. It hasto be your show to be a great show. In fact, although there aremany things that I know will happen in each of my shows, no twoshows have ever been exactly alike.

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I will give you the tools you will need to create your very ownBest Show in the World every time you perform. Because thesetools are an important part of my unique approach, each time youare introduced to a new tool for your toolbox, you will see thissymbol:

This book will provide you with tools that will make you razorsharp to deal with any and all show situations.

The fourth difference between my book and the others is thatI provide you with practice exercises. This is more than a how-tomanual. It is also a workbook. I break down the steps into manage-able pieces and provide you with exercises to help you understandthe concept under consideration so you can practice the tech-nique. Each exercise is marked in this manner:

Doing the exercises is not an option if you truly wish to learnfrom this book. You must do them. I cannot emphasize that enough.In my live training course you get the benefit of working withothers, hypnotizing multiple people, and getting the confidencethat comes from being there. With this book you are on the honorsystem. That’s why the exercises are so important. If you are readingthis book while experiencing our DVD home study course you willsee me challenging the students. You can see the results as theparticipants become more skilled and confident.

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Witnessing the enthusiasm of our hypnotist-trainees is incredi-bly inspiring. If you have our Home Study training materials, watchevery minute—there’s a lot to be learned on each DVD. As withany course of instruction, the effort you put into studying directlyimpacts your learning and retention. The exercises in the courseare essential to your success in becoming a hypnotist. Simplyreading won’t do the trick—you must DO the tricks.

And finally, the fifth reason: Hypnosis has been very, very goodto me. It has literally changed my life and enriched it beyondwords. I hope that this book will set you on the path to achievingthe same rewards we have enjoyed. If you are like me and many ofmy former students, you will learn more than just how to create aspectacular stage show—you will improve your life in more waysthan I can say.

Imagine right now how it would feel if someone invited you toperform your stage hypnosis show for their group. Imagine theyhanded you a nice check for having fun. Imagine hearing thesound of the audience’s applause, feeling the love of the audience,and seeing the audience laughing hysterically. Notice how yourbody feels having completed a successful show.

Notice how good you feel depositing that significant checkinto your bank account—how great it is to earn money doingsomething you so thoroughly enjoy. Imagine your well-earnedsense of pride after doing a hot show that everyone enjoys andraves about—a show YOU made happen. Imagine having access tothe secrets gleaned from years of stage hypnosis shows, and theconfidence you radiate. After all, you’ve learned your craft fromsomeone who has truly been there on that stage. What betterteacher can there be?

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EXERCISE 1.1

That is what I am offering you in this book. That is why, if you

follow my training, your life will change.

One more thing, as you’ve probably noticed, I am not shy about

addressing the financial benefits of this career. Stage hypnosis is

my business and as such the financial aspects are an important

component. My desire in writing this book is not necessarily to

increase the number of stage hypnotists, but to improve stage

hypnotism overall, which will bolster the financial success of all its

practitioners. The better all our shows are, the more successful

each of us will be.

I know that you would not be reading this book unless you, too,

wanted to make a success of your career as a hypnotist. You, too,

will revel in the personal and financial rewards that await.

Let’s get started.

Put the book down and actually visualize the scene

I just described. Think of how it feels to be a successful

stage hypnotist. Imagine you are already there.

How do your friends and family feel about your

success?

How do you feel when the audience is happy with

your show?

What will you do with the financial rewards?

How does it personally feel to be successful?

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You are going to get all this and more by reading The RonningGuide to Modern Stage Hypnosis.

If you start this book I urge you to finish it. Make sure youcomplete the exercises and work to the best of your abilities.

I love being a stage hypnotist. I think you will, too. I want youto be doing shows that will not only thrill your audiences, but willbe the best show they have ever experienced.

The Ronning Guide to Modern Stage Hypnosis is designed tohelp you get started quickly as a stage hypnotist; understand your-self better; understand others; improve your life; increase yourpersonal productivity; and rapidly alter your financial status.

FOR THE DOUBTERS

At this point, most of you are on board and can’t wait to getstarted. But I suspect that there may still be a few who arewondering if this book will really get them on the road to success.I know this because I always see “Doubting Thomases” at thebeginning of my training sessions. For those skeptics, and for therest of my curious readers, take a look at the tools and informationcovered in this book. Go through the book, do the exercises, checkout our website, listen to the success stories, then make a deci-sion. I guarantee that this book will provide a realistic plan forsuccess as a stage hypnotist.

And just to give you a little extra and to be sure you are moti-vated, I have also invited some wonderful guest experts to sharetheir stories and success tips. That will come later in the book andI think you will find them very inspirational and valuable.

As you move forward on this journey, work hard and respectthe stage hypnosis field. There are many who have walked before

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us and it is our job to tend to the path and keep it sparkling forfuture generations.

LEARN TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

We were crammed into a room too small for the sizeof this corporate audience. I was just getting started withthe pretalk when the power went out. No music, no lights, nomicrophone.

I made a few jokes and kept rolling on with the show,albeit without the benefit of the microphone–no easy feat withthis group of some 240 people. By the end of the pretalk thepower was back on and I called for volunteers. During theinduction the power went out again.

I immediately started to incorporate that into the inductionphase of the show and started to project my voice so as tobe heard. Wendy went to find the banquet manager again.But by the time I got to the end of the induction, the powerwas back on and we were well into the show.

As I started the first skit, the power went dead again.Wendy went to find the banquet manager. Again, by the endof the skit the power was back on.

This situation continued throughout the entire first half ofthe show. By then it was apparent the situation was going tocontinue, the power finally stayed off through the entire endof the show.

Afterwards the audience was appreciative. Theycommented on how we soldiered on. While I don’t think the

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EXERCISE 1.2

show was one of our best, it was a clear winner for those inattendance and great training for us in overcoming adversity.

At some point in your career the microphone will godead, the lights will go dark, and things will malfunction. Thebest advice I can give is to keep smiling and act like you havebeen through this situation a thousand times.

Do enough shows and all kinds of “adversity training”will make its way into your performances. Count on it!

Consider the many reasons you are reading thisbook and choose the five most important reasons youwant to learn stage hypnosis. Focusing on these goalswill increase your chances of success and bring bene-fits to you and your business.

1. __________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________

If you have not done the exercise then go back, do it now.Don’t move on until you have done it. When you are finished, I willreward you with…

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THE TOP FIVE REASONS HYPNOTISTS FAIL TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

This is a good place to start. If you can avoid these pitfalls, youwill be further along than most! Here are the reasons that moststage hypnotists don’t succeed.

1. NO REAL HYPNOSIS EDUCATION OR POOR HYPNOSIS EDUCATION.

Knowledge is power and a key factor in any successful enter-prise. It can provide a clear map to your desired goals. Unfortunately,many times people get an outdated map and no matter how hard theywork, how far they travel, they end up at the wrong destination.

I see it time and time again: someone will want to learn abouthypnosis or the entertainment business and they find someonewho failed. Or worse, they drop in on some Internet forum andseek advice from a total stranger who has absolutely no qualifi-cations.

In circumstances like this, at best, you are going to get adviceon how to fail, and, at worst, the information will be personally orfinancially disastrous. Do some homework. Find experts who havehad success in this business, who will help you succeed.

2. NO COMMITMENT TO CONTINUAL EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT.

Success is not an event, it is a process. It takes a lot of work, alot of effort and continuous improvement. The moment you startto coast you will slide backwards. Commit right now to continuallyeducating yourself with books and training. It will pay off in bigdividends and help keep you ahead of the pack.

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Everyday I still spend time learning. As I write this book, I amat a vacation home on a golf course, surrounded by books andvideos to keep me inspired, to help my students, to keep my edge.

Years ago I remember traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico.We were performing at schools during the day and at a comedyclub at night. The first night we got to town our vehicle was brokeninto and everything was stolen. I don’t recall if I set the alarm onthe vehicle or not, but everything was gone—wardrobe, soundsystem, computer, printer…everything.

You know what they stole that hurt the most?

It was a huge gym bag packed with educational resources. Inthat bag I probably had 200 books and dozens of VHS tapes. Manywere irreplaceable. What made it even worse was that I knew thatas soon as the thieves opened it up and saw what was inside, theywould simply throw it all away. I’m sure to them that gym bag andits contents were worthless. To me they were priceless.

3. NOT TAKING THE TROUBLE TO CREATE YOUR OWNTRADEMARK SHOW OR PERSONA.I could teach you hypnosis by handing you my act. I could give

you my script word by word. It would be easy for you, and fareasier for me to teach you this business that way, but ultimately itwould be the kiss of death for you.

You see, you need to develop your own character. Think of this:if I handed you a popular comedian’s act, or a late night televisionhost’s monologue, and you got up to perform it, how do you thinkthe audience would respond?

That’s right, it would bomb.

You have to be you when you get on stage. You cannot besomeone else.

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Of course this is more difficult, but it is ultimately the onlypath. Being someone else, doing someone else’s show, will not helpyou. In fact, it will hurt you and never allow you to flourish as afinancially successful entertainer.

4. LACK OF MARKETING KNOWLEDGE.

The majority of stage hypnotists who fail lack a marketing plan.They are not successful booking shows.

You can have the best show in the world but if you can’t bookit, what does it matter? Stage hypnosis is show business. You mayhave the “show,” but without a paying venue, you do not have the“business.” I believe the “business” part is more important that the“show” part. Not that you want to do a poor show, but the showwill never flourish without bookings, and the bookings will nevercome without marketing. You need to know marketing, how to sellyour business and be able to execute it.

This book will teach you how to get up and running with asmany shows as you desire in just twenty-one days. These showswill be in an unsophisticated market, which is ideal when you arestarting out, in venues that have started many careers. They areinstead designed to provide a critical training ground to get you offto a fast start so that you can move to the next level.

Fifth and finally, the biggest mistake…

5. TRYING TO SERVE MANY MASTERS.

This is also my newest rule. I added this about six years agobecause I started to see people fail repeatedly even though theywere studying hard, practicing, and rehearsing. The problem wasthey were studying too many people. Without the proper training

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this can be harmful to your career by adding too much informa-tion, some of it contradictory and confusing.

I now advise studying just one mentor at a time; learn all youcan from that person. And only then do you move on and do thesame with others. If that takes two weeks, so be it; if it takes tenyears, that’s fine too.

Those are my top five reasons I see people fail in this career. Iknow some of you may make those mistakes, despite my warningsand your best intentions. That’s all right. Don’t give up—come backto this book, study the five things to avoid, and start again. Successwill come most quickly to those of you who follow the rules to theletter right from the start!

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Geoff heading into a corporate show set up insomewhere USA. Around the United States with one

case and a little knowledge between my ears.

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Excerpted from Ronning Guide to Modern Stage Hypnosis

For a complete version of this book or to read reviews go to

HypBook.com or Amazon.com