For those of you who did not attend the Stage Hypnosis Center Conferences in February, I thought you would like an overview of what happened. In a nutshell, we all had a great time, and learned an incredibly valuable amount of information that will boost our business! Information was shared and learned by all.

Participants came to Seattle from all over the country including: Iowa, New Mexico, New Jersey, Louisiana, California and even some"international" participants. It was a diverse group, all of us having different backgrounds, personalities and skills.

The thing that makes these conferences so special is that Geoffrey and Wendy teach EXACTLY what they are using today to pay their bills and live a wonderful lifestyle!

Many of us arrived Thursday night, the night before the conferences began. We got together in the Hospitality Suite, and had a couple of cocktails and a lot of laughs. It was apparent that it was going to be a great time!

The morning that began the conference rolled around rather quickly, and we gathered in the meeting room at the hotel to get started on the Stage Hypnosis Center Intensive Course Conference. The purpose of this conference was to improve the hypnotic show that we each perform. We introduced ourselves and told each other the most important thing that we each wanted to get out of this conference. All of our needs were different. It was going to be interesting!

During this part of the conference, we learned different new induction techniques. We learned instant inductions as well as rapid inductions, and the super secret stage hypnosis show induction and techniques that Geoffrey has been using for years with incredible success.

Each participant learned to perform different inductions that they could use immediately in their business! Inductions that will create outstanding shows, and get them into the show as soon as possible, with a lot of animated, outstanding subjects! After these sessions everyone felt much more secure and excited with their hypnotic skills!

The rest of the day was dedicated to learning the two most important rules a stage hypnotist must know when performing as well as doing exercises using some of the induction terminology and techniques learned. It was a day of hands on experience revealing techniques!

That night, some of us met in the Hospitality Suite again. One of the participants had just celebrated his 30th birthday, so we had a cake in the Hospitality Suite, but no birthday boy! He was located in the bar with some of the other participants, so we all joined in singing Happy Birthday to him as the rest of the patrons in the bar looked on.

To make up for HIS, I mean our, loud behavior, we shared the cake with everyone in the bar

The second day of the Intensive Course was dedicated to the Seven Rules of the Pre-Talk and what rules apply to which markets, such as fairs, corporate events, high schools, colleges, etc., etc. Geoffrey then did his pre-talk just as he would at a show, and the conference participants were also given the pre-talk written out, showing what was being said where and why it was being said.

Each segment was broken down and spelled out so we learned not only the words but also the rules! If they were already performing a hypnotic show, participants were given the opportunity to perform their pre-talk they use during their show.

We also learned the importance of a good introduction for the hypnotist, and the Three Rules for the Introduction. Wendy gave a stellar example of the introduction that is used at most events for Geoffrey.

We then got into the meat of the show, so to speak. We discussed dealing with uncooperative volunteers and when to dismiss volunteers from the stage. We also talked about problems such as what to do when the hypnotist calls for volunteers and no one in the audience moves, what to do if no one goes under hypnosis, as well as how to get a rowdy crowds attention.

During the second day, we also covered routines of the hypnotic show, how to pace the show, how to add variety to the show, how to structure the show for individual markets, how to work with a group of hypnotic subjects during a routine, and how to work with one hypnotic subject during a routine and how to pick out the right hypnotic subject for the right routine. We discussed different "ratings" on different routines, using music and the hypnotists relationship with audience.

We then covered different endings, including post hypnotics and when to use them, the different types of post-hypnotics, and so much more!

Geoffrey also went over staging, lighting and sound. We discussed what needs to be done prior to a show that has been booked, and what to do once the hypnotist gets to that show. We covered the Seven Event Planner Rules of a Corporate Show, what to do following your show, and three things that should NEVER be done at a corporate show.

Whew! We had a lot of information packed into two days!! The participants were given their certificates of graduation, and we all went out for a graduation dinner at a fancy restaurant. The restaurant was located on the top floor of a nearby hotel and slowly spun around, providing us with a great view and a lot of laughs!

THE MARKETING SIDE....

Everyone was so caught up in doing a great show, that we didn't stop to think....we have a great show now, but how do we get people to hire us??? So we asked, how do we do this, Geoffrey??

So we began the Stage Hypnosis Center Marketing Conference. The purpose of this conference was to provide participants with proven techniques and systems that Geoffrey and Wendy use daily in their stage hypnosis business.

We covered the "success barriers" that entertainers run into on a daily basis and the three rules for client success in booking a show, as well as the Universal Steps in Marketing a Show. Again, there was a lot of hands on experience as each participant filled out their Market Analysis sheet and the Pre-Marketing Worksheet, zoning in on one market we are currently in or would like to break into.

This gave us each real benefits when we returned from the conferences as we already had much of the work done on how to build our business in that market!

We discussed how to handle inquiries, and servicing the client with follow up techniques, as well as follow up after the show.

When marketing materials were covered, each participant worked on their promotional sheets using techniques and verbiage that were covered, and we went over the biggest problems of most marketing materials that are presented to clients and agents.

Participants also brought promotional materials that they are currently using, and each piece was critiqued and suggestions were offered to make them stronger! We also watched some different promotional videos that Geoffrey currently uses, and went over the ultimate promotional kit that Geoffrey sends out.

All the conference participants were given examples of these materials as well. Many found out that what they are currently using can be altered to not only make it much more stronger but also much less expensive, so we can increase our bookings and decrease our expenses!

So, next we went into how a hypnotist find prospects in the markets (i.e.: casinos, fairs, schools, corporate, etc.) he/she is interested in working in. We covered different resources available that can be purchased and those that are free of charge. We went into great detail on different associations that one can become a member of.

We also talked about organizing the prospects and lead generation and what is required in the lead generation of these prospects.

We had a guest speaker come in: the Vice President of an agency that uses Geoffrey. He was very informative and told us exactly what an agent was looking for in an entertainer, what the promotional material should look like, how he likes to be approached by entertainers, pricing, etc. etc.

Editors Note: For more information regarding how to get agents to book you click here.

Geoffrey also talked about working with agents from the view of an entertainer. He discussed the way that he has found most effective to approach agents, as well as promotional material for agents and dealing with problems that come up when a client contacts the entertainer and the agent.

We then moved into servicing the client and what the best and most effective ways are of getting the booking, and the difference between selling and servicing. He covered what to do when the client can't commit, and what to do if the show isn't booked.

Geoffrey also covered specific tools and techniques of exploding your business and overcoming your weaknesses, such as how to fill the show pipeline, how to overcome problems while servicing the clients, and what to do if you have a great client list, but you aren't contracting them.

As if all of this wasn't enough, we covered specific business considerations when running a entertainment business. Phones, faxes, email, credit cards, voice mail, computers, associations, medical insurance, professional insurance, cost of mailings (bulk vs. permit), accounting...and the list went on and on!

For those in the group that liked to travel, we went over the Quick Booked Hidden Market Tour-The Four Week Out Plan.

Geoffrey also covered how to get on TV and Radio shows and what an entertainer needed to submit to the radio or TV station in order to be successful.

As you can see, it was a lot of information! We all shared personal and professional experiences, and had a lot of laughs and good times. The best part was coming away from the conference knowing that we had made good friends in the business. I learned how to increase my business, and we felt fortunate to have had the experience. The days, while long, flew by and I look forward to next year!!