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!!