Conversational Hypnosis

One of the most powerful persuasion techniques I’ve come across is conversational hypnosis. I’m not going to go into a whole lot of detail on this subject because it can get complicated.

What I want to tell you is just a little bit about how conversational hypnosis is used.  The very basics of conversational hypnosis are conjunctions. Conjunctions allow you to link two different ideas in the same sentence.

Lets start with something overtly hypnotic, “As your thoughts are slowing your muscles are relaxing and as your muscles relax your thoughts are slowing.” In that example I used the word “as”  and “and” to link the two different actions.  Even though these two ideas do not have to be linked, the mind links them automatically because I said “as” and “and.”  Interesting…

Now lets take a look at a less more subtle approach. President Obama is a master of using hypnotic language. One of the ideas he often linked in his campaign was the “need for change” linked to him being the next US President. He did this by saying something to the effect of,  “America needs change and that is why I am going to be your next President.”  If you agree with him that “change” is needed, then it is easy for your mind to accept that he will be the next President.

Radio advertising uses conversational hypnosis constantly.  My wife and I are always amused by the radio ads.  The one I heard today said, “If you live in Santa Barbara, then you need to come down and buy a car from us today!”  Or another I heard a few days ago, “If you want to live the life you deserve, then call us today.”  All using conjunctions of various sorts to just slide past that critical factor of your conscious mind.

Start listening and you’ll hear these subtle commands everywhere.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.