Buyer Beware, Sub Par Hypnotists Out There!

Yesterday I got an email from an online booking agency that I have used in the past announcing a change in the parameters regarding hypnotic entertainers. I responded and asked the administrator of the site what the problems were. He replied, “Inappropriate content, safety issues, poor audio systems, etc.”

I can’t be sure what the “etc.” issues are but let’s address the main issues point by point starting with the last on first. I am writing this with a company party volunteer planner in mind as my audience.

Audio issues should be brought up in the client/entertainer agreement. If the hypnotist is too inexperienced to mention the need for a proper sound system, don’t hire him/her. Clear, audible sound is essential to a successful hypnosis show. Not only so that the audience can hear the volunteers, but so the volunteers and audience can hear the hypnotist.

I own a powerful yet portable sound system that’s adequate for a medium-size hotel ballroom and an audience of 150 people or so depending on the layout of the room. If I am playing a larger venue or am flying to the gig and am not able to bring my p.a., I will counsel and assist my client in renting an adequate system so that everyone attending can enjoy the show.

I also have my own wireless microphone and remote music system that I bring with me to all my gigs. Every professional stage hypnotist should have these essential tools.

Regarding safety, my main concern is that my volunteers are looked after and safely cared for during and directly after my show. After all, they’ve placed their trust in my hands. If someone falls off a too small stage during my show, it would be my fault, not theirs. And if something were to happen, I’m insured. Make sure the hypnotist you’re considering hiring has at least a couple dozen shows under his belt and that he carries basic liability insurance.

Also, make sure he has experience for a group with the demographics of yours. A high school audience is very different from a group of middle-aged accountants. A middle-aged accountant could have a heart attack doing some of the skits that are easily executed by teenagers.

The inappropriate content issue is the one that concerns me almost as much as the safety issue. My guess is that lack of both common sense and real world experience are at the root of this issue. Most stage hypnotists seem to come from a magician background. Even my late friend Brian Flora, a magician himself, described a lot of magicians as “social misfits.” To “fit in” some plunk down $1500 to take a “skyrocket your income” type stage hypnosis course and for that “small investment” they’re lead to believe that with a few days “training”, they’re professional entertainers. Some pretend to have written a book entitled All About Hypnosis (actually they buy the reprint rights), get some business cards printed and then talk you, probably someone who isn’t a professional talent booker, into hiring them for your company party or whatever.

You hire them, they do some skits that are more suited to uncensored cable comedy shows than your company party, and you look like the company fool for making a poor decision. And then your higher ups vow never to employ a hypnotist again and what could have been a fun and exciting and repeatable event has become an office nightmare.

How could this have been avoided? Start by looking for testimonials from past clients. Be sure they are from the entertainer’s hypnosis shows. Many magicians will offer testimonials from their kiddie magic shows as testimonials from their hypnosis show. Get permission to call or email the past clients if possible. Get an experienced entertainer.

Another thing you should do is look outside your immediate locale. Johnny Carson was from Norfolk; Elvis, Tupelo; Lucille Ball, Jamestown; you never know where you’ll find the best talent without poking around a bit.

Also, plan on spending some real dough for quality entertainment. Professional entertainers don’t come cheap. If they did, Hollywood would be hiring me instead of Tom Hanks. Pros put lots of time and sweat into practicing and perfecting their craft. They know that buying reprint rights to a book will not make them better showmen and women.

Now, before all the good acts are booked up, start searching and researching. Hypnosis can be great entertainment for your event if you do your homework. Check testimonials. Get a feel for the entertainer as a professional. If he bugs you constantly with emails and phone calls and offers to lower his price just to get on stage, you’re probably dealing with an amateur. But, if you think it’s best to save a few bucks and a few minutes research time, hire him.

Of course, if you do, you’ll probably be your company’s entertainment next year: playing the company fool! And you don’t want that, do you?

See ya down the hypnosis highway!