|
|
graydon New user 14 Posts |
How can I control my nerves when I start to do a cold reading? I am just getting started with cold reading, and I really want to do a good job at it, but I am also feeling a little guilty about it.
I just can’t get over the fact that people think you are genuine and all the time I feel like I am scamming them. Any suggestions? Thank you!! |
Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
You feel like you are scamming them, because you ARE scamming them. This is the problem with cold reading. It must be believable. And unless you believe you have a ’gift’, you probably won’t be too believable. That is why John Edwards is so good. He must really believe he talks to dead people. Psychology tells us that people who hear voices, are schizophrenic though. Hmmm.
Chad |
MANDRAGORE New user N.Ireland 72 Posts |
I think you should have a look at Derren Brown’s new book. It is all about acting, believe in what you are doing.
Believe that you know everything about them. I think you are scared because you are not sure of yourself, but it will come with practice and time. |
Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Graydon, Mandragore is right.
Practice and time. Your feelings are not unique. Viturally no one starts out a skilled reader. Like anything, the skill comes with the experience. Here is some pointers that might help you. I do not know what tool you have chosen to be the vehicle for your readings with, e.g., palmistry, Tarot, etc. Whichever one you have chosen, please make sure you have learned the basics and are comfortable with it. Do not try to learn every tool at once. This is a beginners mistake. They have gone to a Psychic Fair or seen someone listed in the Yellow Pages that say they use every tool kown to man or woman. Sure, they have been at it for 30 years. Keep studying. This is what you base your readings on, I realize that there are those readers out there that do not use one of the tools. They just do readings for their clients. Do not attempt this as a beginner. You will learn that those readers are tremendously experienced and have the personality to pull it off. I believe, Cold Reading is what you fill in with to make things flow during your reading using the particular tool. If you are just doing a cold reading like Lee Earle’s, you will not become a proficient reader. We in this business tend to throw the words Cold Reading around too loosely. Always remember, your clients came to you seeking something, you did not pick them out to tell them something. So do your reading, get acknowledgements from the client that you are or are not going in the right direction, and do the best you can. Be positive and always leave the client with something upbeat. Remember, You are not alone, Just keep at it and you will succeed. Also get Ian Rowlands book. _________________ For those who believe, no explanation is needed. For those who do not believe, no explanation is necessary. Dunninger
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
|
graydon New user 14 Posts |
Thank you gentlemen for your suggestions!!
I really appreciate it! I would like to read as much as possible on cold reading. Any other book, or tape suggestions? Thanks again guys! This is a great forum!! Graydon |
Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
As to books, et al. check the other cold reading postings in this forum and the Bizarre forum just prior to this one.
I believe you will find suggestions. If not e-mail me and I will provide some. _________________ For those who believe, no explanation is needed. For those who do not believe, no explanation is necessary. Dunninger
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
|
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Another angle of course, if you feel like you are scamming people, don't do it.
There is no reason why you have to feel confident and comfortable doing it, it may be something that is just not you. You can be a mentalist without giving readings. |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi, Paul is right, if you are not happy stop. I did. I was doing cold reading using Tarot as a crutch, even though I made no claims and only advertised myself on my Business cards as an Intuitive consultant (meaning I used my intuition) I was not happy with being believed/advising others. so I stopped. I was making quite a lot of cash from it to. But you need to listen to your conscience. I now only do short character only readings based on the shapes of palms and cold reading (ala Joe Riding) These are fun readings where everyone listens to everyone else's and has a good time together.
phillip |
VernonOnCoins Inner circle NYC 1978 Posts |
It's the same with sleight of hand, though. Everytime you palm a coin you're scamming them.
|
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Cold reading, palmistry, tarot, auras and numerology require you exude confidence in your words - and know a number of qualifiers and outs in the face of firm objection.
You can gain the confidence several ways.Read aloud the words of other performers, such as Herb Dewey. Do not memorize them but learn the principles of stringing the ideas together. Weave them with Barnum statements, open questions that seem to appear from the ether, while observations you make on the spot of dress, jewelry, posture and skin care all allow you general guesses as to manual labor, gifts received, pride in self and partnering. Another trick I have used is to clip every astrology printed in newspapers or magazines, and read them aloud for practice. Enough clippings over a period of time you will organize them into categories you can draw upon as you hit those special spots and subjects in the reading. BUT, most important -- get used to your own voice and words putting statements together quickly, based upon your observations and sitter's reactions, and being confident you are right in one way or another.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 19, 2001, graydon wrote: books aren't going to help you relieve your fear of scamming. practice is. In other words you can't read enough books to become comfortable. Do some tarot cards and just read the card meaning. Or palms or numerology. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Graydon (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |