Page 138 - Hypnotic Writing - How to Seduce and Persuade Customers with Only Your Words

A Writing Lesson from the World’s Greatest Hypnotist
conscious mind for guidance. When he came out of the trance, he looked down and on his lap was a group of comic books. He didn’t know what to think of them. He also didn’t have any time to think about them. Right then the doorbell rang and Erickson had to go to see a client.
But he didn’t forget about the comic books. What did the comic books mean?
What was his unconscious telling him? What do you think was going on?
Erickson realized—maybe the next day—that comic books are written in a very simple and direct style. There are very few words, lots of pictures, and every idea gets communicated in a brief but effective way. Everyone understands comics.
That was it!
Erickson understood that his unconscious mind was urging him to write his paper in the same way comic books are written—sim- ply, clearly, and directly. There’s no need to use big words or con- fusing concepts. Just say what you have to say in terms even a child could understand.
Aha! That was another insight!
Comic books are written so children can make sense of them. They are also written so adults can appreciate them. Erickson knew he had to communicate his ideas so simply that even a child could grasp his meaning. He knew that if he expressed himself in simple terms, every adult would be able to understand him.
This is an important lesson for you and me.
What I encourage writers to do is pretend they are writing their letter or article for children. If you can imagine a child reading— and understanding—your writing, then you will write in a way that everyone will understand. In fact, go out and find a child and talk to him about your next writing project. That child will help you clarify what you are trying to say.
Communication, after all, is your responsibility. If someone doesn’t understand your writing, it means you didn’t succeed in writing clear and direct material.
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