Copywriter Secrets… Is Hypnotic Copywriting Brainwashing?

As an e-book ghostwriter and copywriter, one of my favorite projects is one from years ago on hypnosis and hypnotherapy training. More than mere stage entertainment, hypnosis is used to relax, influence and motivate. It’s also used to cure everything from pain and obesity to a range of traumas.

In addition to the list of uses for hypnosis, the e-book delved into fascinating areas such as:

>> How every one of us lives daily in some form(s) of hypnotic trance. This ranges from the influence of our parents, politicians and religion to the songs, books, movies and TV jingles we can’t get out of our minds.

>> Hypnosis techniques such as those for testing a subject’s suggestibility, building rapport and anchoring, and

>> Milton Erickson, the father of hypnotherapy, and his astounding successes using storytelling to cure many of his patients.

At its best, copywriting that’s persuasive strikes all the same chords. When done well, sales copywriting can send people to press the ‘Buy Now’ button or take whatever action you’d like — even before reading your entire sales pitch!

Hypnotic Copywriting

If you seek persuasive copywriting insights, take a look sometime at Erickson’s work. It’s particularly helpful if you need to write a long-form website landing page or sales letter. There’s no better way to engage a reader, make them really connect with how your product or service will benefit them.

Milton Erickson famously connected with his patients by using conversational, little stories as a therapeutic strategy. His stories were crafted to speak to the unconscious mind. He’d also weave special language patterns into his metaphoric tales. All told, Erickson’s techniques were highly effective in motivating his clients to think differently and ultimately resolve their challenges.

Well-crafted sales copywriting can achieve the same result. Carefully chosen words and phrasing play a role too. Some examples: imagine, relief, pleasure, you find yourself, suddenly, you start to feel. But the aspect of hypnotic copywriting I’d like you to think about now is the art of storytelling. . .

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

A good copywriter can make a reader feel like they’re peering in a mirror. When you want to write copy possessing this power, focus on one of these two emotions: fear or desire. For example:

>> Your readers may be painfully familiar with the worst-case picture you paint. So first, use the copywriter technique of turning up the heat when conveying the “pain” points. And then eventually elaborate more on the great solution you’re offering. Show that there’s hope just a click or phone call away.

>> Or, you may take the “desire” approach . . . Apply the copywriter technique of making the reader form a mouth-watering desire for the success / convenience / attractiveness (or whatever) your product or service delivers. What follows is a classic example of this strategy in action . . .

Insights From a Filthy Rich Jerk

Take a look at this infamous sales copywriting, which has made a rather historic mark for the Internet marketer known as the Rich Jerk. This was a break-through sales letter years ago, written by a clever copywriter in a confrontational tone. Yet, it’s too entertaining to be ignored. It piqued curiosity and fanned the flames of desire. Countless people just had to know how they might become super successful, too:

Yep, he’s rude. Arrogant. Tasteless. But reading almost like a fiction novel, the bold sales copy succeeded in making people stay on the page much longer than most sales letters do.

Rich Jerk has grabbed Internet readers by the eyeballs since around 1996. Most people who’ve been into Internet marketing a while well know the name Rich Jerk. Love it or hate it, his copywriter created a branding success.

Do you want to read the rest of the Rich Jerk sales letter? (Note: I didn’t buy the ebook, but was given a copy of it. It contains excellent Internet marketing tips and techniques for newbies and intermediate affiliate marketers.)

Power of Persuasion in Copywriting

Words are powerful. Use them wisely . . . When you bring similar intensity and a persona to storytelling in sales copywriting, you’re positioned to realize greater conversions. You become a more persuasive copywriter, more effective.

When copywriting, turn up the drama. Write conversationally, as if confiding a story of misery or triumph to someone seated across the kitchen table. That’s what Milton Erickson became famous for. And that’s also one way a professional copywriter can help you succeed in marketing a business online.