Conversational Hypnosis With The Milton Model – Embedded Commands
You Can Really Find This Useful When You Read It
The Milton Model is a powerful set of language patterns and communication strategies that can powerfully boost your communication skills so that you can easily and conversationally persuade others.
Today’s pattern is one of my favorites (and a favorite of many others) because it is both very simple, and very powerful. It doesn’t require a lot of practice before you can use this conversationally with your friends.
The pattern is called “Embedded Commands,” and is just like the name says. You can a command phrase, and embed it inside of a longer sentence. When done correctly, it will be taken as a direct command by the subconscious of your listener and will have a dramatic influential effect.
First off, what is a command? In terms of English Grammar it is an imperative. The first word must be a verb, and should be followed by no more than three other words.
Some examples:
Eat dinner.
Sit down.
Watch my cat.
Buy my product.
Become interested.
Like me.
Agree with me.
Find this useful.
In order for a command to be said correctly, you should say it with a downward tone. Flat tones are for statements, phrases ending in upward tones are for questions, and phrases ending in downward tones are for commands.
Then you take your command, and put it in a sentence. The great thing about this is that the sentence can be about anything. You can talk about something else, and throw the command in there, like so (the bold part is the command):
My friend says that when he decides to sit down and read the paper, he enjoys eating breakfast at the same time.
When you’re ready to eat dinner, let me know and I’ll order a pizza.
Some people when they come into this shop, they are so impressed that they decide to buy my product right away, others not so fast.
The other day I was shopping for a computer just like this, and the salesperson looked me and told me how easy it was to become interested in these computers because they have so many useful features.
Also, it helps to mark them off with something other than simple tonality. You a pause slightly before and after the command phrase, you can tilt your head slightly (as Milton Erickson was known to do) when saying the command phrase. You can keep a certain hand gesture reserved for when you do command phrases.
The key is to be consistent with how you mark out these command phrases. That way the listeners subconscious will see a pattern, and they will be much more effective.
A good strategy for using these commands is to chain them. Think of what the situation will be when you first start talking to somebody, and think of what the eventual outcome you’d like, that is, think of what action you’d like them to take after your conversation. Then build a chain of commands starting with something easy to do, like “sit down,” and slowly lead to the final command, like “buy this product,” or “subscribe to my video,” or “give me your number.”
For example (at a sales meeting):
Please, come in. You can sit down in that chair over there, or this one. I know, I have all these different magazines here. Some people need to read them and relax before they get comfortable, it gives them an easy way to relax, so they can think about what they want to do. I’ve been in this business a long time, and every potential customer is different. Some people come in here as a first stop, others come in when they are ready to make a decision. It’s interesting, though, that most people find a way to become curious about our products, because they can be used for so many things. And I’ve found that some people after they get curious, they really start to like our products. Of course those that were already able to make a decision are usually ready to buy today. But like I said, every customer is different. If you want to buy today, that’s great, I just want to make sure you feel comfortable, so that you can make the right decision, now.
(end example)
A great way to practice this is to take any text, newspaper, novel, advertisement, whatever, and underline or highlight all the phrases that are in the command form, and that are four words or less. Then simply read through the text, out loud, and read the command words with the command tonality, and by marking them off somehow.
You’ll find that the more you use these, the more effect you’ll have, and it will become easier and easier to persuade others.
