Your Cold Reading Persona

How would it feel if you had a quick way to master cold reading? Although it is a skill that does take some practice, there are shortcuts to learning and one of these shortcuts is taking on a psychic's persona.

If you are giving readings to your friends or family, this isn't so important. If you want to pick up a cutie at a pub or do readings with strangers just for fun, you're going to have to at least say that you studied palmistry, astrology, or whatever divination technique, in order to be taken somewhat seriously.

But if you want to give psychic readings for money, you are going to have to develop a persona.

A persona is the combination of characteristics an actor takes on in order to become their chosen role.

What kind of persona? Well, as a psychic reader, how would you like to appear to others? Mysterious? Funny? Gentle? Therapeutic? Wise?

If you can't decide what persona, figure out which performers appeal to you. How about an actor or actress playing a role in a film?

Bear in mind, that your persona doesn't have to be an exact replica of someone famous. It can also be a composite of alluring traits.

Make a list of all the qualities, traits, characteristics, and behaviours you want to have in your persona. Just realizing consciously how you want to appear to others while you're cold reading can help. To take it a step further, however, think of the benefits of each quality, think of why each quality is important.

For example, if I have "speaking in a low voice" on my list of what I want to do during a reading, I might put this: "speaking in a low voice might make people more intrigued with what I say, will draw people physically closer to me as I speak, and develop deeper rapport."

Of course, you'll have your own reasons.

Be aware that this can be subtle. You don't really have to do a 180º in your personality if you don't want to. Remember, you are becoming an actor just doing a role.

By stepping into your cold reading persona and really getting into the tradecraft cold reading, you will be able to give far more convincing readings than if you were just your average joe-shmoe.

I wonder if you've already started to notice how you are subconsciously taking on the persona of a mesmerizing cold reader.