What Is Cold Reading?

 

Short: It's how to talk to people so you sound as if you're psychic.

 

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Longer: The term 'cold reading' is usually associated with the 'psychic' industry. It means giving someone a personal reading without any prior knowledge. (The alternative would be 'hot reading', which does involve advance information that's obtained either openly or covertly.)

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The props vary. You can get readings based on astrology, tarot cards, the palm of your hand, a crystal ball, runes, a sample of your handwriting and so on.

 

The presentation can also vary. The reader might say the reading is psychic, psychological, emotional, spiritual, psycho-analytical or psychometric in nature.

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The basic idea is always the same: the reader gives a reading to a complete stranger that seems to contain accurate statements about their past, present, future and personality. This often gives rise to the, "Oh my goodness! She told me things she couldn't possibly have known!" response, which is what has fuelled the psychic industry for centuries.

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On this website, to say someone is a cold reader is not a judgment as to whether they are, or are not, psychic. It simply means giving a reading without prior knowledge or information.

Some cold reading techniques can be applied to other contexts outside the psychic industry, such as sales, management, teaching and therapy. I call this 'Cold Reading For Business' or CRFB for short.

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I can teach you how to give any type of personal reading to anyone or how to use cold reading for business and professional communications. Online or in real life, as you prefer. Check out my training here.

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