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Hypnosis can either be beneficial or harmful depending on the way it is utilized. It is therefore very important to learn everything you can about using hypnosis safely before you practice it.
If you cannot undergo formal psychological training to learn hypnosis, don't attempt to educate yourself. It is best to always consult a professional. Remember that hypnosis is a very powerful tool - you need the help of an expert to administer it correctly and safely.
The first thing a professional hypnotist will teach you in order to successfully practice hypnotic induction is making your subject relax. Do not try to force your subject's mind to relax. When the body is relaxed, the mind follows. Really deep relaxation is an ability a lot of people find difficult to get into. Get your subject to trust you and talk to him or her about pleasant things.
The time you need to completely relax someone varies from half an hour to just a few seconds. If conventional relaxation methods do not work, try the Jacobson Progressive Relaxation procedure that involves tensing each of the major muscle group of the body.
Once you have completed the relaxation phase of hypnotic induction, you may begin to deepen the relaxed state. At some time between the deep relaxation and the deepening procedures, you can move into the hypnotic state. Be very careful -hypnosis is a very powerful method of exploring the psyche. Your subject can be vulnerable to almost anything while at this state of consciousness.
Some notes
Hypnosis may be used in a variety of contexts - some beneficial and others harmful. Be responsible and use hypnosis only for either physical or psychological therapy. Some useful applications of hypnosis include helping people quit smoking, helping overweight patients stick to a particular diet, and relieving migraines by reducing stress.