| Over the last five years as a paranormal | | | | Now we come to money. How does one earn |
| investigator I have attempted to answer many | | | | money being a paranormal investigator? |
| questions dealing with the paranormal. I certainly | | | | |
| do not consider myself an expert by any means. | | | | While some investigators charge for their |
| | | | | services, I would say that most do not. Groups |
| Since some of these questions have dealt with | | | | often accept donations, even going as far as to |
| areas in which I feel I have some | | | | set up a Paypal account on their Web site (which |
| competence--cognitive psychology, mental illness, | | | | I consider particularly tacky by the way). Our |
| brain disorders, vision--I feel that I have been able | | | | group accepts donations, and though we've |
| to adequately address them. If I don't feel that I | | | | received a few, they certainly haven't covered |
| have the background necessary to answer a | | | | our expenses. |
| specific question, I will refer the individual to | | | | |
| people who do. | | | | So, where does that leave us? |
| | | | | |
| There is one question that has been repeatedly | | | | People that are making money in this field are |
| asked which I found surprising. I would say, the | | | | authors, run tour groups and give conferences, |
| majority--but not all--of the people that have | | | | teach classes, and, perhaps, earn money from |
| asked me this question have been teenagers. | | | | Web site advertising or selling ghost hunting |
| | | | | equipment. Some also may offer paranormal |
| The question is always some variation of... | | | | marketing for businesses--something we provide |
| | | | | for free. The rarest are the very small |
| "I've decided that I want to be a ghost hunter, | | | | percentage of people who have a television show |
| you know for a job. I've very certain about this, | | | | and/or act as consultants to the entertainment |
| do you know how I do this?" | | | | industry. |
| | | | | |
| Even with my relatively limited knowledge, I was | | | | At least as far as I can tell. |
| willing to tackle this question. | | | | |
| | | | | I should note that I have been contacted by |
| I can only assume that the recent popularity of | | | | three different television producers over the last |
| such shows as Ghost Hunters, Most Haunted, | | | | 5 years (via e-mail ) looking for people to audition |
| Paranormal State, and others has lead to the | | | | for new paranormal-based television shows. |
| belief--at least in the people asking the | | | | Pretty cool, but I'm not an accomplished or |
| question--that being a paranormal investigator is a | | | | well-known investigator, so I would hazard that I |
| legitimate career path. | | | | was one of 1000's of people that they contacted. |
| | | | | Sure, they may have liked my amateurish web |
| So, I tell them with no uncertainty, that Ghost | | | | site, and perhaps saw my picture, but I assume |
| Hunting is probably NOT a viable career choice. | | | | that these opportunities are very rare. |
| | | | | |
| I believe that the popularity of this field touches | | | | Visit the International Ghost Hunters Society |
| on the basis of human existence...consider the | | | | (Dave and Sharon Oester) at or Mass Paranormal |
| question being asked; Is there an afterlife? Of | | | | at if you want examples of people that are |
| course everyone is interested. But, lets take a | | | | probably able to finance their time spent doing |
| step back and consider the draw as a career. | | | | paranormal investigations via their activities. I |
| | | | | respect both these groups, and their Web sites |
| You get to travel, you get to go into cool places, | | | | are certainly worth a look. |
| it appears to be a relatively easy activity that is | | | | |
| accessible to everyone, and you may get to be | | | | There are many ways to earn money, but you |
| on television and become famous! There are | | | | don't do it being an investigator, you generally |
| some basic human needs being met here, and | | | | have to do it by one of the ways I've mentioned |
| being thought of as cool because of your job is | | | | in the previous paragraph. |
| something we all could live with. Who doesn't want | | | | |
| recognition and to be looked up to by their peers? | | | | So, where does that leave you for a career as a |
| | | | | ghost hunter? |
| So, we find ourselves easily understanding some | | | | |
| of the motivations for seeking a career as a | | | | I advise people that ghost hunting is a hobby. If |
| ghost hunter: Prestige, recognition, possible fame, | | | | you can find a way to earn enough revenue to |
| working toward finding the answer of one of the | | | | finance your hobby through donations, you are a |
| most important questions of life and death. | | | | successful ghost hunter. If you can build a popular |
| | | | | paranormal web site and earn money through |
| But... | | | | advertising and selling products on line, you are a |
| | | | | successful ghost hunter. If you can earn revenue |
| Realize that some of the most respected people | | | | from teaching a workshop, you are a successful |
| in the field have been doing this for years, and | | | | ghost hunter. |
| most of don't have their own television show or | | | | |
| perhaps make a significant amount of money | | | | But, you better pick something else for a stable |
| doing it. People labor for years to gain a level of | | | | long-term career. |
| expertise in a subject matter. Sudden stars like | | | | |
| Jason and Grant of TAPs have been conducting | | | | If you are very, very serious about the pursuit of |
| paranormal investigations for years, yet, their | | | | the paranormal, there is an actual career path for |
| primary careers are (or were) as plumbers. | | | | you as a psychologist. You would need to start |
| | | | | by earning your bachelors degree in psychology, |
| The people whom I consider the most respected | | | | they pursue a graduate degree (doctorate) in |
| and well-known paranormal investigators are | | | | parapsychology and then, probably get a job |
| individuals like Troy Taylor, Jon Zaffis, and Lloyd | | | | teaching at a university. Technically, its not a |
| Auerbach. I am not conversant on the educational | | | | career as a ghost hunter, but you'll more then |
| and career backgrounds of these individuals, but I | | | | likely make enough money to finance your |
| do believe that they are able to make somewhat | | | | investigations. Ghost hunting won't be a job, it |
| of a living working in the paranormal field. None of | | | | would still be a hobby--like it is for me and the |
| them have a famous TV show, but all are | | | | other 99% of ghost hunters out there. Of course, |
| accomplished authors, lecturers, and teachers | | | | you'll be extremely qualified to actually conduct |
| willing to share their knowledge. Mr. Taylor--with | | | | investigations. |
| the well-known mid-western sensibility to tell it like | | | | |
| it is--specifically says that he eschews celebrity, | | | | So, for all of you career track ghost hunters out |
| having chosennot to go that way long ago. | | | | there, good luck! |
| | | | | |
| In my eyes, these folks are the giants, without | | | | Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd sure like |
| which shows like Ghost Hunters would not exist. | | | | to make enough money ghost hunting to pay my |
| | | | | mortgage. |