Some people are in this field for fame and/or fortune. I’m not one of them, and I hope that you’re not.
I know absolutely no one, personally, who’s getting rich as a paranormal investigator.
However, most of us would prefer to work full-time in the paranormal field, rather than ask people if they’d like fries with that order.
So, here’s a summary of the main ways to earn a living as a paranormal expert.
They’re not the only ways, just the usual ones.
TV- and movie-related work
Fame: Fame is possible, and perhaps likely. Infamy is a risk as well. It’s all in how you’re edited by the producers and the network. Then there’s the makeup and lighting, what your co-stars say about you, whether or not you’re ridiculed on The Soup, and many other variables.
A few production companies are trustworthy. Others are not. Choose wisely.
Fortune: Don’t expect to get rich from documentary-style movies or reality TV.
Warning: Absolutely anyone can film a pilot for a TV show. Getting the show picked up by a network is only slightly more likely than being struck by lightning, unless you have talent, a great angle, and truly great connections. So, if someone wants to include you in their TV pilot, don’t quit your day job.
Typical work opportunities in TV and movies:
- Be a regular star on a TV show. (Guests on reality shows aren’t usually paid, and sometimes don’t even get travel expenses.)
- Be a consultant for a TV show or series, or a movie.
- Write for TV or movie productions.
- Develop a fan site about the TV show or movie, and find ways to monetize it.
Writing books and articles
Fame: How famous you become depends on how good your writing is, and how well you promote yourself. Even if you’re published by a major publishing house, do not expect them to organize book signings or do much of any PR for you.
However, if you write well and you’re willing to work hard, you can achieve moderate fame with your writing.
Fortune: If you’re working for a traditional publisher, it’s possible you’ll have a best-seller and earn lots of money. It’s about as likely as winning the lottery. Books that sell for $9 – $15 usually earn their authors about 25 cents per copy sold. (That’s what I’ve earned and what Jack Canfield mentions in the video, The Secret.)
You can usually do much better with an independent publisher, but you may have to do more work on the book and on your own PR and distribution. Generally, I don’t recommend using a publishing house that wants you to pay them a fee to publish your book.
If you’re writing stories for book anthologies or for magazines, your writing skills and reputation make the difference between earning at least minimum wage… and earning nothing. My favorite book for freelance writers: The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli.
Writing articles for online use usually pays $2 – $15/article, or more if you’re really good at writing and/or a celebrity.
The biggest demand for writers is for Halloween-related books and articles.
Tip: If you want to write books, you may not see your work in print — or earn a cent from it — for six months to two years.
If you want to write for magazines, allow them at least three months’ lead time to publish your work. In other words, pitch Halloween articles no later than April or May.
Typical opportunities for writers:
- Writing books, including nonfiction, “ghost stories,” and novels.
- Articles.
- Screenplays.
Photography
Fame: Like writing and art, your fame potential depends on your skill and how well you promote yourself. Luck and novelty can also be factors. However, keep in mind: If you walk up to a stranger on the street and say, “Quick, name one ghost photographer,” they’ll probably stare at you before mumbling some TV star’s name.
Fortune: You can earn a good living as a freelance photographer if you’re willing to work hard. Halloween-related photos (ghost pictures, cemetery photos, haunted house pictures) sell well year ’round to book and magazine publishers. You’ll want a copy of the latest edition of Photographer’s Markets to learn who’s buying what, and how much they’re paying.
Typical opportunities for photographers:
- Illustrate books and magazines.
- Illustrate promotional material for paranormal events and speakers.
- Sell your photos via stock photo services, online. iStockPhoto.com is just one of many.
Videos have a narrower audience, but you might get involved in filming a TV pilot (get paid up-front, not after the show sells) or create your own videos of haunted encounters.
Appearing at paranormal events and conferences
Fame: The bigger the event, the more famous you’ll seem. It’s key to balance enough appearances with the risks of over-saturating the market. Try to get your name and photo on the promotional materials.
Fortune: Unless you’re already a star (have been on TV) or you’re selling your own books at the event, you won’t earn much by appearing at events.
Also, don’t make firm travel plans until you’re sure the event will happen. About 50% of the events that book me, postpone or cancel the event altogether.Tip: Big events, and those hosted by major celebrities in this field, rarely cancel, even if they’re taking a big loss on expenses. Conferences organized by local groups have a higher cancellation likelihood.
Putting on a paranormal event or conference
Fame: Until your event has been successful for two or three years in a row, putting on events won’t make you famous… unless you’re already a celebrity in this field.
One bad event, or someone griping about how your ran the event (or a refund that they asked for too late and you couldn’t return the money) can be very damaging.
Fortune: Unless you’re very lucky, you’re likely to lose money putting on your first event (or two). After that, it’ll depend on the economy, when and where the event is, the quality of your speakers and activities, and how much competition you have (saturated field).
Warning: Hotels often ask for non-refundable deposits, and their meeting room prices may shock you. Never rely on filling up hotel rooms (sleeping rooms) to offset some or all of your meeting room expenses.
It’s better to be pleasantly surprised with a profit than devastated by four-figure (or higher) losses.
Set a firm “no refunds” date — usually the date that you have to give the hotel the deposit — and stick to it. People will call you with the most amazing, convincing tall tales excuses, usually involving themselves or a family member being diagnosed with cancer. (I’m not kidding. Ask any event organizer.)
Also have a “Plan B” ready if your biggest celebrity cancels at the last minute, because he or she has to film a TV show.
Investigations
Some people charge money for private investigations. Most people — including me — don’t. In fact, most of the bigger celebrities don’t charge a cent for private investigations, and some don’t even ask for travel expenses.
Fame: If you produce extraordinary results, you might build a reputation as a great paranormal investigator. In 80% or more of your cases, the home owners will be reluctant to admit that they even consulted you.
Fortune: In most cases, there’s no money in investigating. I’ve talked about this in other articles. Some clients just need help and they’ve already lost their jobs due to the stress of the hauntings; other people won’t take you seriously unless you charge a fee. The latter group is diminishing rapidly, because they see ghost hunters on TV conducting free investigations.
If you consult for a business — such as a realtor who needs to know if a home or business is haunted — you’re more likely to be paid. Home owners rarely pay for investigations.
Tip: If you expect to charge money, even just travel expenses, you must have professional-level experience in this field — probably more than 100 real, formal investigations — and a list of references for potential clients to check.
It’s also prudent to have liability insurance for your team. If a Ming vase is broken during your investigation, the client won’t care that it was poltergeist phenomena, and not your fault.
There are no get-rich-quick paths in this business. Though some people have catapulted themselves to fame and/or fortune, few remain there for very long.
Success in any field — including this one — requires hard work, constant study, and immense integrity.
If ghosts and hauntings fascinate you, it’s probably best to keep your day job and pursue this field as a hobby, at least for the first few years.
In the meantime, keep all of your photos. Maintain a detailed journal of your investigations. Experiment with new ideas, theories, investigation tools and techniques. All of them may be extremely valuable once you are ready to enter this field as a full-time professional.
Focus on one niche rather than trying to be an all-around ghost hunter. Sure, you’ll need to know a little about every facet of ghosts and hauntings. However, career success comes from identifying your strengths and greatest interests, and developing a niche that’s uniquely yours.
Photo credit: Michael Faes, Switzerland
This is so very true. I’ve been very lucky–I volunteer with a wonderful, well respected organization (PSICAN) and have had moderate success with my books and at speaking at seminars and conferences. I am at a point where Ive done enough TV to command a hotel room for my conference appearances LOL.
Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who has a terrific job so I can afford to work. It’s not really that different than when I had a conventional job–that money just went to daycare and other work expenses anyway. Now I can be at home with our son when needed, and can do things with him like chaparone class adventures, and still do my job. I am the only professional paranormal researcher in Toronto that I am aware of. You simply cannot make a living doing this stuff. And Ive been doing it for 10 years as a volunteer and for 5 as my profession.
I NEVER charge for a home investigation unless it is media related. If someone is going to make money off my work, Im getting some of it! I have led investigations for media–generally the press as a precursor to a film or TV show’s debut. That pays VERY well, but if you get three of those a year, you’re really lucky.
I also do a lot of career/visibility building. I have only ever turned down one media interview. I do lots of radio, always at no pay, and contribute regularly to a couple of websites. Nothing in that pays money, but Im sure it has led to my working with promotional agencies and my TV work. I am on a new series in the fall called “Freak Encounters” and Im very nervous. As has been said, it all depends on the edit. It’s really REALLY easy for them to make you look like a freak if it will get them ratings.
Personally, I think you should repost this entry every day from August first through Nov 15–for all those people who think we’re “stars” *grin*
Robin,
I’m nodding in enthusiastic agreement with everything you’ve said. I also understand how hard you work (as I do), doing things that provide no income.
When people become indignant because I can’t answer every email, won’t call them “just to chat,” and won’t drive 2+ hours (each way) to visit them… well, I wonder where they think our income comes from!
I’ll probably vent a little more between now and mid-November, assuming that I have time between writing, oh, five books that I’m supposed to complete! (Sometimes I say that to people, and they think I’m just reading several books, not writing them! *LOL*)
I wish you great luck with “Freak Encounters,” and — if you’re edited badly — I’ll be the first to stand up and defend you as an intelligent and educated paranormal researcher, whose critical thinking skills are honed razor-sharp. (The name of that show makes me nervous, too.) However, I’m hoping this is one of those rare programs with integrity. You deserve to be a star!
Hmm… I knew I should have had you autograph that cookbook…! *LOL*
Cheerfully,
Fiona
I also agree with all said…though I have my writing I do not have to work an outside job. I spend alot of time promoting this field, almost full time but it is what I have been doing a long time and love it…best of luck on freak encounters and I am sure it will be great!