Professional Ghost Hunting Archives - Ghosts and Haunted Places

How to Be a Guest on a Paranormal TV Show

Many of my readers are eager to be on TV, either in a ghost hunting TV series, or a more general paranormal TV show.

Here’s the LEAST you need to know.

Additional info

It can help to get general media exposure, first.

One of the main resources is Help a Reporter Out, aka “HARO.”

Remember, those listings are not screened or verified. You could be talking to some creepy guy with no media connections at all.

Never give out personal contact information unless you have confirmed the person’s professional references. Call the network, production company, or publisher to verify the contact information for that person.

Got a job offer? Get everything in writing.

Make sure it’s very specific about what you’re expected to do, for how much money, and exactly when you’ll be paid.

Know the risks.

Another producer offered me a part on a new TV show. She said it was going to be a serious, academic show.

The production company bought my plane ticket, said they’d reserved an upscale hotel room for me, and promised I’d have a full-time chauffeur during the filming.

Everything seemed ideal.

Then, right before I got on the plane, someone on the production crew blundered. She told me the show’s real name. It was far from academic.

I cancelled.

So, make sure your contract says exactly which show you’re being filmed for. Don’t give the production company (or the network) free rein to use your interview or appearance in any show they like.

Listen to the producers’ questions.

Are they too eager to believe your story? Suspect false sincerity.
Are they fishing for drama where they wasn’t any? It’s one thing to build a good story that engages viewers. It’s another to turn your experience into something far more extreme (and ridiculous) than it was.
Are they digging for something to discredit you, or portray you as someone unstable? Of course, producers want to avoid guests that could be a liability.

Jason Gowin (from Extreme Paranormal) said this after his confidentiality agreement had expired:

Realize that nothing you do on television will be safe from manipulation… Rest assured, you are there to make money for them, not be a beacon of integrity. [Link]

Pay attention to your gut feeling.

If something doesn’t seem right, maybe it isn’t.

Don’t expect fame for yourself or your paranormal investigating team.

Most TV shows avoid guests who might profit from a TV appearance. Producers may edit out anything that might help your career. Expect that.

A paycheck is not guaranteed.

The producers’ (and the networks’) explanation is: A paid appearance could be misunderstood as a performance.

Many TV shows will get around this by offering to pay for your travel expenses and give you a “per diem” to cover additional out-of-pocket costs.

The per diem could barely cover meals from McD’s dollar menu. Or, the per diem might pay for a nice big TV, to watch yourself later, when you’re on the show.

Generally, producers won’t tell you how much the per diem will be, unless you insist on it in the contract. Expect a tiny per diem, and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

If you’re going to be a cast member on a series, make sure you earn enough to cover your monthly bills.

I have a firm policy of not asking friends how much they earn from their shows. I don’t want to know. I already feel sorry for how much privacy they’ve given up, and how much they’re away from their families.

According to rumors, many stars earned a low four-figures, per episode, sometimes working seven days a week and 10- to 12-hour days.
I’ve heard that supporting cast members (not the two or three stars) earned about $500/episode. I hope I’m wrong about that.

You can be on TV if you really want to be.

If you’ve read this far, you probably think fame is worth the risks.

The first thing to consider is your strategy. Sometimes it’s easy to get on ghost-related TV shows. Sometimes, it’s easier to get on another kind of TV show, and use that as a credential to get on the show you want. That’s why you’ll look at opportunities far beyond paranormal shows.

Start with the following resources.

Resources

I recommend HARO lists (linked above) and sites like RealityWanted.com (Sites like that appear and disappear rapidly. If you’re not dealing directly with the network, always be sure you’re talking with a reputable company.)

Also check network-specific webpages, such as casting calls for SyFy, MTV, ABC, VH1, TLC, HGTV, BBC (UK).

(You never know when a network will take an interest in paranormal programming. I recall an episode of a food-related TV show where people competed by preparing ghost-themed cakes… and a real paranormal investigator was among the judges.)

You may find even more casting calls at production companies’ websites, such as Pilgrim (Ghost Hunters, etc.).

References

Get advice from experts. Don’t leap into this field unprepared! You may have just one chance to be on (or pitch) the show of your dreams. Get it right the first time.

The 2006 book, Get on TV, is still one of the most popular books on this subject. It’s not specifically about reality shows. It teaches you how to build a career by being on a wide range of TV shows. If being a TV star has been your life-long goal, this book is worth reading.
If you’re interested in reality TV and you’d like to be a guest, a star, a producer or a writer, you’ll want to read Reality TV: An Insider Guide to TV’s Hottest Market. This 2011 book gives you a good overview plus specific advice, and earns rave reviews from people in the industry.
This next book is by the winner of Big Brother 10 (U.S.), Dan Gheesling: How to Get On Reality TV. And, since it’s a Kindle book, you can download and read it immediately.

There are other books about this subject, but those look most useful.

Interview with a Ghost Hunting Pro – Sean Paradis

Sean Paradis has been a great friend and researcher partner for many years. I respect him tremendously. He has an innate gift for identifying the most haunted locations, and the most active areas at each one.

Working with Sean was a tremendous help when I was writing Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries.

Here’s my recent interview with Sean.

Q) What areas of the paranormal do you investigate?

A) I focus primarily on investigating ghosts

Q) How long have you worked in this field?

A) It’s been an interest since the age of 13. I’ve worked on a professional level since the age of 18.

Q) Do you specialize in one kind of research or one field of expertise?

A) In the last year, I have started to shift my research more towards finding new, low-tech ways of investigating.

In this economy, people cannot afford to spend $350 on one piece of equipment. Common household items are less expensive, and in many instances produce better results than the $350 piece of equipment.

Q) Are you psychic? How do you feel about working with other psychics?

A) I would classify myself as a sensitive. I can pick up the details of a spirit when they were alive.

Sometimes it is only a few bits and pieces, other times it is their whole life story. It all depends on how much a spirit is willing to share.

I believe working with other psychics is a fabulous opportunity. It allows you to build upon each other’s information, and possibly learn more about a spirit.

I think any psychic who chooses to work alone is cutting themselves short.

Q) Do you consider yourself more of a skeptic or a believer?

A) I am a skepliever; a word I use that means both. At least, I try to be. If I hear a story or report of something, I try to approach it with an open mind. I know that not everything, no matter how probable it may seem, is true.

Once I investigate the claim or try to recreate it then, and only then, will I form my own opinion based on the evidence and the experience.

If an investigator is 100 percent a skeptic, or 100 percent a believer, they will end up tainting evidence without even realizing it. They will either assume every piece of evidence is proof the paranormal exists or dismiss evidence when there are factors pointing to the opposite conclusion.

Q) Do you work alone or with a team?

A) I work 90% alone, and 10% giving my time to help other teams.

I never actually join any teams, and I make that clear when offering my time.

The reason why I stress this so much is that some, but not all teams are… well… for lack of a better word, greedy about team members and investigation results. I believe that research should be shared freely amongst the community.

Therefore, I work alone, or with good friends in the field. That way, what I do with my research is up to me.

Q) What’s your long-term goal as a paranormal researcher?

A) To ultimately get rid of the cliché stereotype that to be a professional researcher, you need to buy the latest and greatest pieces of electronics. The equipment carried does not make a person a good researcher; how they use their tools and interpret data does. I would love to see more researchers using low-tech methods of investigation.

Q) How do you find out about locations for your research?

A) About half of the locations that I investigate I hear about through a friend, and the other half I visit after having a gut feeling telling me a location is haunted when near it.

If I have the time I may visit a location that has stories about it on the internet. I generally do not though, since you never know what you will find upon arrival.

Q) How much time do you spend at a location during a typical investigation?

A) On average about 4 hours. That gives enough time to explore the area and have a thorough investigation.

Compared to other investigations that teams perform, 4 hours is a short amount of time. But it is because many of the locations I investigate are within a reasonable driving distance. I can visit these locations numerous times a year.

If a team needs to make a couple-hour drive to a location, they will most likely spend more time there, since they may not be there as often.

It varies for every investigator, but I have found 4 to be the magic time length.

Q) How often do you return to a typical investigation site, and how close together are the visits?

A) As I said earlier, many of the locations I visit are nearby. Because of this, I tend to visit the locations at least 4 to 5 times a year, and as close together as I can.

This allows me to become familiar with a location, and if anything changes, I can start investigating to figure out why as soon as possible.

Becoming familiar with a location is one of the best assets an investigator can have.

The first few visits to a location are the learning visits; what tools will help you best, which noises are normal, where the energy spikes are and why they are there.

Knowing a location well allows investigators to filter out the normal, and focus on the paranormal.

Q) What’s your very best advice for beginners?

A) I would recommend avoiding buying expensive equipment. I rarely use them anymore. I have diverted more towards low-tech ghost hunting, and have been having better results.

I may sound like a broken record when it comes to going low-tech, but I find it to be important.

One thing that many investigators forget is that spirits have no idea what most of the electrical equipment we are using is.

Imagine if you traveled 300 years into the future, and were surrounded by new technology and a new society. I know I would be hesitant to approach anyone.

Most spirits are familiar with low-tech tools, thus they will be more likely to approach you. That is the reason I believe low-tech tools produce better results.

Q) Tell us about your scariest investigation or your funniest.

A) Honestly, no investigation has been scary.

In general, spirits are not something I find to be scary. We have more to fear from the living, but that is another topic altogether.

The funniest investigation I have been on actually did not start out as an investigation. It happened at the Webster Tay House in Franklin NH, at the presentation that you, Lesley Marden, and I went to.

After the presentation when we decided to check out the house, I could not stop laughing. That place felt like a funhouse the entire time.

To be frank, it is one of the weirdest houses I have ever been inside of.

Thanks, Sean!

To learn more about Sean Paradis, visit his website, SeanParadis.com.

Ghost Hunting on TV… Is It Real or Not?

Since I’ve been a resource for TV and movie producers, people ask me if ghost hunting on TV shows are real.

The (too simple) answer is no, they’re not.

Those shows may represent what we do, as ghost hunters. But even the most authentic shows are edited to make them more entertaining.

They have to be. If the shows were 100% real, few would watch them. What really happens at haunted sites isn’t nearly as exciting as what you see on your TV, or heavily-edited YouTube (etc.) videos.

So, don’t try to use ghost hunting TV shows as training for your own investigations.

That can be risky, foolhardy, and —in some cases — miss the point of real ghost research.

Here are some points to keep in mind

1. **TV shows don’t represent how many houses we visit that aren’t haunted.**

The majority of houses that seem haunted are either victims of high EMF or infrasound levels, or some other very normal (if odd) explanation.

Even if they are haunted, the issue could be related to residual energy, not a ghost or an active entity.

So, what you’re seeing on TV represents a tiny percent of the sites are visited (by location scouts like me) before we find one that seems actually haunted and worth filming

2. Demons and malicious spirits are very rare.

If you think you’re being bothered by a demon, call an expert, not just the local ghost hunting club.

However, demons and evil entities appear at about 1% of the hauntings we’ve encounter… if that many.

It’s important to recognize the difference between hostile spirits that want their homes (or lives) back, and actual malicious entities like demons.

3. Don’t let TV shows convince you that most ghosts are evil or dangerous.

They’re not. Watch the “ghostly” TV shows & movies of the past, and see how they portrayed ghosts.

Though they’re not accurate, either. However, they might provide balance to the panic and fear featured on many of today’s ghost-related TV shows.

Topper – the Cary Grant movies
Topper – the TV series
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – original movie with Rex Harrison
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – TV series (unavailable in Dec 09)
One Step Beyond – TV series (described as “historic accounts” of paranormal events) (Episode on YouTube (one of many)

4. Provoking ghosts? No. Please don’t do that.

Instead, look for someone like “ghostbait”: Someone who, just by being there, seems to attract ghosts and hauntings. Most ghost hunting teams seem to have one member that attracts ghosts like a magnet.

When filming TV shows, provoking may be a fast way to get a dramatic response for the camera. In real life, it’s a bad idea.

5. ‘Tis the season!

When you’re watching “A Christmas Carol,” think how you might interpret Scrooge if you were at a location that he (and his ghostly companion) were visiting. Would you think Jacob Marley was a ghost that is scary, or needs help to “cross over”?

TV shows aren’t “reality.”

(Even TV producers changed the term to “unscripted,” since they didn’t want to be sued for pretending a show was “real.”)

Don’t try to mimic TV shows or movies. Don’t take seriously any advice from paranormal TV shows. In many cases, the ghost hunter didn’t really say whatever-it-is; their advice was edited to give the audience chills.

Learn what ghostly phenomena really are. Study the history of paranormal research. Discover what psychics and ghost hunting equipment really do.

Explore haunted places with a pro. Events are a good starting point.

Never go ghost hunting alone. Always have a level-headed person with you, and — if you feel frightened during an investigation — leave at the first hint of danger.

**TV shows can be fun to watch, but most don’t represent what we really do as ghost hunters.**

You’re seeing an edited version, sometimes staged, and filmed with a specific production goal in mind.

Real ghost hunting is different.

Ghost Hunting TV Shows – Are They Getting More Real?

First, a brief history of ghost hunting tv shows

In the early 2000s, ghost hunting TV shows introduced ghost hunting to a wide audience.

Ghost hunting looked like fun. Or maybe a “good scare.” Lots of people wanted to try it, too.

So, this field expanded – practically exploded – almost overnight. Everyone wanted to visit a haunted place and find ghosts.

But… many viewers were disappointed.

Ghost hunting wasn’t nearly as much fun as it had seemed on TV.

I’ve talked about this in the past, and – I’ll admit – ranted more than a little.

Here are my current thoughts about ghost hunting TV shows.

Recently, a news report confirmed what I’ve been saying… and more concisely (and perhaps with more authority) than I have.

The article is “5 Myths about Reality Television,” and it was in the Washington Post newspaper.

Here’s part of what the article said, with emphasis added:

With very few notable exceptions (like “Big Brother”…), most reality television is shot first over a period of days or weeks, then edited. A month in the field could be whittled down to 44 or 22 minutes of action. That way, the audience sees reality stars only in essential moments… Almost nothing airs exactly as it fell into the lens, but the final product is usually more or less what happened.

That’s true about many (not all) ghost hunting TV shows.

A typical one-hour episode might require three to five days of daily filming at the site… so you see about 10% (or less) of what really happened.

After filming, there’s editing. That makes the show compelling to watch.

Also, ghost hunting TV shows schedule cliffhangers immediately before each commercial break, even (or especially?) when what follows is a big letdown.

What viewers see are the highlights of an investigation.

When you watch a ghost hunting TV show, you don’t see time spent waiting while nothing happens.

“Nothing” can be most of what goes on, at many (perhaps most) ghost investigations.

We sit for an hour, and then something odd happens.
We investigate it and debunk it. Big letdown.
So, we sit or walk around for another hour.
And then – finally! – something creepy happens, and it’s memorable.

When we can’t debunk it, that’s what makes the wait worthwhile.

Ghost hunting starts with a good location.

Two things you should know:

1. The stars of ghost hunting TV shows don’t decide where to investigate or where to film. When it comes to locations, producers usually make that decision

2. Most ghosts don’t perform on command. So, wherever a show is filmed, the location should be very, very haunted. The odds should weigh heavily in favor of at least something weird to happen during a full day of filming.

That’s the job of a location scout:

The producers rely on location scouts. That’s something I do: When a producer hires me, I’ll spend days (or more) looking for genuinely haunted places in a location that interests the producer.

The producer might ask for “haunted places around Tilton, New Hampshire,” if the producer also wanted to film at the famous, haunted Tilton Inn.

With that kind of request, I’d look for known haunts in the area, plot some ley lines to identify “hot spots” for ghosts, and — if I’m in the New Hampshire area — start visiting likely locations.

(But if a producer asked about that specific location, I’d tell them to read Rue Cote’s book, Ghost Hunting in Tilton, New Hampshire. I’m not likely to find any additional locations.)

Or, it might be a request like, “Find me some haunted hotels near Avebury, England,” and I’d dig into historical records if I’m not in the U.K. when the producer called. Then, I’d use maps and insights from British friends, and then start sending emails to prospective sites.

Location scouts know that many (or most?) ghost stories are more fiction than fact.

(If you’ve gone ghost hunting, I’m sure you’ve visited many places where absolutely nothing happened. It can be discouraging.)

As I said, the stars of ghost hunting TV shows rarely have much input. They go where they’re sent, and hope they find something ghostly. Or at least eerie enough to hype into a good, startling scene.

Nobody wants to have to rely on editing to make a scene look scary.

That means finding great, very haunted locations that are willing to let a film crew in, usually for three to five days.

Finding a site that meets those requirements can take time. Perhaps weeks. And some shows have rushed schedules. So, they film at “good enough” locations… and hope for the best.

Don’t blame the show’s stars when their investigation looks hyped. Or downright fake.

An encouraging trend among ghost hunting TV shows…

From my experience, most sites featured on TV shows are actually haunted places, even if the ghosts weren’t fully active during the filming.

Also, what viewers see is usually what happened… more or less.

Are ghost hunting shows getting more real?

Shortly before Covid, I saw a shift – towards almost radical authenticity – in some ghost hunting TV shows.

After an awkward controversy, Most Haunted regrouped and emerged among the leaders in this trend.

In fact, it’s looked like Most Haunted’s producers were eager to test show ideas (and investigation techniques) and go far out on a limb with fresh ideas.

For example, Most Haunted producers suggested they may air shows featuring outtakes. That’s a fun idea. (See @OnlyMostHaunted at Twitter.)

While more authentic ghost hunting TV shows – like Most Haunted – aren’t the adrenaline fuel of their fast-paced, highly edited counterparts, I like this trend.

I hope it continues.

2021 update: Okay. Some TV shows have reverted to absurd, extreme, and campy pretenses. Ick. That’s not real ghost hunting. We aren’t that gullible.

Others have returned to formulaic “ghost hunting.” Knowing many of the stars as well as I do – I’m raising an eyebrow. Their facial expressions suggest at least some of what they’re doing is just for the cameras. Learn more from Jason Gowin, former star of “Extreme Paranormal.”

Another problem: shows’ time limits

Ghost hunting shows are short— really short — compared with real-life ghost investigations. What you’re seeing on the show probably isn’t a “real-time” investigation.

In the U.S., a one-hour TV episode is typically 37 to 42 minutes long, including the “reveal” (or summary) at the end, if you don’t count commercial breaks. If it’s a 30-minute show, what you see is around 22 minutes.

The only sites I’ve investigated that rapidly are those that seemed too dangerous for research.

Usually, that had nothing to do with ghosts; instead it was about creepy people in the area, or imminent lightning strikes. (Vale End cemetery was an exception.)

My average, first-time visit to a verified, haunted site is probably 2 – 3 hours. Maybe a little more.

Later, I may revisit that location multiple times, and each additional visit can last several hours.

Or, if I’m familiar with a site and just checking to see what’s new, I might investigate for 45 minutes (the content of a one-hour TV show).

That brief ghost investigation is probably a follow-up visit, to debunk (or confirm) anomalies we previously encountered. I’m revisiting a creepy room in the building, or a particular area at a battlefield, or a limited number of graves in a cemetery.

So, though the time problem isn’t exactly new news, I’m glad to see mainstream media mention the reality behind many “reality” TV shows. (Okay, they’re now calling them “unscripted,” since producers can tell the cast to say or do certain things, but there’s no actual script.)

Your paranormal

investigations will be different

If you’re new to ghost hunting, don’t expect something startling every five or ten minutes.

Instead, arrive at events and investigations with low expectations. Lots of waiting may be required.

That’s a good opportunity for you to do a thorough (and sometimes repeated) “baseline yourself” check, so you’re always aware when weird things start happening at a haunted site.

What you see on TV rarely represents everything that happened at the site. I’d describe it as “ghost hunting without the boring bits.” (That’s a nod to Horrible Histories and Ghosts. I love their humor.)

However, TV shows can reveal the wide range of phenomena you might encounter at an extraordinarily haunted site.

Shows that emphasize real ghost hunting experiences… they’re well worth your viewing time.

You can learn a lot from them.

And, with their insights, you might be better prepared when you encounter something chilling.

Related podcast

Update: Are Ghost Hunting TV Shows Real? (2023 update)
Baseline Yourself for Ghost Hunting – article and podcast. (The free worksheet will return, soon.)
Are Ghost TV Shows Real? (Earlier, 2009 article)

Want to be ON a ghost hunting TV show…?

Also, search related keywords at sites like AuditionsFree.com, and – for the UK – Starnow.co.nz, TheStage.co.uk, and similar sites. (There are many.)

And, since so many TV shows feature creepy or gruesome “haunted mirrors,” here’s a short, honest video about seeing ghosts in mirrors, and where you might see one, yourself:

Learn more about ghosts and haunted places at my YouTube channel, Ghost Hunting with Fiona Broome.

Ghost Hunters TV Show – Fake?

“Is Ghost Hunters TV show a fake?” “Are the Ghost Hunters fake?” “Did TAPS fake their Halloween 2008 show?”

Grant's jacket tugged Starting the first of November, 2008, the emails poured in. Each of them asked me questions like those.

I was going to ignore them, but similar emails continued to flood my in-box.

So, here’s my answer.

I’ve looked at the Ghost Hunters TV show footage on YouTube and studied it frame-by-frame. I also listened closely to the audio, where a voice clearly says, “You’re not supposed to be here.”

Here’s my analysis.

“YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE”

That voice is alarmingly clear. During my own ghost hunts, I’ve never heard anything that audibly crisp or like someone was right there, saying it.

Then again, I rarely hear things audibly when I’m conducting research. I rarely capture any EVP, either.

Audio is not one of my stronger areas.

However, Jason and Grant have documented increasingly clear EVPs during their research.

In my experience, this seems to be a skill — perhaps related to rapport with the spirits — and most ghost researchers improve as they investigate a variety of sites.

So, while this was a very unusual and audible voice, I think it’s possible in a profoundly haunted setting… and that’s what they chose for their Halloween 2008 show.

Also, at Jason’s MySpace blog, he pointed out that the voice was so clear, he asked if someone had said anything.

(If anything irks me about Jason, it’s that he tends to be aggressively skeptical. This show was no exception.)

Likewise, it looked to me as if Grant was asking the producers if they were in the wrong location… if they weren’t actually supposed to be where they were at that moment.

So, I don’t think that Jason, Grant or the TAPS team faked the voice. I also trust the integrity of the SciFi channel.

There are other, natural explanations, but I don’t think that Jason, Grant or the SciFi channel set this up.

GRANT’S JACKET PULLED

The second controversial moment was the tug on Grant’s jacket… if it was that.

If you watch the video, frame by frame, you’ll see that the collar moves oddly just before Grant stumbles backwards.

However, the fishing line explanation doesn’t work. I’d expect to see the line highlighted by the cameras, or a shadow on the wall when the cameras moved in. It’s possible to do that on a recorded show, and use CGI to cover it.

However, on a live show, the production company couldn’t take that chance.

Here’s a bigger problem with the fishing line explanation: Grant’s jacket was open at the neck. If line had pulled on his jacket enough to throw him off balance, it would have jerked the neck opening of the jacket as it pulled him backwards, slightly choking him.

In my opinion, Grant perceived it as just his jacket, but he was actually forced backwards by something else. The only visual manifestation — besides Grant stumbling — was the movement at the collar a split second before he stepped backwards.

I can’t explain what happened. I have no idea, and can’t even guess.

Strange things occur in haunted places. That’s one reason we keep investigating them: We’re looking for explanations, but we often leave with more (and new) questions than answers.

The jacket tug baffles me.

NOT ENOUGH REACTION?

Several people have claimed that Grant’s body language, tone of voice, or other cues “give away” that he was faking the whole thing.

That’s not very good evidence of a hoax.

Anyone who has been on real ghost hunts knows that we get used to odd things happening. The “usual” anomalies stop surprising us after awhile. (This may be another reason why the manifestations become increasingly dramatic around experienced ghost hunters.)

But, if you’ve been with me on ghost hunts that turn dramatic — for example, with doors slamming repeatedly, or windows opening and closing on their own — you’ve seen me sigh and mutter, “I wish they wouldn’t do that. It’s really annoying.”

Things that scare other people don’t even surprise experienced ghost hunters, after we’ve encountered the phenomena enough times.

So, it’s a mistake to judge the authenticity of phenomena because an experienced ghost hunter doesn’t seem startled enough.

We just don’t startle as easily as someone with less ghost hunting experience.

Grant’s reaction (or lack of it) doesn’t prove anything.

A MATTER OF INTEGRITY

Jason and Grant are my friends. I’ve spent a lot of time with them. We’ve chatted over breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and at events and parties. We used to exchange emails when something was of mutual concern.

In general, Grant is very honest. Usually, he looks you straight in the eye when he talks with you.

But, I have to qualify that, because I feel that Grant deliberately misled me during one conversation.

It was not an outright lie. It was something personal and had nothing to do with ghost hunting. It was about a part of the country where we’d both lived, briefly, and how he described why he was there.

A year or so later, when the truth became obvious, I asked him about it. So far, he hasn’t replied.

No, I never expected a detailed explanation. I just wanted him to admit he’d misled me, so I could say, “Sure, I get it. Just don’t do that again, okay?”

We haven’t spoken since then. I’m sad about that, because I admire him tremendously as a researcher and as a talented artist.

But, in terms of ghost hunting, I have no reason to question Grant’s integrity.

I like Jason, but he can seems an almost incorrigible skeptic. If anything, he’s likely to trivialize evidence that the rest of us point to as proof of a haunting.

It seems absurd to think that he’d be part of a hoax. That’d be completely out of character. During an investigation – in real life – he’s the first person to be skeptical and often the loudest.

Sure, Jason has a very dry wit, but he would never compromise his own integrity as a ghost hunter, the integrity of the TAPS team, or the Ghost Hunters TV show. That’s not his style.

If you’ve met him in real life or listened to him talk at any conference, you know that he’s rock-solid honest.

If the show’s production company said, “We want you to fake this,” Jason would reply, “I’d quit rather than do that.”

And, he would.

On the show, I can’t think of any reason for Grant and Jason to compromise their integrity. None whatsoever.

DID IT HAPPEN?

It’s true. Some very odd things seemed to happen during the Ghost Hunters TV show on Halloween 2008.

Could they have been faked?

Yes, the voice might have come from a very well hidden microphone. But — if that voice was part of a hoax — I’m confident that Jason, Grant and the SciFi channel weren’t aware of it.

I wasn’t there to know what direction the voice came from, and what it was like. All I can evaluate is what I saw on the Ghost Hunters TV show… and frankly, that’s not enough information for me to judge.

I’ve said it often: It’s a mistake to judge what is (and isn’t) a real haunting, a real ghost photo or real EVP unless you were there.

The incident with Grant’s jacket is another issue altogether. It couldn’t have been faked without Grant’s knowledge.

All in all, I trust Jason and Grant. They say that they didn’t fake anything on the show, and I believe them.

But, I’m also aware that many people like a “good scare” on Halloween, and — starting the very next morning — they want to assure themselves that the whole thing wasn’t real, and scary things don’t wait for them in the darkness.

I think they’re the loudest detractors of the Halloween 2008 Ghost Hunters TV show.

I have nothing to prove, one way or the other. My opinion is: I saw no evidence of a hoax in that TV series.

Making Money in Ghost Hunting

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. In fact, most TV stars that I know… they have day jobs.

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 social media, evening talk shows, and many other variables.

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. (Most guests on reality shows aren’t paid, and sometimes don’t even get travel expenses.)
Be a consultant for a TV show or series, or a movie. (Get everything in writing, signed and notarized, on paper.)
Write for TV or movie productions. (If you make the right connections, you can build a career and have fun at the same time.)
Develop a fan site about the TV show or movie, and find ways to monetize it. (This is tricky. I tried it with one show and didn’t earn a cent.)

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 provide 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 as 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 any publishing house that charges a fee to publish your book. Go “indie” instead.

Recommended resources:

If you’re writing nonfiction, Joanna Penn. (She also offers good fiction advice.)
If you’re writing fiction, Chris Fox. (Possibly more than you ever wanted to know about writing fiction, in weekly videos and more. But, if you’re writing “ghost stories,” he’s worth learning from.)

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 journalists: The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli. Good writers earn three figures per magazine article they sell. Really good writers can earn four figures per article. (When I write for anthologies, I’m well paid.)

Writing articles for online use usually pays $2 – $15/article, or more if you’re really good at writing or you’re a celebrity. Writing for magazines, add at least a zero to the end of those numbers.

The biggest demand for ghost-related writers is for Halloween-related books and articles.

Tip: If you write books for traditional publishers, you may not see your work in print — or earn a cent from it — for six months to two years.

If you 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.

Sometimes, you’re paid when you deliver the work. More often, you’ll be paid once the magazine is actually on the newsstand, or 30 days after it’s published.

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 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. However, be selective about the number of events you speak at. (Avoid over-saturating the market.) Try to get your name and photo on the event’s promotional materials.

Fortune: Unless you’re already a star, or selling your own books at the event, paranormal events pay little or nothing. If you’re reimbursed for travel expenses and/or your hotel room, that’s great… but don’t count on it.

Warning: Find out who’s on the schedule with you before committing to any event. If many of the speakers have poor reputations, it can reflect badly on you. (“Birds of a feather…”)

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 at major venues — 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 several successive years, your own 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, 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.

Also have a “Plan B” ready if your biggest celebrity cancels at the last minute. It happens. Often.

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, 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 have 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 — for example, helping realtors who need 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 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.

Get rich quick?

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