Recently, I’ve been among the speakers at several paranormal conferences.  It’s interesting to see the wide range of personalities and their backgrounds.

There are those whose strengths are their years of experience in this field.   (Online for over ten years and published in this field for more than 25 years… I’m one of them.)

Others are great in front of a camera and usually have at least some background in paranormal research.  They add dazzle to this field and make it even more entertaining and popular.

Without their TV shows, we might not have access to the research sites that we do.  We certainly have more and better research tools than we did before ghost hunting became popular.

But, as a few of us joked, everyone seems to have a radio show now, and everyone’s filming TV pilots.

That could be a good thing.  TV audiences aren’t interested in seeing failed shows return with new names and different faces.   Radio shows are compelling only when they offer something distinctly different from the usual.

By opening the doors to everyone, we increase the likelihood of discovering fresh and interesting shows.  That’s what keeps the popularity of this field growing.

The Internet makes a lot of this possible.  Fresh faces are an essential ingredient.  Innovative producers are important.  Inexpensive video cameras and software help, too.

But, few (if any) will get rich, and not everyone should aspire to fame.

Here are my insights, if you’re considering joining the stampede towards radio and TV shows.

Ghost Hunting for Fame

There are three ways to become famous in this field.  Even with no prior experience in paranormal research, you can network your way to fame.  Go to events, meet the right celebrities, and talk your way onto a show.  Play that game well and you can be in front of a camera within weeks.

However, your popularity may be very short-lived.  Every time your lack of expertise is revealed — on or off camera — you lose credibility.

Frankly, credibility is the most valuable commodity in this field.

At the other end of the spectrum: You can build a body of work that brings you respect in the field.  As an authority, you could bring credibility to paranormal shows if your research supports the show’s premise and if they know that you exist.

But, if you sit in your office and others in the field don’t realize what you’re working on… Well, you’ll have even less success than someone who networks aggressively with no credentials.

The third — and perhaps best — approach is to combine solid and continuing research in this field with community interaction.

• Go on investigations
• Stay current with new tools, techniques and discoveries
• Hone your skills and expertise
• Choose a niche and become an authority
• Meet other amateurs
• Network with professionals
• Share what you’re learning
• Aggressively pursue new discoveries that will help others

However, this approach takes time and there’s considerable speculation about how much longer ghost-related shows will remain popular.

If your goal is to be on TV, you’ll probably have the best luck if you pursue the first route described above.

Ghost Hunting Your Way to a Fortune?

Most people don’t get rich in this field.  Most of us do other things for income.  (I write books and articles, and — under another name — I’m an award-winning artist.)  Some of us also rely on a spouse or partner to pay the mortgage, etc.

In fact, I usually spend my free time among “celebrities” in this field.   I have yet to see one of them being driven around by a chauffeur, or living a wealthy lifestyle… unless their money came from another source, not the TV show.

Most ghost-related TV shows are categorized as “reality shows.”   This means that the stars aren’t members of the Screen Actors Guild and they don’t take home the paychecks that even a walk-on actor does, in a regular TV show.

You might be surprised at how many “reality show” stars film long hours for a paycheck only slightly better than they’d earn in a fast food restaurant.

Go ahead and pursue this field for fame, if you want to.  That’s an achievable goal.

However, ghost hunting isn’t a path to wealth.  If your goal is money, there are far easier ways to get rich.

If You Want to Become a TV Star

My advice? Investing time should be like investing money:  Only spend it on the things you love, regardless of whether it makes you rich or famous.

If you want to be on TV, learn about being on TV.  Get a makeover so you look great in front of the camera. (“Supermodel” shows will give you some good tips).  Refine your accent and improve your voice for radio and TV.  Take acting lessons.  Go on auditions.

Then, whether the trend is ghosts, UFOs, dragons, time travel or whatever… you’ll still be on TV, doing what you love.

Identify Your Primary Goal

If you have goals in this field, no matter what they are, I hope you’ll pursue them.

However, it’s important to identify why you’re involved with ghost hunting.  Set clear goals.

If you’re in this field to be on a TV show, work towards being on a show.   Put all of your energy into that.  You’ll gain experience as a ghost researcher later, through your on-camera work and some spare time studying.

However, if you’re fascinated by the paranormal, forget about being on a show… at least for now.  Hone your skills and develop respect as a researcher.  Then, through networking, you can become famous if you want to.

Trying to do it all, all at once, is a mistake.   Unfortunately, I’m seeing too many frustrated people who are spinning their wheels.

For the greatest success, choose one goal: Fame or expertise.  Develop that first, and then see if you’re interested in the other.