Comments on: Starting a Paranormal Investigation Team – Part 2

By: Thomas J.

Thomas J. — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 05:46:58 +0000

I’m sorry, but I have to disagree. Using Hannah T’s example, a patient could just as easily say, “I’m already dealing with this disease (which is a big stress cause alone) and now I have to pay the doctor to cure me? I could just cure myself!” No, the patient most likely could not cure the disease, just like an individual could most like not get rid of spirits on their own.

Ask yourself this: in what other business are you expected to make a substantial investment on equipment, give your time and use your expertise…and get nothing in return? We have to start to get away from the thinking that is still left over from when universities had parapsychology departments where students would go to homes and investigate at the homeowners request. We are not universities. We have purchased our own equipment with our own money. We are not in school doing this as part of our curriculum. Those days are long over, yet we still feel that we are conducting ‘scientific research’. Get off your high horses everyone; we are not scientists, and we are not conducting research in controlled enviroments. Running around with an EMF meter saying, “Ooooh, I got a spike!” like some of these idiots on tv is not conducting scientific research. We hunt and (hopefully) get rid of the problem for people. We are performing a service, not much different than a pest control company.

That does not mean that we should not have empathy and care about the client’s situation. Doctors care. Clergy cares. Social Workers care. People in countless other professions ‘care’. But, they get paid, don’t they? Charging a fee does not mean that you are dishonest. It means that you believe your time, investment and expertise has worth. So the question is this: if we are showing the public that we do not believe our field has worth, why should we expect them to believe it does?

By: Hannah T.

Hannah T. — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:36:43 +0000

I would do the donations thing. But honestly. From my prespective? This is what someone would say to the money towards P.I.’s thing.
“I’m already dealing with these spirits haunting me, (which is a big stress cause alone) and now I have to pay them to get these things out of here? I could just do this myself!”
I get the point.

By: Candie

Candie — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:07:55 +0000

Thank you for having this posted. It was very informative and helpful. I too agree that accepting donations is the better option. I would also like to say to Martin J. Clemens, that viewing this as an “intellectual pursuit”, is exactly how it should be viewed. So glad I stopped by for the “lessons”.

By: Martin J. Clemens

Martin J. Clemens — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:48:12 +0000

Great article, you’re right on all counts; especially the idea of not charging for services. Ghost hunting should be an intellectual pursuit of truth and nothing more. Paying the bills is necessary, but there are better ways of doing so.

The best part of viewing paranormal investigation as an intellectual pursuit, is that others will follow suit, and eventually you will gain a reputation for being a well studied professional, which will bring them flocking to your website…and that’s where the money is to be made!

Well done…you are bookmarked!

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:19:15 +0000

We all are familiar with the phrase (…)

Ooh, so this is how it sounds in English . Sorry, I’m Pole. Anyway, that’s why I strongly believe in these rules:
1. First, make sure you have your own budget for investigations.
2. Then, make sure you’re building a good-looking portfolio, so people know you’re not only serious, but also respectful.
3. Then, start turning your business ideas into reality, without forgeting about first 2 rules.