Advice on what to include when contacting investigators

Many people contact paranormal groups for help with a perceived haunting in their home. The problem is that often their first contact is very vague or incomplete leading to frustration on the part of the investigators and a great deal of wasted time trying to sort out the specifics of what’s going on that makes them feel they are experiencing paranormal phenomenon. While each group has its own questions and procedures there are some basic guidelines on what to include that can speed up the process of getting the help a person needs.
1) Explain exactly what’s going on in the home: talk about phenomenon you’ve directly seen with your own eyes and that other people have seen. Try to be concrete as well. If the extent of your experiences is that entering a specific room gives you a bad feeling you probably should look for why the room is making you uncomfortable before assuming it’s paranormal.
2) Mention any occult objects or practices you use or own: If you own an Ouija board, practice magic, or regularly conduct séances this is information a group is going to want to have. These activities may have brought about what you are experiencing or may be aggravating the situation. Even if you think you know how to “properly” use an Ouija board (and it’s amazing how many people with severe spiritual problems still insist they do) mention that you do so.
3) Try to avoid theories or psychic impressions: While this kind of information may come into play sooner in an initial contact it’s better to stick to factual information. Don’t say you’ve got 6 demons of type x, y and z unless you have a concrete explanation of why (and that it’s what you feel really doesn’t qualify). In this regard it’s akin to seeing a doctor tell the investigator the symptoms and let him diagnose the problem.
4) Give contact information for any other groups that have already been out: a web site address at least is helpful. Also it helps to give some idea of why you are no longer working with them.
5) Include any psychological conditions and medications you are taking: Any group worth its salt is going to ask this sooner or later. If you cover it in the first contact you’ll save time.
6) Include at least the city and state you are located in: More than once investigators get an email desperately begging for help and are left wondering where the person is located. In particular if you are very far from the group you are contacting you need to let them know. They may wind up referring you to another organization that is more local.
7) Include at least your email address and ideally your phone number as well: This should be obvious but again many people contact groups but leave them no easy way to reach them. Again you should include the best times to call or other pertinent information.
8) Include any steps you have already taken: If you’ve had the house blessed mention this and who preformed it. If you’ve tried smudging or some ritual you found online include it and a link to where you found the information. Also of course include what, if any, effect this had on the phenomenon you experience.
9) If you don’t hear back try again: Emails get sent to spam folders, accidentally deleted and more. If someone doesn’t respond at all they may not be ignoring you instead they may simply have missed the communication for one reason or another.
In return there are certain things a client should expect from a legitimate group on being contacted.
1) Privacy: Any legitimate group should keep your information confidential. They should never use your real name, personal photographs or anything of the like without your written permission.
2) No Charge or Expenses: Any group that expects you to pay for a telephone consultation (and some can ask quite exorbitant fees just for a phone call) is almost certainly running some kind of scam. That said if you ask a group for help that’s located very far away from you (a good rule of thumb is more than 2 hours drive) expect to be asked to compensate them for gas, tolls and other reasonable expenses. Most investigators work ordinary day jobs and can’t afford to drive 3-4 hours (or farther) at the drop of a hat.
3) Professionalism: They should treat you and your home with the respect you’d expect from any other guest. If a group is not doing so there’s clearly something seriously wrong.