How to Be Ghost Tour Guide - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 29, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The city of St. Augustine has a long, dark history of hauntings and supernatural occurrences. This has caused an influx of ghost tours and paranormal activity in the city, as more and more people visit to experience the otherworldly atmosphere. In turn, this has led to a growing number of ghost tour guides providing visitors with an informative and spooky experience, detailing the history of the area as well as the stories of the ghosts that haunt it. As the popularity of ghost tours continues to grow, these tour guides are becoming increasingly important to the city, helping to educate visitors about the history of St. Augustine, its notable haunted locations, and the various ghosts that are said to inhabit them.

Steps How to Become

Research local ghost lore. Get familiar with local ghost stories, haunted locations, and other information related to the supernatural. Look through books, online sources, and visit local museums to gain a comprehensive understanding of the areas ghostly history.
Develop a tour. Think of different tour routes, points of interest, and the types of stories you want to tell. Consider the type of audience youll be giving the tour to and plan accordingly.
Practice your tour. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the information youll be sharing. Practice with friends and family or even hold a few practice tours in public places.
Get certified. Look into getting certified as a ghost tour guide. Check with local tourist boards or associations that offer certifications that can help you stand out from the competition.
Market your tour. Promote your tour on social media channels, create a website, and distribute flyers to get the word out about your tour. Consider offering special discounts, promotions, or packages to entice more people to join your tour.
Give the tour. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment for your tour, such as flashlights, audio equipment, etc. , and be prepared for any questions or requests from your guests. Keep your tours engaging by providing interesting anecdotes and stories along the way.

Being an efficient and successful tour guide requires staying ahead of the game. There are a few key steps one can take to ensure they stay on top of their tour guiding responsibilities. First, it is important to stay organized and plan ahead.

Make sure to keep a detailed itinerary of upcoming tours, as well as any changes or updates. be sure to stay up to date on the citys events and attractions, so that tour guests receive the most accurate information. Lastly, use helpful tools like tour guide apps to help streamline processes and make tasks easier and more efficient.

By staying ahead of the game and utilizing organization and technology, tour guides can become more efficient and successful in their work.

You may want to check Ghost Rider, Ghost Narrator, and Ghost Investigator for alternative.

Job Description

Lead guided walking tours of haunted sites in the local area.
Educate guests on the history of the location and its paranormal activity.
Actively seek out new haunted locations to add to the tour route.
Create and present engaging stories about the haunted sites.
Research and develop new tour routes.
Respond to inquiries from potential guests and book tours.
Develop promotional materials for tour packages.
Keep accurate records of tour participants, tour dates, and revenue.
Ensure guest safety at all times.
Maintain accurate knowledge of local landmarks and history.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Knowledge of local history and legends.
Ability to lead a group and keep them engaged.
Ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor.
Ability to answer questions and provide interesting facts.
Excellent storytelling skills.
Knowledge of safety protocols.
Knowledge of first aid and emergency procedures.
Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability to drive a vehicle, if applicable.

Being a successful ghost tour guide requires a certain set of skills. Having good communication skills is essential, as it allows the guide to effectively convey the history, stories, and atmosphere of the tour. Being knowledgeable about the history and folklore of the area is also important, as this will help the guide to provide interesting and informative commentary to the guests.

it is important for a ghost tour guide to have an appreciation for the paranormal and be able to communicate this enthusiasm to the guests. This will help to create an immersive experience where guests can fully appreciate the spooky atmosphere of the tour. Finally, the guide must be able to think on their feet and respond quickly to any questions or concerns that arise during the tour.

By having all of these skills, a ghost tour guide can ensure that their guests have an enjoyable experience.

Ghost Storyteller, Ghost Artist, and Ghost Performer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in leading ghost tours?
How would you handle a situation where a customer is scared or gets too close to the ghosts?
What methods do you use to maintain crowd control on a tour?
Are you familiar with local ghost stories and folklore?
What methods do you use to ensure the safety of your customers?
How do you handle customer complaints or difficult questions during a tour?
What strategies do you use to engage and educate guests during a tour?
What qualifications do you have for leading ghost tours?
Describe a time when you had to adapt to an unexpected situation on a tour.
How do you manage stress during a tour?

Common Tools in Industry

Flashlight. A hand-held device used to provide light in dark areas. (Eg: A tour guide may use a flashlight to explore a haunted house).
Radio. A device used to send and receive radio waves, enabling wireless communication. (Eg: A tour guide may use a radio to contact other guides during the tour).
Notebook. A paper notebook used to record notes and observations. (Eg: A tour guide may use a notebook to record details about the tour).
Camera. A device used to take pictures or videos. (Eg: A tour guide may use a camera to capture the atmosphere of the tour).
Map. A document or resource showing geographical information. (Eg: A tour guide may use a map to identify landmarks and other points of interest).
Voice recorder. A device used to record audio for playback at a later time. (Eg: A tour guide may use a voice recorder to document their tour for later review).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Guild of Tour Guides (USA)
International Tour Management Institute (ITMI)
Association of Professional Tour Guides (Australia)
Professional Tour Guide Association of Canada
European Network of Professional Tourist Guide Associations (ENGTGA)
World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA)
International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

We also have Ghost Programmer, Ghost Groomer, and Ghost Developer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Ghost. A paranormal entity, believed to be the spirit of a deceased person, which can interact with the living world.
Haunting. When a ghost appears in a certain location, usually to repeat certain behaviors or events from its past.
Spectral Activity. Refers to paranormal events and experiences that involve ghosts and hauntings.
Supernatural. Refers to phenomena that cannot be explained by natural laws, including ghosts and hauntings.
Poltergeist. A type of ghost or supernatural entity that is believed to cause physical disturbances such as loud noises, levitation of objects, and other unexplained phenomena.
Psychic. A person who claims to have the ability to perceive information hidden from the senses through extrasensory perception (ESP).
Medium. An individual who acts as a bridge between two realms, allowing communication between the living and the dead.
Demonologist. A person who studies the behavior of demons and their influence on the living world.
Ghost Hunting. The practice of actively seeking out ghosts in order to study them.
Occult. Refers to activities related to supernatural and paranormal phenomena.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Ghost Tour Guide?

A Ghost Tour Guide is a professional who leads visitors on a tour through an area that is said to be haunted, typically providing information about the area's history and possible paranormal activity.

How long is a typical Ghost Tour?

A typical Ghost Tour lasts between 1-2 hours.

What kind of locations do Ghost Tours typically visit?

Ghost Tours typically visit historical sites, cemeteries, and other locations believed to be haunted.

Are Ghost Tours suitable for children?

Ghost Tours are generally not recommended for children under the age of 12 due to the potentially frightening nature of the tour.

Does a Ghost Tour Guide need any special qualifications?

A Ghost Tour Guide should have knowledge of the area's history and be able to provide accurate and engaging information about the sites visited. Additionally, some tour operators may require a valid driver's license or other certifications.