TAPS Family Requirements
 
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Britt Griffith and I am the TAPS Family Manager.  My role as Manager is to continue to move the TAPS Family in a progressive and growing direction.  I work closely with several TAPS Family Co-Managers, TAPS Family Liasons, and the Founders and Managers of all the TAPS Family groups to accomplish our primary goal:  To help clients that believe they are having problems with paranormal activity.
 
Part of the TAPS Family management team's duties, is to screen, interview, and accept qualified teams into the TAPS Family.  Our goal is to provide quality TAPS Family coverage to every corner of the United States, and Internationally as well.  If you have questions about or wish to apply for TAPS Family status, we will certainly respond to your inquiries. Understand that we receive a massive number of applications and questions each day. While we will certainly reply to you, please be patient with us as we are very busy.
 
Please note that the TAPS Family is an elite network of some of the best teams around. Our selection process is fairly strenuous and will remain that way. To qualify for the TAPS Family, you must meet the below minimum requirements. However understand that meeting these requirements does not constitute immediate acceptance into the TAPS Family. While we are very fair in our selection process, we also take a lot of other things into consideration and discuss all aspects of an application, as a team. To qualify you must meet these minimum requirements:
 
1. Your team must have a minimum of one year of service in the community. This must be verifiable.
2. Your team must have a web presence and must represent themselves on an advertisement-free service. We shy away from freebie web hosting sites.
3. You must provide two (2) references at a minimum from your local community. This ensures to us that you've been active in a positive and constructive way.
4. The Founder of your group must be at least 21 years of age and have a clean criminal background.
5. Your group must offer all services for free and while your policy may include accepting donations, you may not ask for or insist on receiving donations.
6. Your group must be in an area where we need coverage.  We do not stack TAPS Family groups on top of each other, as this serves no purpose.
7. You understand that if your group is rejected at the current time, you may not reapply for at least 12 months.
 
We are not interested in getting applications stating "We are huge fans of the show". While we thank you for supporting TAPS and watching the show, stating this several times in your application will not increase your chances of acceptance.  While the above list represents the minimum requirements, we also look at the quality of your website.  We attempt to ascertain whether your website is set up in a client-friendly manner, and provides information that a client would need to make an informed decision as to whether or not to ask your group for help.  These are some of the things we look for when screening your website:
 
1.  An investigators/team profile section, that allows the client to see and read about the members of your team.
2.  An easy-to-find and easy-to-use "Request for Help" method.  An email link, an internet form, a phone number, or other easy way for the client to contact you for help.
3.  A list of the investigations your team has performed.  In addition, it is valuable for clients to be able to read some information about each investgation, in order to assess the tone and demeanor of the team, your investigation methods, and what sort of conclusions you come to.
4.  Some information about the team's approach.  Your methods.  The equipment you use.  The equipment you don't use.
5.  Some information about the paranormal in general.  This can take many forms.  A glossary.  Some articles on the paranormal.  Some tips for the client.  etc.
6.  We tend to frown on extremely scary images, music, or sound effects on your website.  The last thing a scared client looking for help wants to experience is an extremly scary website.
7.  Broken links and empty pages are unprofessional, and show a lack of organization.
8.  We usually steer away from websites that make the client register with the website before they can view critical pieces of information they need to assess your group prior to contacting you.
9.  We look for a clean, easy-to-navigate website, that makes content simple to access.
10.  We do not believe there should be messages on the website that attempt to push a client to make donations to your team.  If they want to give a donation, and you want to accept it fine.  But donations should not be expected.
11.  We steer away from groups with negativity towards other paranormal groups, or other individuals on their website.
 
If you read over these minimum requirements and the things we look for in a group, and you aren't ready to apply...don't apply.  Prior to applying, make sure you meet our requirements and that you are in the best postion you can be to successfully apply.  Good luck and we look forward to hearing from some of you!
 
Britt Griffith - TAPS