Seasonal marketing is a fantastic way to keep generating interest in your brand from one holiday to the next. And October is no exception.

Consumer spending in the UK on Halloween continues to rise, with more people buying into the event than ever before. It is now the third most popular festival behind Christmas and Easter, with Mintel forecasting that Britons will spend a record £320m celebrating the spooky occasion this year.

How Business Can Benefit From Halloween

More than a third of consumers buy sweets and/or chocolates for the Halloween season, clearly driven by the ‘trick or treat’ tradition. However, pumpkins, fancy dress items, decorations and cosmetics, are proving just as popular. For Millennials who grew up celebrating Halloween, this nostalgic event provides a good excuse for a party, which businesses should be keen to tap into.

So, even if your company doesn’t have a direct link to this event, Halloween offers a unique opportunity to launch some fun and interesting promotional campaigns. Those keen to celebrate Halloween will be looking for several different activities to do with their family and friends but will also be expecting to see Halloween-themed marketing campaigns across the board. When it comes to seasonal marketing, familiarity is what people crave.

Promotional Ideas For Halloween

Here are some Halloween promotional ideas you could use to bring the festive fun to your business while appealing to customers at the same time.

Hold a Halloween-themed workshop

Halloween is a time when a lot of people like to get creative. Hosting pumpkin carving, costume-making and face painting activities are great opportunities for retailers to encourage customers to visit them in-store. You can further encourage them to take photos of their works and share on social media, thus creating an additional buzz.

Decorate your space

Never underestimate the power of festive decorations. If you have a space that people can visit, add some spooky themed touches. From halloween-themed printed gazebos to flags, banners and tablecloths are a great way of grabbing people’s attention, drawing them inside or showing off your products in a fun new way.

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Offer Halloween-appropriate incentives

Your Halloween promotions are likely to include discounts or other special offers, but it’s worth testing a free gift for every seasonal purchase, something that is low-cost, small and easy to ship or pack with every order. They will lend more credibility to your holiday-themed marketing. If you are looking at in-store incentives, you may wish to hand out branded treats or bags that can be used for trick-or-treating to customers in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Host a costume contest

Encourage customers to get creative with their Halloween costumes by hosting a costume contest. This event can be organised in-store if you have a physical location or online through your website or social media platforms. Offer attractive prizes for different categories, such as the scariest costume, the most original costume, and the best group or family costume. This not only increases customer engagement but also encourages participants to share their experiences with their network, providing you with free marketing and the potential to reach new customers.

Curate Halloween-themed products or services

Tailor your products or services to fit the Halloween theme. For retail stores, this could mean creating a special Halloween collection featuring items with spooky designs or in traditional Halloween colours like orange, black, and purple. For service-oriented businesses, consider offering limited-time services that cater to Halloween needs, such as makeup services for those looking to perfect their costume look or special menu items for restaurants and cafes that capture the essence of the holiday. Highlighting these offerings in your marketing materials can attract customers looking to get into the Halloween spirit.

Engage in community Halloween events

Participate in or sponsor local Halloween events, such as parades, festivals, or trunk-or-treat events. This shows your business's commitment to the community and provides an excellent opportunity to increase brand visibility. You can hand out branded merchandise, offer samples of your products, or provide coupons to encourage people to visit your store or website. Engaging with the community in this way can help build a positive brand image and foster customer loyalty.

Most importantly, have fun!

Halloween presents a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with their customers in fun and imaginative ways. From hosting workshops and costume contests to curating seasonal products and engaging in community events, there are countless strategies to captivate your audience and boost your brand this spooky season.

Remember, the key to a successful Halloween promotion is creativity, engagement, and a touch of spookiness. By implementing these ideas, you can create memorable experiences for your customers, encourage community participation, and ultimately, drive sales and growth for your business.