10 Halloween-inspired business ideas to help you make the most of this festive time of year

Spooky Season (AKA Fall) is the perfect time for your business to get creative and engage customers with a festive spirit. Whether you're a retail store, restaurant, or service-based business, Halloween-themed promotions and events can attract new customers, build community, and boost sales. From haunted happy hours to spooky selfie stations, there are countless ways to tap into the fun and excitement of the season while showcasing your brand. If spooky isn't your thing, you can tame these ideas down with a variety of pumpkin/apple/fall additions as well.

? 1.?Haunted Happy Hours: Who said Halloween is just for trick-or-treaters? Host "Haunted Happy Hours" at your bar or restaurant, complete with spooky-themed drinks and appetizers. Encourage your staff to dress up in costume or host a costume contest for your patrons. Why not tag onto one of the many events the businesses in downtown Cartersville are already planning like Witches Night Out or BBQ, Brews and Boos! ?

2.?Trick or Treat Extravaganza: If you have a physical storefront, turn it into a Halloween wonderland. Decorate your shop with cobwebs, skeletons, and pumpkins. Offer treats to visiting children and create a festive atmosphere that draws in families on their trick-or-treat adventures. This can be a great way to connect with our local community and leave a lasting impression. ?Tap into the costume idea early by welcoming participants from this weekend's Kiddie Day Parade!

3.?Costume Contests and Workshops: If you run a clothing boutique or a costume shop, organize costume contests for your customers. Offer workshops on DIY costume ideas for those who want to get creative. This idea may seem like it interferes with business but it brings people in and they’ll likely buy something. ?

4. "Witchin' Workshops":?Get your customers in the Halloween spirit by offering workshops related to your products or services. For example, if you own a bakery, host a pumpkin cupcake decorating workshop. A bookstore could offer spooky storytelling sessions, and a spa could run a Halloween-themed service concocting a special lotion mix. These workshops build a sense of community and loyalty around your brand. ?

5.?Themed Sales and Discounts: Create Halloween-themed sales or promotions to entice customers. You can offer "spooky" discounts, such as 13% off or a "buy one, get one half off" deal. Decorate your website and social media profiles to match the Halloween theme. ?

6.?Mystery Giveaways: Organize a series of mystery giveaways leading up to Halloween. Promote these on your social media platforms and encourage your customers to engage with your business online. Make the prizes Halloween-themed or related to your products and services, and the mystery element adds excitement and intrigue. ?

7.?Spooky Decor and Selfies: Transform your business space into a Halloween haven and encourage customers to take photos in front of your spooky decor. Create a Halloween-themed backdrop and promote it as a perfect spot for selfies. Consider running a social media contest for the best Halloween selfie taken in your establishment. ?

8. Ghost Story Nights: If you run a café, bookstore, or library, host a ghost story night where customers can share their favorite spooky tales or listen to a local storyteller. Offer themed snacks and beverages to enhance the experience. This brings people together and gives them a reason to stay longer in your space.

?9. Scavenger Hunt: Organize a Halloween scavenger hunt in or around your business location. Hide themed items throughout your store or neighborhood and offer a prize to the first participant or team to find everything. This can be a fun, family-friendly event that draws people in.

?10. Pet Costume Parade: Partner with one of our local rescues or pet groomers to host a Halloween pet costume parade. Invite people to dress up their pets and showcase them in front of your business. Award prizes for the most creative costumes and provide treats for both pets and their owners.

Keep the atmosphere playful and spooky, not frightening for the widest appeal. Remember to tell the Chamber about your Halloween-inspired activities so we can help you get the word out. ? ?

Written by: Christina Metcalf, Edited by: Charity Gherardini