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Planning for 2016? What steps do you take?
We've recently ventured into the social media marketing strategy business in the Haunted Attraction industry and we've learned a lot! So here are some thoughts, from our experience, on tips and tricks of the trade when planning out your next year's Haunt theme and marketing strategy.
- If you can't explain your Haunt backstory in 140 characters or less, it's too complicated.
If your back story is a couple pages long, then you've put too much work into it and it will blow right over the heads of your customers.
- Create a voice. It's really important to have a singular image with your seasonal theme. That includes color, tone and character. You may feel like you're doing yourself a favor by catering to a wide audience by creating multiple images of your Haunt, but this usually causes confusion. You want people to see your fliers, your banners, your tickets and your website and know that it's all coming from the same source. This helps when your ad agency or graphics are created by one body, rather than several. If that's you, then stay consistent
- Don't allow discount prices to become your bread and butter for marketing. It's called price degradation, and it's going to hurt your business in the long run. Instead of offering everyone $3 dollars off, run an early campaign for a pair of free tickets, or better yet -- offer something MORE than the general admission experience without messing with the price. The problem that we've found in Haunts running too many discount campaigns is it often keeps potential customers waiting for the best deal and therefore putting off your Haunt rather than running to the ticket booth. There are better options you can offer: Front of the line, VIP treatment, interactive experience, glow stick wristbands, character photo shoots, etc. These are things that cost you very little extra in expenses, and you're still retaining the level ticket price.
What else do you Haunters do when planning out your season's theme, marketing strategy, or new additions? Share with the rest of us!
- If you can't explain your Haunt backstory in 140 characters or less, it's too complicated.
If your back story is a couple pages long, then you've put too much work into it and it will blow right over the heads of your customers.
- Create a voice. It's really important to have a singular image with your seasonal theme. That includes color, tone and character. You may feel like you're doing yourself a favor by catering to a wide audience by creating multiple images of your Haunt, but this usually causes confusion. You want people to see your fliers, your banners, your tickets and your website and know that it's all coming from the same source. This helps when your ad agency or graphics are created by one body, rather than several. If that's you, then stay consistent
- Don't allow discount prices to become your bread and butter for marketing. It's called price degradation, and it's going to hurt your business in the long run. Instead of offering everyone $3 dollars off, run an early campaign for a pair of free tickets, or better yet -- offer something MORE than the general admission experience without messing with the price. The problem that we've found in Haunts running too many discount campaigns is it often keeps potential customers waiting for the best deal and therefore putting off your Haunt rather than running to the ticket booth. There are better options you can offer: Front of the line, VIP treatment, interactive experience, glow stick wristbands, character photo shoots, etc. These are things that cost you very little extra in expenses, and you're still retaining the level ticket price.
What else do you Haunters do when planning out your season's theme, marketing strategy, or new additions? Share with the rest of us!
Great tips. 
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