first yr,how did ya do

[MindWerxKMG]

This was our first year also and we did better than we anticipated. Our numbers were about 50% better than what we had expected they would be for a first year haunt. We had advertising on four radio stations, a two-page feature article in the local major newspaper and stories on our local NBC and FOX affiliates. We also passed out postcard sized advertisement cards at the Mid-South Fair. Patrons who brought two canned food items for the Food Bank received a $2 discount. We collected 3 tons of food and made a donation that enabled the Food Bank to serve 56,000 meals. Nightshade Manor will be back next year with the addition of a Scarefactory Catacombs package and indoor graveyard.

[Empressnightshade]

wipp,

last year was our first and yes, I too was disappointed in the turnout. So, I advertised my butt off this year. And again, although the numbers were better, I was disappointed. I realize that our location has a lot to do with it. Because of this, we will be relocating next season.

[Jim Warfield]

Relocating just as some people were just figuring out where you were!
Hard to hit a moving target!
Duck! That was close!
fess up, you are really moving your location to try to maintain some sanity, right? Doing it from the old home place gets trying.

[wipp]

i think our problem may be more than just advertising.i think i need a way to get people to stay on our property longer.they come they walk through and they leave.im thinkin if mabie their was more to do outside it may attract people.when cars are in parking lot they keep comin in.but when we were empty,it stayed empty.i probably wouldnt go to an empty haunt either.

[Empressnightshade]

Relocating just as some people were just figuring out where you were!
Hard to hit a moving target!
Duck! That was close!
fess up, you are really moving your location to try to maintain some sanity, right? Doing it from the old home place gets trying.

Jim, I will not deny that having a haunt at your own home is quite difficult. As you know, there so many things that make ya wanna just SCREAM!!!! But, there are also the perks.
However, that's not what has made me come to the conclusion that it should no longer be here. We've had customers tell us that if it were somewhere else, we'd have a lot more clientele and this I already know. This residentiall area is dragging us down and it's time for us to move on.

I know that there will be those who will come here because we've been here for the last two years. But, I've already decided to have a banner made to put on the gate saying that we've moved to a new location with the address. Our website will say that fact, as well as all other advertisement. Better to move now than to wait another year.....

[chip3199]

This topic hits home with my haunt. After a couple semi-successful shows in a not-so-great mid-Michigan location, Pigman's Lair took a season off to spend time with a new baby- what a wonderful thing, I love my boy!!

After saving a lot of money and investing heavily into the show with props and advertising, we found the perfect new location right off I-94, between 2 big Michigan cities. We reopened this past season, focusing heavily on advertising, and trying to capitalize on our "Great" new location. I quote the word location because location is not everything... It takes location, word of mouth, advertising, and persistence to succeed. Granted, we have an awesome location, but because we took a year off, and moved 30 minutes northeast of our past location , it hurt us. All of our reviews were awesome, our show was great, people were scared and definitely got their money's worth, but attendance wasn't nearly what we expected it would be. We will be back next year for sure.

Larry, your response to this thread is very true, and extremely inspirational. I could not agree more!

Good luck to those of you like me who have been knocked down- hopefully it will make you stronger and better!

Chip "Pigman" DeLong
www.pigmanslair.com
Chelsea, MI

[chip3199]

Duh... I meant I quote the word "Great".. whatever.. it's late!

[Haunted Nashville]

This was our first season as well. The numbers were good. We ran about 1,600 people more than our goal. We had a pretty good relationship with three Halloween Express stores in the area that put our flyers in customers bags. We also split radio time with them and came up with a package for free passes and free merchandise that the radio stations gave away at night with no charge to us. All in all, a good first year. We are actually already building and changing things around for next season.

[Greg Chrise]

You can also "seed" the parking lot with a few employee cars. One thing I have only seen at one haunted house is an"open sign" It seems the popularity of those neon signs have the general public trained. Even if there are signs about the event, even a big log it needs to be declared Open. If they don't see one they don't know what to do unless they see others doing it? Like at 10 PM especially, they are probably closed. Too bad we missed it.

[Jim Warfield]

10pm, "Too bad we missed it!" Sounds like a cheap parent saving some money instead of "throwing it away" on one of those haunted house-things"
I have noticed however some charity haunts do close early avoiding the drunks and the associated problems, anyway I guess that's why they close at 9:30?