No. 1: Host a Halloween event. This, naturally, includes a costume party, of which both guests and employees can dress up, and a pumpkin carving contest. Give a prize for the best costume and pumpkin. However, there is always room to go the extra mile and get creative. For example, if you’re a Realtor, have a haunted house. If you own a restaurant, serve Halloween-themed food shaped like pumpkins, ghosts, witches, etc. You can also convince neighboring businesses to participate and create a Halloween block party.

No. 2: Decorate your business. If you have a brick-and-mortar location, get into the holiday spirit by dressing it up. Prominently feature a Halloween-themed window display with cobwebs, carved pumpkins that relate to your business, gravestones, etc. This will ensure your brand is more recognizable and fun in the eyes of consumers. If you don’t have a physical store location, consider dressing yourself and your staff up for Halloween and taking a picture to put on your website, social media pages or advertising material.

No. 3: Offer Halloween promotions. This can include offering discounts and having a Halloween sale. For example, offer discounts to customers who are wearing Halloween costumes, or give them free tickets to a local haunted house or Halloween event. You can also join forces with a local costume or candy shop and give away each other’s coupons. Give customers even more incentive to patronize your business by offering goodie bags with each purchase.

No. 4: Give out trick-or-treat bags with your company’s logo. Handing out trick-or-treat bags to your customers with your company’s logo on them in the days and weeks before Halloween is an ideal way to ensure your brand is synonymous with the holiday and will be remembered. Companies such as ShowYourLogo.com will print your business’ name and logo on Halloween bags that kids can use for trick-or-treating, and includes Halloween safety tips on each bag.

No. 5: Cater to trick-or-treaters. Many people, particularly in larger cities, look for safe places where their children can go trick-or-treating. By catering to them, you not only show that you care about the welfare of children by giving them a safe environment to celebrate Halloween but can increase business. You can further bring the community together by encouraging other businesses around you to also hand out candy and make your business block the go-to family-friendly place for Halloween trick-or-treaters.

Blog by Dale Myers. the NALA's Head Writer.