Halloween is coming, which, if you’ve visited any shopping mall within the past month, you’re no doubt very aware of. And while Halloween’s great for the retail sector (Halloween spending is projected to hit a record $9.1 billion in the U.S. alone this year), there are opportunities for all businesses to tap into the theme and boost their marketing message.
So how can your business get into the Halloween spirit and generate connection with your audience? Twitter's provided some tips and ideas to get you thinking about how you can link into the theme.
1. “Share tips and tricks”
Okay, this won’t be for everyone, but as Twitter notes:
“People are looking for content that’ll help them get ready for the holiday. Highlight your expertise by Tweeting Halloween inspired tips, advice, and tricks.”
20 creative Halloween party ideas for a memorable bash: https://t.co/bBskJiOpXV pic.twitter.com/xBAK4mHg9K
— MyDomaine (@mydomaine) October 3, 2017
Not every business will have relevant tips, but there may be notes and ideas you can share with your audience to help them prepare for the event.
People will be looking to get into the spirit with decorations and treats. If there’s an angle for your business, it may provide a good opportunity to boost brand awareness.
2. “Connect the moment to your product”
The essence of this tip is somewhat similar to the first point – is there a way your business messaging can be tied into Halloween, even if they’re not a direct match?
A morning without cold-brew? Now that's scary! Happy #Halloween ya'll! pic.twitter.com/ykoiIIY6DW
— Chameleon Cold-Brew (@ChameleonCoffee) October 31, 2015
As explained by Twitter:
“You don’t have to sell candy, costumes, or pumpkins to connect with people; all sorts of businesses can make the most of #Halloween. Get creative and think of different ways your product can relate to the holiday.”
With an estimated 26 million tweets to be sent around the event, it’s worth considering how you can tap into that stream and gain exposure among a wider audience.
3. “Tweet video content”
This one’s fairly overt – video content performs well on virtually every social platform, and can definitely help your content stand out in the busy Twitter feed.
Need a last minute #Halloween costume? https://t.co/EVRQ7lc9QW pic.twitter.com/H5SIfqWzEi
— Boxed Wholesale (@BoxedWholesale) October 29, 2015
A simple, creative video like this could do wonders for increased brand awareness and recognition, especially when tied into the larger conversation.
4. “Use hashtags to join ongoing conversations or highlight campaigns”
And the last suggestion from Twitter relates to hashtag use, and ensuring you use the right hashtags to connect with relevant discussions.
“Add seasonal hashtags such as #Halloween, #TrickorTreat, or #DIYCostume on relevant content to connect your Tweet to the broader conversation. By adding the hashtag, it increases the chance someone interested in the event will engage with your Tweet and discover your brand.”
TODAY: Use code OCT2017 on https://t.co/bpea4Gx4z2 for 20% off our #TrickOrTreat #HappyHalloween #BatsGhosts #SpidersWebs & #Haunted Dozens pic.twitter.com/5lh3sKtiu6
— Georgetown Cupcake (@GTownCupcake) October 4, 2017
It seems like a fairly basic social media marketing point, but it’s worth keeping in mind. You can use a tool like Hashtagify to get insights into relevant hashtag use and ensure you’re using the right connectors to help boost your messaging.
Twitter also suggests brands consider creating their own, themed hashtag to boost their promotions.
Shipping out starting this week: #FrighteninglyFresh Stone Enjoy By 10.31.16 Tangerine IPA. https://t.co/9j6fug68rg pic.twitter.com/xpvfVbqSei
— Stone Brewing (@StoneBrewing) September 26, 2016
Most of these ideas are fairly straightforward and simple to implement, and are definitely worth considering, given the popularity of the event. Halloween presents a great opportunity for creative marketing, with a clear, defined theme to help guide your decisions. The competition is fierce, considering every other brand is also looking to tap in, but the rewards can be great, when executed well.