Maryann Murphy, former Account Executive for Marden-Kane, wrote this timely post on Halloween contest ideas. It’s not too late to run a promotion for this year! Contact us and we can get you launched before Halloween!

Saying goodbye to summer (and beach weather) can be difficult, but fall has officially arrived and you know what that means:  time to break out your sweaters, drink some apple cider, and start planning your Halloween costume!  Here are a few Halloween themed promotion ideas to help celebrate the new season:

Pumpkin Carving Photo Sweepstakes:   One of my favorite fall activities is to get out of the city and head to the farm for pumpkin picking, hay rides and fresh apple cider donuts – yum!   You can challenge your consumers to take their freshly picked pumpkins and carve them into something unique and fun.  Then ask them to upload a photo of their creation to Instagram or Twitter and use a designated hashtag for a chance to win a great fall themed prize.

 Spooky Dessert Recipe Contest:  Halloween isn’t only about candy anymore – ask your consumers to channel their inner baker and come up with a “spooky” Halloween themed dessert.  Set up a designated microsite for the Contest, and ask people to provide a photo of their signature Halloween dessert along with the complete recipe for a chance to win a free kitchen upgrade or some awesome baking appliances.

DIY Halloween Pinterest Sweepstakes:  Ask your consumers to create a Pinterest board and then pin items that could be used to make a crafty and creative “do-it-yourself” Halloween costume for their cute little trick-or treater (or for themselves!).  Offer a family friendly prize, such as a weekend getaway for four to enjoy some fall activities.

 Candy Swap Twitter Sweepstakes:  Growing up, you learn pretty quickly which houses give out the best Halloween candy in your neighborhood, and which houses give out treats that will definitely not help you out later when trading candy with your friends.  Ask people to describe (in 140 characters of less) either the best or the worst item they have ever received while trick-or-treating  and post it to Twitter with a designated hashtag for a chance to win.

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