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This post was last updated Sept. 29, 2023.
Ghosts, ghouls, and haunted homes, oh my! Halloween isn’t just about candy and costumes; it’s an eerie opportunity for you, as a real estate professional to conjure up some festive marketing magic. Plus, it’s fun, and who among us doesn’t need a little more to smile about these days, am I right? Channel your inner vampire (minus the biting!) and sink your teeth into these fun and innovative Halloween marketing strategies:
1. Decorate your office or storefront with Halloween decorations
Make sure to include a sign that says, “We Sell Haunted Houses!” or “We’re the ghosts of Agents Past, Present, and Future!”
2. Give out candy
Hand out sweets at local businesses, trunk-or-treat events, or community festivals leading up to Halloween. Maybe add a little gift for the adults that is branded to you!
3. Pumpkin carving championship
Organize a pumpkin carving showdown with exciting prizes like dinner vouchers or a free home consultation.
4. Host a Halloween-themed open house at one of your listings
Decorate the inside and outside of the house in keeping with the theme. Just make sure not to go too overboard — you don’t want prospective buyers to be scared off. Serve spooky snacks, and offer prizes for the best costume.
5. Make a list of the ’10 most haunted houses in [your town or city]’
Promote it on your website and social media channels, and make sure to include any listings you have that made the cut!
6. Have some fun with wordplay, and rename some of your listings for the season
A few examples: “The Cackling Witch House,” “Dracula’s Castle,” “The Mummy’s Tomb,” and “The Addams Family Mansion.” Be creative!
7. Create a blog post or video tour, or video series for social media
You can showcase some of the historic homes in your area that are rumored to be haunted.
8. Offer a free ‘ghost hunting 101’ class at your office
Invite anyone interested in learning more about investigating paranormal activity — or what’s happening in your real estate market!
9. Host a Halloween pet adoption event
Partner with a local pet store or shelter to host a Halloween adoption event for puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc., in costumes! Promote it through your channels as well as theirs.
10. Do giveaways at a fall event
Make arrangements with a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard to set up a booth promoting your business. Give away freebies like candy apples, or stickers.
11. Host a costume drive
Host a costume clothing drive or a costume swap in your farm area, focusing on families with young children who are struggling financially. You can also partner with local schools to locate underprivileged kids who could use a costume.
12. Get in on the trick-or-treating
Get involved with trick-or-treating in your community by passing out flyers with information about your business along with the candy you’re handing out. Just make sure you get permission first if you’re going door-to-door!
13. Dying to have fun? Host a fa-boo-lous party
Host a Halloween party open to all local families, complete with games, prizes, food trucks, inflatables, music, and face painting — the works!
This is an excellent opportunity for brand awareness and building relationships with potential clients in your community.
14. Haunted ‘House’
Get your team members together and decorate your office with a chilling vibe and signs that read, “Buying a House? Beware, It Might Be Haunted!” “Swap your broomstick for a new home’s key! Witch-ing you great deals this Halloween.” “Real Estate deals to die for, but hurry – they won’t last long.”
15. Trunk or treats
Sign up to distribute candy and have some fun at local trunk-or-treat events or Halloween parades. (Or better yet, host your own!)
16. Monster mash open house
Host a Halloween-themed open house. Entice visitors with Halloween treats and a prize for the best-dressed attendee.
17. Haunted home rankings
List the “Top Haunted Homes in [Your Area]” on your blog, especially if you have listings that fit the theme!
18. Chilling home titles
Rename your listings for Halloween: “Frankenstein’s Fortress,” “Sleepy Hollow Hideout,” and “Banshee’s Bungalow.”
19. Ghastly tales and tours
Share stories or video tours of local homes with eerie histories or haunted reputations.
20. Pumpkin adoption event
Collaborate with a local pumpkin farm for a pumpkin adoption day.
21. Costume closet
Organize a costume giveaway, sourcing lightly used costumes for families in need.
22. Spooky street stalls
Set up Halloween-themed stalls during community trick-or-treating, blending candy distribution with subtle promotions.
23. Cryptic QR codes
Share spooky QR codes leading potential clients to get special Halloween-themed fun such as a coloring contest or invite to your holiday events.
24. Potion-making workshop
Collaborate with a local café or bar to host a potion (read: drink) mixing session. Don’t forget your branded coasters!
25. Virtual haunt
Create a virtual haunted house tour, showcasing properties in a fun, Halloween-themed setting.
26. Moonlit property tours
Offer property visits under the moonlight, adding a fresh perspective to house hunting.
27. Witchy workshops
Organize or host a home décor workshop focusing on Halloween DIYs, allowing interactions with potential clients.
It’s fun to use the holidays to add a creative and family-friendly touch to your marketing efforts! As you look toward Thanksgiving, you can swap apple and pumpkin pie giveaways for pumpkin patches and coat and food drives for the costume swaps. The important thing is to approach your business and your marketing in the spirit of the season — and of service.
Darryl Davis is the CEO of Darryl Davis Seminars. Connect with him on Facebook or YouTube.
