21 Halloween Marketing Ideas with Real-World Examples

Halloween isn’t just a night of frights—it’s a month-long opportunity to boost your sales and engage customers in a fun, memorable way. Did you know Americans spent over $10 billion on Halloween last year? That’s a lot of candy corn and costumes! Imagine carving out a slice of that pumpkin pie for your business.

We’ve conjured up 21 wickedly effective Halloween marketing ideas, complete with real-world examples. So, whether you’re a small business owner or running an ecommerce store, these tricks (and treats) will help you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Let’s brew up some success!

Why Focus on Halloween Marketing?

Why should you bother about a specialized Halloween marketing campaign? Simple. The $10 billion industry is not just about costumes and candy. It’s a season that’s ripe for engagement, brand awareness, and, yes, increased sales. 

• 67% of consumers enjoyed Halloween and celebrated the holiday in 2022; 
• Americans spend around $10 billion on Halloween every year; 
• Gen-Z is the highest spending demographic during Halloween, with average spending of $225 on Halloween-related goodies; 
• 60% of Halloween spending is done on costume purchases. 

Halloween isn’t just a one-night event; it’s a whole season providing massive business opportunities. Here’s why you should focus on it: 

• Engagement. People are already buzzing with Halloween excitement, looking for ways to celebrate. This is the perfect time to engage them with your brand; 
• Seasonality. Don’t miss out on the chance to align your brand with the festive vibes. Seasonal trends like spooky decor or themed goods can go a long way; 
• Brand awareness. A killer Halloween campaign can make you stand out. It’s the perfect time for creative, attention-grabbing stunts that people will remember; 
• Sales boost. Limited-time offers or flash sales give people that extra nudge to hit ‘buy.’ Make it Halloween-specific, and you’ve got yourself a winner; 
• Community building. A Halloween event, virtual or in-person, can be an awesome way to get the community involved with your brand. 

You see, Halloween brings a lot of opportunities for you to fly high. So, get your Halloween marketing plan rolling and watch your sales metrics soar.

21 Halloween Marketing Ideas

Halloween is a great time for promoting your business, as customers are open to spending big during the Halloween season. According to the NRF, Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion this year, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion. 

You must plan omnichannel marketing campaigns across different mediums to grow your revenue during Halloween. Here are some Halloween marketing campaign ideas to help you get started. 

Design & Content Creation

Want to make your campaign stand out with attractive designs and intriguing content? Check out the following ideas. 

Themed Email Templates

Halloween’s around the corner, and it’s time to bring out the witches and warlocks in your emails. But how do you make sure your themed email doesn’t turn into a marketing nightmare? 

Simple, follow these tips:

• Stay true to the brand. Keep your products at the center, even when you’re decorating them with vampire fangs; 
• Countdown to chills. Add a live countdown to up the spookiness and urgency; 
• Can’t miss CTA. Use action words in your CTA that scream “Click Me!”; 
• Test to impress. A/B test your designs to find the one that tricks (or treats) your audience best; 
• Say the name. Personalize your emails with the recipient’s name and past likes or buys.

Cupshe nailed it with their “Scary Good Sale.” Their CTA? “Reveal Your Deal”—tempting enough for any Halloween hunter to click.

Halloween-Themed Landing Pages

Halloween’s all about thrills, right? So why should your landing pages be any different? Imagine turning your landing page into a virtual haunted house—exciting yet easy to navigate. Start by creating Halloween-themed content on your landing page and adding visual elements like pumpkin carousels, spooky posters, candies, etc.

Use this landing page as a CTA across all your Halloween marketing campaigns—be it over email, paid ads or SMS to encourage people to visit your website to discover more about your Halloween special.

So, how can you make your landing page engaging to grab attention and not just cobwebs? Here are a few ideas: 

• Spooky shades. Stick to Halloween classics like black, orange, and purple; 
• Tick-tock offers. Flash those limited-time deals and make the clock visible—nothing says urgency like a ticking clock; 
• Headline magic. Craft headlines that make people want to explore your haunted “mansion”; 
• No mazes, please. Keep it simple and direct. Don’t let your visitors get lost; 
• What’s the treat? Make it crystal clear what they gain by clicking or buying; 

Last year, Hallmark took us on a Halloween journey. Their landing page lets you “walk” through product sections, each with its own spooky deal.

Also read: 12 High Converting Landing Pages Examples & How to Build One

Animated GIFs

Do you know what’s better than a static image of a ghost? A floating one! 

Animated GIFs can inject life into your Halloween promotions. You can add these to your landing pages or emails to grab instant attention. But how do you make sure your animated ghosts and ghouls help rather than hurt? Check this out:

• Spot-on GIFs. Think of animations that match your brand and the Halloween vibe;
• Less is more. Don’t go overboard. Your GIF should complement, not overshadow, your content;
• LOL-worthy. A chuckle can go a long way, making your promo memorable and shareable; 
• Quality counts. Skip the pixelated, slow-loading GIFs. No one likes a clunky scare; 
• Play well with others. Test to ensure your GIFs look good on any device.

The Knot nailed it last year—a looping pumpkin GIF that was simple, on-brand, and utterly Halloween.

Storytelling During the Halloween Season

Who doesn’t love a good ghost story, especially around Halloween? But what if that story also introduces your product in a way that’s so seamless it’s eerie? Here’s how to craft that tale:

• Three-act magic. Every story needs a beginning, middle, and end. Stick to that; 
• Be relatable. Craft a tale your audience can see themselves in; 
• Sneak in your product. Make your product a natural part of the narrative, not a sales pitch; 
• On the edge. Use cliffhangers to lead the audience right to your CTA; 
• Picture perfect. Supplement your story with visuals—think images or even short video clips.

Stuck? AI like ChatGPT can help you smooth out those storytelling wrinkles.

Remember Airbnb’s Dracula’s Castle campaign? It was storytelling gold. 

They ran a Halloween-themed contest with a free night at Dracula’s Castle as the prize, and all you had to do was share what you’d do if you met the Count. It wasn’t just a campaign; it was an adventure.

DIY Ideas for Halloween Decorations

Halloween decorations aren’t just for front yards and living rooms. They can help you in marketing, too! Plan a campaign that shares DIY ideas to help your subscribers get ready for the season. 

However, DIY doesn’t mean ‘do it yawn’. Make it unforgettable so that customers recall you when they’re appreciated for their decor. Here are some ways to pep up engagement using this idea:

• User-generated content. Urge customers to post their creations using a unique branded hashtag. It’s content and engagement in one! 
• How-to heaven. Short video tutorials or infographics can make your campaign stick in people’s minds.
• Collab magic. Team up with DIY influencers to sprinkle some credibility on your campaign.
• Supply list. Be the hero—offer a handy materials list for each project. A not-so-subtle nudge to check out your products, perhaps?
• Bricks & clicks. Do you have a physical store? Host workshops and feature the DIY decor around the shop; 

Take a cue from Michael’s. They ace it every Halloween with in-store workshops that make for a killer campaign. They also team up with DIY influencers who use Michaels’ supplies for their projects, tagging Michaels in posts.

Email Marketing

Looking to add some Halloween magic to your email marketing? Here’s how you can bring some chills and thrills into your campaign:

Spooky Email Campaigns

Emails during Halloween shouldn’t just say, “Boo!”. There are a million ways to create a Halloween email. You can tease subscribers with Halloween offers, wish them a spooky Halloween, or offer them a freebie or anything else. 

Whatever you use emails for, they shouldn’t be boring and generic. They should dazzle, intrigue, and engage. Here are some tips to make better Halloween emails: 

• No more “Happy Halloween”. Get creative with your subject lines. How about “Unearth Spooky Savings” or “Click if You Dare”?
• Eyes on the prize. Use captivating visuals to make readers stop scrolling; 
• The name game. Personalize your subject lines! A “Hey [Name], Get Your Spooky On!” can go a long way; 
• Tick-tock. Use limited-time deals or codes to stir that sense of urgency. Make them act before the witching hour!
• Mobile magic. Make sure your email looks just as bewitching on a smartphone.

Dunkin’ Donuts is a pro at this. Their “Click Your Treat” campaign mixed a spooky vibe with a tempting deal, keeping their customers hooked and boosting loyalty points. 

Engaging Subject Lines

A good subject line is like a spooky costume – it grabs attention and starts conversations. Your Halloween emails should have engaging subject lines that make people stop and tap your email. 

Do you want to craft one that has them opening emails faster than they unwrap candy? Here’s your recipe:  

• Trigger curiosity. Pose a question or hint at something inside that they’ll want to solve, such as “What’s Haunting Our Shelves?”; 
• Now or never. Use urgency-inducing words like “Last Chance” or “Expires Soon” to get them clicking ASAP; 
• Personalization is key. Throw in their name or a recent purchase to make it feel special; 
• Make it Halloween-y. Make sure it screams Halloween but still vibes with your brand. Something like “Spooky Savings Inside” works!
• Keep it snappy. Aim for less, not more. A simple “Unlock Your Treats” as a subject line is enough to get them curious. 

A great example of an engaging subject line is the following campaign by Maybelline.

Subject Line: discover your wild side with Maybelline! 🐯

The subject line is intriguing and exciting at the same time. Emojis make the reader curious about how Maybelline suggests using their products for Halloween. 

Post-Halloween Sales

When the ghosts and ghouls return to the closet, it’s time to clear out your Halloween inventory. But how can you do it without slashing your profits to pieces? 

Announce post-Halloween sales for your subscribers to grab irresistible holiday discounts. Here’s what you should keep in mind while planning a post-Halloween sale: 

• Right on time. Don’t wait. Kick off your sale the day after Halloween to ride the holiday buzz; 
• Show ‘n tell. Got pumpkins or bat decor? Show how they can jazz up a Thanksgiving table or become part of a DIY project. Repurpose wherever you can;
• Bundle up. More treats, less tricks. Bundle similar items and offer them at a discounted price. It’s a quick way to empty those shelves; 
• VIP pass. Reward loyalty. Let your die-hard subscribers get first dibs on the sale. Then, unleash the deals on the general public; 
• Missed Ya! Come Back Campaigns. Use retargeting ads to haunt those who visited but didn’t buy. A friendly ghost reminder!

Target does this exceptionally well. Their post-Halloween clearance starts on November 1st and includes not just costumes but also home decor and cooking supplies. They even retarget past website visitors with special offers, ensuring that leftover inventory flies off the shelves. Here’s their Halloween Clearance Sale landing page: 

Also read: 12 Last Chance Email Examples and Templates

Preview for Next Event

Even when Halloween becomes yesterday’s news, you shouldn’t stop marketing. Savvy business owners and marketers always plot their next move. 

But how can you keep the momentum going and get your audience excited for what’s coming next? Well, you can announce the next ‘holiday event’ or sales in your follow-up emails. Here’s what you can share in your follow-up emails: 

• Sneak peek. Got something big up your sleeve for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Tease ’em with a pic or a phrase. Keep ’em guessing!
• Early birds get the worm. Your loyal customers deserve the royal treatment. Exclusive access or a special discount, perhaps?
• Two Birds, One Stone. Your Halloween email isn’t just for October 31st. Use it to cross-promote your next event;
• Audience choice. Not sure what your peeps want next? Ask them! Run a poll on social media. It’s like asking, “What’s your next candy craving?”
• Add timers. Nothing says “Get ready!” like a countdown timer. Put one in your email and let the anticipation build.

Promotions & Offers

One of the best ways to promote your business during Halloween is to announce special offers and promotions. Here are some ideas on how to promote your deals, discounts, and offers. 

Announce Limited-Time Offers

Limited-time offers are like candy to a kid on Halloween—hard to resist. So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of creating that sense of urgency during the Halloween season:

• Play up scarcity. Use phrases like “While supplies last” or “Limited stock” in your email campaigns and landing pages. People want what they can’t have, and if it’s running out, they’re more likely to grab it quickly; 
• Personalized codes. Sending out single-use promo codes makes your offer seem special and exclusive. It’s like a VIP pass to a secret club, and who wouldn’t want that?
• Flash sales. Pop up with unexpected deals lasting just a few hours. It’s like finding that house that gives out full-sized candy bars—people won’t want to miss out. 
• Halloween bundles. Package some Halloween-themed products together at a discount. Think of it as a treat bag filled with only the best goodies; 
• Social proof. Let customers see how many others have already jumped on the deal. Real-time stats can drive home the point that this offer is too good to pass up.

TeamMi used an email to announce a limited-time deal for its subscribers. 

The thematic coupon code, along with the Halloween-y vibe of the email, is so on point. The color choice option, countdown timer, and a ‘How-to’ section are great add-ons to the emailer. 

Scary Good Flash Sales

Flash sales are like the jump scares of the retail world—your subscribers might not be prepared for them, but they intrigue and create FOMO. Here’s how to ensure your flash sale is more a treat than a trick: 

• Tease it. Send a teaser email to pique interest, but don’t spill all the beans just yet;
• Pick a prime time. Choose when your audience is most online to catch their attention;
• Unbeatable deals. Roll out offers they can’t ignore, like a BOGO on your top-selling items; 
• Quick buy. Keep the checkout fast and easy—fewer clicks, more buys; 
• Say thanks. After the sale, show love to those who participated and drop hints about the next big event.

Here’s a great example of announcing a flash sale during Halloween: 

The cauldron GIF, along with the ‘Shop Immediately’ CTA, is a great attention-grabbing tactic. This can be used as a social post or even an email header during the Halloween week. 

Also read: 10 Flash Sale Email Examples & Subject Lines

Spooky Product Launch

Launching a product at Halloween isn’t just about pumpkins and cobwebs. It’s about nailing that spooky vibe your customers will love.

So, how do you overtake your customers’ dreams – in a good way? Here are some ideas: 

• Tease ’em. Start dropping some cryptic hints or riddles to get people talking about what’s coming; 
• Collab time. Partner with influencers or brands that are into Halloween;
• Limited-edition magic. Roll out Halloween-only versions of your bestsellers; 
• Spooky packaging. Dress up your product in full Halloween attire—think ghosts, bats, and pumpkins; 
• Party on. Throw a launch bash, either online or in-person, to unveil your Halloween masterpiece.

Many candy brands, cosmetics businesses, and apparel companies launch limited-edition Halloween products during this time. Here’s a cool example from M&M’s:

Also read: How to Write Powerful Product Launch Emails

Product Bundling

Product bundles are like a marketer’s trick-or-treat bag. It’s not just about tossing products together; it’s about creating a theme that’s so appealing customers can’t resist.

Here are some tips for you to create a valuable and irresistible product bundle: 

• Theme it. Make bundles that fit Halloween moments, like a “Spooky Movie Night.” Fill it with goodies that’ll make those activities even better; 
• Show the value. Highlight the savings or exclusive items they’ll get; 
• Create urgency. Emphasize it’s a limited-time, Halloween-only offer; 
• Upsell magic. Suggest the bundle as a checkout add-on; 
• DIY bundles. Let customers customize their own Halloween bundle.

Take the example of Dogtastic. They are known to launch special Halloween bundles during the season. 

Digital Engagement & Interactivity

Halloween’s the perfect time to up your engagement game. Why? Folks are already in a festive mood, hunting for costumes, decorations, and early holiday gifts. Here’s how to use interactive marketing to capture that Halloween spirit:

Interactive Quizzes on Pumpkin Carving

Your subscribers dig quizzes and games, especially during the holidays. How about turning the classic Halloween activity of pumpkin carving into a quiz? It’s engaging and fits the season like a glove.

Here’s what you must keep in mind while creating an interactive quiz about pumpkin carving: 

• Multiple quizzes. Create multiple quizzes for different carving skills—beginner to pro; 
• Offer a freebie. Offer a personalized list of carving designs based on quiz results; 
• Make it shareable. Make it easy for users to share their quiz outcomes on social media; 
• Add your product links. Tie quiz outcomes to your Halloween-related merchandise.
• Promote it across platforms. Make the pumpkin carving contest or quiz accessible via mobile or desktop, and start promoting it via email, Instagram, Facebook, or other platforms.

Chatbots

Chatbots can be your digital door greeters this Halloween, helping to turn curious clicks into loyal customers. So, what’s the trick to treat your visitors right?

Chatbots can be a useful engagement booster if you have a hard time converting visitors into buyers. But how do you use chatbots to their full potential? Here are a few ideas: 

• Start with a vibe. Kick-off chats with a spirited “Boo! How can I help you today?” 
• Be the guide. Program your bot to help customers find Halloween costumes or goodies quickly; 
• Train on FAQs. Let the bot answer common questions like “What’s the costume return policy?”; 
• Drop discount codes. Have the chatbot hand out exclusive Halloween discount codes; 
• Feedback loop. Once the chat’s done, ask, “Was this chat spooktacular or what?

Take the example of BooBot – a Halloween-themed bot that acts as a powerful customer service bot. It informs users of the latest deals, costume suggestions, sales offers, and more. 

Web Push Notifications

Web push notifications are like those sudden, fun scares you get at Halloween—they grab your attention. So, how can you make these digital nudges work for your Halloween campaigns?

• Be timely. Use them for instant updates, like flash sales or exclusive offers; 
• Count it down. Let users know time’s ticking on special Halloween deals; 
• Show some local love. Hosting a local Halloween party or event? Target notifications to inform and engage users nearby;
• Make it personal. Use customer data to send personalized alerts; 
• Festive opt-in. Spice up the subscription prompt with a Halloween twist.

Interactive Quizzes

Quizzes aren’t just for school. They’re a playful way to engage users and can provide valuable insights into customer preferences. Not only do they entertain, but they also funnel shoppers to Halloween products. 

They’re perfect for pinpointing customer preferences and tailoring your Halloween promotions. So, how do you make a quiz that works? Here are a few ideas: 

• Be creative. Try quizzes like ‘What’s Your Halloween Costume?’ or ‘Uncover Your Spooky Alter Ego’; 
• Make it a game. Give instant results and cool badges people can show off on social media; 
• Link it up. Match quiz outcomes to related products or content; 
• Gather data. Use the quiz to collect emails for better customer targeting; 
• Mobile matters. Ensure your quiz looks good and is shared easily on smartphones.

Halloween Countdown

Countdowns aren’t just for New Year’s Eve. A Halloween countdown can get your audience pumped and ready to shop. So how do you do it?

• Daily deal countdown. Highlight a new deal every day as Halloween approaches;
• User posts. Get folks to share their Halloween prep using a special hashtag;
• Reminder alerts. Use push notifications or emails to nudge people about time-sensitive deals; 
• Exclusive peeks. Roll out unique Halloween content during the countdown; 
• Go omnichannel. Sync the countdown across social media, your website, SMS, and in-store promos.

Campaigns & Advertising

A well-timed Halloween campaign can take your sales and customer engagement to the roof. If you’re short of ideas on planning an ad campaign, here are some ways to drive more traffic to your spooky seasonal deals. 

PPC Ad Campaigns for Halloween Decorations

PPC Ads for Halloween are like putting a costume on your marketing—eye-catching and full of character. 

Pay-per-click (PPC) ads can be the trick that treats you to a boost in Halloween sales. Limited-time discount codes in the ad copy can spur immediate clicks and conversions. Here are some ways to make PPC ads stand out in a crowded marketplace.

• Smart keywords. Don’t just stick to “Halloween sales”. Go for targeted phrases like “limited-time spooky deals” or “handcrafted Halloween decor”;
• Engaging copy. Your ad copy should be snappy and based on a Halloween theme. Think along the lines of “Get Your Spook On | Flash Sale Tonight”;
• Attention-grabbing visuals. Use eye-catchy Halloween graphics to make users stop scrolling and look;
• Landing page. Direct clicks to a Halloween-themed landing page to keep the vibe going;
• Monitor & tweak. Monitor metrics and be ready to fine-tune your strategy for maximum returns.

Halloween Hashtag Campaigns

In the world of social media, hashtags are like the candy corn of conversation—some love ’em, some hate ’em, but they’re everywhere. A well-crafted Halloween hashtag can spread like wildfire.

Use a catchy hashtag like #SpookySavings or #HauntMyHouse to track engagement and encourage user-generated content. It’s an easy way to boost brand visibility while building a community around your Halloween products. Here are some tips and ideas: 

• Unique & catchy hashtag. Craft a brand-specific hashtag like #GhoulishGoods or #SpookySavings that people will remember;
• Community vibes. Use your hashtag to kickstart a user-generated content campaign. Ask followers to share their own spooky stories or Halloween hacks;
• Create multi-platform campaigns. Don’t limit the hashtag to just one platform. Use it across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter—you name it;
• Add contest craze. Roll your hashtag into a Halloween contest. Think “Share your #SpookyDecor to win a treat”;
• Track metrics. Keep tabs on your hashtag. Tracking its reach can give you insights into what’s working and what needs a tweak.

The best example of a UGC campaign is from Starbucks. Probably the most viral, too. People love posting about their Starbucks purchases on their social handles. They launched the campaign during Halloween of 2017 by creating a special Zombie Frappuccino and the hashtag ‘#zombiefrappuccino’ for their customers. 

The hashtag went viral and was used over 30,000 times during the Halloween season. Since then, they’ve been launching a new Halloween special drink/product and supporting hashtags on social media every year.

Dynamic Content

Sprinkle a little personalization into your Halloween campaigns and watch the magic happen. Your website isn’t a one-size-fits-all cauldron, so why treat it that way?

Tailor your Halloween marketing materials to match each customer’s behavior and preferences. Each touchpoint should feel built just for them, making your Halloween campaign more engaging and effective. Here are some ideas: 

• Tailored picks. Use past behavior to recommend Halloween items a visitor is likely to click on;
• Personalize based on location. Use geo-targeting to showcase Halloween events or specials near the customer;
• Show that the clock’s ticking. Flash deals based on real-time data can add urgency and spur action;
• Know your crowd. Segment your audience—maybe into “Halloween Fanatics” and “Last-Minute Shoppers”—and tailor messages accordingly;
• Personalize. Personalized emails can convert fence-sitters into buyers.

Host an Event

Why just sell Halloween when you can be Halloween? Hosting a Halloween-themed event, virtual or in-person, offers an interactive way to engage customers. 

Think costume contests or DIY decoration workshops. Events give your brand a personality boost and offer a unique avenue for showcasing products and special deals. Here are some ideas to engage customers and show off your Halloween spirit: 

• Pick your stage. In-store or offline events add a personal touch, while online ones reach a wider audience; 
• Theme it up. Don’t just stick to ‘Halloween.’ Go wild with ideas like a “Zombie Fashion Show” or “Pumpkin Spice Cook-off.”
• Get the word out. Promote it everywhere—social media, emails, and even through PPC ads to pull in a crowd; 
• Make it interactive. Photo booths, VR haunts, or live product demos can add some sizzle to your event; 
• Team up. Invite other local brands or influencers to co-host. It’s a win-win.

Remember, the aim is to create an event that’s not just memorable but also shareable. It boosts your brand and paves the way for future events. Here’s an example of a Halloween party hosted by the Singapore Polo Club. 

You can also think of similar event ideas for your brand or business to pump up the excitement. 

Key Takeaways: Halloween Marketing Ideas

Get creative this Halloween to boost engagement and sales. Make your marketing strategy as unforgettable as the spookiest ghost story.

Also read: 

• 140+ November newsletter ideas (+Template)
• Best 10 Fall Newsletter Ideas

Author Bio

Anmol Ratan Sachdeva is a content marketer and small business consultant who has a strong grip on topics like marketing automation, email marketing, and content marketing. He loves to write about building, improving, and growing a business.