Halloween Ideas

Here are a few revenue-generating holidays and events on Oct. 31st:

• Halloween
• Frankenstein Friday
• Samhain
• Harry Houdini's Death Anniversary
• John Keat's Birthday
• Magic Day
• National Knock-Knock Day
• Juliet Gordon Low's Birthday

Halloween brings all sorts of great ideas from spooky ads, weird articles, and haunted coloring tabs for kids. This year consider taking advantage of all of it and doing a Halloween issue to end all Halloween issues of your newspaper! Borders, clip-art, photos of columnists in costume can enhance the fun in this issue of your newspaper. Be apart of the excitement of this semi-holiday in as many ways as possible. Below are three ways to make this Halloween more profitable:

1. Support the Pagans in your community by writing an article about how various pagan groups are celebrating Samhain, one of their "sabbats" or special holidays which falls on Halloween. Eliminate fear and build tolerance in your community by educating your readers about this highly misunderstood faith. Interview the Pagans in your community for information, or see the many Web sites offering information. Encourage them to purchase ad space to publicize events or spiritual shops.
   
2. Hold a contest. House decorations, pumpkin carving, children's costumes, adults' costumes, pet costumes and other categories can be a fun way to get involved in the community. Take photo entries or hold an event and allow local businesses — perhaps costume and candy shops — to purchase advertising associated with the winners' article or event.
3. Create a children's coloring tab with trick-or-treating safety tips. Allow businesses to sponsor the tab which can include fun pictures for kids to color and a safety tip on each page. Distribute in schools or stores. Parents and kids alike will love it.