From now until October 31, the media will be reporting an anything even remotely connected to Halloween. So start thinking about ways you can piggyback off this holiday—the second biggest retail holiday of the year. Here are some ideas to get you started:
—Roadside markets, nurseries and agricultural associations can offer tips on how to buy the perfect pumpkin. Marcia Wood, a science writer and protege in The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, suggests a tip sheet on “How to extend the porch life of a pumpkin.”
—If you’re featuring Halloween-related entertainment like a haunted house or haunted maze, invite local print and TV reporters to “review” it.
—Certain religious denominations frown on celebrating Halloween because they think it glorifies devil worship. If you’re among them, write an op-ed piece for your local newspaper.
—What are the most popular Halloween costumes that are flying off store shelves? If you sell costumes, let the media know.
—With obesity a nationwide problem in the U.S., what tips can nutritionists, doctors and clinics pass along to parents who want to keep their kids from gorging on sweets?
—In many communities, trick-or-treat will be held during daylight hours on Sunday, October 30, for safety reasons. How about writing an article for your local daily or weekly newspaper detailing your spooky memories of trick-or-treat when it was always on October 31 and always after dark?
When Halloween is over, start thinking about ideas to pitch for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Check out this article at my website titled “Deck the halls with story ideas at Christmas.”