Haunt Weekly

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're looking at a different Halloween tradition, trick-or-treating.Trick-or-Treating may seem like something that doesn't have a lot to do with haunting, but the truth is that it is where many young haunt lovers get their start, and it's a potential way to expand your audience and reach a younger crowd.So, whether you're a first-time haunter hoping to give away some candy or a pro haunt looking to expand their business, we're talking ways that you can encourage and even profit from trick-or-treating.This Week's Episode Includes:Intro HousekeepingQuestion of the Week4: HistoryStarting Out at HomeGeneral Trick-or-Treating TipsHome HauntersPro HauntersConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Two episodes ago, we talked about event planning for haunts and harped on the importance of communication. Now we're exploring that topic more fully. So take a seat and let's discuss some ways that you can improve communication in your haunt, and ensure that everyone knows what they need to know.We will look at everything from communication with the core staff to your entire actor team.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeepingQuestion of the WeekBackground on the TopicGeneral Rules for Good CommunicationCommunication Year-RoundCommunication During SeasonCommunication While OpenRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you dod NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're spending the Fourth of July with you (you can probably hear the fireworks in the background) and working hard to bring you the best and biggest stories in haunted attraction news. And it is a very busy news cycle this go around as we have one haunted prop builder pleading guilty to tax evasion, another haunt destroyed by a flood and new scholarships made possible by a haunted attraction.It's not the longest episode ever, but it is a jam packed one with tons of great news and information:This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekHaunt Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Crime (https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/owner-haunted-house-equipment-supplier-pleads-guilty-tax-crime)Eldon Fire Department Haunt Devastated by Flood (https://ktvo.com/news/local/eldon-firefighters-haunted-house-devastated-by-flooding)Midwest Haunters Convention Comes to Milwaukee (https://shepherdexpress.com/news/happening-now/midwest-haunters-convention-comes-to-milwaukee/#/questions/)Lu

Running a haunt is about more than building it and staffing. A haunt is an event, and it needs to be planned like it.But, while event planning is very much about setting up the best event possible, it's also about preparing for the worst and developing alternatives and backups for just about everything.So, that's what we're teaching this week, the rules and techniques to follow to make sure that your show goes off with the minimal problems and that you can enjoy your haunt to its fullest.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekOur Background on the TopicWhen to Start PlanningHow to Perform a Pre-MortemKeys to CommunicationHow to Properly BudgetThe Power of Gantt ChartsThe Importance of Backup PlansThe Need for Quick ThinkingPlanning for MeltDealing with CustomersPerforming a PostmortemConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

It might seem unusual for a podcast named Haunt Weekly. After all, pretty much everyone who listens to this podcast has probably visited a haunt or 10,000. However, you know someone who has never gone and, if so, this episode is for them.Here, we take a look back at the dark times before we became haunters and talk about our first visit to haunts and the things we wish we knew before we walked in the door.That said, we have ten suggestions that should help you, or someone you know, make the most of their first haunt experience and, hopefully, set them on the path of becoming haunt fans.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersHousekeeping NotesQuestion for the Audience10 Tips for First Time Haunt GoersRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one show that you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're taking a look at outdoor haunts and the unique opportunities they have to make revenue from their property all year long.Whether you have an empty field, a wooded forest or something in between, there are ways that you can turn your haunt into a year-round source of income. Best of all, a lot of these approaches do NOT require a large investment and can even be done for free or for just a few thousand dollars. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro New Pride Merch Available (https://hauntweeklystore.com) Question of the Week Story of Dark Woods Visit Intro to the Topic Axe Throwing Nature Walks 8. CampingOutdoor TheaterScavenger Hunts Biking/Hiking Trails Sculpture Garden Holiday Activities Zipline Mini GolfLazy RiverRevisit Question of the Week Conclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we are doing the news, and it's a jam-packed news episode with haunts, opening, closing, being sold, being demolished and even a restaurant.Safe to say, this is not your typical early-summer news month, that much is for certain!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeeping NotesQuestion of the WeekWaco Haunted Houses up for Sale (https://www.newsweek.com/authors/utkarsha-laharia)Lakeville Charity Haunt Set for Demolition (https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/family/2021/05/04/haunted-house-attraction-lakeville-set-demolition-town-meeting-vote/4922340001/)Predictions for a Record-Breaking Season (https://sithon.io/blog/prepare-for-record-turnout-for-2021-haunt-season/?fbclid=IwAR1j91TWfUAgM9t4LSAV82FZeVu84M415IU5Ipbr0H5zzjJsR2PGIxLzjSc)Busch Gardens Gives Howl-o-Scream Updates (https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/06/02/busch-gardens-tampa-bay-reveals-more-info-about-this-years-howl-o-scream-event/)SeaWorld Announces New Howl-O-Scream Event (https://www.orla

This week on Haunt Weekly we're talking about prop-based layout! What is prop-based layout? It's a way to save on lumber costs, give customers a more varied experience and create some new scares along the way.However, there are drawbacks and concerns with a prop-based layout so we're going to, well, lay it all out for you in this episode of Haunt Weekly.The good, the bad and the ugly of prop-based layout.This week's Episode Includes: IntroHousekeeping NotesFollow Up on Last Week's QuestionQuestion of the WeekIntro to the TopicFundamentals of Haunt LayoutThe Normal WayThe Basics of Prop-Based LayoutAdvantages of This ApproachDisadvantages and ConcernsThe Best ApproachExamplesRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode that you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

The prices of lumber are insane and keep getting worse. This is forcing many haunts, especially those with lower budgets, to start rethinking their build.For those haunts, we are here to help. We've got six different build types that can help you reduce the amount of lumber you need, save you money and give customers a truly unique experience.However, there's no such thing as a free lunch so, of course, we'll be talking about the drawbacks of each so you can make an informed decision.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeepingQuestion of the Week Update on Lumber PricesProp Based LayoutDrywallScrap & PalletsThe Non-BuildPVC FramesAlternative WallsGeneral Tips for Reducing Lumber CostsRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Dealing with the press can seem like one of the most daunting tasks for haunters. However, it doesn't have to be. With a little effort and some planning, you can get excellent media coverage for your haunt... for free...The idea of dealing with the media can feel daunting to many haunters, especially newcomers. However, there's really nothing to be afraid of and getting good media coverage for your haunt is actually very easy. In this episode we're going to look at public relations for haunters including how to contact the media, what to send them and how to interact with them. We'll even offer some advice for dealing with bad news. This Week's Episode Includes: Intro Housekeeping NotesQuestion for the Audience Intro to the Topic What is Public Relations How to Get Media Attention for Your Haunt How to Write a Press Release When to Send Releases Tips for Working with the MediaHow to Deal with Bad NewsConclusions All in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!!! Get in Touch a

This week on Haunt Weekly it's time to do the news and we have a lot for you. From haunts shutting down, haunts helping with tragedies and haunts opening new attractions, this has been an amazingly active spring for the industry.Learn more about how Easter State Penn is rebounding from the pandemic, changes for Disney's upcoming Halloween celebrations and much, much more!This is one jam-packed news episode to be sure!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeeping NotesQuestion of the WeekHaunted Mansion Shuts Down (https://doorcountypulse.com/haunted-mansion-shuts-down/)Terror Farm Hosts Event for Family That Lost Daughter and House to Fire (https://www.abc27.com/news/local/terror-farm-hosts-event-for-family-who-lost-daughter-home-in-perry-county-fire/)The Slaughterhouse Opens New Escape Rooms (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/arts/arts-in-iowa/2021/04/21/des-moines-haunted-attraction-slaughterhouse-opens-live-action-escape-room-horror-things-to-do/7233759002/)Eastern State

This week on Haunt Weekly we're sitting down with Alex Berland from Conjured Media (https://conjured.media/) to discuss haunt marketing and ways to supercharge it through storytelling.Conjured Media is a full-service marketing firm that works with haunted attractions to not just build campaigns, but great backstories and experiences. Alex is here to talk about his experience helping haunts build better stories and the impact that those stories had on their bottom line as well as tips and tricks to help you improve yours.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroInterview with Alex BerlandInfo About Conjured MediaQuestions from the AudienceConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're talking straight to new haunters and offering some of our best tips, tricks and hints from 20 years of haunting and 15 years of running a haunt.Many of the tips in this episode are from past episodes and many more are from reader suggestions. So thank you all that sent in some great ideas that we got to include.So, whether you're a new haunter or an old one, sit back and relax as we take you through a collection of our favorite tips.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekSome Rules Regarding the Tips30 Tips for New HauntersRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Launching a pro haunt is an incredible amount of work. There's all the usual challenges of starting a business plus issues of financing, staffing, building, decorating, marketing and much, much more.But what if I said there were ways that you could ease the transition from home to pro haunter? What if there were some roads less traveleled, that might help you get on your feet more quickly? Would you be interested?If so, this is the podcast for you as we go through half a dozen less-than-traditional ways people have successfully launched haunted attractions without carrying the fully load themselves.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekWhat is the "Normal" Way to Launch a HauntPairing with a CharityRun a MazeStart at a Flea MarketPartner with a SchoolPartner with a Sportsman ClubPlaying the Long Game with a Home HauntReturn to Question of the WeekOutroAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWee

This week on Haunt Weekly we're doing the news and covering all the haunted attraction news that's fit to print, or talk about, from the last four weeks.To that end, it's been a surprisingly busy month for haunted attraction and adjacent news. We have an update on the shooting at Erebus, news about COVID spikes following Halloween and much, much more. So, sit back and relax as we take you through all the haunted attraction news you need to know!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekUpdates on the Store (https://www.hauntweeklystore.com)Teen Charges in Erebus Shooting to Get Psych Evaluation (https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/copscourts/teen-charged-in-slaying-outside-erebus-to-get-psych-evaluation/article_38790e8a-8e4e-11eb-a033-4b1f9a50fa9d.html)Major COVID-19 Spike Seen After Halloween (https://mustangnews.net/major-covid-19-spikes-occurred-after-halloween-and-new-years-eve-now-students-are-concerned-about-cases-after-st-patricks-day-celebrations/)University of Souther

You've seen the memes, you've laughed at the jokes, you've ouched at the prices. There's a crisis in the world of lumber and it is starting to hurt haunts badly.We're going to take a deep dive into that crisis as we find out what is causing it, when it will likely end and what, if anything, you can do about it right now.So, buckle up as we're going to talk a lot about lumber, market forces and international trade. Much excitement. This Week's Episode Includes: IntroQuestion of the WeekNews from the Store (https://www.hauntweeklystore.com)Intro to the TopicWhat is Happening?Why is it Happening?Comparison to Silicon ShortageWho is Responsible? When Will it Be Over?What Can We Do Now?RecapRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're talking about conferences. As the world starts to open up from Coronavirus-forced lockdowns, that means new haunted attraction conferences, such as Transworld in May.So we're sitting down with Japes Palles to discuss haunted attraction conventions, what newcomers can expect and what rules one should abide by while on the tradeshow floors.It should be an interesting episode for any convention attendee, especially newbies making their first trip to a haunt convention.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroTransworld COVID UpdatesCOVID-Related AdviceGuidelines for the Show FloorAfter Show EventsConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're looking at that sinking feeling we all get when looking at something that's human-ish, but clearly not human.That's right, we're talking about the uncanny valley and all the ways it can add a little unease to your haunt. We're going to explore how it works, why it is so effective and ways that you can exploit it.So sit back and relax... or try to relax at least. This one might make you feel a bit... uneasy.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroThe Question of the WeekUpdate on the Store (https://www.hauntweeklystore.com)Next Week's EpisodeWhat We've Been Working OnIntro into the Topicwhat is the Uncanny Valley?What Causes It?Examples of the Uncanny ValleyWhy Use the Uncanny Valley?How to Use ItAdditional TipsRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're doing the news and, much to our surprise, it's a VERY busy month for haunted attraction news.We have a haunt owner that was charged with child sex crimes, a police department being sued over an incident at a haunted house and, yes, the latest news from Halloween Horror NightsWe also have an update on our new store (plus lots of new items and a new coupon code!) as well as the latest on what is going on in our lives.This Week's Episode IncludesIntroQuestion of the WeekUpdate on Our StoreIntroducing the NEW Store (https://hauntweeklystore.com/)Beetlejuice announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 (https://filmfave.com/article/beetlejuiceuniversal2021/)HellScream Haunted House Owner Arrested for Alleged Child Sex Crime in the Mid-2000s (https://www.kktv.com/2021/03/02/hellscream-haunted-house-owner-arrested-on-decades-old-child-sex-assault-charges/)Man Sues San Leandro Police After Altercation at Haunted House Caused Alleged Injuries (https://www.sfchronicle.com/lo

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're having to shift plans. We had wanted to talk about a topic but it turns out that, not only had we done it, we did it a year ago and with most of the same points.So, the new point that was added we decided to expand into a new episode and take a look at the future of escape rooms. Escape rooms, obviously, have had it rough during the pandemic. Many have been forced to close outright, others went all-virtual and some found ways to keep operating. But, with the pandemic winding down is the escape room boom going to continue or has the bubble already burst? We take a look at both sides of the argument in this episode.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekHousekeeping Note on This Week's EpisodeA Brief History of Escape RoomsCaveats About the Conversation5 Arguments the Bubble Has Burst5 Arguments that it Has NotRevisit Question of the WeekConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWe