| Television | Radio | Line entertainment | Answering machines | FAQ | Order |
You have put a lot of time and energy into your haunt, and you have a right to be proud of it. When you look to advertise, you want your ads to reflect that time and energy, and draw people in.
Unfortunately, having custom commercials made can be expensive, often running into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Cheaper alternatives end up looking... well... cheap. And that's not really the image that you want representing you.
That is where Haunted Commercials come in. We have quality commercials that are already produced, designed to grab attention and bring bodies in to your haunt. The commercials are customized for your attraction by adding elements like your logo, location, dates and times. You end up with commercials that look like you spent thousands of dollars, and more customers coming to your haunt.
You also get to see samples of the commercials before you buy, so you know in advance the quality that you will be getting.
TV ads are some of the most effective ads that you can get for a Haunted Attraction. Generally the cheapest time to advertise is at night, and that is when a lot of your target audience is watching.
There are a couple of different types of ads to consider:
Teaser A teaser is primarily meant for pre-season and early-season runs. The spot has little or no specific content, but contains a link to a website location or a telephone number. The purpose of the teaser is to generate interest, not provide information, and it's designed to work in parallel with other sources of data such as a website or answering machine. Trailer A trailer is designed for late-season runs, and is intended to renew interest in your haunt by refreshing the image in the viewer's mind. Like the teaser, it contains little direct information other than a website link or telephone number. Informational An informational ad is designed to provide information such as dates, times, and location as a part of the ad. Informational ads are best used a short time before and during the entire run of the haunt, and are most effective when combined with teasers and trailers. Maintenance A maintenance ad generally holds little content. It is designed to keep your name in the front of the viewer's eyes when you already have a big name presence. They can also work well to pad out other types of ads.
There are also some variations:
Singles Singles are standalone ads. They are the simplest and least costly, and the best choice for small budgets. They are basic one-off ads, designed to run an entire season. Tags Tags are similar to standalone ads. It is a single ad, but with a set of different taglines. They are a little more expensive, but profide for increased effectiveness because they are each slightly different, and the viewer becomes a little more intrigued and pays more attention. These can either be released all at one time, or released in a sequence. Groups Groups are collections of similarly-themed ads. They may be collections based on characters or situations, and they generate a lot of interest because of the richness and freshness of the ads. They can either be released all at once or in a sequence. Storyline Storyline ads are designed as a series of ads that tell a story when viewed in sequence, similar to a movie. Their effectiveness comes primarily from the viewer becoming absorbed in the storyline, and they are designed for long runs.
They are a little more difficult to maintain, as they are designed to be released in sequence.
Most of the commercials come in 30 second lengths. There are some 60 second versions and 15 second versions for versatility.
And if you want to do something customized specifically for your haunt, contact us. We're more than willing to talk about custom work.
Examples:
link description type length
Wanna see something scary? Graveyard hijinx with multiple tag lines. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Music courtesy of Midnight Syndicate, used by permission. Buy their CD's!
Tag 15 30 Return of the Undead I and II Zombies walk among the living. [1] [2]
(DivX codec)
Group 30 Booga Booga Booga Twenty bucks for THAT?
(prievew not yet available)
Single 30 60
Radio ads are a little different in construction. Rather than having the commercial produced already, core scripts are used and produced based on your order. They are also easier to customize, so if you have special information about your haunt, that can probably be worked in easily.
One nice touch if you are running an ad campaign is to have the same "voice" doing your answering machine. It provides a level of consistency that makes your haunt seem all that more professional.
While your customers are waiting in line, it's a good idea to keep them entertained. It makes the wait seem shorter, and it adds to the apparent value of the whole attraction. Think of it this way: if the total length of your haunt walk-through is ten minutes and there's a 20-minute wait in line, your patrons are spending two-thirds of their time waiting. Having good line entertainment is an inexpensive way to increase the value of your haunt.
Actors are a good idea. If it fits within your theme, magicians and jugglers are good as well, as are musicians and other performers.
An idea that is becoming more and more popular is video line entertainment, played on video monitors spaced along the queue line. This is usually something as simple as horror movie trailers, but can be as complex as several "stations" or kiosks playing segments of news stories and video briefings that are themed specifically for the haunt.
We have some specific videos that are designed for line entertainment. They are short segments just a few minutes long which can be interspersed into your own exsisting line entertainment, or can be used as standalone pieces. The videos can be used either by themselves, or in conjunction with actors and performers to help entertain and "psych up" your patrons.
And if you really want to go that extra mile and you want to do highly customized line entertainment, you can always contact us to discuss options.
You need a combination of TV, Radio, and line entertainment? We can do that. We can set up a campaign for you that has contiuity between all the media for a lot less than you might think.
Q: Aren't television commercials expensive?
A: They don't have to be. Commercials are expensive when you want to target a specific time or show, but if you buy advertising on a rotation schedule, the individual price goes way down, in many cases less than ten dollars. Rotation simply means that the station will fit your ads into their schedule where they see fit. You should contact the ad rep at your station for more details.
Q: How are the commercials delivered?
A: Television commercials can be delivered in several formats: Beta SP (tape), DVCPRO (tape), DVD-R, and in some cases electronic formats on CD-R and downloadable. Radio commercials are deliverable on CD-R and electronic delivery. You need to contact the stations that you are advertising on for their acceptable formats. For instance, most TV stations require Beta SP. Other formats may be available by special order.
Also, some delivery formats have additional charges and require additional time.
Q: How do I send you my logo?
A: The best way is for you to scan it in and send it via e-mail in a non-lossy compressed format (TIF, GIF, PNG) 720 x 540 with a black background. You can also send an electronic scan via CD-R. Do NOT send a jpeg.
Otherwise you can send a hard copy in the mail and we can scan it here, but it can take extra time and additional charges may apply.
Q: I don't have a logo. Can you design one?
A: Truthfully, there are many other places that do logo design much better than we can. Many advertise in Haunted Attraction magazine, such as http://www.icreeps.com, http://www.brainstormstudios.com , and http://www.hauntedminds.com .
Q: What information do I need to have to make an order?
A: Aside from the basics like name, address, phone number, you need to specify which items you are ordering, how you want them delivered, and your advertising location. The last one is important, because this area is your "lockout" area, which means that nobody else in this area will be able to run the same commercials.
In general, a lockout area runs a 50-mile radius; if you need something different, let us know.
Q: What form of payments do you accept?
A: Credit cards (via PayPal), money order, company & personal checks. Funds must clear before orders will be processed. Cash is not recommended, and we will not take small children no matter how much you beg.
Q: How far in advance do I need to order the commercials?
A: A minimum of 30 days is recommended. Usually orders can be processed much faster, but depending on the proximity to the Halloween season and the delivery format, extra time may be needed.
Q: Some of your commercials come in groups. Can I buy just one of those commercials?
A: No. The commercials that come in groups are designed to be played together. Playing just one reduces their effectiveness, and you run the risk of the rest of them being played in your area. You can purchase the group and play only one if you desire.
Q: How can I make sure that another haunt in my area doesn't use the same commercial?
A: When you order one of our commercials, a "lockout" goes into effect for that commercial in your area. That means that nobody else can use it in that area. When you make the order, you need to specify the area in which you are advertising. That area will be checked with the lockout list.
Q: I really like one of your commercials, and I don't want anybody else to use it. Can I do that?
A: Yes, it's called a buyout. You can purchase the buyout rights to any commercial (or set) that has not already been purchased by another; the buyout rate varies, but generally runs at 20 times the normal price.
Q: I like one of your commercials, but I'd like to change a few things. Can I do that?
A: Yes, but it is more expensive. Customization beyond what the core already-produced commercial has requires time and there is an additional hourly charge. Contact us directly for more details.
Q: I have some footage that I shot myself. Can you insert that in one of your commercials?
A: Maybe. It primarily depends on the quality of the footage that you have shot, as well as the format. It also requires time, and involves hourly customization charges. Contact us for details.
Q: I have my own video camera. Can't I just shoot my own commercial?
A: If you have some up-to-date digital equipment and knowledge of the delivery formats for your local stations, yes. However, you will probably find that the costs of putting together your own commercials will exceed that of ordering one of ours. There is a lot of stuff to handle.
Q: Can you do a custom commercial for my haunt?
A: Yes! Absolutely! However it is more expensive. Contact for details.
Q: Can I use the same commercial for next year?
A: No, unless you order it for next year. With your purchase, you get a license to use the commercial for the current season only. If you want to purchase a run for multiple seasons, you can.
Q: If I buy a commercial, can I turn around and sell it to someone else?
A: No. You aren't buying the commercial per se, you are purchasing the rights to use the commercial to advertise your haunt.
Q: Can I just buy a blank commercial and customize it myself? Or can I buy some of your footage and use it to create my own commercials?
A: No. All of the commercials that leave here are the full production versions, they aren't ready-to-assemble kits.
Q: The cable company/TV station say that they will shoot commercials for free if I buy advertising. Why should I buy yours?
A: Because the cable company/TV station is in the business of selling advertising time, not commercial production. The "free" commercials that you get are usually bare-minimum productions which are bland and lifeless, shot and produced very quickly. They aren't attention getting by any means, and they are not the best value for your advertising dollar.
Think about the commercials that you remember seeing, the ones that actually caught your attention. Then ask the station to show you some of the free commercials that they have produced. Then compare them to ours and choose for yourself.
Q: Can I use the music from (insert title here) in the commercials?
A: Probably not. Unless you can show that you have the proper permissions from the music publisher, you can't use the music. The exception is music that you own the rights to: for instance, if you have theme music specifically composed for your haunt.
I will tell you that some of the Halloween-oriented composers & performers may be open to letting you use their music. You should contact them.
There may be additional charges for customization.
Q: I have three haunts in different cities. Can I buy one commercial for all three cities?
A: Yes, but you'd have to purchase three separate commercials. However, you can get a package discount.
Q: Why would I want an answering machine message?
A: If you are considering advertising on television or the radio, having the same voice and music on your answering machine can provide a consistency that sounds very professional. It's a nice perk.
Q: I want a package of radio and TV commercials. Are there package deals?
A: Yes. Contact for details.
Q: How much should I spend on advertising?
A: This will depend entirely on your circumstances. You need to talk with your ad rep about the effectiveness of their ads, and balance that with your haunt admission price and your budget. In general, between $1000 and $5000 is a good place to start.
Q: I don't think I can afford to pay that much for advertising. What good does a commercial do me?
A: The commercials can be repurposed into line entertainment, kind of a "welcome to" message; you should also check out the other line entertainment offerings.
Q: I don't have the money now. Can I reserve a commercial and pay you later?
A: No. The ads are sold on a first-come first-served basis.
Q: I run a non-profit attraction. Can I get a discount?
A: Not on the purchase of commercials. However, you may be able to get a discount on advertising rates, or additional consideration. Contact your ad rep.
Q: Can I give you an idea for a commercial?
A: You can, but that does not mean we can or will use it. We have a lot of ideas that we intend to shoot, and your idea may not get shot for quite some time, if at all.
Wanna order? Of course you do.
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