Spooky season is upon us, and there’s no better time to give your small business a lil Halloween boost! Whether you're selling candles, chocolates, cosmetics, books, etc, this time of year offers endless opportunities to engage with your customers in super fun, creative ways. 

So, grab a pumpkin-spiced latte and let’s dive head first into some tips to make your business stand out this Halloween!

1. Spookify your packaging

Why not give your packaging a seasonal makeover? A few spooky additions to your packaging can make your products feel special, because who doesn’t love a fun unboxing experience? Here are some quick ideas:

Themed boxes and bags: Opt for orange and black gift boxes and bags for your products, either with a ghostly Halloween design or they can be left plain - just the colours themselves give off a spooky vibe!
Halloween-themed tissue paper: Wrap your products in black, orange, or even printed tissue paper to elevate the experience even more - while offering extra protection to your products inside the box or bag.
Stickers and ribbon galore: I just love stickers, don’t you? Why not add a fun Halloween sticker or some plain or printed ribbon to your boxes or bags - think cute pumpkins or friendly cats.
Sustainable packaging: Keep it spooky and sustainable! Opt for recycled or biodegradable gift packaging options, and let your customers know they’re making an eco-friendly choice.

Remember, small details can create BIG impressions. Your customers will appreciate the extra thought. (And who knows, they might even post about it on social media... hello, publicity!)

And how else can you spice up your packaging this autumn? Check out our blog post here!

2. Create a Halloween-themed product

Seasonal products can help your business tap into the excitement of Halloween. Think about introducing a limited-edition product just for October. Not only does it create a sense of urgency (FOMO is real), but it also gives your regular customers something new to look forward to. Here are a couple of ideas to try:

Autumn-scented candles: Cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and apple cider - these scents are basically just Halloween in a jar.
Spooky jewellery designs: A necklace with a bat, cat, or witch's hat? Yes please!
Halloween gift sets: Bundle a few of your best-sellers in spooky packaging for an irresistible seasonal offer.

3. Engage customers with spooky contests and sales

Halloween is all about creativity, so let’s get your customers involved! A contest is a fantastic way to drive engagement and spread the word about your business. Try hosting a photo contest where your customers show off how they’ve used your products in a Halloween setting.

Think about offering a prize for the best entry - maybe a gift card or accessory? You could also run a ‘guess the number of chocolates in the jar’ contest on social media - it’s simple, fun, and a great way to increase your engagement. (And gain some new followers in the process!)

Halloween sales are also a great way to bring in new customers, but how do you stand out from the crowd? How about offering a flash sale where customers can ‘trick or treat’ for discounts? You could hide secret coupon codes throughout your website or social media posts. Maybe it’s a ‘treat’ for 20% off or a ‘trick’ where they get a surprise bonus with their purchase. (A little mystery is always fun, right?)

Here’s a bonus idea: Offer a ‘Pumpkin Pick’ promotion, where each customer’s order comes with a random discount or bonus product. It’s like picking a pumpkin from the patch but better. (Because, well, discounts!)

4. Share spooky stories (and your business journey!)

Storytelling is a powerful tool, and Halloween is the perfect time to embrace it. Whether it’s sharing a spooky story or giving your audience a behind-the-scenes peek at your own business journey, this season is a fantastic opportunity to make an emotional connection with your customers.

Maybe share how your business got started (was it during a spooky, stormy night?!) or what Halloween means to you as a small business owner. People love a good origin story - and even more so when it comes with a touch of nostalgia. Remember, your packaging isn’t just a box - it’s part of the story you tell your customers every time they open one.

5. Add a little Halloween fun to your marketing

How can you embrace Halloween in your marketing strategy? Sprinkle a little spooky magic throughout by changing up the banners on your website and social media to reflect the season.

Use playful, Halloween-themed language in your email newsletters too (for example - ‘We’ve got some fang-tastic deals for you!’), and offer Halloween tips that tie into your business. At Tiny Box Company, we made some fun DIY creations for Halloween - how cute are these lil spiders?

Being playful and timely shows your audience that you’re engaged and excited about the season - plus, it’s a great way to stay on-trend without going too far off-brand.

You’ve got this!

Halloween isn’t just a time for costumes and sweets. (Though we love both, of course - what do we think most people will be dressing up as this year?) It’s also an opportunity to refresh your brand, get creative, and have some fun with your customers. 

So, go ahead - add a little spooky magic to your products and packaging, plan that creative Halloween promotion, and watch the excitement (and orders) roll in. Now, where’s that pumpkin spice latte...?