Scare up some revenue with this month’s ideas for Halloween, the fall, and more!

 

October is…

Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month • American Cheese Month • Antidepressant Death Awareness Month • Celebrating The Bilingual Child Month • Celiac Disease Awareness Month • Church Library Month • Co-Op Awareness Month • Cut Out Dissection Month • Domestic Violence Awareness Month • Dyslexia Awareness Month • Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month • Gay and Lesbian History Month • German-American Heritage Month • Go Hog Wild – Eat Country Ham Month • Health Literacy Month • National Arts and Humanities Month • National Bake and Decorate Month • National Breast Cancer Awareness Month • National Chiropractic Health Month • National Crime Prevention Month • National Cyber Security Awareness Month • National Dental Hygiene Month • National Depression Education and Awareness Month • National Disability Employment Awareness Month • National Domestic Violence Awareness Month • National Down Syndrome Awareness Month • National “Gain The Inside Advantage” Month • National Liver Awareness Month • National Medical Librarians Month • National Physical Therapy Month • National Popcorn Poppin’ Month • National Reading Group Month • National Roller Skating Month • National Spina Bifida Awareness Month • National Stamp Collecting Month • National Work and Family Month • Organize Your Medical Information Month • Polish-American Heritage Month • Positive Attitude Month • Rett Syndrome Awareness Month • Right-Brainers Rule Month • Spinach Lovers Month • Squirrel Awareness And Appreciation Month • Talk About Your Medicines Month • Vegetarian Month • Workplace Politics Awareness Month

 

Month-Specific Events…

ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

Hold remote at shelter or pet food/supply store with representatives from local animal shelter. Additional sponsor tie-ins include vets, groomers, etc. www.ASPCA.org

AMERICAN CHEESE MONTH

American Cheese Month is a celebration of North America artisan, specialty and farmstead cheese, held in communities throughout North America.  “Say cheese!” listeners post selfies to win gift certificates at electronics or big box store. New cheese recipe is posted daily; sponsored by grocer or cheese-related business. Sandwich shop offers free cheese on sandwiches for the month. www.americancheesemonth.org

 

ANTIDEPRESSANT DEATH AWARENESS MONTH

A month to remember those who have been injured or who have died as a result of taking antidepressants or at the hands of someone who was on antidepressants. Possible Public Affairs program topic. Any adverse reactions or death while taking any drug should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration at www.FDA.com.

 

CELEBRATING THE BILINGUAL CHILD MONTH

A month to recognize the many children who speak two or more languages and understand multiple cultures. www.LanguageLizard.com Solicit calls from bilingual children. Offer prizes to those who speak the most languages, or the most unique language.

 

CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

For info: www.CSACeliacs.org.

 

CHURCH LIBRARY MONTH

To encourage churches to begin libraries/media centers and to encourage people of all ages to use their church libraries. www.ECLALibraries.org

 

CO-OP AWARENESS MONTH

To remind advertisers to take advantage of the vast amounts of co-op funding made available by manufacturers to help subsidize the cost of local advertising. www.AdMall.com Sales hosts a co-op party with clients and prospective clients.

 

CUT OUT DISSECTION MONTH

A chance for students to discuss and promote alternatives to animal dissection in the classroom. www.cutoutdissection.com

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

To raise awareness of efforts to end violence against women and their children. www.NCADV.org Offer PSAs to local women’s shelters – “sell” these messages to community-minded businesses.

 

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

The 47 branches of the International Dyslexia Association host workshops, lectures and fundraisers with the goal of raising public awareness of the signs of dyslexia in adults and children. www.InterDys.org See if there are events going on in your community. Interview doctor on the morning show about warning signs.

 

_{EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AWARENESS MONTH}

To increase awareness of this behavioral initiative. Emotional intelligence describes the ability to understand and manage emotions in order to think and communicate in a more healthful manner. www.E-II.org Ask listeners for stories of when their emotional intelligence disagreed with their “regular” intelligence.

GAY AND LESBIAN HISTORY MONTH

October was selected to commemorate the first two lesbian and gay marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987.

GERMAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

A month celebrating America’s German heritage. Numerous historical programs, museum and library exhibits, cultural events, genealogical workshops and more planned. Sell a remote or schedule to a German restaurant. Host a happy hour featuring German beer and food tasting. Sell a bakery on the idea of passing out German apple strudel (or similar) and coffee to morning commuters (even better if the morning show street person dresses in lederhosen). Or have an instructor try to teach the least musically included member of the morning show to play an “oom-pah” song on the tuba. www.gacl.org

 

GO HOG WILD – EAT COUNTRY HAM MONTH

Sell promotion to deli, supermarket, etc. where listeners register to win ham. Or arrange a promotion with a restaurant where ham meals are discounted all month. Send the station’s biggest “ham” on a remote where ham products are discounted. www.CountryHam.com

 

HEALTH LITERACY MONTH

Promoting understandable health information worldwide. www.HealthLiteracyMonth.com

 

NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH

Proclaimed annually to recognize the contributions of the arts and humanities not only by supporting the artists of today, but by giving opportunities to the creative thinkers of tomorrow.  Sell community-minded advertiser sponsorship of a series of announcements that promote the arts in your area. Can also be part of public affairs programming.

 

NATIONAL BAKE AND DECORATE MONTH

This month prepares Americans for the fall and holiday baking season with recipes and decorating tips for all types of fun, tasty foods. www.Wilton.com Sponsor cake decorating contest at local mall. Solicit holiday recipes for station cookbook, either online or printed.

 

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Morning show interview or website opportunities. www.NBCAM.org

 

NATIONAL CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH MONTH

www.ACAToday.com Talk with local chiropractor about the health benefits of chiropractic care.

 

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH

Where individuals can commit to working on at least one of three levels – family, neighborhood or community – to drive violence and drugs from our world. Also a time to honor individuals who have accepted personal responsibility for their neighborhoods and groups who work for the community’s common good. www.NCPC.org for ideas.

 

NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

A national campaign focused on educating everyday Internet users on how to “Protect Yourself Before You Connect Yourself.” www.staysafeonline.org

 

NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH

Sell dental group a schedule of informational spots plus discounted cleaning, etc. Or post pictures of stars’ toothy-smiles on your website and have listeners match stars names with smiles to be entered in a drawing for a free year of family dentistry. www.ADHA.org

NATIONAL DEPRESSION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS MONTH

A nonprofit campaign to educate patients, the elderly and professionals about depression disorders. www.PPSInc.org Morning show interview or website opportunities.

 

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

To foster the full integration of people with disabilities into the workforce. www.DOL.gov/ODEP

 

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Public service program opportunity.

 

NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

To promote better understanding of Down Syndrome. www.NDSCCenter.org

 

NATIONAL “GAIN THE INSIDE ADVANTAGE” MONTH

Learn to take control of your life from the inside out. www.CWLauro.com Talk to personal coach on how to “remake” yourself. Or sell this as a theme to a temporary employment agency, business consultant, etc. who’ll help businesses get the inside advantage by remaking themselves from the inside out.

 

NATIONAL LIVER AWARENESS MONTH

To increase understanding of the importance of liver functions, to promote healthful practices and to encourage research into the causes and cures of liver diseases, including hepatitis. www.LiverFoundation.org

 

NATIONAL MEDICAL LIBRARIANS MONTH

Recognizes and celebrates the importance and the achievements of health sciences information professionals. www.MLANet.org Morning show plays “Guess the Medical Term.” Give away DVDs of “Scrubs” or “Grey’s Anatomy.”

 

NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH

To increase awareness of the role of physical therapy in health care, thousands of physical therapists nationwide celebrate by hosting special activities such as fitness clinics, open houses, hotlines, athletic events, health seminars and exhibits. www.APTA.org

 

NATIONAL POPCORN POPPIN’ MONTH

Morning street person conducts a taste test of leading brands of microwaved popcorn to see listeners’ favorite. Also invite a local food critic to compare. Cut a deal with a club or movie theater to give away free popcorn courtesy of the station. Sell a remote at an appliance dealer where a microwave popcorn popping “pop-off” is held and listeners register to win a free microwave. Tie in a popcorn product with the morning show where there’s always lots of “corn.” www.Popcorn.org

 

NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH

Reading group members celebrate the joy of a book shared and inspire individuals who do not belong to a reading group to join one or start their own. Organizations, bookstores and libraries are encouraged to sponsor reading group events during this month. www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org

 

NATIONAL ROLLER SKATING MONTH

Host a family night at the roller rink with free or deeply discounted admission (proceeds to charity earns bonus points). Sell sponsorships to soft drink or snack food vendors, sporting goods stores that sell roller skates, etc. Be sure morning show is on-hand with pillows strapped to their butts, etc. Additional ideas: register for free skating for a year, free inline skates, trip/tickets to family-oriented places. www.RollerSkating.com

 

NATIONAL SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

Promoting public awareness of current scientific, medical and educational issues related to spina bifida – the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. www.SBAA.org

 

NATIONAL STAMP COLLECTING MONTH

Developed to introduce children aged 8-12 to this popular and educational hobby, the NSCM program is also intended to raise awareness about the recreational benefits of stamp collecting among all age groups. Interview stamp expert on valuable stamps. www.USPS.com/Communications/Community/NSCM.htm

 

NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

A Senate Resolution designated October as National Work and Family Month to express “the sense of the Senate that supporting a balance between work and personal life is in the best interest of national worker productivity.” Team with area resort to give away weekend “family getaway” packages.

 

ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MONTH

Dedicated to learning how to acquire, understand, utilize and store pertinent medical information and knowledge, enabling each of us to become a more informed and active participant in our own health care. www.OtherwiseHealthy.com Have health care provider on air to talk about how to organize medical information and what the average person should have. Team with local clinics or drug store to offer organization kits.

 

POLISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

www.PolishAmericanCenter.org Talk to local Polish chef about dishes listeners can prepare to celebrate. Sell a schedule/remote to a Polish American Club to promote membership.

 

POSITIVE ATTITUDE MONTH

Sometimes it just comes down to attitude! This month is dedicated to establishing, boosting or forcing ourselves to adopt positive attitudes and discovering and/or creating positive self-images. www.SpringboardTraining.com

RETT SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

To promote awareness of this neurological disease. www.RettSyndrome.org

 

RIGHT-BRAINERS RULE MONTH

Month to celebrate the creative side of your brain and how right-brainers can thrive in a left-brained world. www.CreativeLee.com Talk to theater coach/teacher about games developing actors play to stimulate creativity. Or talk to psychologist about ways to increase creativity.

 

SPINACH LOVERS MONTH

Spinach has finally become the “darling of vegetables”: from its delectable taste to the breaking news on its lutein content for the prevention of macular degeneration.  Chef offers interesting spinach recipes. Doctor talks about health benefits and how much nutrition Popeye likely received if he downed two 12-ounce cans of spinach a day.

 

SQUIRREL AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH

Month to honor one our friendliest forms of wildlife. www.TheSquirrelLoversClub.com Morning show talks to expert on squirrels including the good, bad and ugly. Poll: Who is the favorite: Rocket J. Squirrel or Slappy Squirrel? Post squirrel screen savers for listeners to download. Play “That Sounds Squirrelly To Me” (true or false game).

 

TALK ABOUT YOUR MEDICINES MONTH

www.TalkAboutRX.org

 

VEGETARIAN MONTH

Sponsor a page of vegetarian recipes on your website. Sell lunchtime remotes at a vegetarian restaurant. Interview chef specializing in vegetarian food to “convert” meat recipes into meatless ones, sponsored by a vegetarian restaurant or health food store.

 

 

HALLOWEEN IDEAS (Oct 31)

 

IS THAT (PARA)NORMAL?

Interview local ghost tour guide or ‘expert’ to talk about haunted or otherwise spooky places. Have guide host private tour for 13 couples who win an invite on the station.  (Halloween 2017)

 

HALLOW-GREEN

Team up with one or more businesses which support green efforts. Collect dimes to be used for local green efforts (tree planting for example). Create a special collection container trick or treaters can take with them on Halloween night. Also collect donations at remotes during the month of October. (Halloween, 2017)

 

COUNTRY INCOGNITO

Fun and sponsorable online game where station photoshops a mask over the face of a different country star each day through Halloween. Listeners can send correct guesses to be eligible for something fun like Pumpkin Spice drinks. (Halloween 2017)

 

PUT IT IN THE BAG

Sell a sponsor on a food drive where listeners can exchange donated canned food for a sponsor gift. (Halloween 2016)

 

GIVE A TREAT, GET A TRICK

Sell a mall or other where a kids-oriented magician performs. Suggest a donation for charity. Adult version: sell to a bar where the prize is a trip to see Vegas magician. (Halloween 2016)

 

ARE YOU MY MUMMY?

Create sponsored online contest where listeners match pictures of talent with pictures of their moms. Also use local celebrities and any artists where you have the rights to pictures of the artist and their mom. (Halloween 2016)

 

WHO’S THAT MUMMY?

Secure royalty-free, label approved, artist pictures; Photoshop “mummy wrappings” across the photo then ‘unwrap’ a strip at a time at pre-determined hours. First frequency of listeners to correctly guess the artist eligible to win smaller prize and are qualified to win grand prize. (Halloween 2016)

 

HAUNTED COUNTRY SONGS

Sell to costume shop. Combine lyrics to make Halloween “story.” “Out in the Backwoods; Bonfire; Burn (Crash and Burn); Burning it down; Feel That Fire”- listeners id songs and artists to win sponsor prize.  (Halloween 2016)

 

 

Some favorites from years past…

 

TRICK OR TWEET

Listeners tweet Happy Halloween using a hashtag. Randomly selected winner receives the hour’s treat pair of movie tickets, restaurant gift card, etc.). Can also be a text event using a ‘text tone’ (perhaps a door bell and kids shouting, “Trick or Treat”), listeners text for this hour’s treat; random texter is chosen as the winner. (Halloween 2015)

 

GUESS OUR COSTUME

Every 15 minutes on the morning show, talent gives a clue to the costume they’re currently ‘wearing.’ First listener to identify wins $100. Start a new contest once the costume is guessed. Run earlier in the month and sell it to a costume store. (Halloween 2015)

 

COSTUME SELFIES

Listeners post selfies of themselves in costume using station hashtag. Award prizes for the funniest, most embarrassing, realistic, etc. (Halloween 2015)

 

BEST IN SHOW

Listeners post pictures of their best station-themed carved pumpkins using a station-designated hashtag. Award prizes to the best carvings. (Halloween 2015)

 

LUKE BRYAN/CARRIE UNDERWOOD COSTUME GIVEAWAY

Sell this to a Western store. Listeners register online to win gift certificate for jeans and boots for Luke and a sparkly dress and boots for Carrie. Add a box of teeth whitener to the Luke prize and a blonde wig for the Carrie winner. (Halloween 2015)

 

CANDY CORN GUESS

At all remotes through the month, have listeners guess the number of pieces of candy corn in large, clear container. Also post picture online and accept guesses via email. Winner drawn on Halloween morning.

 

MYSTERY CELEBRITY PUMPKIN

It will take a little bit of Photoshopping, but reveal bits and pieces of celebrity face on side of pumpkin. Accept guesses via email with first correct guess winning prize from sponsor. Repeat several times.

 

DIGITAL TRICK OR TREAT FOR CHARITY

Listeners submit pictures of themselves in costumes.  Randomly selected participants get to designate which local charity they would like to donate their ‘treat’ to – a nominal cash amount donated by civic-minded client.

 

THE NON-HALLOWEEN ‘COSTUME’

Sell a clothing store on sponsoring a ‘non-Halloween costume contest’ – which is actually a gift certificate for regular clothes in what is a slower time for clothing sales.

 

HALLO-WEENIE

Treat listeners to free dogs at a lunchtime remote. Can also be part of a remote sell at a costume store in advance of Halloween.

 

GREAT GOURD GUESS

Display giant pumpkin (or several large pumpkins) in a high visibility location. Listeners  guess the weight for gift certificate or cash. Can also be done online with pictures (be sure to include something in the picture to provide perspective on the size of the pumpkin.

 

HICK OR TREAT

Listeners win hit CDs when they hear the doorbell ring and “hick or treat.” Sponsorable.

 

ADULT HALLOWEEN MALL CRAWL

Participating stores give out treats in the form of free samples, dollars off, etc.

 

PUMPKINS AND PUNKINS

Sell remote to a pumpkin farm with free photos of kids with their pumpkins, someone dressed as a scarecrow, etc.

 

TRICKY TREATS

Merchant has a “skill” game on display in the store. Customers scoring at various levels get increasingly large discounts.

 

TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE

Sell to costume store. Have a different costume and size on display daily. First person that tries it on and it fits wins; a new costume is awarded the next day. Also works with shoe store, cap store, etc.

 

HALLOWEEN TREAT PATROL

Station van cruises hot zips passing out station swag to trick or treat-ers and their parents (no food items). Sell this to a sponsor who also includes coupons as part of the giveaways.

 

GHOUL CRAWL

Sell to multiple clubs, restaurant, etc. Listeners arriving in costume receive discounts, freebies, etc.

 

WIN AT :31 FOR THE 31^ST

Sell this one day event to a retailer that sells candy, costumes, decorations, etc. At 31 past the hour each hour, the 31^st caller wins $31 gift certificate to spend on Halloween-related merchandise. Shorten it up and do it in a single daypart.

 

PUMPKIN BLUEPRINT OF THE DAY

Sell a sponsorship for a pumpkin blueprint (the outline of where to carve a pumpkin to make a particular face, design, etc.). Post a new blueprint online each day of the promotion; listeners can download ones they like.

 

ONLINE HALLOWEEN PARADE

Listeners submit photos of their costumes on Halloween; judge/listeners vote for best through the end of the week for $500 prize. Also have kids’ and pet division with appropriate alternate prize. Sell to digital-to-print vendor, costume store, etc.

 

FRIGHT FLICKS

Sell to DVD retailer. Play clip from scary movie; first to identify wins certificate for scary movie of their choice.

 

MAY I HAVE THE SCARY ENVELOPE PLEASE…

For two weeks days leading up to Halloween, host a web poll where listeners vote for the scariest movies of all time. Use a bracket system to get the most movies in. First get listeners to make the nominations, then start the elimination.

 

PUMPKIN PRIZE

Do this at a remote. You can go the “clean” route and just put numbers on pumpkins and call out lucky numbers raffle-style, or you can go the “dirty” route and put prizes (or prize receipts) inside the pumpkins. Or you could fill a kiddy pool with pumpkin “guts” and have a couple of lucky listeners get in there to look for a buried treasure. Or give everyone who shows up (your frequency number) seconds to find the prize.

 

PUMPKIN PRIZE PATROL

Have listeners register on your website to be visited by the WXXX Pumpkin Prize Patrol. Draw some entries and send the van out to deliver prizes to those listeners.

 

ONLINE PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST

Listeners send you pictures of their best pumpkins. The pumpkins with the most votes win prizes.

 

PUMPKIN TOSS

Do remote with a client with a large parking lot. Listeners toss pumpkins towards a giant bulls-eye to win prizes. Make sure you set up a kid-friendly bulls-eye for the little ones.

 

DOWNTOWN CORN MAZE ONLINE/E-MAIL CONTEST

Via e-mail or online, create a virtual corn maze in your downtown. Online instructions start with a point downtown, then give directions like walk east to the Starbucks, turn left at the next stop light, etc. to an undisclosed final destination. Listeners enter by putting the ultimate ending place in the subject line and e-mail. Sell to a sponsor – a corn maze or other seasonal business. Send a new game each night during the 1-2-week promotion. You could pass out written instructions at remotes if you prefer. Be sure to note the maze only takes place on public property.

 

CIDER TASTING

Sell a cider producer on giving away free tastes at your remotes all month long. Or make it a morning show bit offering different flavors/brands to consumers and getting their votes for best tasting.

 

PIE CHART

Poll listeners for the best seasonal pie: apple, pumpkin or sweet potato.

 

COSTUME OF THE DAY

Morning show game where one of the hosts gives clues to the costume they are “wearing” today. Take callers guessing the costume to win gift certificates at a Halloween store or other seasonally-appropriate prizes.

 

TELEPHONE TRICK OR TREAT

Talent randomly answers the phone with “Trick or Treat.” If listeners immediately describe a costume the talent is “wearing” (they make on up on the spot), they win a small prize.

 

MORNING POLLS

Anyone encounter a ghost or supernatural event? Who/what is the scariest Halloween move (monster, evil person) of all time? If you were a witch or wizard, what spell would you most like to be able to do?

 

STAKES (STEAKS) THROUGH THE HEART OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Secretly plant wooden stakes (with call letters and numbers written on each one) in towns, neighborhoods, etc. Give on-air clues with winners treated to steak dinners for them and friends. Or give away pounds of steak in the amount of your frequency.

 

TRICK OR TREAT HOUSE

Pre-select a half dozen or more houses to be an “Official KXXX Trick or Treat House.” On Halloween night, trick or treaters should ask “Is this the KXXX Trick or Treat House?” to every house they go to. First one to ask at designated house wins prize. Have the household call the station for a phoner. Even put jock at one or two houses.

 

IS THIS PLACE HAUNTED?

Designate one or more houses in town to be the “Official WXXX Haunted House.” Kids should ask, “Is this the WXXX Haunted House?” when trick or treating. First child to uncover the house wins prize for themselves and their parents.

 

HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY THEATER

Get with a local acting/theatre troupe who acts out a murder mystery at a dinner theater, restaurant, club, train, etc. on Halloween night. Beer distributor, party supply store, costume shop tie-ins possible.

 

TRICK OR TREAT FOR CHARITY

Morning show host or other high visibility jock trick or treats in costume for a charity.

 

HOWL-OWEEN DOGGIE TRICK OR TREAT

Sell to a pet store. On the Saturday before Halloween, pet store invites owners to bring their costumed pets in for free treats and register for free grooming, supplies, etc. Award special prizes for owners who dress up along with pets (i.e. the owner is Batman, dog is Robin.)

 

RECYCLE USED PUMPKINS FOR PRIZES

Sell this to a client with a large parking lot. Listeners put their names on their pumpkins and bring them to the remote. Talent is blindfolded and selects pumpkins that will be recycled into gifts like movie tickets, free meals, free merchandise from client. Everyone who brings a pumpkin gets to select an envelope with coupon inside for 10-50% off during remote.

 

HOLD A LIVE SÉANCE ON THE AIR

 

USE A OUIJA BOARD ALL DAY TO DETERMINE PRIZES

 

SPOOKY STORY READING

Sell this to a bookstore. On Halloween night, do a remote from a bookstore with the talent reading short ghost stories complete with sound effects. Can be classic stories or ones parents/kids make up and send in. Or, invite kids/parents to provide sound effects live at the bookstore or in the studio. Or do this at a local library.

 

STATION TRICK OR TREAT BAGS

Sell to sponsor(s) and include their logo on one side of the shopping bag and station’s on the other. Can also coupon the bags which can be picked up from sponsor locations and via station vehicle.

 

BE SAFE

Go the “we care” route with a “Have a Safe Halloween” promotion. Hook up with mall, hospital, police department to X-ray candy listeners bring in on Halloween night. Or give away free reflective stickers with the station call letters on them that kids can wear on their clothes.

 

IN-STUDIO PARADE

Little kids come by on their way to school to show off their costumes. Or have a “virtual” parade using previously gathered audio from kids describing what they are wearing; include names and schools. Or the morning street person goes to various elementary schools holding Halloween parades. Use beds from the Addams Family, Munsters, X-Files, Twilight Zone. Or invite local celebs to dress in costume and be part of the morning show on location in a high traffic area.

 

ON THE AIR TRICK OR TREAT

Listeners call/fax in the crazy “tricks” they will perform on the air to win a “treat.”

 

BOO BUS TOUR

Partner with a community bus or limo company to provide winning listeners with transportation and admission to a few area haunted houses/hayrides. End the night with a stop at a local club or two. Sponsorship opportunities include beverages, fast food outlets, party stores, clubs.

 

PUMPKIN BOWLING

Use real bowling pins and pumpkins at high traffic location. Anyone who bowls a pumpkin strike wins prize. Collect money for UNICEF or other station charity.

 

READING (MINDS) IS FUNDAMENTAL

Have a psychic on the morning show. Make predictions and take calls from listeners about their past/future experiences.

 

GHOSTS OF COUNTRY

A Midnight Halloween Concert where all the songs you play are from dead singers: Conway, Tammy, Marty Robbins, etc. Be sure to save the last spot on the show for Hank, Sr. Sell to a music store. A store specializing in hard to find records, tapes and CDs would be a natural.

 

PLAY THE “MONSTER HITS” ALL DAY LONG.

When playing songs, intro “here’s another monster” over Frankenstein’s grunting sfx. You can also give away copies of “Young Frankenstein” whenever listeners hear the monster grunt.

 

WOULD YOU LIKE A BODY – ER – DOGGIE BAG, SIR?

Work with a dinner theater to hold a special “Murder and a Meal” night.

 

HOST A DRIVE-BY TRICK OR TREAT IN THE STATION’S PARKING LOT OR OTHER SAFE AREA

Good opportunity for product sampling for a client.

 

FRIGHT FEST

Arrange for special showings of horror/scary movies at a theater. Or give away copies of the scariest movies of all times. Besides theaters, sponsor opportunities include food/beverage, clothing stores, etc.

 

SCARIEST BILL

Listeners nominate their scariest bill. Morning show votes on the scariest one to be paid for by the station. Credit card, bankcard, mortgage company, or specific business (utility, phone company) etc. are all potential sponsors.

 

SKELETON KEY CONTEST

Hide a skeleton key in a mall or other public area. Or hold a weeklong promotion giving keys away on the air. One key unlocks the secret chest full of prizes.

 

MALL FREE-FOR-ALL

Hold a station-sponsored Trick or Treat day in the safety of an area mall with merchants providing the treats. Set up some games kids can play, too.

 

MONSTER MASH

Host an invitation-only costume party at a local club with prizes for best costume, best celebrity look-alike, etc. Perhaps have specials on Bloody Marys. Give away tickets all month to the 13^th caller whenever they hear sound of black cat, Dracula, music from Psycho, Monster Mash, etc.

 

NOW THAT’S WEIRD (NOV 1)

Morning show bit with listeners calling to tell about the weirdest item they/their children received while trick or treating.
NON DATE-SPECIFIC IDEAS

 

 

NEXT OF PUMP-KIN

Sell a website “win a pie for you and a relative or friend” contest. Have phrase “hidden” underneath photo of pumpkin pie. Each hour remove a ‘bite’ until someone guessesvia text or email the secret (and fall-related) message (draw from all correct answers at the end of the day/time period). (Fall 2016)

 

RAKING RE-LEAF

Similar to above.  Uncover phrase or photo (make sure you have permission to use) a few leaves at a time. Sell to a lawn service company or business that sells lawn equipment.  (Fall 2016)

 

JOCK-TOBER

Morning show salutes a different high school/jr high school athlete each morning. Winners receive plaque and prize from sponsor. Or, if your budget allows, make a $100 donation to the school’s athletic fund. Ideal for sporting goods or fitness center sponsorship. (Fall 2015)

 

OC-TOE-BER

Sell a package to a nail salon that features a free pedicure for each daily winner for the first week of October. If a guy wins, he can opt to give the pedicure to his significant other or win a case of beer for himself (station gives $25 check for the cost of a case). (Fall 2015)

 

FALL CRAWL

Sell a group of restaurants/upscale pubs for an Appetizer Crawl featuring seasonal ingredients. (Fall 2015)

 

LEAF YOUR PICTURE HERE

Host a month-long, online contest for the best local, fall photos.

 

100 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL (OCTOBER FEST)
Sell a promotion to a local restaurant that agrees to feature one specialty (German) beer a night (week), offered at a special price for the night (three if you really want to reach 100 bottles).

 

FREE-FALL

Now that fall is here, team up with a skydiving company to give away a skydiving package and offer discounts on skydiving lessons.

 

HOW ‘BOUT THIS WEATHER?

Using your local weather patterns as a guide, do a database-building contest where listeners register on your website and give their guess as to when the first snow/freezing temperature/rainfall over a certain amount/etc. will happen. Offer seasonally-appropriate prize(s) for correct guessers: cold-weather gear, pay their utility bills for a month, etc.

FAMILY FUN DAY IN THE COUNTRY

Prior to Halloween, hold a family day at a pumpkin farm with cider, a band, storyteller and prizes for adults and kids in costume.

 

OUTTA TUNE AT NOON

A twist on an all-request lunch hour. Make listeners sing their requests when they call in. Award them dinner certificates/listener parties/etc. at a karaoke bar or restaurant.

LIVE LUNCH

Take your all-request lunch hour on the road for a few weeks, selling packages to local restaurants. Broadcast live from the location, featuring lunch specials, giveaways, playing requests from lunch patrons live from the restaurant.

 

WEATHER KID OF THE DAY

Get some buzz in suburbs and schools by recording kids doing the local weather and playing it back throughout the morning show. Mention their towns and school. Solicit via recorded station promos, post cards, or a special weather line where they call and leave their information and why they want to do it on an answering machine.

 

COUNTRY MUSIC MONTH

(See last month’s issue.)

 

CHEW ON THIS

This fall, encourage large employers with cafeterias to let your talent show up and act as food servers. Pass out CDs, samples of items from sponsors, collect database data while registering employees to win special prize or cash in a silent contest. Sell station T-shirts or take bids on a grand prize, with all profits going to business’ favorite charity or employee benevolence program.

 

MOVIE EXIT POLL

As the big pictures are released for the upcoming holidays, take a DAT recorder to the theater and get peoples’ reactions. Air those Monday morning.

 

FROM THE “IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR THIS DEPARTMENT…”

 

STATION ORNAMENTS

Each year create a special Christmas Tree Ornament with your logo on one side and the year on the other. If you can secure label permission, put year under logo and artist’s picture opposite logo/year. Create new design each year. (Fall, Christmas 2016)

 

CAN’T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS

Be on-trend by starting Christmas music and your Christmas early – the week before Thanksgiving instead of the day after. Arrange to have a large display of presents at a mall. On air, listeners can “open” presents one at a time either via a hi-low game or by putting together clues given on air. Each week, the presents get larger. Everyone who guesses could be in the drawing for the grand prize as well. “Santa Stops” (paid clue stops) could add additional revenue.

 

LITTLE HOUSES

Host a display of ceramic houses. Invite listeners to bring list of what they have for a free appraisal (some of these are worth big bucks). Have a department store set-up expert on hand to offer tips.

 

HOLIDAY FAMILY REUNION (THANKSGIVING OR CHRISTMAS)

Sell to Priceline, caterer, limo service, phone company.

 

Thanksgiving event where station participates in drives for hungry, homeless, orphans, shut-ins, etc.

 

New Year’s Eve in Times Square, Disney World or other exotic location.

 

Super Bowl, Pro Bowl or other major Bowl game in desirable destination.

 

 

 

EARLY NOVEMBER EVENTS

 

CMA Awards Show

INFO:  50th Annual Country Music Awards (Wednesday, November 2, 2016, ABC-TV)

 

 

 

 

LOCAL ELECTION?  GET YOU LISTENERS’ VOTES FOR CARING ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY

 

• Make arrangements now to be your area’s official Clean Election Station. The day (weekend) following elections, organize volunteers to clean up any election signs, flyers, etc. still left around. Alternately, the day after elections, morning show announces it will set up Saturday at local restaurant, recycling center, etc. to offer free coffee and donuts to listeners who bring in those political posters that otherwise often stay up for months.

 

• Work with get-out-the-vote groups in your area to publicize voting hours, free rides to the polls. Run on-air promos of listeners saying they are “casting their votes” for you, or “I don’t know who I’m voting for for mayor, but for Country Station, I’m voting for KXXX.”