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When you build and run a haunt, you buy a lot of things. Some of those purchases work out and become worth their weight in gold, others... not so much.Even though we're overgrown home haunters, we've made a LOT of purchases in the past 15 years and, as we reflect on our buying choices, we see some savvy moves and some major mistakes. Today, we're going to tell you both kinds of stories.So, on that note, get ready for some cringe and some good love stories!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersA Quick Update About Our HauntRules of the Episode5 Haunt Purchase Regrets5 Haunt Purchases We LoveConclusionsNo matter what role you plan in a haunt, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss!

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HAuNTcon is just around the corner and, as we've done in years gone by, we're looking ahead to see what we are most excited about. This includes looking at the events taking place, the education to be had and the tradeshow to be seen.Truth is, there's so much to see and do at HAuNTcon that we can't possibly cover it in one hour. Hell, I don't think we can cover in the actual three days of HAuNTcon. That said, we're going to try and here is where we're beginning.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntIntro to HAuNTconThe TourEducationTradeshowBrewing Boos and Booze BallOther EventsConclusionsAll in all, HAuNTcon is looking to be a party that we won't soon forget and this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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This week on Haunt Weekly we're winding down the holiday season, the year and the decade by looking back at some of the greatest hoaxes and urban legends throughout history,The reason for this is pretty simple, A good haunt deserves a good legend but not every haunt comes with a pre-made one. So, sometimes you have to make your own.In this episode, we're going to look at some of the most famous hoaxes, pranks and urban legends, how they get started and how you can apply those techniques to ethically start your own legends.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersA Quick Update on Our HauntWhy This Week's TopicItaly's Secret Pasta GardensMythical MonstersWar of the WorldsAdvertising Fake ProductsCrop CirclesAmityville HorrorAnastasia RomanovCardiff Giant Balloon BoyTies Into HauntingConclusionsAll in all, whether you're interested in expanding your haunt's lore or just want to talk about a few big hoaxes, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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This week on Haunt Weekly, we're doing the news! But before you worry that we're going to bring down your holiday season, this is actually a pretty happy episode. We have some positive arrests, we have lots of cheery charity news and even a bit of comedy from a police department haunt.So, if you're wanting an episode that will keep your spirits up during this holiday season, this may actually be it. We're not exactly brimming with cheer, but we won't cost you your faith in humanity either.See... We can be upheat...This Week's Episode Includes;IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntArrest in Carrollton Haunted House Arson (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/arrest-in-carrollton-haunted-house-arson)Man Accused of Punching Kids at Haunted House Makes First Court Appearance (https://www.news8000.com/news/man-accused-of-punching-kids-at-at-haunted-house-makes-first-court-appearance/1145867491)Planning Commission Approves Plans for Haunted House Attraction Next Fall (https://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/news/local/planning-commission-approves-plans-for-haunted-house-attraction-next-fall/article_de9b4f84-c1dc-55fe-93da-b876ed1fac81.html)Scary News: T.O. Haunted House Moving (https://www.theacorn.com/articles/scary-news-t-o-haunted-house-moving/)Niles Scream Park Hands Out Over $116,000 To Charity (https://www.wsjm.com/2019/12/16/niles-scream-park-hands-out-over-116000-to-charity/)Forest Of Fear Stirs Up Screams From Crowds And Donations To The Community (http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/news/forest-fear-stirs-screams-crowds-and-donations-community)Local Haunted Attraction Gives Back to the Columbia Community (https://www.dothaneagle.com/news/local/local-haunted-attraction-gives-back-to-the-columbia-community/article_18e7b295-94d2-5bae-8439-71606e058425.html)Halloween Trademark Sparks Agritourism Dispute (https://www.capitalpress.com/nation_world/agriculture/halloween-trademark-sparks-agritourism-dispute/article_64749a32-1617-11ea-a1ea-2fb84e315252.html)Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Will Close in 2020 for Months-Long Renovation (https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/06/disneylands-haunted-mansion-will-close-in-2020-for-months-long-overhaul/)Orlando Just Got a Hidden Witch Bar Full of Magic & Potions (https://www.narcity.com/eat-drink/us/fl/orlando/cocktails-and-screams-orlando-just-opened-a-hidden-witch-bar)Yes, That Was a Guillotine in the Back of a Miami-Dade Police Truck. Here’s Why it Was There (https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article238501743.html)ConclusionsAll in all, hope that your holidays are going well and that this episode helps to keep your season bright!

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It's the holiday season and that means presents, cold weather and trips to visit family and friends. But just because this is the season where no work gets done doesn't mean that you can't do things to improve your haunt. Even better, there are things you can do no matter where you are. If you've got a laptop, or even a cell phone in some cases, there is much that you can to improve your haunt and make your 2020 season go easier.To that end, here's our suggestions for ways you can work on your haunt, no matter where you are...This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntAbout the TopicThings We Assume You've Already Done7 Things You Can Do for Your Haunt NowConclusionsAll in all, whether you're staying home for the holidays or traveling many miles, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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A day at the renaissance festival can be a lot of fun. However, if you're a haunt owner or builder, it's also a chance to do some really good research and pick up a few pointers.The reason is that haunted attractions are increasingly moving to a more festival atmosphere, trying to capture as much customer time and money as they can. To this end, ren fests have been doing it amazingly successful for decades, all the while operating a seasonal attraction and deailng with many of the same challenges and pitfalls we do.So we compiled a short and woefully incomplete list of things that haunters can learn from ren fests and put them into this episode.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntThe Reason for the EpisodeThe Flow of Human TrafficAlways Something to DoImmersionVariety of ActivitiesSpecial EventsReduction in Pain PointsImportance of a Unique ExperienceConclusionsThough we suspect a lot of you ARE big ren fest fans, whether you are or not this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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We've had a pretty serious few episodes so let's take a break shall we? We haunters are a strange, weird and borderline insane bunch. Best of all, we're proud of it.Still, it's sometimes fun to take a step back and look at all of the ways we are decidedly not normal. I mean, working year-round to scare people a few nights of the year is crazy enough. But to throw in all of the things we do to get there and it becomes a cry for help.So, with that in mind, here's a look at just 13 ways that we haunters are not normal. Are there more? Absolutely. Let us know yours and we may include them in a future episode!This Week's Episode Includes: IntroConference RemindersA Quick Update on Our HauntWhy We Wanted to Do This Episode13 Things Haunters Have/Do That Aren't NormalConclusionsAll in all, if you're a haunter and want some humor, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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It's another episode that's divisble by four and that means its time to do the news! And what a week do we have for you guys. We have attempted arson, a haunted house run by a retirement community and one of the craziest haunt moves I've ever heard of.Since this episode covers a bit of the end of season and most of November, we get a good mix of in-season news and stories about upcoming holiday shows and haunt moves. It's a jam-packed episode but we make at least a little bit of time to talk about the goings on at our haunt, or more specifically our street, and a few other personal odds and ends.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our Haunt (And Our Street)Man Tries to Burn Down Haunt Three Times (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/carrollton-police-searching-for-arson-suspect-in-haunted-house-fire)Petition to Close McKamey Manor Reachers 133K Signatures (https://www.wkrn.com/news/petition-to-shutdown-torture-chamber-in-lawrence-co/)Slaughterhouse Moves to Downtown Des Moines (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/2019/11/14/slaughterhouse-moves-downtown-announces-krampusnacht-celebration/4190145002/)7. SC Haunt Damaged in Storm Before Halloween, Reopens Next Night (https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/street-squad/deseased-farm-reopen-storm-damage/101-285ee9d2-52fc-46f1-a20f-48242d1a76a9)Knott's Scary Farm Sees Record Attendance Despite Galaxy's Edge (https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/06/knotts-berry-farm-reports-record-attendance-after-disneyland-opens-star-wars-galaxys-edge/amp/)Snow White's Scary Adventure to Undergo Refurbishment (https://wdwnt.com/2019/11/snow-whites-scary-adventures-to-undergo-large-scale-refurbishment-at-disneyland/)Cast of Broadway's Lion King Put on Haunt for Family & Friends (http://www.playbill.com/article/go-inside-the-lion-kings-annual-backstage-halloween-haunted-house)Fright Haven to Put On "Lights On" Night for Holidays (https://orangetownnews.com/orange-resident-presenting-holiday-lights-on-kid-friendly-non-scary-family-fun-day/)Article About Haunt Logistics Features Netherworld and Dent Schoolhouse (https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2019/10/28/inside-creation-travel-worthy-haunted-houses/)A Tour of Nightmare Walk Home Haunt (https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/2019/10/28/nightmare-walk-ellis-familys-annual-haunted-attraction/2458454001/)Seniors in Newfoundland Put on Haunted House for the Community (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/seniors-witless-bay-haunted-house-1.5341000?sfns=mo)ClosingAll in all, this is one packed episode that you do NOT want to miss!

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Last week, we discussed how to find what your pricing should be for your haunt. This week, we're looking at how to increase your prices if you decide you need more pert ticket and how you can make it more palatable to the customer.The simple truth is this: Price increases suck. Nobody likes them. That said, there are ways that you can raise your prices and not lose your customers. In fact, you can help your customers feel like they got a better deal.How do you do it? That's what this episode is about, finding ways to raise your prices and keep customers happy.This Week's Episode IncludesIntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntFollow Up on Last WeekThe Problem with Raising PricesStep 1: Survey and Analyze Your Potential AudienceStep 2: Seek Ways to Offer More at No/Low CostStep 3: Raise Your Prices the Smallest Amount You CanStep 4: Double Down on MarketingStep 5: Offer DiscountsStep 6: Take a BreakConclusionsAll in all, if you charge money for your haunt, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss!

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This week on Haunt Weekly, we're talking about pricing your haunt.Choosing the price fior your haunt is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make with it and it's one of the easiest to get wrong. Price too high, no one comes. Too low and you can never turn a profit.So how do you do it? That's the topic of this week's episode as we look into some approaches for finding your haunt's ticket price.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersQuick Update on Our HauntSome Housekeeping NotesHow Much Should a Haunt Cost?Approaches That Don't WorkWhat Can Work?Covering CostsMarketingOther Tips and ThoughtsConclusionsAll in all, if your haunt charges money, this is an episode that you do NOT want to miss!

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