When I was a little kid in Texas my parents took me to a haunted house which was being held at my grade school.
I wasn’t scared to go because, after all, it was at my school. I went there every day. It was totally familiar. What could go wrong?
Plenty as it turns out.
First, it was dark. Real dark. Like, night time dark…
Second, as soon as I entered the building I realized that things were not familiar at all. The light bulbs had been replaced with black lights and strobes. There were cob webs all over. The lockers and class room doors were gone – they had been covered with black paper.
And there was an awful lot of blood on the floor.
I immediately turned around and tried to leave but the doors were locked behind me. There was only one way out and that was to go forward. Straight ahead. Through the nightmare.
That’s when the creepy music, moaning, chain rattling, and screaming started.
I began to panic. My stomach started flipping. My legs turned to jelly and my heart sank.
My 8 year old brain said, “RUN, RUN,RUN!!!”
And that’s exactly what I did.
A full on Olympic class sprint for the exit.
I was doing good, going for the gold, almost out…
Until I rounded a corner and smashed into the coffin.
And the lid opened.
And the scary dead dude popped up.
I don’t remember anything else after that, except that I promised myself two things. I would always have a change of underwear, and I would never, EVER step foot in a haunted house again.
Maybe one day, after extensive therapy… but as of today I have no use for them.
Except this – haunted houses are one of the best places in the world to sell hot dogs.
Think about it. Hundreds of people, all in one place, night after night for weeks.
And they all ate dinner hours ago. Hungry humans in a party mood as far as the eye can see.
Now is the time to contact your local haunted house and secure a spot. Don’t wait because the organizers of these events are already working on them, have been for a while now.
A great approach is to offer them free advertising on your menus and fliers at your regular location in exchange for letting you set up. If you don’t have a regular location, offer to flier the local neighborhoods for them. I’m sure you can think of other creative ways to spread the word.
Free promotion. That’s the winning pitch.
Where are the best haunted houses? Here is a great place to find all the spooky stuff in your area. Click it to see your state:
If you haven’t gotten started yet it’s not too late – but only if you get on the fast track by grabbing a copy of my Hot Dog Biz 101 course. In it I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to be up and running in time.
Check it out at HotDogBiz101.com
Until next time, BOO!
-Steve
P.S. This is the scariest costume I’ve ever seen.
Click the pic for a “King” size version.
Thats a pretty good story and a great idea all in one!
Steve, you are a genius!
What a way to have a double-fun night!
Cindy
I work my Cart at night in a bar area in my town and Last year Halloween was awsome! I was sending people for supplies before 11pm and was sold out by 2
HAH! Steve, that is definately the scariest costume I have ever seen! Is that a Beaver episode? LOL!! Great idea! Our town isn’t big enough for a haunted house! Good project though!!
Strange thast you should mention haunted houses. I dreamed about working a haunted house last night.
I’m not sure what a moose knuckle is but Elvis needs a “jock”!! That is too scary.
A moose knuckle is the male version of the camel toe.
Spooky that you brought this up because my friends and I were just talking about working the haunted houses downtown yesterday. And I think I’d rather hear Satan scream than run into that Elvis.
Great idea Steve! Thanks once again!
Great article!!!! Hope I am the only one in Topeka getting this!!!!!!!!
Steve, I Love the Great Ideas you keep slinging at us! Still in the begining stages, meeting with health dept and SBDC and they are excited for us and already have a place picked out for us down town and are going to help us get it because they want Good Hot Dogs! Exited but still shaking in my boots!! Great feeling!!
one comment the elvis dude needs as jock strap or extense lololol
Oh Steve, I read your story and had tears in my eyes, I have not had that good of a laugh in a while. I could see you running to get out. But that is a great idea!! The free part is the best.
Michael
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!