The Haunter's Toolbox: Recruiting Volunteers and Keeping Them
It's 7:30 pm...5 actors are here...30 minutes before show time. Now we just need 10 more actors to fill every assigned spot. Are they going to show? I know it's Saturday night and they're teenagers; but they should still be here like they said two weeks ago. 7:45pm... We've all been there. That mysterious place between confidence and worry. Hoping your team arrives when they are supposed to. Trusting them to be as passionate as you are about this sport of chasing the scare. But the truth is- if you are the one building the home haunt, directing the big haunt, or being a leader in your choice of dark creation-then you probably have more invested in this than they do. Don't get me wrong. There are many passionate haunters out there; it's just different when you're the owner and leader of the haunt. So where do you find quality people? And how do you keep them from burning out too soon and keep them around for next year? Here are a few ideas you can try and implement with your staff, actors, volunteers, and crew members.
RECRUITMENT
• Social Media - This is the most important time to utilize all the contacts that you have. Your local friends on Facebook. You can narrow down your twitter list to find local haunters and Halloween junkies. Check your email contact list for people you have forgotten about. Think about any application where you have a friend or contact and reach out to them.
• Pick Up The Phone - Go through your phone contacts and search your old friends. Who has helped before or would make good scare actor. Maybe they can help out with the line or repairs. Most of your friends would be willing if you just ask.
• Classifieds and Craigslist - You can write out a scary themed "Wanted" ad to get some attention from the locals. If you write a print-ready press release to your local newspaper they might just put in on the front page. It has to be something they think the readers would want to hear about. Use your story as what makes your situation unique. "We are a charity haunt for...." "We have used 90% recycled materials from the neighborhood..." People want to be part of something bigger than themselves. The same rules apply for Craigslist.
• Stopping Strangers - Yes. I admit it. I have used this one. And have been accurate most of the time. I only use this one as a last resort. We kind of know others who might be interested in dark and scary things. Look for tattoos, piercings, heavy metal t-shirts, dark make-up, Halloween jewelry, and use your instincts. Now I'm not saying that all haunters look like this and vice versa; just that this technique works for me.