KEEPING THEM AROUND
• Have a hiring process - Set up certain criteria for helpers when working at your haunt. Even an audition if they are acting. Even if you are short of help, you don't want someone there who is going to be unsafe or disruptive. Be up front with your rules and let them know of the consequences. This will also keep everyone with the same goals in mind.
• Age Does Matter - Kids 16 or younger have difficult time getting rides. Set up a car pool for everyone. Pay for the gas. Try to have an adult with children under 16 because having many kids equals spontaneous laughter and talking. I usually have lots of candy for my little helpers.
• Use your veteran helpers - The old trustees can help you train, recruit, and supervise the newbies. Treat them well and you'll have back-up for life. Give them cooler t-shirts than the rest of the crew. If you are making a profit, pay them more. They are your commanders-treat them as such.
• Reward Good Behavior - People are driven by rewards and power. Set up contests before the season. A $200 prop for "Best Actor". Free badges or different t-shirts for perfect attendance. Everyone who makes it through the season will get to go to the annual trip to Transworld. Make it tasty.
• Make Them Comfortable - The more relaxed they are the more they will want to stay. Have a neutral area where they can relax and take a break. Keep refreshments and snacks on hand. We usually fed everyone before we started each night. If you have enough actors, rotate them out to keep them from getting burnt out. Check on them and see what they need. Make sure they have the right tools, flashlights, chairs for sitting, and are feeling like family. Make sure they have what you have.
• Communicate - The worst thing for an actor sitting in a dark corner is wondering if there is another group coming through or if they are just curled up in a ball for no reason. Have a way to communicate the flow of the line and what's going on. I've used walkie talkies for group leaders and air horns for checkpoints. Once the horn blows everyone has a time-for-action.
• Show Appreciation - Just by saying "You were awesome when that one girl came around that corner" or "Where did you learn to act like that?" Say "Thank You" and show that you are interested in them and they will keep coming back.