Going viral with gelato? Establish your fan club through social media
There’s always time for gelato – regardless of the weather or time of the year. But how can you attract new patrons or ensure walk-in customers keep coming back for more? The answer can often be found online: social media provides the perfect platform to showcase your passion, creativity and hand-made ice-cream to a wider audience. With a bit of creativity and community spirit, random guests may become loyal regulars. Make the most of what Instagram and the other social media platforms have to offer: from authentic photos of your ice-cream business to interactive promotions and clever marketing campaigns – stand out from the crowd and keep customers coming back for more.
1. A real look behind the scenes
Gelato is more than just a product – it represents craftsmanship, enjoyment and sometimes even art. Use your social media channels to share authentic insights into the day-to-day business of your ice-cream parlour or café. Share information about the latest gelato flavours, what is used to make them or post candid snapshots of your team on a busy day. Upload short stories about where the ingredients are sourced or introduce individual employees. Showing the challenges of your average working day – an unsuccessful gelato experiment or a particularly turbulent shift – adds a personal touch and creates authenticity. Insights such as these build trust, arouse curiosity and invite people to check out the place for themselves. And the more personal and realistic your content, the greater the connection your followers will have with your business.
2. Interactive promotions with your community
Social media thrives on collaboration. Use surveys, challenges and competitions to actively incorporate your followers. Regularly ask for their opinion: What gelato flavour should you introduce next? What toppings are missing from the menu? Start surveys in your stories or request feedback on new creations. Photo challenges are generally always well received, with customers posting their favourite gelato-themed photo under a specific hashtag – maybe even offer a prize for the most original. Competitions that involve tagging a friend or answering a question also bring plenty of traffic to your feed and expand your reach. Show your appreciation for the feedback you receive by sharing results or reposting particularly popular posts. Enjoy a genuine dialogue with customers, who become brand ambassadors and loyal supporters of your business.
3. Targeted marketing campaigns and collaborations
Use social media for the specific purpose of promotional marketing and gaining new followers. For example, the “Bring-a-Friend” discount that involves bringing along a friend and ends with a small surprise for both parties. Promotions like these not only encourage people to physically drop by, but also increase visibility because visitors directly share their experiences within their own networks. You could also collaborate with local cafés, bakeries or influencers to promote specials together. Limited-edition flavours only available to pre-order on social media create exclusivity and encourage interaction. Targeted promotions and collaborations will ensure that everyone is talking about your gelato and new customers will be increasingly willing to try it out!
Conclusion:
Use authenticity, creativity and targeted marketing campaigns to ensure your ice-cream business has the biggest fan base on social media. Try out different formats, encourage dialogue with your followers and highlight everything that makes your gelato so special. Not only will you gain new customers, but the online popularity of your gelato will soar – all year round!
