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ExecutiveChronicles | Top 7 ways to promote the summer deals at your ice cream parlor | The summers are the perfect opportunity for your ice cream parlor. With the searing weather and children on break, you can really maximize your sales. Most ice cream parlors capitalize on this by offering special summer deals. These deals attract customers and are a great way to increase sales. You probably have a few summer deals going on as well. However, if you don’t promote them, you can’t maximize the results. So, here are a few ways you can market the summer deals at your ice cream parlor.
1. Set up an email campaign
You should reach out to a wide audience through email campaigns. There are a number of food and beverage email templates on PosterMyWall that you can use. Customize these to suit your parlor’s aesthetics and set up a series of emails.
These emails should promote your summer deals and also include details on how people can avail of them. You should also offer recipients email-only promo codes so that they are more likely to regularly open your emails in the long run.
2. Run a social media campaign
This is an essential part of the marketing process. You need to make as many people aware of your summer deals as possible. So, create social media posts and videos showcasing what you have to offer. Then, target them to the right audience and share them.
Instagram is an excellent platform for this purpose. You can have people who avail of these deals share videos and tag you in them. In addition, you can show highlights of people enjoying your summer deals in your own stories as well. Start sharing these posts a few weeks in advance, so that you get high footfall from the very first day.
3. Offer special summer flavors
There is nothing better than an exciting summer offering. Promote a new summer-exclusive ice cream flavor. This will help you stand out with your marketing, and also intrigue potential customers. Take a look at what seasonal fruits or flavors you can offer in your area.
Berries are quintessential summer flavors. You can create a unique blueberry or mixed berries ice cream deal for the summer. These will appeal to your visitors, especially if this flavor is not offered in other seasons. Do your research into what is in season in your area, and find the right suppliers for the job.
4. Organize a contest
Gamify the ice cream experience with a summer contest. With schools on summer break, you’re sure to get a lot of people in for this contest. This can be based on how much ice cream a person can eat in a certain time, or on a spin-the-wheel game. You can even set both up, with prizes like free ice cream or some tickets to a coveted event.
This will drive traffic to your ice cream parlor, where your deals will be on display. Make sure you market your deals and this contest effectively across social media and through other mediums as well.
5. Participate in food festivals
During the summer, there are lots of food festivals and music festivals. When the stall bookings for these are open, make sure you get at least a kiosk. Visitors can check your summer deals out there, and then they’ll also want to visit your parlor.
To promote these future visits, offer festival attendees a voucher they can use at your parlor at a later date. You can make your stall fun by having little games or a lucky draw there. This will encourage people to come by and see what you have to offer.
6. Host an event
Promote your summer deals with a special event. Invite people on social media and through email marketing to come by and enjoy ice cream samples and play some games. Offer little prizes to the game winners to encourage attendance.
Make things exciting by announcing your summer deals and flavors at this event. You can even hire an entertainer to draw the crowds in. This event will make your ice cream parlor popular, and will also promote your upcoming summer deals. It will also be the perfect place for parents to bring their kids to during the summer break.
7. Put up posters in the neighborhood
Posters and flyers are classic but effective marketing methods. This is especially true for local businesses like ice cream parlors. Create a nice poster on PosterMyWall, and print out a few copies. Put these up around town, with details about your summer deals. Ask other businesses if they would let you put these up on their premises as well, such as the local grocery store.
In addition, print out small flyers to pass around to people. Hand these out with details about your summer deals, and also interact with the people you give these to. This will ensure that you are memorable for them, and they’ll be more likely to visit.
In conclusion, there are many great ways to promote your ice cream parlor. These methods will help you rake in sales during the busy summer break.
