The short version
- An ice cream shop lives on weather and flavor. Post the flavor board and the hours on the days people want a cone.
- Opening day and closing day are your two biggest posts of the year. Plan them early.
- Photos of cones in hands and kids at the window beat photos of tubs.
- Keep a few posts for the off-season, like pints, cakes and holiday flavors.
It's 88 degrees on a Saturday, and a family of 4 is looking for dessert. They pull up a page with ice cream shop social media posts. Yours says "closed for the season" from last October, and it never got updated.
Ice cream is a seasonal, weather-driven business, and your page should be too. These ideas follow the year, from the first warm weekend to the last. Fill in the [brackets] and post. For other sweet spots, see our bakery post ideas and food truck post ideas.
What ice cream shop posts need to do
- Say if you're open today and until when.
- Show the flavor board, the cones and the line out the door.
- Put a family or a kid in the photo, with a parent's OK.
- Post on the first hot day of each week, not the last cold one.
- List allergens for new flavors, such as nuts, dairy and eggs.
Opening day, closing day and hours post ideas
Opening day
We open for the season on [date]! Doors at [time]. First 50 cones get a free topping. Dust off the flip-flops, [town].
Photo: The front window with the "open" sign lit.
Hours this week
This week's hours: Mon to Thu 12 to 9, Fri and Sat 11 to 10, Sun 12 to 8. If the weather's wild, check here for changes.
Photo: The hours sign by the front door.
Rain day
It's raining, but the cones are still cold. We're open until [time]. Come in, say hi and try a warm waffle cone.
Photo: A cone held under an umbrella at the window.
Last weekend
Last weekend of the season: [dates]. We'll be selling pints to go and gift cards all week. Thank you for another summer, [town].
Photo: The empty line at the end of a good day.
Season openers deserve more than one post. Teasers the week before help. A weekly Facebook posting schedule makes a countdown easy to plan.
Community, fundraiser and event post ideas
An ice cream shop is a gathering place. Teams, classes and families all use it. Show that you're part of the town.
Team night
[Team name] is here after the game! Show your jersey on Tuesdays and get $[price] off a double scoop.
Photo: A team's jerseys at a table, with a parent's OK.
Fundraiser
[Group name] fundraiser night, [day] from [time] to [time]. [Number] percent of every purchase goes to [cause]. Bring friends.
Photo: A sign at the counter with the cause.
Birthday party
Book your kid's birthday party in our back room. We'll scoop, you bring the cake. Message us for dates and details.
Photo: The party table set with cups and spoons.
Town event
We're scooping at [town event] on [date]. Look for the [color] cart by the [landmark].
Photo: The cart at last year's event.
Off-season and cold-weather post ideas
Pints to go
Pints are $[price] and keep for weeks. Stock up on your favorites before we close for the season.
Photo: A stack of pint containers.
Holiday flavors
Holiday flavors are here: [flavor], [flavor] and [flavor]. Order a pint or a half-gallon for your table.
Photo: Three pints with holiday ribbons.
Ice cream cake
Birthday coming up? Order an ice cream cake with 3 days notice. Pick a flavor, a size and a message. Starts at $[price].
Photo: A cake with a hand-written message.
Cold months are slow for every seasonal business. See slow season marketing ideas for more ways to stay in front of people until you reopen.
A simple week of ice cream shop posts
4 posts a week in season
- MonHours and flavorThis week's hours and the flavor of the week.
- WedCommunityA team, a fundraiser or an event.
- FriHot weekendA weather-based post with a cone photo.
- SunThank-youA thank you to the crowd.
Do
- Post your hours when the weather changes.
- Show cones in real hands.
- Mention allergens for new flavors.
- Ask for a parent's OK before posting kids.
Don't
- Leave "closed for the season" up in June.
- Post a child's name or face without permission.
- Promise a flavor is allergen-free if it isn't guaranteed.
- Skip the post on the first hot day.
