Bake Up Some Buzz: Summer Marketing Ideas for Your Bakery

Now that summer is here, you can expect more foot traffic and longer days. If you play your cards right this season, though, you could also be looking at a big opportunity to draw attention to your bakery.

While your delicious treats might already speak for themselves, adding a little marketing magic can really heat things up this season. Whether you're running a small-town bakery or a bustling hotspot in the city, the right marketing ideas can get people lining up at your door (and maybe even posting about it online). Ready to whip up some summer buzz? Read on below for a few ideas:

Embrace the Flavors of the Season

The explosion of fresh fruits and fun flavors is one of the absolute best parts of summer. You do yourself and your establishment a favor by leaning into them hard and taking advantage of in-season fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and lemons. Now’s the perfect time to get creative with your menu and have fun with it! Limited-time offerings give people a reason to stop by more often. Try out a rotating summer special or a “flavor of the week” to keep things exciting.

The key here is to keep it fresh and playful. Try selling strawberry lemonade cupcakes, blueberry crumble muffins, or peach cobbler donuts. These kinds of offerings aren’t just tasty – they're also Instagram-worthy, which brings us to the next idea.

Create Shareable Moments

If your bakery isn’t on social media yet, now’s the time to dive in headfirst. If it is, though, then you might want to ramp it up this season. Summer is made for photos, and if you go about things wisely, your bakery can be the perfect backdrop for all of those snaps. After all, no one can resist taking pictures of colorful pastries, cute window displays, or even a fun summer-themed bakery box containing an assortment of treats.

Encourage your customers to snap pics in and around your bakery, as well as of the treats they purchase or the bakery box that they came in. Offer a small discount or a chance to win a gift card if they tag your bakery or use a branded hashtag. It doesn’t have to be complicated. People love showing off their food, especially when it looks as good as it tastes.

You could also start a weekly photo contest. Ask your followers to post their best photo from your bakery – whether it’s of the treat, their pet on the patio, or just a summer vibe shot with your logo in the background. Pick a winner every week and feature them on your page. It’s fun, interactive, and great for your visibility.

Partner with Local Events and Businesses

Summer is often the prime time for events: farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts, art walks, and neighborhood festivals. All of these are golden opportunities to get your name out there! Set up a booth, hand out samples of your treats, or partner with event organizers to be the “official sweet treat sponsor”. Even a small pop-up at a local boutique or bookstore can introduce your goodies to a whole new crowd.

If you’re near other small businesses, consider a cross-promotion. You might want to consider pairing up with the coffee shop down the road and offer a summer breakfast combo; if your bakery is near a yoga studio, you might want to offer discount cards to your bakery with every class package. Collaboration doesn’t just spread the word – it builds community.

Host Your Own Events

If you want to bring more people into your bakery, give them a reason to – one that goes beyond fulfilling a craving. Hosting a simple event can do wonders for your foot traffic! For example, you might want to host cookie decorating nights, summer baking classes, or “Sundae Saturdays” where customers can build their own ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Family-friendly events are always a hit during summer break. Parents are often on the lookout for wholesome things to do with their kids, and a morning spent frosting cupcakes or attending a storytelling session with snacks is just the ticket. Keep it casual, make it affordable, and most importantly – make it fun.

Just make sure to advertise these events online and in-store. Leaving a stack of flyers on your counter, posting about the events on Instagram, and even short video teasers can help spread the word.

With a little creativity and a dash of effort, summer can be your bakery’s busiest, buzziest season yet. Lean into the flavors, connect with your community, and make your shop a place where people want to be. Remember, marketing doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive – it just needs to be thoughtful, consistent, and full of heart: just like your baking!