Top 7 Social Media Marketing Tips for Donut Shops
- Hookle
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Running a donut shop is a sweet business - but standing out on social media can feel like a sticky mess. Whether you’re trying to attract the morning coffee crowd or weekend foodies, social media is a powerful way to connect with your local community.
Social media offers a powerful way to connect with your local community
Here, you’ll find practical, authentic tips curated to bring real value for small business owners like you - strategies that actually work. And as a bonus, we’ll show you tools like Hookle, which make it easy to manage all your socials in one place and save valuable time.
Table of Contents
Bonus Tip: Manage All Your Socials with One App
1. Show Behind-the-Scenes Moments
House of Donuts nailed it with a hilarious behind-the-scenes clip of their donut-making process. The short voice-over really added to the fun!
People love seeing where their donuts come from. Share quick videos or photos of your team glazing, frying, or decorating in real time. Don’t over-edit - authentic, a bit messy, and spontaneous content often outperforms polished posts. A simple Story of “today’s first batch” or a funny kitchen blooper can make your brand feel more relatable.
Pro tip: Try a “Donut of the Day” reel showing the full journey from dough to display case.
2. Feature Limited-Time Offers
Lukumades Singapore nailed it with a great short video promoting their free fresh donut tasting event. The exclusive, one-day-only offer on May 8th created real buzz - free donut balls for a limited time only!
Use social posts to share secret menu items just for your followers
Got a weekend-only flavor or a special holiday dozen? Create urgency by sharing it through Stories and countdown stickers. Make it feel personal: “Baked fresh this morning - only 12 boxes left!”. This drives fast foot traffic and emphasizes your shop’s uniqueness.
Pro tip: Use social posts to share secret menu items just for your followers - make them feel like insiders!
3. Share Your Story
Just an unbelievable, heartwarming story by Dough Boy from Canada. Originally from Ethiopia, they spent time in a refugee camp - and now they’re running a thriving donut shop. A textbook example of how to turn passion, resilience, and community into success!
Share your journey and let people fall in love
Stories like these don’t just inspire - they connect with customers on a deeper level. Share your journey and let people fall in love with not just your donuts, but your story too.
4. Use Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is your digital front door - make it irresistible. For donut shops, an up-to-date profile helps hungry locals find you fast.
Be sure to include your business hours, location, contact info, and a mouthwatering description of what makes your donuts special - whether it's your signature glaze, vegan options, or daily flavors. Link your socials and encourage happy customers to leave reviews. Great reviews = more foot traffic.
Keep your profile fresh with regular updates
Don’t let your profile go stale. Post updates about daily specials, new donut flavors, seasonal offers, or behind-the-scenes photos from your kitchen. Staying active keeps your shop top of mind. You can do this manually on Google - or save time by using a tool like Hookle to update your Google Business Profile and all your social platforms in one go.
No profile yet? You’re missing out! It’s free, quick to set up, and one of the most effective ways to attract local customers. Create your Google Business Profile today!
5. Highlight Local Events and Holidays
Rocco Doughnut nailed it with a stunning 10-second clip showcasing their beautifully packed donuts during the Christmas season. The engagement spoke for itself - short, eye-catching, and perfectly timed!
Tap into seasonal moments and local buzz
Tap into seasonal moments and local buzz. Join in on local festivals, school events, or fun national days like National Donut Day or Valentine’s Day. Even better - make your own, like "Maple Bacon Monday" or "Frosted Friday" to spark interest and create loyal routines.
Example post: “Heading to the downtown art fair this weekend? Swing by for a free mini donut with any coffee!”
6. Create Creative, Unique Flavours
Friendly Doughnut nailed it with a short video showcasing their unique Ube donut wheel - a fun and eye-catching way to highlight creativity. The engagement says it all!
Surprise your customers with fun, unexpected flavors!
Surprise your customers with fun, unexpected flavors like lavender honey, chili chocolate, or lemon basil. Limited-time creations spark curiosity and encourage repeat visits. Add urgency with lines like “this weekend only” or “just 50 made daily.”
These exclusives don’t just drive sales - they give people something to talk about and share. Don’t be afraid to get playful!
7. Post Consistently
Keeping a steady presence on social media doesn’t mean you have to post in real time every day. For busy donut shops, consistency is more about planning ahead than being glued to your phone.
Start with a simple content calendar
Set aside one day a week - or even just one day a month - to plan and batch-create your posts. Share your daily specials, new flavors, behind-the-scenes moments, or customer favorites.
Even better, use a tool like Hookle (as shown above) to schedule all your posts in advance. That way, while you're baking and serving donuts, your social media is working behind the scenes to bring in customers.
Manage All Your Socials with One App
Running a donut shop means balancing early mornings, customer service, and daily operations - all at the same time. A strong online presence is key to attracting customers, boosting foot traffic, and building a loyal following. While it might feel like just one more task on your plate, it doesn’t have to be. That’s where social media management tools like Hookle come in.
With Hookle, you can easily plan and schedule posts ahead of time. Managing your shop’s social media doesn’t need to be stressful - Hookle helps you stay consistent without extra work.
Hookle is designed for busy donut shop owners like you
With Hookle’s AI-powered app, you can create, schedule, and manage all your posts - across social media and Google Business Profile - right from your phone. Simple, fast, and designed for your busy day.
New here? Just getting started? Try Hookle Premium free for 14 days - the easiest way to keep your socials and Google updates running like clockwork. Download Hookle today!
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