Business Marketing Resources

Getting started with DMVA

The Del Mar Village Association has a variety of ways to promote your business, but we need your help! These benefits are exclusive to DMVA Business Partners. Send all information and updates to alicia@visitdelmarvillage.com

DMVA also maintains and regularly posts to a private Facebook page for Del Mar Village business partners, sharing up-to-the-moment current information for businesses, relevant resources, upcoming webinars, and government updates. The business Facebook group is a place where owners/operators can connect and ask questions if needed.

Participate in the Del Mar Village Dollars program

The Del Mar Village Dollars eGift Card: Uniting Companies, Consumers & Local Merchants to Grow Business in Our Community. As a member of the Del Mar Village Association, you are invited to participate in our community eGift Card program. Community eGift Cards are a simple way for people and companies to “give back” and drive more business into our local stores. Custom-branded, they are digital gift cards that can be used at any participating merchants: restaurants, retail stores, salons and spas, boutiques, hotels, etc.  They are a quick and easy way to keep spending local, strengthening our local businesses, and building our community. There is no special technology or administration required to participate if you accept Mastercard and can key in the transaction like a phone order. There is no fee to participate.

Free to Del Mar Village Association Members!
More than $113,000 worth of Del Mar Village Dollars have been purchased since the program launched in October 2020.

For the last two years, DMVA has received more than $20,000 donor dollars that were directly poured into the program as a Del Mar Village Dollars match to boost eGift card sales, which means more money spent in our Village.

Quick Tips, Ideas, and Inspiration for Marketing Your Business

✓ Offer digital gift cards that customers and patrons can buy now and use later

✓ Start, maintain, and enhance business web pages, online shopping opportunities, and social media presence

✓ Keep customers updated on new experiences or products you offer

✓ Develop customer membership programs, such as “subscribe and save” on delivery or pick-up of coffee beans, fresh produce, etc.

✓ Offer digital services and support to virtually sell, answer questions, and provide customer service

✓ Keep it lively! Utilize Instagram Live to showcase your promotions or provide virtual tours of your business

Have a new idea? Send to info@visitdelmarvillage.com 

Social Media

Social media is a great way to get the word out about your business. Here are a few tools that we love.

  • Canva - The most user-friendly graphics program out there and available completely free. Design anything on Canva from social media graphics, emails and business cards to promotional items such as t-shirts, mugs, posters and more. LINK

  • Plan your social media - There are numerous social media scheduling platforms available that allow you to schedule out posts, stories and reels in advance and that will automatically post to your Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. We love Planoly and Later. Canva (mentioned above) also has its own schedule articles added daily and a wealth of knowledge https://later.com/blog/

The Future of Social Marketing 

The State of Social Media in 2023

Trends Smart Marketers Will Leverage In 2023

Online Sales and Marketing Resources

  • Canva - The most user-friendly graphics program out there. Design anything on Canva from social media graphics, emails and business cards to promotional items such as t-shirts, mugs, posters and more. Canva has thousands of templates, layouts, stock photos and more for free.  LINK

  • Plan your social media - There are numerous social media scheduling platforms available that allow you to schedule out posts, stories and reels in advance and that will automatically post to your Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. We love Planoly and Later. Canva (mentioned above) also has its own scheduler as well. Their lower level plans are free to users.

  • Email Marketing - You collect emails when people visit your website and store/restaurant, so use those emails to keep in touch with your customers. We love MailChimp and FloDesk for their user-friendly design and ease of use. Their lower-level plans are free to users.

  • Go Daddy

    • A free website for as long as you need it. Get tools, resources, and 24/7 support to give your business a free, permanent home online to grow with you. LINK

    • Free Digital Marketing Suite. Entrepreneurs get three months free of our email marketing tool packaged with a way to easily update customers via Facebook and Google My Business. LINK

  • Google

    • Improve your Google presence. Personalized recommendations to improve your free Business Profile, so customers find you online and get operating information like hours and pickup. LINK

    • Grow your business with Google Ads Discover how Google Ads can help you bring in more business by reaching the right people at the right time. We’ll match the amount you spend up to $150. LINK

  • Nextdoor ~Free Business Pages and Business Posts. Free online tools to stay connected to your most valuable customers, neighbors. Instantly reach local customers with four free Business Posts. LINK

  • Adobe ~Adobe Spark 2-month Free Trial. Create stunning digital marketing materials, including graphics, social posts, and video stories, in just a few taps, at any skill level. LINK

  • Yelp ~ Keep your free Yelp page up to date. Learn more about seven updates to make to your free Yelp Business Page. LINK

  • Square ~ Set up eGift Cards for free with Square. Make it easy for customers to support your business anytime, from anywhere online. Plus, get added to Square’s new online directory, Give & Get Local. LINK

SURFRIDER OCEAN FRIENDLY PROGRAM (for Restaurants)