Storage Speak

[Self-Storage] Survey Says: What Do Your Customers Think About You?

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:37:00 GMT

If you’ve never offered a survey to your self-storage tenants, now’s the time to try it. Surveying your customers can be an excellent way to gauge how you’re doing—and what you can do better. It’s really your basic customer-service tool.

Every Decision You Make Can Impact Your Self-Storage Business

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:21:00 GMT

Every decision made by self-storage managers and owners can either help or hurt their business. Guest blogger Joel Little says it is critical all employees understand the importance of the role they play in the success of a self-storage operation.

Self-Storage Operators Are Not Government Watchdogs: The Dangerous Precedents of the Safeguard Lawsuit

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:30:00 GMT

The lawsuit between NYC and Safeguard Properties may have been settled, but the conditions of the settlement could spell trouble for self-storage operators.

Do You Feel Safe at Your Self-Storage Facility?

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:14:00 GMT

Most self-storage operators consider their facilities a safe environment for themselves and tenants. Yet, an angry customer who spirals out of control, a criminal using a facility to store illegal items, or any number of other scenarios can lead an

Solving the Mystery of Self-Storage Market Demographics

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:02:00 GMT

How much do you know about your current self-storage tenants? Do you know your percentage of female customers, how payment habits correlate to length of stay, or the real worth of your small-unit tenants? Guest blogger Jim Chiswell says there are

Perks vs. Paychecks: What Incentives Does Your Self-Storage Company Offer to Retain the Best Managers?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:30:00 GMT

When it comes to compensating staff, self-storage operators need to consider not just the paycheck, but also any perks they could provide. Here are some ideas on how to balance these two elements and retain the best managers.

Deflecting Self-Storage Distractions with Time-Management Tools

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:41:00 GMT

Guest blogger Matthew Van Horn knows how chaotic any five-minute span can be for any self-storage manager, owner or investor. In a quest to find a solution to his own project- and time-management challenges, he recently tested two software

Self-Storage Veteran Pays It Forward with Science Camps of America

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:04:00 GMT

In his 30-year self-storage career, guest blogger Michael Richards wore numerous hats and performed countless tasks, growing from assistant manager to entrepreneur. Crediting his success to the storage veterans who mentored him, Richards is now

Harness the Power of YouTube: Can Video Bring in Self-Storage Customers?

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:49:00 GMT

With more than 800 million unique visitors each month, YouTube has become one of the best marketing avenues available today. How can self-storage operators promote their facility on this social-media giant?

Does Your Self-Storage Website Still Get Value From Facebook?

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:26:00 GMT

Although Facebook remains a viable opportunity for self-storage businesses to promote themselves, guest blogger Brian Barwig says the website’s controversial, pay-to-play “promoted posts” program has frustrated enough businesses to warrant a

Self-Storage Social Media: Are You Doing It Right?

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:49:00 GMT

When it comes to social media, self-storage operators need to come off as "human," not marketing machines. Posting your weekly specials or boasting about your facility's climate control isn't going to gain you customers. Here's how to revamp your

4 Ways Video Can Help Self-Storage Operators Increase Online Visibility

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:59:00 GMT

Guest blogger Cat Lane knows most self-storage operators face time and budget issues when it comes to addressing Internet and social-media marketing. But with consumers’ increasing reliance on the Web and more and more storage business conducted

Awed by the Marine Spirit and Toys for Tots

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:14:00 GMT

Guest blogger Delilah Scott expanded her self-storage facility’s involvement in Toys for Tots this year by volunteering at her local Marine base. Not only did she get a behind the scenes look into why this program is so special, she also was awed by

Why Self-Storage Managers Should Think Like Van Halen

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:30:00 GMT

Guest blogger Matthew Van Horn knows managing a self-storage facility is wrought with distractions that can lead to silly and expensive mistakes. He also sees the genius behind the rock group Van Halen’s ban on brown M&M’s and illustrates why

New Year, New Laws for Self-Storage Operators

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:30:00 GMT

With 2012 coming to a close in just a little over a week, many self-storage operators are looking ahead and making plans for the coming year. There’s one critical area operators should keep an eye in the coming months—legislation affecting the

Connect with Customers to Make Self-Storage Experience Meaningful, Organized

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:29:00 GMT

Guest blogger Brandi Ulrey discusses the importance of taking the time to connect with customers to ensure they have a rewarding self-storage experience. Teaching tenants how to pack, what to keep, what to donate and how to access important items

The Self-Storage Discount: Friend or Foe?

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:30:00 GMT

While discounting has been the go-to sales strategy in the self-storage industry for the past couple of years, times are changing. Operators are beginning to realize rental specials are great to bring people in the door, but may be detrimental to a

Technology Is No Substitute for Old-School Self-Storage Principles

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:05:00 GMT

Guest blogger Jim Chiswell acknowledges that technological tools have been helpful to self-storage operators, but he also believes the performance of many managers has started to suffer as more emphasis is placed on the tools than the people side of

Managers at Simply Storage Contend With Hurricane Sandy

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:12:00 GMT

In times of natural disaster, like the current Hurricane Sandy that is terrorizing the East Coast, it's up to self-storage facility managers to be vigilant about their properties, protect them as best they can and address customer concerns. The

Managers, What Do You Think of the REITs?

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:11:00 GMT

As a self-storage manager, you may feel like your “voice” isn’t heard some days. Maybe ownership didn’t ask for your input about a upcoming project, marketing strategy or even whether the facility needs a software upgrade. Regardless, there are