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Changing of the seasons

I have a normal size family, a wife and two boys, and we have a nice sized house for our needs. We have many things around our house that we do not use at all really. Our whole basement is basically for storage and for when family comes over. The change of the months, brings out different holidays to celebrate, especially Christmas in our house. It is time to bring some things out of storage and display it for everyone to see.

It would be nice if our lower level had some other purpose since that is the first thing you see when you walk into our house. We use the closets and garage for most of our storage. Once again, with the changing of the seasons and weather, it would be nice to park in our garage.  It would be nice to have a place in which we could place different holiday decorations, clothes and other nick naks around our house. 

Even though it costs me nothing to store my belongings in my house, is self storage still a good option for me when trying to improve my home life? With the changing of the seasons, sometimes there is not enough time to dig for boxes in a tight space. With self-storage, I can organize a bigger space for the different times of the year that affect my life. It can be label, stored nicely in a climate controlled environment and kept safe with great security features. 

So when you have a caller call in looking for storage, really try to understand what they are trying to do. You could even suggest a way to organize their space for them before it gets to cold to do so. With the changing of the seasons, I bet it would be good to have a designated place for the variety of different things we store.

Joel Little, experienced manager.

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65803 Wine Storage

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Secret shopping comes in many different shapes and forms. In my business, we have the unique opportunity to have people come into our store to shop us looking and acting like someone who are interested in buying a product from us. They have particular things they are listening for us to say, they look around at the merchandising and then we get a report sent out to all the mangers. After we get those reports, it is up to us how we use those reports, to performance manage our teams.

Many people use excuses as to why they did not score high on these secret shops. I hear anything from, I was caught off guard or I had just got through talking care of three customers in a row, or whatever. When a secret shopper walks into our store, they have no intention on buying anything, but they are giving us a snap shot of how we take care of our actual customer base. Of course, we are not able to listen in on or get feedback from every shopper that graces our entryway, but through this method, we get a glimpse of how our employees are really treating our customers. 

As a manager, even I am secret shopped on occasion. I have to answer the same rules that I want my people to follow. Secret shopping is an awesome way to ensure that the coaching we are doing, as managers, are not ignored. I for one am thankful that a company as large as mine has decided to invest a lot of money to ensure that our employees are taking care of our customers. We have to realize, that if do not take care of our customers, we will not be in business much longer.

In the self storage industry, a shopper may call you on a busy day or at the end of the month. Even more important, a customer will always call on those days. We can explain away why we didn’t shine on our secret shop; we don’t have the opportunity to make excuses to our customers. They deserve our best every time we answer the phone or see their face.

If you’re in the self storage industry, it’s up to you to implement your secret shopping program when you receive the reports and call recordings. Take advantage of the opportunity to see your business through the eyes of your self storage customer and make a plan of how you can improve.

Just in case you were thinking it and did not want to ask, I scored a 92%. Not to shabby, but that just means that even we managers still have some work to do.

Joel Little, Experienced Manager.

Thanks for reading our self storage blog. PhoneSmart offers call center, sales training and mystery shopping to the self storage industry.

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78232 Wine storage

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For many of us out there in the self storage world, we have a set way or script to do business or to talk to potential customers. Customers call us and they want a price on a storage unit. Being the gracious hosts we are we make their wishes a reality. Now, just taking a snap shot of your community, does everyone look the same? Does everyone act the same? If your answers were no the questions earlier asked, why would you have a set way to talk to each self storage customer?

Everyone is different in the world and different in their storage needs. I believe it is good to have basic questions to ask and ensure that you cover in the presentation, but you have to make the presentation more adaptable. I sometimes hear manager ask the caller what is most important to them. When I hear that question, it’s most often said in the close of the call, after the caller has raised some objection. Wouldn’t be easier to close the sale if you knew which factors are important to them and spend the rest of the sale accommodating those needs? You could ask this powerful question early in the conversation, while you’re building a self storage quote, in order to build even more rapport with the caller.

When picking up the phone to assist customers with their self storage needs, take the time to figure out what makes them different.  Whether location is the deciding factor on renting from you or the gate hours, find out early and use it to your benefit. What makes you different? Are you the same as your brother, sister, or best friend in what your needs are? Of course the answer should be no. Treat each customer differently and find out which one of their needs is different than the previous customer. Not all customers want to hear a list about how many amenities you have or if you have a free truck. Just one simple question would grossly improve your close rate, What is important to you when you are shopping for self storage? From there, it is all in your hands.

Joel Little, Experience Manager

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33130 Self Storage

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I think it is sometimes unbelievable that we do not ask callers or customers for their names when we are trying to provide great customer service. I see and listen to my associates and self storage managers go through their whole presentation without even introducing themselves or gaining the customers name. Maybe the importance around that is not realized.

When you walk into a department store that does great with merchandising but not with customer service, how do you feel when you need service? On the other side of that, have you ever walked into an environment that you knew worked on commission? What was that atmosphere like and what do you see different in those two environments?

In the commissioned store, you will most likely see a person come up to you and introduce themselves, hand you their card or what not, and ask how they can be of service to you. In other places, you have to scramble around to look for some one when you need service. That initial contact is key to the rest of the relationship building you are trying to do with the customer. 

Would you hand your credit card information to someone over the phone you did not trust or have some rapport built with? I know I would not, unless I am paying a bill. However, if I wanted something and they were attempting to get me to buy it, I would not purchase from someone who was not courteous enough to ask for my name and try to get to know me a little.

What I am trying to get at is, some of us in the self-storage industry get upset or angry when customers decide not to rent from us or reserve a space over the phone. Some of us really cannot understand why. After each call reflect, on what you did  to build trust with that customer. Did I introduce myself? Was I someone they could trust? The first step to rapport building is just as simple as saying, Hi, my name is  (Joel). What is yours? The rest of it is up to you, but do not expect too much if you decide not to introduce yourself and take that first step to rapport building.

Joel Little, Experienced Sales Manager.

Thanks for reading our self storage blog, a diary of life in the self storage industry.

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55343 Self storage

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There are many things that you can write in your self storage diary. If you work in the self storage industry, keeping a diary is something that you may definitely want to consider. And for many, instead of keeping their work to themselves, sharing it with the rest of the world is a better idea. In other words, why not make your self storage diary live so that any interested party can read it online? This can help you to make a name for yourself, which can then help to increase sales. And what self storage business does not want to make more sales on a regular basis?

So what are you going to write about in your self storage diary? This is entirely up to you and can include anything from how to increase sales to daily experiences. When it comes down to it, it is up to you to make a decision on the angle that you are going to take. Your main goal should be to first write for yourself, but to also keep your audience in mind if sharing your work is something that you are interested in doing.

A self storage industry diary is a great way to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper, or in many cases, your computer screen. But no matter what, make sure that you are writing about what you are most interested in. Remember, there is a good chance that the topics that interest you like, wine storage will also interest others.

Written by our Guest Blogger.

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There are many reasons that you should read a self storage blog. Of course, only people who are interested in this industry will find these blogs enjoyable, but even then, that is a whole lot of people. If you have never taken the time to read a self storage blog, you should do so right away. You may be surprised at how much you can learn about the self storage industry by reading a blog.

The best reason to read one of these blogs is so that you can stay up to date with all of the self storage trends. It is much better to know what you are up against in this industry than to guess time and time again. This is why so many self storage business owners read these blogs. But remember, even if you only rent a self storage unit you may still be able to learn a lot from a blog.

Another reason to read a self storage blog is because they are interesting; it does not get much simpler than that. When you read a blog on this topic you are sure to stay interested. There is a good chance that each post will touch home with you.

Overall, there are many reasons to read a self storage blog. While it is impossible to list them all out, if you take the time to peruse one of these blogs you will be able to compile your own list of reasons. And soon enough you will be hooked!

Written by guest blogger.

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Do you own a self storage business? Are you thinking about buying one? If so, there are many self storage secrets that you will want to keep in mind at all times. When it comes down to it, these little secrets can go a long way in helping you to achieve a higher level of success. Even if you think that you know everything about the self storage industry, you may be surprised to find out that these secrets offer even more information.

There are a couple of different ways that you can get your hands on these self storage secrets. First off, you may want to search online for tips and tricks. There are some self storage blogs that offer good information on this, as well as many general websites. As you find more and more resources, you will begin to feel as if you are really on your way to belonging. You owe it to your company to search far and wide for all of these self storage secrets. After all, the more that you know the more sales you will make. And in turn, this leads to more profits as well.

You can also get your hands on some good self storage secrets by speaking with other owners. Ask them what they do to succeed, how they make sales, etc. You may get some resistance, but all in all, there are many owners who are willing to help you out.

Believe it or not, there are plenty of self storage secrets for you to hang your hat on.

Written by guest blogger.

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What is the Annual Charity Garage Sale?
The Annual Charity Garage Sale is a highly anticipated community event designed to increase publicity, site awareness, brand awareness, revenue and teamwork. This year’s altruistic goal is to raise $70,000 in support of Kids Help Phone.

Where will the event be held?
The event will be held at 53 InStorage sites.  Ours is held here at 542 Evans Ave.

When is the event?
The Charity Garage Sale will be held Saturday August 11th between 8:00am and 2:00pm.

How does the Annual Charity Garage sale work?
-Tenants, non tenants and businesses rent tables at our sites. The price of renting a table depends on their status (tenant/non-tenant/corporate).

-Those who rent a table can sell anything they wish and keep the profits from goods sold.

-Each site will hold a BBQ on the day of the event, selling hot dogs, drinks, and other snacks.

-Each site will host a site table. Donations acquired by staff from local businesses will be given away by selling raffle tickets. There will also be a donation box on the site table where we will accept either cash or check on behalf of Kids Help Phone (This donation box will also be on site for the weeks leading up to the event.)

*Proceeds from table rentals, the BBQ, the site table, donation box and any financial donations acquired from local business by staff or from suppliers by Head Office will go directly to Kids Help Phone.

Why should you care?
The Annual Charity Garage Sale isn’t just an opportunity for InStorage to give back to the community, it is an opportunity for each of us to take some social responsibility and donate our time and talent to the cause.

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual phone and web counseling service for children and youth. Every day, professional counselors provide immediate, caring support to young people in urban and rural communities across the country.

Get a free t-shirt, everyone loves a free t-shirt!

On behalf of the kids Thank You!

Content From: Kelly Byrde, InStorage Self Storage

Thanks for reading today’s self storage blog. We believe the self storage industry can help make the world a better place.

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If you’d like to be a guest blogger, send your entry for consideration to Sarah Little, Blog Editor.

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It’s mid June 07 and things in the storage business are slower this year than most years past.  With high gas prices, a stagnant real estate market and economic uncertainty, people are buckling down.  So that makes it all the more important to be on your toes for every rental that even looks your way!  Make it your intention to close every sale.  And when you can not get the sale, really evaluate why you missed this one and where that tenant went for their storage needs.  Then do something about it! It is time to take a good hard look at yourself, your facility and determine what you can do. Now is not the time to get sluggish from the heat!  Look for creative ways to get people to visit you.  Have fun and make it a game to see if you can get every caller to visit.  Delete solitaire from the computer and make a plan to go meet your neighbors and promote your business.   Get out the phone book or the Chamber of Commerce Directory and start calling people.  Set up appointments to meet with others to learn what they do and figure out how storage or boxes can help their business.  You don’t need coffee cups, nail clippers or flashlights to give away.  Just a smile, a business card and a genuine interest in being the best!

Linnea Appleby
PDQ Management Solutions. Inc. 
www.Pdqmanagementsolutions.com

Thanks for reading our self storage blog and inside view of the self storage industry.

PhoneSmart is your offsite sales force and call center in Columbia, Missouri.

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Could this happen to you?

1) How in the world did Lennon’s diary end up in my facility?

2) Will my insurance cover this?

3) No, really, how in the world did Lennon’s diary end up in my facility?

PhoneSmart Your Offsite Sales Solution

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