There is nothing worse than when a customer decides to go with a self storage facility that does not really offer what they need, but the price is what they want to pay. What they do not realize is that even though the price is what they wanted and the location is in the place they want to rent, their belongings might not make the storing term. If you really need climate control, then find a facility that can offer it. Yes, standard space will cost you less than a climate controlled space. You have to consider that if you place something in a standard space that does not do well in regards to the fluctuation in temperature, you could damage those belongings.

 
So many people try to save some money by storing their belongings in a standard space when they know they should be storing them in a climate controlled space. They will save money in the long run by maintaining the integrity of their belongings. Think long and hard before you store something that should be in climate controlled space in a standard space.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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You should try to find a location that is close to you. No one really wants to drive way out of their way for their storage belongings. So what more people end up doing is on the drive to their favorite destinations see if there is a self storage location on the way. This way, the customer knows that they could have their belongings be conveniently on their normal, daily path. If you end up choosing a self storage facility that is way out of your way, you could spend unnecessary time driving. So you have to decide if the price you are getting on storage worth the drive you have to make to get there?

 
Also, make sure that the site is secure. You are paying someone to treat your belongings like it is their own. You do not want to know that your belongings have the possibility of being stolen or damaged. A facility that has a gate that is surrounding the facility is a start. A facility that has door alarms on your unit that will sound if someone besides you tries to open the door is better. A facility that has surveillance cameras that keep an eye on your belongings when you can’t is even better. There are more bells and whistles that make a facility secure, so make sure you check out what they have to offer.  Security should be your most important thing to look for.

 
Access hours should fit your schedule, as well. Access hours are going to be different than office hours for the most part. The office is going to typically be open a shorter time than you have access to your storage facility. If you need to talk to the property manager about something or need something in the office then you need to see when the office is open. If you just need something out of your unit, then the access hours is what you need to look into. Some facilities offer 24 hour access so you can access your belongings when you need to. Depending on the company they could give you some pretty lengthy gate hours to access your belongings. Some facilities consider it a security option in where they only allow you access when the office is open. This way they can see everyone that comes into the facility. Whatever the access hours, make sure that it fits what you need.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you are looking to store a car, there are a few requirements that you will have to fulfill. The vehicle will need to be in running condition in order for you to store. In addition, you will have to have the car titled and registered in your name. Finally, the car will need to have insurance on it. These rules are going to be pretty much universal. The reason for this is because these are laws in some areas and not just rules. Not everyone will be happy with hearing that they have to meet some requirements,  but a self storage facility is not a junk yard. They know that if they didn’t have these rules in place a person could just drop off their car and leave it there. It’s sometimes a whole lot cheaper than getting it towed.

 
Whatever your reason for car storage, make sure that you check with your local facility on the rules and regulations. Some facilities are very lenient when it comes to car storage where other companies will put their foot down. Just know that you have every right not to accept the self storage company’s offer to store you car if the requirements do not fit your situation. You can always check out the facility down the street or across town to see what they have to offer.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you receive a flyer or coupon in the mail or on line for a self storage unit you might want to hold on to it if you need storage later.  You might not need it now, but you never know when it will come time for you to need self storage. We sometimes do not think ahead so we decide to act spur of the moment. We look through our coupon books and find some things that would love to get discounts on the products that we need, then discard them. We do plan on using those discounts but we are not organized enough to keep then on or near our person so we can use them.

When you are offered a self storage coupon or discount, you should hold on to that and put it away for safe keeping. Your job could relocate you, you could have a death in the family and have to move, there are so many reasons to need self storage. In a time of crisis you do not want to have to worry about how you are going to pay for your self storage unit. That’s why it’s good to have your self storage coupon handy for you to use. It could save you a couple of dollars or it could save you a couple of months of rent. Find a safe place for your self storage coupon.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Facility clients get a customizable, easy-to-update website that’s proven to convert visitors into tenants. Users upload their facility logo and photos, and customize brand messaging. SpareFoot’s intuitive content management system (CMS) makes it easy to make changes anytime, without having to call in the expensive web developer or designer. Storage companies may even point a new or existing custom domain address to their SiteBuilder page.

SiteBuilder websites feature all the details consumers are looking for when they search for storage on their computers and smart phones. The tool integrates seamlessly with storage facilities’ existing management software to keep unit pricing, amenities and available inventory up-to-date. With complete performance analytics, facilities can track website visits, phone calls and online reservations. Self storage companies can even listen to raw feedback from local consumers through recorded calls and complete call statistics.

The tool joins GeoPages, SpareFoot’s local search supplement for facility operators who already have websites. The company’s flagship AdNetwork product grants facilities highly visible, search-able listings on SpareFoot.com, SelfStorage.com and over 50 other high-traffic partner sites that serve storage and moving needs.

“Every self-storage company needs a website, an online headquarters,” SpareFoot Co-founder and CEO Chuck Gordon said. “Our web experts designed SiteBuilder to be the best affordable turnkey solution. It modernizes your business, so you can reach and convert new tenants.”

Through its products, SpareFoot aims to evolve the storage industry by making the world of web marketing more accessible to facility owners and managers. Learn more about SiteBuilder here: http://www.sparefoot.com/business/facilities/sitebuilder.html.

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage, making it easy for consumers nationwide to find, compare and reserve storage units online. The company also offers a suite of leading web marketing tools for storage facility operators. SpareFoot is an Austin-based start-up backed by Silverton Partners, FLOODGATE and Capital Factory. For more information, please visit http://www.sparefoot.com.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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There are a few things that go into the size you might not have thought about.  First you need to determine what you are putting into the space.  If you only have boxes, you can go with a smaller unit.  Also, do you need to get in and out of the unit on a regular basis?  If you will need to go through boxes, you want to make sure to get a unit large enough to accommodate.  There is nothing wrong with getting a larger space than you need if you need to rifle through boxes and have some room. Just check with your self storage manager to see what the next size up will cost you.

 
Finally, consider how long you need it.  If you may need it long term, you might also go bigger in case you want to add things later. Sometimes if you know you will need the space for a long time, you can get a long term deal from the property manager. Since most storage facilities will have a lease that goes month to month, you might be able to find a space that you need at a price that can make you smile. The first step is to tell the manager what you are storing and have them recommend a size that can work for you.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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What do you do if you are working on a home remodeling project, and your furniture is in the way? There are many people who would actually sit there and scratch their heads. They would really take a lot of time trying to figure out this dilemma. It does not really have to be that hard. Unfortunately many people don’t really there are pretty simple solutions when it comes down to need a little extra space to move furniture in order to remodel.

One suggestion would be to get a portable storage unit.  By getting one, you can bring the unit to your home, and put your furniture inside.  Not only are your things close by, but they are out of your way so you can complete your project.  Some might argue that the cost is more, but I like having the peace of mind that my things are safe on my own property. Another advantage to the portable storage unit is that with some companies they will actually take the unit away and bring it back to you when you need it. How convenient is that?

Not every thinks that portable storage is an option that could really help them. They believe that it could be too expensive even if it is very convenient. So they decide to go ahead and go with standard self storage. They won’t mind packing up their furniture, rent a truck and take it over to their local facility if they believe it will save them money. Sometimes when it comes down to it the decision between using portable storage or self storage, is simply how much is your time worth?

What do you do if you are working on a home remodeling project, and your furniture is in the way? There are many people who would actually sit there and scratch their heads. They would really take a lot of time trying to figure out this dilemma. It does not really have to be that hard. Unfortunately many people don’t really there are pretty simple solutions when it comes down to need a little extra space to move furniture in order to remodel.

One suggestion would be to get a portable storage unit.  By getting one, you can bring the unit to your home, and put your furniture inside.  Not only are your things close by, but they are out of your way so you can complete your project.  Some might argue that the cost is more, but I like having the peace of mind that my things are safe on my own property. Another advantage to the portable storage unit is that with some companies they will actually take the unit away and bring it back to you when you need it. How convenient is that?

Not every thinks that portable storage is an option that could really help them. They believe that it could be too expensive even if it is very convenient. So they decide to go ahead and go with standard self storage. They won’t mind packing up their furniture, rent a truck and take it over to their local facility if they believe it will save them money. Sometimes when it comes down to it the decision between using portable storage or self storage, is simply how much is your time worth?

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The contest is deliberately open-ended, to invite a wide range of marketing ideas or strategies that self-storage owners and managers could use to drive more tenants to their facilities. Operators are invited to contribute anything from a crazy concept they’re tossing around in the back of their minds, to a tried-and-true effort that’s been successful in the past.

The public has access to read and comment on entries, which are being accepted through the Self Storage Inc. Facebook page and through an openly accessible micro-site from now until November 28. At that point, a jury of SpareFoot marketing experts will review all entries and select five finalist ideas. On December 1, finalists will be announced and public voting will open up. Anyone may vote for any idea once per voting period, which concludes December 21.

“The goal is to inspire storage operators to recognize social media as not only a consumer marketing channel, but also as an ideal platform for sharing ideas and learning from peers in the industry,” said Rachel Greenfield, SpareFoot Marketing Analyst and coordinator of the contest.

The idea with the most votes wins on December 22, and the entrant behind it will score the Kindle Fire, an exciting new tablet that officially hits shelves next week. SpareFoot pre-ordered one specifically for the Best Self-Storage Marketing Idea Contest winner, so he or she may use it to execute their next great self-storage marketing idea, or just to play Angry Birds.

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage, making it easy for consumers nationwide to find, compare and reserve storage units online. The company also offers a suite of leading web marketing tools for storage facility operators. SpareFoot is an Austin-based start-up backed by Silverton Partners, FLOODGATE and Capital Factory. For more information, please visit http://www.sparefoot.com.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you are going to move that much, it is a good idea to make sure that you purchase items that you can reuse over and over. Plastic totes are a great alternative to cardboard self storage moving boxes when you are storing your items in a self storage unit. It is a good idea to place the belongings that will not be unpacked every time you move in to storage. This way you can consider getting a smaller space each time that you move. If you do not need a large space why get one. Use plastic totes each time you move.

 
With plastic totes you do not have to worry about the bottom falling out if you have heavy items in the box. You also do not have to worry about boxes getting crushed. If you have plastic totes when you move often, you can stack them up as high as you want and not worry about them toppling over because of pressure. It might cost you a little bit at first when you purchase the plastic totes, but at least you will not have to worry about purchasing anything else when you move next.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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It is best to shop around for storage as a serious customer. When you call in for prices, it should be time to do business. You should be ready to move in and you should have your plan of action in mind on how to get your belongings to the self storage facility. You are not calling around to get an idea on self storage, you are calling around to figure out who wants your business. Pick up the phone with that mindset.

 
Specials come and go. Just because there was a special when you called a couple of months ago does not mean that it will still be available. For this reason you should not be solely dependant on the special to help you out. Maybe there is something else that you need from the self storage unit. Whether it is great security, location or what not. Ensure that you are not just relying on the special to tell you where you want to rent from.

 
Pretty much anything that you could ever need as far as moving and storage supplies can just be picked up at the store you are renting from. Most storage facilities now pride their selves on being a one stop shop for self storage. So do not bother going to the hardware store looking for a lock or what ever else you need, just visit  your local storage facility to help you out.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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If you use the same type of boxes to pack your storage unit, you’ll likely be able to stack them efficiently and securely in the unit. Most storage units are at least eight feet high. So with that kind of height you can stack your boxes pretty high. Do not feel that you are not able to get things up that high. You can bring your own ladder, ask the facility manager for a stool of some kind or just make sure you bring a friend with extra long arms. Utilize all the space that in your storage unit.

 
If you have to visit your storage facility for any reason, ensure that you move everything that you need to the front of your storage unit. This will allow you to pack your storage unit tightly behind the belongings that you need to use. You can still get a smaller unit instead of a larger one because you do not have to move anything else around to get to different items.
Ask the facility manager if they have standard units versus climate controlled spaces. If you are storing short term, nothing is temperature sensitive, or you do not mind the potential change in temperature, go with a standard space and save some money. There is no need to spend the money on climate control storage if you do not need to.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Moving to another home can be an expensive process, even if you’re not heading across the country. When you are forced to move and have limited time and money to get the packing done, your stress level can go through the roof. Here are some tips to help you move affordably, allowing you to make a successful transition into your new home.

The first lesson is to be prepared for anything. This means having more on hand than you really think you’ll need. In particular, this includes having plenty of boxing tape, a few extra box cutters and loads of boxes. Stock up on bags; keep a container of markers handy. Sheets are great for wrapping items and a handcart will save your back. Lastly, keep a toolset handy and you will be ready to go.

In the even that you will be putting items in storage, add a few extra things to your list. Mousetraps will protect your belongings, as will moth balls. You also might consider adding air fresheners so your items don’t pick up that musty smell. Newspapers are a cheap way to wrap fragile items. Stock up on these items and you are prepared to begin the packing.

Label Everything
There’s nothing worse than searching through boxes without labels. Spare yourself the misery by taking the time to label items as you go. It doesn’t matter if its extra soap for the bathroom or your fine wedding china. Label the items to make your life easier when you arrive in the new home. Mark what’s in the box, what room it will go in, how heavy the box is and whether or not it is fragile.

You might also want to consider using a scaling system to mark your boxes as they are packed. Items with a number one would be considered very important and should be opened first, items that are labeled as low as a number ten could be left indefinitely.

Inventory
Nothing helps you get organized at your new home like a well-planned inventory list. You don’t want to toss something on the packing side and then waste time searching for it when you are unpacking. Make the inventory list before packing even begins so you can be sure you don’t forget to pack something. Mark every box on the inventory sheet so you will know that all the boxes arrive safely. Make a note of items you decide to donate or throw out so you won’t forget and search for them later. This step is time-consuming but can save a great deal of frustration later.

Vehicles
If you are moving in town you can recruit friends to help you on the big day. As soon as you decide to move you should start talking to friends and relatives who have big vehicles and might be willing to help. If necessary, rent a truck or hire a moving van. The vehicles should be lined up well in advance so you are not left scrambling to transport items on moving day. Remember that the more people who come with vehicles, the fewer trips back and forth you will have to make.

Ask for Help
This isn’t to say you should hire professionals, but your friends are probably willing to help and you should let them. The chore will go faster, you will have less physical strain on your body and they can help ease some of the anxiety that goes with moving. They can help you pack, label and unpack. The key is to make sure that everyone is using the same labeling method and you will be in great shape when you arrive at your new home.

Following these steps can take most of the stress out of packing. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and with this advice it can be a little less of a dreaded chore.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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One way people can save money on moving is by using the same boxes over and over again. The key to this is to buy boxes that are sturdy. If you do not have sturdy boxes, this method of saying money will not work. Now of course you have to realize that you will pay little extra for those storage boxes at first but you will not have to buy any next time. If you are not liking the idea of buying boxes at all, you can drive around to your local grocery stores or retail environments to see if they have any boxes that you can use. They will most likely give them to you since they are just going to compact them or throw them away.

 
Instead of renting a moving truck and movers, you can have a couple of your loyal friends with trucks come by and help you out. Typically one of your friends will know someone with a trailer or a couple of trucks that you can use. It might take a couple of trucks and a trailer or two to help you move but it will save you money. With the addition of many friends helping you move, you will get done quickly. The more time you save, the more money you save.

 
One last tip that can save you some dollars on your move day is making sure you pack things as tight as possible. The reason for this is so you can make the least amount of trips as you can. That will of course save you gas. With the prices of gas, it is essential for you to save as much as you can. So make sure boxes get stacked properly, you bring with you what you are going to keep, and ensure that the right sized item goes in the right vehicle.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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There are many people in self storage that can not seem to pay their bill on time. When they signed the lease the manager on site told them when their bill was due. It is up to the customer to know when they need to pay their bill after that. Most facilities will say that their bill will be due on the 1^st of the month or on their anniversary bill date. No matter which date the facility says, you have to make sure you know so you do not accrue any late fees.

Ask about automatic debit payments if you don’t want to have to worry about remembering to pay your bill on time each month for storage. Your payment will be taken out the same day each month and you will not have to worry about. If you are the kind of person that needs a bill sent to them each month as a reminder, you can always ask the manager to send you one. Automatic payments seem to be the best idea for you to ensure your bill is paid on time.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Some family members will tell you that you they do not have time to go through all the belongings. Some will tell you that they just do not want to. At least they are honest. That still does not solve the problem. Someone will need to step up and decide to do it for the loved one who just passed away. It would seem as though the person or people that cared for the passed away family member the most will do what is necessary to help out. On the other hand, there will be people who are obligated to help out. Hopefully they will keep their negativity to their selves.

One big help that people find is to clear out all the things that will be thrown away and store the rest. Usually the family will have to get everything moved out by a certain time so that the landlord, bank or whoever owns the property can find another person to move in. For the most part you will not be done sorting everything out before it is time to move out.  Until then move everything into a big enough self storage unit so you can sort everything out there. Then you can decide who gets what and the rest can be given away to charity. Do not feel as if you do not have options when you do not know where to put such things until you are able to look through them. Most storage facilities have a month to month lease so you can stay as long as you need in order to everything figured out.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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There are so many different methods in order for a self storage facility to take payments for the customer. It is a good idea for the self storage manager to inform the customer on the different ways they are able to pay their monthly rent. The manager will tell the customer that they are able to pay their rent online, they can come by the store or they will be able to call the payment in. Now the customer will have to understand the different ways they are able to make a payment. The truth is not all facilities will allow all the methods of making a payment detailed above.

For some self storage facilities they will tell you they do not want to take payments over the phone because they want to reserve the phone for new customers. If the customers that are only wanting to make a payment call in then that could tie up the lines for new customers to call in. Again, the facility manager would need to ensure they are informing the customers of this procedure. It is good to verbally tell the potential renter and also to put that fact in the renal agreement. This way if the customer has a disagreement, the manager can point out the agreement on the lease.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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When people are calling around looking for storage they are trying to figure out what makes the self storage facility different. If they cannot find something that makes them different they then turn to price. For many customers, the specials really make the deal when shopping for storage units. One site may be cheaper monthly, but a free first month would mean the other may be cheaper. In this instance, what really would make the difference is how long you were planning on renting. In some cases you will be able to use the special in order to make your total payments for how long you are storing, cheaper.

 
All facilities will tell you that you need a lock. Locks come in many shapes and sizes. You can get a padlock style lock to meet the requirements or you can get a disc lock for added security. You do not want to get a lock that is easy to cut off because you want your belongings to be safe within your storage unit. Make sure that you do not try to be too cheap here and get the lock that is going to keep your belongings safe.

 
If you are looking to sell a lot of items that need to be shipped, you may want to check out the packing supplies available at your local storage facility. If your local facility is a one stop shop when it comes to self storage, then you definitely lucked out. This way if you need anything such as boxes moving supplies or anything of the sort, you do not have to leave the office. When you are calling around looking for the differences between local self storage facilities then you will want to ask about moving and packing supplies.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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You should start your storage search sooner rather than later. This is a great time of the year to look for storage because it will busier in just a short time and units will be hard to come by. It would seem as though people think that they can call up the day they need storage and the facility will have the space they are looking for. Unfortunately the most needed storage spaces will be rented first and that could be the space that you are looking for to rent. If you do not get the space that you are looking for then you will end up paying more for a space that you do not need. That typically does not make the person looking for storage happy.

 
Every discount that you can find will put money back in your pocket. If you get a first month free promotion, you should still ask about other promotions. Sometimes a facility manager will tell all about the short term promotion they are running, but say nothing about the long term deal. The more questions that you ask the better, especially when it comes to pricing. If you can save money on a monthly basis, then you can feel assured that you have made the right choice when it comes to storage. Now in the same respect, if a facility has a great monthly cost, but is not giving away free rent, still consider them. If you are storing long term, you will have to do the math to see what the best deal is for you.

 
Every manager will tell you that they have good security. You should schedule a site visit to see for yourself how safe the site feels. Most people will talk a great talk over the phone, but when it comes to what is actually going on at the facility, that leaves something to be desired. When you walk into a facility really look hard and see how everything works. Watch the self storage manager put in the pin code, make sure the door alarms work and any other security feature is in tact before you sign the lease. You do not want any surprises when you move in.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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A caller of mine yesterday called in to inquire about a self storage space in her local area. Naturally she called the right place and we chatted about their new home. It was a great time because the customer was still on high about getting their new home so they were completely ok with everything that we were discussing. We got them set up with a self storage unit only for a small amount of time since they will be fully moved within a month.

 
Many people come in to self storage with the idea that they want to store short term. Unfortunately other circumstances do not allow them to move their things out of their storage unit. The good thing is that the facility typically does allow you to store your belongings month to month. So in the case of this customer, they were able to store only for one month until they got everything else done and placed where they wanted. They did not need to deal with all their belongings being in the way.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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She was getting ready to hang up when I stopped her by explaining that there was a one dollar to move in special. Whether she rented a 5×5 or 5×10, it would cost the same for one month of rent. The customer was very excited and wanted to rent the space. Of course she was a little skeptical trying to figure out what the loop hole was to this special deal.

 
It is very common for a customer to feel as if the wool is being pulled over their eyes. They do not want to be taken for a fool so they ask a lot of questions until they feel comfortable renting the space. The manager onsite tries to do all they can to assure the customer about the special deal that is being offered. Now of course the customer most likely will still need a lock, pay some sort of administration fee and maybe insurance. Regardless of the possible additional fees, it is still a good value.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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When college students call in looking for storage, as a self storage manager, I always get excited.  After working in storage for over two years, I am well aware that once the school year ends, college students and parents start flocking towards storage.  The primary reason for this increase in rentals is due to the number of students who leave the area to return home for the summer.  Most people do not realize how quickly smaller storage units go during the summer months.  I always advise my callers to make sure there unit is reserved in advance, so they do not have to be the ones calling any place they can for any sized unit they can find.

 
There is nothing like trying to find something last minute, but some of these student storage shoppers that is what happens.  This is especially true for those customers who are shopping for the first time because their student is a freshman. It is assured that in the second year of college for their child, they will be more active to find a self storage unit. Most of the time you will find that self storage facilities are looking to get students into a 5 x 5 space or a 5 x 10. Typically a student can fit everything they are storing from college dorm room in a 5 x 5 space. Of course the 5 x 5 spaces are the first to run out so a self storage manager will typically get them into the next size, a 5 x 10. Hopefully the manager does not have to go any higher than this one because it will be too big for what the student needs and also they do not want the customer paying more.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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#StorChat is hosted by Kenny Pratt (@SellingStorage), President of Crescendo Properties and Editor-In-Chief of Selling Storage, along with Rachel Greenfield (@SpareFoot), Marketing Analyst at SpareFoot and Editor-In-Chief of the Storage Facilitator. The hosts will ask three questions relating to the topic at hand over the course of thirty minutes, and everyone participating is encouraged to answer, discuss and exchange ideas and opinions via tweets.

“The great thing about a Twitter chat is it brings users together from all over country or world to a place where they can interact in real time, rather than communicate in a delayed manner as they might through email or forums,” Pratt said.

Many self-storage operators currently use Twitter as a promotional tool to reach potential customers, but #StorChat hopes to demonstrate there’s more to the platform. It presents a progressive opportunity to meet new connections and learn from knowledgeable peers on anything and everything self-storage business. Twitter chats have been popular and successful in a variety of niche industries, from real estate to multi-family housing to blogging.

Social networks like Twitter can feel overwhelming, so #StorChat offers self-storage professionals the chance to cut their teeth with a group of supportive people they can relate to. Everyone in the industry is encouraged to join in, learn and socialize with their fellow smart and creative storage owners, investors, managers and employees.

The first #StorChat on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 3-3:30 CST will cover the use of social media marketing in self-storage. To participate, simply sign up for a free Twitter account on Twitter.com (or log in to your current account), then follow the hash tag #StorChat by searching for it in the Twitter search box. Be sure to type the hash tag “#StorChat” at the end of every tweet you send during the chat. Get more tips, advice and details about #StorChat here: http://sellingstorage.com/self-storage-twitter-chat-unleashed-september-7th/

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage, making it easy for consumers nationwide to find, compare and reserve storage units online. The company also offers a suite of leading web marketing tools for facility operators. Across multiple properties including SelfStorage.com, Apartments.com and others, the SpareFoot Ad Network helps facility owners and managers find new tenants— all through an entirely pay-for-performance model. SpareFoot is backed by Silverton Partners, FLOODGATE and Capital Factory. For more information, please visit http://www.sparefoot.com.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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I told one person that we only have one left and that she should at least put it on hold just in case when she calls back it will not be gone. She said she would take her chances. That same customer called back not even a half an hour later and wants the unit. I told her sorry I just rented the unit five minutes ago. She was very upset and now she has to take a unit somewhere else that was much farther out. She told me she did not believe me that it was that busy and she would miss out if she did not reserve the space. Also stated next year she will listen and reserve ahead of time to make sure she gets what she wants.

 
Some customers would not learn their lesson from this situation and they would just keep doing the same thing. Luckily some people are still able to find a self storage unit when they need one. If you find something that is close to you, a good value and is secure, rent it now. Do not wait for it and continue to shop around. If you wait till the last minute, you can be like many customers who will have to end up going with a storage unit they do not really want, that could either be more money, not big enough or they have to travel further out to get it.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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SpareFoot observed that people had little choice but to check local print newspaper listings to discover upcoming auctions. A disruptive three-year-old start-up company that aims to make self-storage easy for consumers, SpareFoot built a live searchable database of auctions. Users can sort local search results by distance from zip code or by how many days away auctions are.

The immense recent popularity of storage auctions, sparked by hit TV shows Storage Wars and Auction Hunters, helped inspire the project. Customers frequently call and email SpareFoot’s support team with questions about auctions. Tony Emerson, SpareFoot’s SEO Analyst, found search volume for the phrase “storage auctions” rivals that of broad search terms like “self storage” and “storage units.”

With all this growth, SpareFoot isn’t the first to enter the auctions directory space. Competing sites either require facilities to pay a fee to be listed, or feature limited functionality and limited inventory for free. SpareFoot Auctions is the most comprehensive free storage auction list available. A major benefit of the effort is that it will help drive web traffic to the company’s website and make a branded impression on these visitors.

Of the approximately 10,000 abandoned storage units auctioned off nationally every month, SpareFoot Auctions lists between 35-50% of these, and that reach will only expand. Plans include adding a Notes section to provide unit descriptions and number of units up for sale. SpareFoot will also integrate back-end functionality so facility owners and managers can easily add and promote their auctions on the site.

“We’re going to keep building this and making it more functional,” Emerson said. “We eventually want to serve as a resource to help facility operators improve the auctions process to the point that they look forward to having one.”

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage, making it easy for consumers nationwide to find, compare and reserve storage units online. The company also offers a suite of leading web marketing tools for facility operators. Across multiple properties including SelfStorage.com, Apartments.com and others, the SpareFoot Ad Network helps facility owners and managers find new tenants— all through an entirely pay-for-performance model. SpareFoot is backed by Silverton Partners, FLOODGATE and Capital Factory. For more information, please visit http://www.sparefoot.com.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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The courtesy hold only requires some general information, and still reserves the unit for the caller. Many storage facilities found that it was not fair for the customers who did not have credit cards to not be able to reserve or put a space on hold over the phone. Not everyone was in a position to come down to the store and go ahead and rent the space. The courtesy hold seemed to be the next great idea to help those who did not have a credit card.

 
Customers could now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they had a space reserved. Sometimes when a self storage facility told them that they could not reserve a space over the phone, they were very upset. The customer knew they needed the space but they simply did not have a credit card they could use to hold it. Now with the courtesy hold, the customer knows that they still have a space, they can move on to the next item on their to do list and get ready for the move.

 
Now one thing that is slightly different about the courtesy hold than the credit card reservation is the hold time. With a credit card, typically the storage facility would hold the space longer, if needed, than with a courtesy hold. Storage facilities still feel that customers who have put down a credit card are still more likely to come down to rent. So with that said, customers who reserve a space with a courtesy hold are asked to come down to the facility within a week or less to rent the space. There are facilities that will hold a space up to two months if the customer uses their credit card to reserve.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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You may have come across an article last week proposing that traditional mass media advertising is the solution to your self-storage marketing problems. “Stop Whining and Start Acting (Literally): An Open Letter to Self-Storage Professionals,” by Randy A. Smith, was distributed widely in an email blast to industry professionals and published by Inside Self Storage in the On The OpSide blog.

We won’t completely disagree – TV and radio advertising may be effective in some instances. Saying mass media ads never work would only be myopic. However, the majority of evidence points to their decline. Look at the TV industry as a whole– stations are suffering because major companies continually slash their TV ad budget. Growth rates in TV advertising are less than 1% across the board, and in many cases, even hit negative percentages.

At the Storage Facilitator, we encourage self-storage operators to take advantage of marketing tools that work for modern audiences. So we want to explain why mass media might not be the singular answer. Using the power of the Internet to brand your company is a much more potent, flexible and affordable strategy.

It’s no secret that self-storage falls behind other industries in adopting technologies and adapting to changes in consumer trends. Smith’s broadly sweeping, all-or-nothing claim falls into the same traditionalist mindset that causes our industry to lag. The “Mass media always works” mentality is a slippery slope to backward sentiments like “Web marketing will never work for me” or “I don’t need to list my prices online, because customers always call.”

With even faster changes on the horizon, your self-storage company can only survive if you tout a philosophy of open-mindedness. Something we preach frequently on this blog deserves more emphasis now– your best bet is to experiment with different techniques and choose what works for you. If TV and radio ads fill all your units, then you’ve found your answer. If they don’t (or if you can’t afford those pricey ad spots), look to web marketing channels and reach potential tenants on their turf, on their terms.

Smith’s article argues that social media, facility events, SEO and search marketing have no branding power. But handled correctly, each of these is a powerful marketing tool. Dell makes millions using their Twitter account. California start-up Sevenly rose to success almost exclusively by blowing up social media channels. REITs like Public Storage succeed partly because they rank first for self-storage keywords in search results on engines like Google, where most consumers begin searches for local businesses. Our partner site SpareFoot hosted a party at an Austin storage facility during the South by Southwest festival, landing both the facility and SpareFoot a barrage of local media coverage.

Company executives recognize that mass media ad exposure is decreasing. People can easily skip advertisements while watching their favorite shows. They fast-forward through them using TiVo, and increasingly stream shows online through Netflix and Hulu. People also tune in to the radio less often now— they download music or stream it through free services like Pandora and Spotify. Most radio programming is also available for download through apps like iTunes.

Compare that to Internet exposure: A 2010 Forrester Research study showed that Americans spend just as much time on the Internet as they do watching TV. With a growth rate of121%, time spent on the Internet has since surpassed time spent watching TV. The gap only continues to widen.

Perhaps most crucially, online branding techniques are cheaper. Logistically speaking, low costs make it easier to optimize your advertising strategy through trial and error. Conversely, you really shouldn’t advertise on TV or radio unless you’re sure you’ll receive a good return on investment. Since buying TV and radio ads is incredibly expensive, you’re dealing with huge sunk costs. While popular storage auction show Storage Wars powerfully and easily shaped public perception of our industry, a huge margin exists between TV shows and TV advertising. For starters, shows like Storage Wars can fit within the pattern of increased Internet usage— many viewers stream episodes on the A&E website and Hulu.

In addition, consumers are simply getting smarter. They’re becoming harder to persuade with direct sales messages. Storage Wars’ primary purpose is to entertain, not to sell a product or service. What we can learn from the show is not that we desperately need to advertise on TV, but that we need to get smarter about marketing. Consumers more easily digest ads when they’re packaged with other messages of value. For example, you could start a unique storage blog or shoot campy YouTube videos starring your staff— if they’re fun to watch, they could go viral. Look at how Manhattan Ministorage has captivated a broad audience with its witty, topical, local-centric ads.

What about Smith’s personal success using mass media broadcast? After all, TV and radio ads work for his facility, even though it operates “in one of the poorest areas” of the state. But the fact that McAllen, TX is an impoverished small town is precisely what makes his facility an exception.

Geographically, McAllen’s broadcast area overlaps perfectly with Another Closet’s target audience. In a municipality as small as McAllen, viewers might see a local ad for a facility across town, and not mind the drive over to store their belongings. In any larger city, this becomes less of a possibility. Imagine living in Queens, and seeing an ad for a Manhattan facility on an NYC local news station. No matter how catchy the jingle might be, the customer will not make the hour-long trip. In larger metropolitan areas, broadcast audience and your target consumer group overlap less, diluting the effectiveness of TV and radio ads.

Furthermore, consumer behavior evolves less rapidly in smaller towns, so traditional mass media can work well here for the time being. But even in these places, consumers will eventually adopt behaviors that render traditional broadcasting near-obsolete. A simple, functional, search-optimized website, and claimed listings on Google Places and other directories are the “right now” of marketing.

We agree with Smith’s point that capturing “tomorrow’s customer” should be every owner’s long-term vision. But a single-minded strategy isn’t prudent— consumers have changed enough over the past ten years, so who knows how they will in ten more? The best way to modernize your branding approach is to be open-minded, forward-thinking and creative. Then, take action and show the world how essential and compelling self-storage can be.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Many facilities have video cameras in which they can see things that the manager can not see. Some facilities have the cameras going all the time where other facilities have the cameras on whenever the facility is open. Always know the difference between the two options. If someone breaks into the facility or a current tenant that tries to take something that is not theirs, the camera will capture it.

 
A fenced property is a great security feature for those who are renting. When facility is fenced then we know that not just anyone can walk right up to our unit. Now you will find that some fences are locked with a chain and lock where other facilities have a gate code that you enter to open the fence. Usually you have longer access to your belongings when the facility has a gate that has a gate code.

 
Having a facility that well lit is always a plus. This is good because no matter what time of night you come to the facility, you will always feel safe that you can see all around you. You will be able to access your unit safely and then go about your night. You do not have to feel that someone is lurking in the shadows. The facility will be so well lit that there will not be many places that are dark.

 
Door alarms are a good feature because when someone tries to lift the door to your unit, an alarm will sound. Typically you will find that the gate code is associated with your door alarm. So this way the only person that can enter the unit without an alarm sounding is the renter of that space. That should make a fair amount of people happy.

 
Some facilities will have a resident manager that lives on site and will ensure all is running smoothly. It would make sense for them to know what is going on since the facility is literally their backyard in some cases. Other cases the manager will live close so they can get to the facility if there are any issues or emergencies.

 
When the facility is in a good part of town, everyone take s a sigh of relief. They know that as a customer they will not be bothered as they are entering or departing their unit. Now of course it is not completely unreasonable to think that just because your storage facility is in a good area that it cannot be in danger of being robbed. Understand what your facility has to offer and also what you feel is important to you when storing.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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Ground floor units are units that are on the ground floor and you can either drive right up to or go through a hallway to get to. These spaces can be climate controlled or not depending on the area. Many people do not want to haul their belongings to any other space except for the first floor. They are very convenient to get to.

 
2nd, 3rd, etc floors are at facilities that typically have to build up instead of out. By building up, a facility can truly save on money per square foot in real estate. Typically these self storage units will be units that you can get to via an elevator or stairs. If a facility does not have elevators but your unit is upstairs, then you have to decide If you still want to store there. You could get a lot of exercise as you are climbing those stairs.

 
A Mezzanine floor is a sub floor with cat walk around edge.  There are no units in center of floor. This floor level is not common in most areas except for the east coast. These are common for those facilities that have to build up or are looking for a way to have storage units in warehouse environments. Typically you will have to go up stairs to get to that level so you would not try to store anything heavy.

 
Breezeway units are units on the ground level, accessible by a pull through building. Many customers like these kinds of units because you can pull right through the building and escape the elements of Mother Nature. If it is raining outside, you do not have to get wet. That is a great thing. You can still take your time getting things in and out because the space is big enough for more than one person to come through.

 
A facility will have a lot of different units available. It is up to you which type of unit you want. Typically each type of unit will be price differently in respect to the level. The higher levels will cost less than the ground floor because the facility feels that the customer should not pay more for a lack of convenience. Ask your facility manager about the pricing and the different units they offer.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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A young woman who needed a space for her dorm room things called because a particular self storage location was offering the first month rent free.  She was so excited about the special that she did not even ask what the normal rate was.  She then called another facility, to which the facility manager stated no special was available.  She instantly wanted to end the call.  She said the competition was offering a way better deal.  The customer informed that although this particular self storage facility did not offer a special, the rates were way lower than the other facility.  After calling the other store back, she realized the facility manager was, in fact, true.

 
Be careful not to make the same mistake. Make sure that you are shopping for value and not just for the special. If you are staying with your self storage facility for only a month and the month special is great, then take it. The unfortunate thing is that you never know if you will be staying longer. No one wants to move their belongings from facility to facility in order to get the best special. Look at the special and the monthly rate. See which one best suits your needs.

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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