SELF STORAGE MARKETING – SEE YOU ON FACEBOOK
December
12, 2011
By: Cheri Wallace, Property Manager / Sales & Leasing
Twenty years ago when I started in this industry, marketing consisted of a yellow page ad and perhaps an infrequent flyer. Up until maybe five years ago, this was still the case. Today, marketing in the San Diego Self Storage Property industry has become more and more complicated.
While marketing is a huge part of every San Diego Self Storage Property’s ultimate success, operators often struggle with it. Do they try a direct-mail campaign, update their website, create a new referral program, sign up with an online directory or launch a print ad campaign? All very tough decision in both making the right choice for your facility as well as figuring out a budget.
Marketing is by no means an easy endeavor. It
takes creativity, time, a budget of some kind, and truly understanding of your
market. Gathering ideas from your staff and stealing ideas from other
successful businesses is necessary for you to compete today. I have heard of so
many clever ideas ranging from customer appreciation days with hot dogs on the
barbeque, rummage sales on your property, movie nights, car washes, tweeting
all the food trucks to meet at your property, clothing drives, sponsoring
Little League…the ideas are endless. But how do you get the word out?
Educating yourself about your marketing choices is easier than you think. If you are like me, many of us can be extremely gun shy about social media and are just afraid to make that first move. There are hundreds of articles in the Inside Self StorageMagazine about on-line marketing and community involvement. In addition to the magazine you can join Self Storage Talk, the biggest industry forum. Outside of the industry there are resources that will make you smarter about social media than the average San Diego Self Storage Property operator.
Recommended Blogs:
Social Media
Examiner
Chris Brogan’s Blog
Remarkable Blogger
Simply go on-line and type in “social media” for articles or review websites such as Adweek. The articles are endless. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, HootSuite, Yelp, G5, Yest are all media forums that you should become familiar with. Have I overwhelmed you? I’m sure, because I am.
While attending the California Self Storage Association conference last month I heard some of the best advice that I can share. First, start out with your home base website. Make that good before you branch out. Second, humanize your San Diego Self Storage Property and your brand by using pictures of your staff and events on your website. This allows the community to connect with your facility. And last but not least remember the golden rule, “Thou shall not be incessantly boring”!!! Keep your ideas fresh and create interest in your San Diego Self Storage Property.
It’s a new marketing world!!! Take your time and educate yourself, but not too much time as cyberspace continues to move forward. See you on Facebook!
By: Cheri Wallace, Property Manager / Sales & Leasing
Twenty years ago when I started in this industry, marketing consisted of a yellow page ad and perhaps an infrequent flyer. Up until maybe five years ago, this was still the case. Today, marketing in the San Diego Self Storage Property industry has become more and more complicated.
While marketing is a huge part of every San Diego Self Storage Property’s ultimate success, operators often struggle with it. Do they try a direct-mail campaign, update their website, create a new referral program, sign up with an online directory or launch a print ad campaign? All very tough decision in both making the right choice for your facility as well as figuring out a budget.
Educating yourself about your marketing choices is easier than you think. If you are like me, many of us can be extremely gun shy about social media and are just afraid to make that first move. There are hundreds of articles in the Inside Self StorageMagazine about on-line marketing and community involvement. In addition to the magazine you can join Self Storage Talk, the biggest industry forum. Outside of the industry there are resources that will make you smarter about social media than the average San Diego Self Storage Property operator.
Recommended Blogs:
Social Media
Examiner
Chris Brogan’s Blog
Remarkable Blogger
Simply go on-line and type in “social media” for articles or review websites such as Adweek. The articles are endless. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, HootSuite, Yelp, G5, Yest are all media forums that you should become familiar with. Have I overwhelmed you? I’m sure, because I am.
While attending the California Self Storage Association conference last month I heard some of the best advice that I can share. First, start out with your home base website. Make that good before you branch out. Second, humanize your San Diego Self Storage Property and your brand by using pictures of your staff and events on your website. This allows the community to connect with your facility. And last but not least remember the golden rule, “Thou shall not be incessantly boring”!!! Keep your ideas fresh and create interest in your San Diego Self Storage Property.
It’s a new marketing world!!! Take your time and educate yourself, but not too much time as cyberspace continues to move forward. See you on Facebook!
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