Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Melissa Stiles from Storage Asset Management brings her expertise managing marketing for over 600 self storage locations to the group as we dive into digital marketing. What tactics work for lease up, large stores, small stores, or stable properties? When is it time to change things up? What should your budget look like? We explore social media, Google Ads, Analytics, Business Profiles, and competing with other operators in your market. Plus, we reveal the most underutilized marketing tactic in self storage.

This is a re-broadcast of the 11/21 webinar.

Guest: Melissa Stiles, Storage Asset Management 

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Lighthouse Storage Solutions

What's obvious to you might not be so obvious to others. We swim in the self-storage world, so things like month-to-month leases, drive-up access, online rentals, and pest control might not seem like amazing amenities to highlight. However, the average customer doesn't know the standard self-storage package. Handicap access or the fact that they are the only ones with a key to their unit might be the selling point that brings you the rental over your competitor. Your competitor has those things too, but if you're the only one advertising that you don't require a security deposit, maybe customers will start think that you have the edge over your competition.

Today we take a deep dive into all things obvious, plus share some holiday themed recommendations.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Matt Enger, co-founder of Cubby Storage, joins us to talk about his journey into self storage. From his beginnings storing artwork, to the development of Cubby, he has used his tech background to increase efficiency and enhance the customer experience in a variety of industries. We also dive into self storage software, which has become integral to running just about every facility in the country. What are the needs owners have? What should software do? We cover this and a ton more as we examine his origin story.

Guest: Matt Engfer, Cubby Storage

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

I'm sure most of us in self storage have insurance, but is it the right kind? Are the right things covered? What are the events that should trigger reevaluating your level of coverage? We aren't insurance agents, but we tackle a few of these key questions every facility owner should ask. If you need a solid agent, contact your local storage association for recommendations for your area.

Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management

There's a lot of talk about making money in self storage, but what about the best ways to spend it? Do you have a handle on managing your finances? They're the lifeblood of any business. Without proper financial management, you can easily find yourself digging your business into a hole. See what our expert panelists have to say about keeping track of and even improving your self storage business's finances as we learn about accounting, revenue management, preparing for a recession, and a little bit about taxes.

Guests: Magen Smith (Atomic Storage Group) & Alex Erbs (Erbs Management Group)

Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management

Finding balance between work and everything else can be a struggle, especially if you own and operate a self storage facility. Customer interactions, maintenance issues, and operational tasks don't always fit neatly into a 9-5, 40 hour a week job. How do you find balance? How much work is too much or not enough? Our hosts offer some tips about making the most of your time and focusing on what really matters to you.

Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management.

Keeping your facility and your customers' belongings safe is one of your highest priorities. But, there are a lot of security features to choose from. Let's explore the range of security options, what matters most to customers, and what the future of self storage security looks like.

Featured Speakers: Kristi Adams (Open Tech), Kevin Alvarado (Storable), & Hayden Buettner (Janus International).

Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management

Self Storage has been booming lately, but is that season coming to an end? What concerns are facing our tenants? What are the concerns owners should have? Jane Sauls, a facility owner and self storage broker from Sauls Storage Group, joins us to talk about the market and what we should be looking out for as facility values settle down and as the country faces economic uncertainty.

Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management.

Self storage has given a lot to us. It's helped pay the bills and provided income for thousands across the nation. Today, Lonnie Bickford (Appletree Storage, StorageAuctions.com) joins us to talk about giving back. His organization Storage Gives provides a unique way to contribute to vetted charitable organizations from the proceeds of our storage auctions. For more info, visit StorageGives.org

Brought to you by the teams at Affordable Storage Guys Management and StoragePug

If you're a self storage owner or manager, you probably get a few calls a week asking if your facility is for sale. What do you need to know to make the most of a sale? What should you look for when buying a new facility? Our experts join Tommy to discuss the market, buying, selling, and growing your facility.

Guests: Jane Sauls (Sauls Storage Group), Kris Bennett (PassiveInvesting.com), and Matthew VanHorn (Black Swan Storage Group)

Brought to you by Affordable Storage Guys Management and StoragePug