It’s hard keeping up with the competition in the self storage industry. Especially with the strength of the market through the recession and with more and more facilities opening up across the nation. There is certainly a high demand for the storage of excess belongings. Americans sure love their stuff. And that is what gives the self storage industry strength. However, in competitive times it’s good to have a solid marketing campaign, which can often center around the most eye-catching strategy: promotions.
Catching the consumer’s interest over the competition can often come down to how sweet a lure you can offer. Often self storage companies rely on the old standards such as, $1 for first month’s rent, 30 percent off three month's rent, or receive a free round lock when you rent any size unit. But sometimes it pays to brainstorm and come up with a unique idea, possibly teaming up with another organization.
Mini U Storage just became the official self storage company of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, which means free game tickets for new renters. Mini U Storage has experience with thinking outside the box when it comes to promotions with a history of teaming up with other NBA teams, as well as the NFL, NHL and major and minor baseball teams. The company has locations in nine states. As part of the Philadelphia 76ers deal, Mini U Storage will give each new renter a pair of free tickets to one 76ers home games during the 2010-11 NBA season at the Wells Fargo Center. To sweeten the deal, new renters will also receive free access to the facility’s move-in truck, free use of shelves, and can purchase boxes for 99 cents.
For those looking to sharpen their marketing skills and possibly come up with some new promotional strategies, Inside Self-Storage’s World Expo in Las Vegas March 14-16, will feature a series of helpful seminars, such as “Creative Self-Storage Marketing: Real-Life Case Studies,” “Design-It-Yourself Marketing: Marketing Printable Promos for Self-Storage,” and “Free Ways to Get Self-Storage Tenants Online.”
Online social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can help get the word out on new promotions in the quickest, most-effective and economical way. If the deal is hot enough, a new renter might share the information with dozens of friends and family on a site like Facebook. The word-of-mouth, domino-effect then kicks in, which can lead to a cascade of rentals.
If you need assistance with developing promotions or setting up a marketing strategy, a company like Self Storage Promotions can help. Self Storage Promotions is a full-service public relations, advertising and marketing agency for the self storage industry. They offer services such as, public relations, community relations, marketing & ad campaigns, and web services.
Sources Used:
“Mini U Storage Partners With Philadelphia 76ers; New Renters Receive Free Tickets.” Inside Self-Storage. Feb. 8, 2011.