by John Stevens
April 21, 2011 9:29 AM
Video has become a main staple of many business websites, enhancing internet marketing presence and beefing up effective search engine optimization (SEO) tools. And for self storage, virtual tours of the outside of the facility as well as the more detailed views of extra-wide drive aisles, covered loading areas, interior shots of units and a clean office will make customers feel more comfortable with your facility and be more likely to rent from you.
And original video content has never been easier to obtain with the advent of cell phone cameras and flip cams. And adding video not only helps with SEO, but also with social media. It is easier to get first page placement on a video internet search when the more difficult-to-capture keywords make it harder to appear high up on a Google search.
A video tour of your facility can put you past the competition since customers will feel they are getting the full view of what they can expect even without visiting the facility. Another aspect to video producing is having the facility operator speak to the camera about the amenities of the facility and what sets them apart from the competition. Customer testimonials can also be filmed and posted. Many regular, happy customers might be willing to record a testimonial, talking about how they feel their belongings are safe at the facility and how they are getting the best deal in town.
Once your video or videos are completed, post them to a YouTube account and spread the work while asking people to rate them and pass them along to friends and family. Post links to the video from a Facebook or Twitter account and be certain to label them with relevant tags, such as “self storage,” your facility’s name and location and maybe a promotion you are running.
A video can also be posted directly onto your website by contacting your web host to set up the capability. Some self-storage vendors let you host videos on their sites and this is an easy way to take advantage of your video content without the hassle of hosting the videos on your own site.
Coming up high on a search of self storage videos on YouTube is “Plano Self Storage Video Tour – Storage Masters” which features a woman who is interested in renting a unit and takes us through the process with the help of a storage consultant. The consultant is quick to highlight in the video all of the special offerings of the facility, such as a size guarantee program, security code access to the facility, high ceilings, 24-hour video surveillance, easy truck access driveways and a free truck with move in special.
Some videos are more low-key in nature, such as the Sorrento Valley VT Self Storage Facility which designed a musical video tour showing interior and exterior shots of the facility.
Sources Used:
“Leveraging Original Self-Storage Video Content for Social-Media Benefits.” Inside Self-Storage. April 20, 2011.