Figuring out how to stand out can be difficult. In high school we all knew that kid with the crazy hair, the odd hat, or the odor that was left behind as he passed. For one reason or another they all stood out in our minds. That is something that businesses, self storage and otherwise, like to do as well (but in a good way; no stench).
For self storage facilities, standing out or finding a way to make one self more appealing to the local clientele can mean the difference between success and failure. With a primary product that is largely the same across the board self storage owners have to do something to attract the interest of potential tenants.
Every self storage company will engage in advertising to some extent in order to appeal to potential tenants. Many will get heavily involved in local community activities as a way of developing good will among the locals. For example, it is not uncommon for many self storage facilities to become a part of the Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the U.S. Marines.
A self storage company in North Carolina has figured out a simple way to put a smile on peoples’ faces and hopefully make people remember them when they feel the need for a self storage unit. They are using the sign in front of the facility to show their support for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
At the A Lock-It Self Storage in Pineville and Fort Mill they have been putting up witty little quotes on the sign underneath the name of the facility. Rather than just have something business related there like they used to, they are making themselves and others laugh with quotes like:
“Nothing to Ponder, Panthers win number 3 [when the Panthers played the Vikings].”
“They might come marching in but they will limp back [when the New Orleans Saints were in town].”
“Is that a Cheesehead I smell or did you Favre [when the Panthers played the Packers on Monday Night Football]?”
“This Sunday it’s ok to kill the state bird [in reference to the state bird, the Cardinal, and that Sunday’s opponent from Arizona].”
According the facility’s owner, Mitch Clark, the one about Brett Favre got them a tenant simply because of the sign. Clark said that the person told him that he passed up two other facilities because he got the impression that they didn’t like Brett Favre there (which they don’t).
Sources Used:
“Unusual sports signs bring life to storage company.” WCNC.com; 28 October 2011.
“A-1 Self Storage Partners with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.” A-1 Self Storage; 28 October 2011.