Key Points:
- Do good deeds in your community and get low-cost marketing in return
- Connecting with your community gives you an edge that the REITS don't have
- Donating storage units, sponsorships, and discounts are all ways to give back
There are lots of ways to help your local community, and giving back isn't just a good deed - it's a great way to market your storage facility!
Donations of time, money, or space can help you connect with your community and give to those in need while you build a positive reputation for your business. It's the best of both worlds!
Increasing your brand through charity work is often called "cause marketing."
In this blog, we'll dive into how cause marketing works, some guidelines you should follow, and how doing good deeds can lead to good business. Now, let's get to giving!
Here are some of the local organizations that might need your help:
Cause marketing gives you the opportunity to help an organization in need while you benefit from increased brand awareness.
It can also improve how the public views your business. Roughly 70% of consumers are interested in how brands address social issues, and even more are willing to choose one brand over another for their charitable donations.
From your local animal rescue and homeless shelter to Habitat for Humanity- these are the kinds of organizations that you can work with.
If you want to find a nonprofit or charity to connect with, you can search online for organizations in your area, ask your network, or search on social media.
More Cause Marketing Stats:
- Purchasing intent can be increased by 24% with cause marketing
- 84% of customers are likely to prefer a brand that supports a cause
- Cause marketing can increase conversion rates by 19%
- 90% of Gen Z consumers expect brands to address social issues
There are plenty of ways you can give back, including:
Donating a Storage Unit or Offering a Discount
Donating a storage unit or offering a special discount can go a long way to organizations that might not have the space they need for supplies.
Just make sure that you can offer a storage unit that fits their needs, like a climate-controlled unit for sensitive items like animal food, clothes, and more.
Sponsoring a Local Sports Team
If you aren't in a position to donate a storage unit, don't worry! There are other ways you can connect with charities and nonprofits in your area.
You could sponsor a local sports team, like your nearby Little League team or local athletic club.
Sponsoring local sports teams and clubs is a great way to connect with your community and get exposure through social media, outdoor banners, and brand mentions.
Hosting a Toy Drive or Car Wash
Another way to connect with your community and get good foot traffic is to host a toy drive or a car wash!
If you want to host a drive for Toys for Tots, you'll have to go to their website and find the location nearest you to contact local organizers and get more information.
And during the summer, a local school club or sports team may need a convenient spot to raise money through a car wash. This could be a great opportunity for you to step in (make sure your water hose works)!
Partnering with Storage Gives
If you'd rather support others on an international scale, you can partner with Storage Gives. This organization uses monetary donations to support clean drinking water, medical research and relief, veteran assistance, and childhood hunger.
You can donate directly on their website or donate a portion of a storage unit auction by going through their partner company StorageAuctions.com.
And don't forget, just as regular tenants sign a contract, charities and nonprofit organizations should too.
If you are donating a storage unit or hosting an event, a contract can clarify what is being offered and help both parties avoid any misunderstandings.
Stephanie Tharpe, an industry veteran and owner of A+ Management Group, talked about her experience donating a storage unit in one of our Gabfocus episodes.
You can watch the clip here to see how Tharpe learned the hard way that contracts with nonprofits are essential.
If you aren't in a position to donate a storage unit, don't worry! There are other ways you can connect with charities and nonprofits in your area.
Instead of offering a free storage unit, you could offer a storage unit at a discount. Even a 10% discount could mean a lot to an organization in need!
You could also sponsor a local sports team, like your nearby Little League team or local athletic club.
Sponsoring local sports teams and clubs is a great way to connect with your community and get exposure through social media, outdoor banners, and brand mentions.
The main goal is always to do good and help people, but cause marketing can be a win-win! Here are just a few ways cause marketing can benefit your self storage business:
When you connect with these organizations, you're building relationships with people in your community. And when they need a storage unit during a move or remodeling project, you'll be the first storage facility they think of.
You can also share your referral program with the organization, expanding your referral base over time.
This is particularly helpful for newer facilities that are leasing up. If you already have empty units, why not connect with a nonprofit and donate one?
The more connections, the better!
Plus, connecting with a local organization could lead to good PR.
In exchange for a free storage unit or a sponsorship, you could ask the organization to post on social media or spread the word about your storage business through posters, banners, etc.
This kind of marketing gives you an edge over the big competitors.
REITS don't have the time to get as involved in their community, giving you an opportunity to form connections that they can't.
You'll get to help those in need and getting low-cost marketing.
It's a win-win for everyone!
