Free Self Storage Resources 📚

eBooks, Guides, and Videos to help you grow your self storage business.

Gabfocus: Does Grassroots Marketing Work in 2024?

Gabfocus Episode 57 | Does Grassroots Marketing Work in 2024?

It's tough to compete against bigger competition, so you need to find ways to set yourself apart. Getting back to the basics of grassroots marketing and focusing on what resonates in your local community can make you stand out from the REITs! Join us as we explored tips and tricks for marketing like a local.

Featured Speakers: Stacie Maxwell
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners, Operators, & Managers
Aired: February 29, 2024
Duration: 1:42:22

Watch Session →

Self Storage Sales Call Script

Self Storage Sales Call Script

Sales calls come naturally to some people - but for the rest of us, they can be intimidating!

We’ve put together a fully customizable sales call script so you don’t have to go into the call unarmed. This simple script gives you something to reach for if you get lost in the conversation while giving you room to improvise and generate a real connection with your customer. 

To build this lead follow-up script, we got in touch with real storage experts and asked them what they do to touch base with their leads! They helped us build this simple, quick, one-page download that gives you a starting point for all your sales calls.

Our script has different sections, reminders for questions you may want to ask, and recordkeeping spots so you can ensure you don’t miss anything. Click here to download our Sales Call Script!

Get Script →

Gabfocus: 2024 State of the Industry

Gabfocus Episode 56 | 2024 State of the Industry

The market feels anything but predictable in 2024. What economic trends are on the horizon? How are various markets and regions performing? How will all of this affect the industry? We dug deep into national and regional trends and looked at prices, occupancies, and construction pipeline to help you plan for the rest of 2024.

Featured Speakers: John Chang
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Economic Trends
Focus: Owners, Operators, & Investors
Aired: January 25, 2024
Duration: 1:17:56

Watch Session →

6 SEO Trends for 2024 Guide

6 SEO Trends for 2024 Guide

SEO is always evolving. In 2023 alone, Google pushed hundreds of updates to their algorithm - most of which don't matter for storage at all!

If you're looking to stay on top of your SEO game without spending days reading algorithm updates, we're here for you.

In our 6 SEO Trends for 2024, our SEO experts combed through all the 2023 changes and highlighted which trends actually matter for storage operators! For SGE, keyword strategy, and more, download our guide to the latest SEO trends.

Get Guide →

Gabfocus: 2023 Year in Review

Gabfocus Episode 55 | 2023 Year in Review

Lessons and insights from our favorite self storage experts. At the end of each year, we like to invite some of our favorite experts to share their lessons and insights from the year and what they're dreaming up for 2024.

Featured Speakers: Jane Sauls, Nick Newcomb, & Ginny Sutton
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations, Marketing, & Trends
Focus: Owners, Operators, & Managers
Aired: December 14, 2023
Duration: 1:17:45

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Optimizing Your Day-to-Day Pt. 2

Gabfocus Episode 49 | Optimizing Your Day-to-Day Pt. 2

So much business success comes down to the daily choices you and your team make. What do you prioritize? What's working? What needs to be better? In this part 2, we once again took a magnifying glass to the small tasks that make up managers' and operators' days to show how you can make them better.

Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley & Kevin Mullis
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: December 7, 2023
Duration: 1:20:05

Watch Session →

1-Page Google Business Profile Guide

1-Page Google Business Profile Guide

Your Google Business Profile is one of your most important digital marketing assets. This one-page guide will help you set up your storage facility's Google Business Profile in just a few minutes. We. cover what you should do to prepare for starting your profile, how to actually set it up, and tips for getting your profile verified. You'll even learn some ways you can optimize your profile for the best results.

If you want a short and sweet guide to Google Business Profiles for self storage, you're in the right place!

Get Guide →

Gabfocus: Keeping Your Facility Secure

Gabfocus Episode 54 | Keeping Your Facility Secure

A secure facility is one of the major benefits you can offer a tenant. Gates, cameras, lights, smart units - there is plenty of hardware and software to choose. In this session, we tackled the tools and technology as well as the processes and practices that operators are using to keep their facilities secure.

Featured Speakers: Scott Underbrink, Kristin Hesse & Jim Comeaux
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: November 16, 2023
Duration: 1:14:35

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Keeping Up with Your Facility Pt. 2

Gabfocus Episode 50 | Keeping Up with Your Facility Pt. 2

Even with more and more technology, your facility is still physical. Maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and upgrades - how do you keep up with it all? From fences and doors to roofs and hardware, our guest experts joined us to share their insights and best practices on the nuts and bolts of keeping a facility running smoothly and looking good.

Featured Speakers: Jackie Belau & Nigel Kreft
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners, Operators, and Managers
Aired: November 1, 2023
Duration: 1:06:20

Watch Session →

Google Business Profile

Self Storage Google Business Profile Playbook

Your Google Business Profile is one of your most important digital marketing assets. Learn what a Google Business Profile is, how to set one up from scratch, and how to take its optimization to 150%. We'll also cover the Google Search Engine Results Page, how it works, and why your GBP is your secret weapon to beat the competition - even the really big competition.

Whether you're brand new to the world of Google Business Profiles or you're looking to see where you're missing opportunities to rank high, we'll get you up to speed and ready to start winning leads.

Get eBook →

Gabfocus: 2023 Storage Legal Update

Gabfocus Episode 53 | 2023 Storage Legal Update

There's a lot to keep up with in storage, but the legal side can be the scariest. Lien laws, auctions, problem tenants? There's a lot you have to keep in mind. In this session, we reviewed the latest state legal updates and discussed the trickiest legal sticking points of storage.

Featured Speakers: Joe Doherty
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Legal
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: October 26, 2023
Duration: 1:12:31

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Understanding Data & Reports

Gabfocus Episode  52 | Understanding Data & Reports

From move-ins and occupancy to conversion rates and marketing channels, your business produces a lot of data. It's hard to know what numbers to keep track of and, even more importantly, how those reports turn into actionable strategies. Join us as we break down the numbers behind every facility!

Featured Speakers: Alyssa Quill, Cherolyn Johnson Chiang, & Jeremy Rollwitz
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: September 21, 2023
Duration: 1:13:11

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Maximizing Your Team

Gabfocus Episode 51 | Maximizing Your Team

Your Team is the backbone of your operations - finding top talent, training them, and helping them grow is key to any healthy storage business. In this session, we explored the ins and outs of helping your team succeed and stay in sync with your business goals.

Featured Speakers: Sue Haviland & Terry Campbell
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: August 24, 2023
Duration: 1:05:01

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10 Most Wanted Commercial Storage Amenities

10 Most Wanted Commercial Storage Amenities

Businesses make great self storage customers! They rent large self storage units, rent for longer, and even rent more units at a time. A single business customer can be worth five or even ten residential customers over their rental lifetime.

But businesses have different priorities than residential renters. They may be storing stuff they just don’t have room for - or they could be storing items necessary for their business to operate! 

Commercial storage renters are going to choose self storage facilities that understand and cater to their unique needs. Businesses need to store inventory.

Dive into our List of top Commercial Storage Amenities to learn what your business renters need.

Get eBook →

Gabfocus: Keeping Up with Your Facility

Gabfocus Episode 50 | Keeping Up with Your Facility

Even with more and more technology, your facility is still physical. Maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and upgrades - how do you keep up with it all? From fences and doors to roofs and hardware, join our experts as they share their insights and best practices on the nuts and bolts of running facilities.

Featured Speakers: Jackie Belau & Nigel Kreft
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners, Operators, & Managers
Aired: July 27, 2023
Duration: 1:11:47

Watch Session →

Self Storage Investing Playbook

Beginner's Guide to Self Storage Investing

Maybe you don’t know a ton about the self storage industry. Or maybe you’re a storage pro who is brand new to investing! You’ve worked hard to get the chance to invest, but the wrong choices could shrink your money instead of growing it.

In this Beginner’s Guide to Self Storage Investing, we’ll go over everything you need to know to get started investing in self storage, whether you’re growing from one facility or stepping into the industry for the first time.

  • Where to build a storage facility?
  • Choosing the right size, style, and unit mix
  • Self Storage Conversions
  • Permits and Zoning Laws
  • Funding Your Investment

Get eBook →

Gabfocus: Optimizing Your Day-to-Day

Gabfocus Episode 49 | Optimizing Your Day-to-Day

So much business success comes down to the daily choices you and your team make. What do you prioritize? What's working? What needs to be better? In this session, we'll take a magnifying glass to small tasks that make up managers' and operators' days and see how you can make them better.

Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley & Kevin Mullis
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners, Operators, & Managers
Aired: June 29, 2023
Duration: 1:21:54

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Storage Tech Summit

Gabfocus Episode 48 | Storage Tech Summit

What technology is next for storage? What new tech are operators using? More than anything technology should help us run our businesses better and help our customers more! From hardware to software, we'll dive into the latest trends in storage technology, learn how operators are implementing new technology, and hear what's on the horizon in storage tech.

Featured Speakers: Chuck Gordon & Raheem Amer
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations & Technology
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: May 25, 2023
Duration: 1:30:33

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Revitalizing Your Storage Business

Gabfocus Episode 47 | Revitalizing Your Storage Business

Whether you've just bought or you've owned for a decade, there are always ways to improve your business. But what does it look like to give your business an overhaul? From branding to operations, from technology to HR, we heard from some savvy owners about how they are revitalizing their businesses.

Featured Speakers: Adam Steckler & Drew Pearson
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: April 27, 2023
Duration: 1:17:30

Watch Session →

Self Storage Customers Trends & Expectations 2023

Self Storage Customers Trends & Expectations 2023

It’s critical to stay on top of market trends. But when you’re busy running your self storage business, how much time do you have to perform extensive market research?

Your customers are constantly changing, and that means the way you view your business might need to change, too. Good research has frequently blown previously well-established industry knowledge out of the water.

What amenities matter to storage customers? Is the desktop versus mobile battle finally coming to a close? What else is there to know? In this eBook, we'll dive into the SSA's 2023 Demand Study and our own internal data to call out trends and expectations we're seeing from self storage customers in 2023. 

Get eBook →

Gabfocus: Marketing in Slow Markets

Gabfocus Episode 46 | Marketing in Slow Markets

"We've had it easy," is the sentiment from most seasoned operators. The last couple of years saw a flood of new storage customers and unprecedented growth for many. But what does your storage business look like when the industry cools off or when the competition has moved to town? In this session, our experts talked about where storage marketing is today, the foundational tools every operator needs, and which traditional tactics operators are reaching for again.

Featured Speakers: Stacie Maxwell Heather McCombs
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Josh Huff

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: March 30, 2023
Duration: 1:15:45

Watch Session →

Top 9 Self Storage Amenities

Top 9 Self Storage Amenities

Like many industries, self storage is modernizing – and so are our customers. Yes, demographics continue to shift, but regardless of age, modern consumers are experiencing amenities in other industries that affect their expectations of self storage. 

  • 24/7 Access
  • Drive-up Units
  • Proximity
  • And more!

Get this Top List →

Gabfocus: State of the Industry 2023

Gabfocus Episode 45 | State of the Industry 2023

As we settle into 2023, the market feels anything but predictable. How are different markets performing? What economic trends are on the horizon? How will this affect storage? Join us as we dive deep into national and regional trends, looking at storage prices, occupancies, and construction pipeline to make sense of storage in 2023.

Featured Speakers: John Chang
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Owning & Investing
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: February 23, 2023
Duration: 1:10:05

Watch Session →

The Ultimate Guide to Self Storage SEO

The Ultimate Guide to Self Storage SEO

Search Engine Optimization gets your business in front of potential customers, but talking to Google’s bots can be tricky. 

What keywords should I target? Do I need to worry about Voice Search? Are Pay-Per-Click ads worth the money? Why isn’t my business on the front page of Google?

In this guide, we’ll pull back the curtain and show what aspects of SEO you really need and which aren’t worth your time. Whether you’re just getting your website off the ground or you’re trying to finetune your ad placements, this guide can help you turn your web presence into rentals!

Get eBook →

Self Storage Marketing Playbook Cover

Self Storage Marketing Playbook: eBook Guide

Marketing is a key ingredient of any successful self storage facility, but it can be overwhelming.

How are new customers searching for self storage? What are they looking for from the facilities they consider? And, most importantly, what do you, as an operator, need to be doing to get your business in front of more potential tenants?

In this eBook Guide, we breakdown all the self storage marketing tools you need – from digital to physical, from your website to Google. Whether you're brand new to the industry or you're a seasoned pro, this eBook is full of important self storage marketing information, guidelines, and best practices.

Get eBook →

Gabfocus: 2022 Year in Review

Gabfocus Episode 44 | 2022 Year in Review

Lessons and insights from our favorite self storage experts. At the end of each year, we like to invite some of our favorite experts to share their lessons and insights from the year and what they're dreaming up for 2023.

Featured Speakers: Chad Lundberg, Jane Sauls, Nick Newcomb, Stephanie Tharpe, & Sue Haviland
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: December 8, 2022
Duration: 1:02:57

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Teaching Your Team to Follow Up & Sell

Gabfocus Episode 43 | Teaching Your Team to Follow Up & Sell

You've done all the work of getting a potential customer on your radar. What do you do now? Having good communication, follow-up, and sales training is crucial for your team. Join us as we talk about the best ways to follow up with your leads and communicate with your customers.

Featured Speakers: Carol Mixon-Krendl & Hailey Teal
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: November 3, 2022
Duration: 1:05:47

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Lessons from Large Operators

Gabfocus Episode 42 | Lessons from Large Operators

From operations to marketing to team processes, there are plenty of lessons that large, multi-location storage businesses have to teach us. Whether you're a fellow large operator looking to improve or a small operator looking to level up, we dive into how these big brands are making it happen.

Featured Speakers: Guy Middlebrooks & Darren Kelley
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Large Operators
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: October 20, 2022
Duration: 1:10:53

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: RV, Boat, & Vehicle Storage

Gabfocus Episode 41 | RV, Boat, and Vehicle Storage

From the costs to customer expectations, running a facility focused on storing boats, RVs, and other vehicles is very different from running a traditional self storage facility full of storage units. There's a lot to know to set yourself up for success. Whether you're new to storage entirely or you're a seasoned storage veteran trying to add vehicle storage to your portfolio, this Gabfocus session features experts and veterans in the field that can give you the perspective you need!

Featured Speakers: Terry Anderson, Barry Raber, & Greg Ellsworth
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Boat & RV
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: September 29, 2022
Duration: 1:08:51

Watch Session →

Gabfocus: Marketing That Matters

Gabfocus Episode 40 | Marketing That Matters

Marketing is a crazy world, and there are tons of ideas about what works and what doesn't. This goes double for online marketing. The problem is that not every marketing strategy works for every industry or even every business in a given industry. Plenty of marketers who don't know the industry try to apply strategies that work in other industries but don't quite fit the landscape of self storage. Check out this Gabfocus to hear from marketing professionals that actually work inside the self storage industry!

Featured Speakers: Tommy Nguyen Grace Totty
Moderators: Melissa Huff

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: August 25, 2022
Duration: 1:19:18

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Your Self Storage Software Playbook

Your Self Storage Software Playbook

Self storage software promises left and right to make running your business easier. New customers will flood in. Billing will automate. Reports will make expanding your business a breeze. Is that how your software experience has been so far?

Plenty of independent self storage operators view their property management software as a necessary evil. That’s got to change if you want to remain competitive in a rapidly changing self storage market. Self storage software should help you work smarter, not harder.

  • Why You Need Self Storage Software
  • How Most Operators Are Using Self Storage Software
  • Determining What Software You Need

Read the guide →

Gabfocus: Constructing Your Facility

Gabfocus Episode 39 | Constructing Your Facility

Unless you're buying an existing facility with no plans for updates or expansions, then getting into the industry means some amount of construction. This is especially true for completely new builds. Thankfully, our expert panelists have the experienced take you're looking for when it comes to self storage construction. Listen in and learn about hurdles you'll face, timelines, and how important it is to choose the right team.

Featured Speakers: Nigel Kreft & Jeremy Rollwitz
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Construction
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: July 28, 2022
Duration: 1:27:17

Watch Session →

Managing Your Self Storage Finances

Gabfocus Episode 38 | Managing Your Finances

Learn about accounting and revenue management in self storage, how to prepare for a recession, and a little bit about tax time. 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.

Featured Speakers: Magen Smith & Alex Erbs
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Finances
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: June 23, 2022
Duration: 1:14:21

Watch Session →

Security, Gates, and Smart Units

Gabfocus Episode 37 | Security, Gates, and Smart Units

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, Kevin Alvarado, & Hayden Buettner
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: May 26, 2022
Duration: 1:15:36

Watch Session →

Buying & Selling Your Facility

Gabfocus Episode 36 | Buying & Selling Your Facility

The self storage market is hot! But how do you know where you and your facility, or potential facility fit into the market? In this GabFocus session, our experts provide insight on buying, selling, and even adding value to your facility as it is.

Featured Speakers: Kris Bennett, Jane Sauls, & Matt VanHorn
Moderator:  Tommy Nguyen

Category: Development
Focus: Owners & Investors
Aired: April 8, 2022
Duration: 1:24:06

Watch Session →

Choosing your Property Management Software

Gabfocus Episode 35 | Choosing your Property Management Software

Your PMS is the hub of your self storage business. How do you know which features matter most for your facility? We'll explore the different PMS systems, what they do best, and how operators are using them to run their facilities.

Featured Speakers: Steven Jeffers, Brian Ward, & Erika Weidman
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations & Technology
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: March 24, 2022
Duration: 1:19:38

Watch Session →

Top 5 Self Storage Trends for 2022

Top 5 Self Storage Trends for 2022

Self storage isn't slowing down! Find out what's on the horizon for 2022 and what that means for self storage owners and operators.

  • Growing competition (and construction reports)
  • Smart Systems
  • Easier Experiences
  • And more!

Get this Trends List →

Automating Your Facility

Gabfocus Episode 34 | Automating Your Facility

Automation doesn't always mean unmanned. From leasing to access control to communication, there are facilities implementing technology and automation across their business in all sorts of different ways. Find out how operators are navigating a modern world when they're adding automation, and when they're not.

Featured Speakers: AJ Osborne, Mason Levy, & Josh Parker
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations & Technology
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: February 24, 2022
Duration: 1:11:32

Watch Session →

Year in Review

Gabfocus Episode 33 | Year in Review

Wrapping up 2021 and looking forward to 2022

2021 has just about come to a close. We took a chance to catch up with some familiar faces, wrap up the year with some final thoughts, and to talk about what waits ahead in 2022!

Featured Speakers: Alonna RossJim Mooney, Stephanie Winfree, Chad Lundberg, & Grace Totty
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners & Operators
Aired: December 16, 2021
Duration: 1:18:24

Watch Session →

Top 6 Self Storage Marketing Mistakes

Top 6 Self Storage Marketing Mistakes

When it comes to marketing your self storage facility, there’s a lot to keep up with! Here are some of the top mistakes owners and operators make (and how to avoid them).

  • Losing marketing focus
  • Not measuring R.O.I. or tracking data
  • Not actively evaluating your marketing efforts
  • And more!

Get this List →

Best of the Best

Gabfocus Episode 32 | Best of the Best

Finding, training, and retaining the right employees

Hiring and hanging onto the right team is harder than ever. In this Gabfocus Session, we dive into how our experts find, hire, train, and retain the right people for the job.

Featured Speakers: Kraig Haviland & Sue Haviland
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners
Aired: December 2, 2021
Duration: 1:08:34

Watch Session →

Get Smart

Gabfocus Episode 31 | Get Smart

Technology, tools, and processes to keep your operations running smoothly

Technology should make your life easier, not harder, right? In this Session, we'll hear which tools and technology owners and operators are using to improve their processes, run their facilities, and grow their businesses.

Featured Speakers: Chad Lundberg & Victor Diaz
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners
Aired: October 21, 2021
Duration: 1:13:55

Watch Session →

Self Storage Customer Journey Playbook

Self Storage Customer Journey Playbook

Every choice a customer has along their decision-making process is an opportunity to win them over or lose them.

For modern customers, their searching and buying experience with other brands and in other industries is getting easier and more intuitive all around them. Whether they realize it or not, they expect the same frictionless journey with self storage too. 

Like any kind of process, the customer journey has distinct stages. To really grow your self storage business means to understand and improve your customers’ journey.

Get this eBook →

Let's Get Digital

Gabfocus Episode 30 | Let's Get Digital

Understanding digital marketing, SEO, and Google My Business

Here in 2021, your website and digital marketing choices are key to a successful modern self storage facility. But, what should you actually be doing? In this Session, we'll get practical and specific about the marketing tools and strategies every self storage facility should have in place.

Featured Speakers: Ken Turley & Josh Huff
Moderators: Melissa Huff Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners & Managers
Aired: September 16, 2021
Duration: 1:11:51

Watch Session →

Growing & Expanding

Gabfocus Episode 29 | Growing & Expanding

Scaling your self storage business

Want to take your self storage business from one to two? What about five to ten? Growing means all kinds of new challenges and opportunities. In this Session, we'll hear from real owners and operators who have taken these leaps and what they've learned along the way.

Featured Speakers: Alan Lindsey & Jane Sauls
Moderators: Melissa Huff Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Investors
Aired: August 12, 2021
Duration: 1:08:44

Watch Session →

New to the Industry

Gabfocus Episode 28 | New to the Industry

A beginner's guide to self storage

Coming into self storage fresh? We're here to help! There's a lot to learn, but we'll highlight the important parts of the industry, running a facility, and the most common challenges for new owners. AND, we were joined by Lindsey Self Storage's John Lindsey as he shares insights from the industry and his new book, The Sexy Side of Self-Storage: an Insider's Guide to a Necessary Commodity.

Featured Speakers: John C. Lindsey & Adam Armstrong
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners & Investors
Aired: July 8, 2021
Duration: 1:13:14

Watch Session →

Self Storage Operator Toolkit

Self Storage Operator Toolkit

Running a self storage facility isn't easy! There's a lot to learn, and the true self storage pros never stop improving.

Part of what makes a successful facility is having good processes and resources for every occasion! We asked some of our Pug Pack to share the checklists, templates, letters, and resources they use to keep their facility running smoothly and their teams organized.

Get this Toolkit →

Somehow I Manage

Gabfocus Episode 27 | Somehow I Manage

Growing and succeeding as a Self Storage Manager

As a self storage manager, you're juggling a lot of responsibilities - customer service, marketing, sales, operations, and everything else. What does it mean to be a successful manager? In this Session, we'll discuss ways you can grow, how to handle common manager problems, and processes you can implement to make your life easier.

Featured Speakers: Mark Skrzypczak and Terri Wood
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Managers
Aired: June 17, 2021
Duration: 1:25:03

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Self Storage Value Pricing Playbook

Self Storage Value Pricing Playbook

Pricing your self storage units correctly is a key ingredient to any healthy, revenue-generating facility.

A difference of $10 for each of your units could mean a difference of thousands of dollars per month and tens of thousands per year. So, how do you determine what your units are actually worth? What should you charge for them?

In this guide, we’ll outline some high-level pricing concepts and strategies, and then we’ll make the case for value-based pricing. In increasingly competitive markets, maintaining economic viability means finding as much value as you can from every unit.

Get this eBook →

What Now?

Gabfocus Episode 26 | What Now?

Handling collections, auctions, and lien laws

So, you have a tenant who can't or won't pay. What now? In this Session, we get expert insight on how to stop units from expiring, how to handle auctions when they do, and how to navigate your state's lien laws.

Featured Speakers: Alonna Ross and Brian Wofford
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 27, 2021
Duration: 1:16:16

Watch Session →

Top 7 Ways to Make Your Self Storage Facility More Profitable

Top 7 Ways to Make Your Self Storage Facility More Profitable

As a self storage owner or operator, you want to do everything you can to grow your facility’s profitability, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to focus on.

Whether you’re trying to improve your cap rate or you just don’t want to leave money on the table, here are 7 ways to get even more out of your facility.

Get this List →

The Bottom Line

Gabfocus Episode 25 | The Bottom Line

Revenue management, leasing up, and cutting expenses

Like any business, managing revenue for your self storage facility is essential and challenging. In this Session, we'll hear from our experts about leasing up, how they handle rate increases, what expenses they look out for, and so much more!

Featured Speakers: Grace Totty & Nick Newcomb
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 15, 2021
Duration: 1:23:18

Watch Session →

Start to Finish

Gabfocus Episode 24 | Start to Finish

Understanding and improving your customers’ journey

As a self-storage operator, getting and keeping customers is probably what keeps you up at night. If you want to keep your facility full and your tenants happy, you need to understand how your customer makes decisions. You need to put yourself in their shoes.

Featured Speakers: Rick Beal & Magen Smith
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 18, 2021
Duration: 1:07:33

Watch Session →

Heating Up

Gabfocus Episode 23 | Heating Up

Dealing with competition and over-saturation in your market

Whether there's a big REIT in town or your market is feeling a little crowded, dealing with competition is tough. How do you set yourself apart? How do you make sure new customers are choosing you without dropping your prices? In this Session, we talk about strategies and tools you can use to stay competitive - no matter your market.

Featured Speakers: Stephanie Winfree & Jim Ross
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: February 18, 2021
Duration: 1:08:15

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Self Storage Websites eBook Cover

Self Storage Websites: 8 Ways to Convert Leads

Learn how to convert your web traffic into paying tenants!

The Importance of a Responsive Self Storage Website. Furthermore, 89% of people are likely to recommend a brand after a positive brand experience on mobile.

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4 Ways to Increase Occupancy and Boost Revenue at your Storage Facility.

4 Ways to Increase Occupancy and Boost Revenue at your Storage Facility

Payments: The first and most important step you can take that will maximize results by turning website traffic into tenants, is taking your storage facility online.

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Gabfocus 2020 Review

Gabfocus Episode 21 | Gabfocus 2020 Review

2020 has been a wild year, but Gabfocus has been a huge highlight! This one was a little different. Instead of having our speakers focus on one topic, we brought in as many experts as we could to share what they've learned this year and some good news from the industry.

Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Jim Mooney, Denise Bowley, & Scott Zucker
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: December 10, 2020
Duration: 1:06:47

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Ask Us Anything: Meet Your Hosts

Gabfocus Episode 20 | Ask Us Anything

Our amazing hosts, Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff, have been guiding us through Gabfocus Sessions all year, so we thought it's time we hear from them! We brought in special guest hosts, Chad Lundberg and Alonna Ross, to turn the tables and make Tommy and Melissa share their expertise on Marketing, Operations, and all things storage.

Featured Speakers: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Moderators: Alonna Ross & Chad Lundberg

Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: November 19, 2020
Duration: 1:08:59

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Tech Trends for Self Storage 2020

Gabfocus Episode 19 | Tech Trends of Self Storage 2020

Technology is always changing. And, if we've learned anything, it's that it's better to be ahead of the trends than behind them. So, what's happening now? what's on the horizon? Join us as we discuss the latest and greatest tech and tools self storage facilities are using to keep their units rented, their customers happy, and their operations running smoothly.

Featured Speakers: Phil Murphy
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: November 5, 2020
Duration: 1:00:01

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Real Problems New Owners Face

Gabfocus Episode 18 | Real Problems New Owners Face

So, you're a new self storage owner. Now what? Lucky for you, there are plenty of resources to help! Hear from storage veterans what problems to expect and how to handle them like a pro.

Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley & Jane Sauls
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: October 22, 2020
Duration: 1:05:58

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Value Pricing - What should I charge?

Gabfocus Episode 17 | Value Pricing - What should I charge?

Knowing what to charge is one of the core decisions a facility has to make. How do you find the sweet spot? More and more facilities are trying out value-based pricing. In this Session, we dig deeper into the challenges around pricing, how value pricing works, and how it can be implemented into your facility.

Featured Speakers: Warren Lieberman & Jim Mooney
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: October 8th, 2020
Duration: 1:05:58

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Top 10 Digital Assets to Keep Track of Checklist

Top 10 Digital Assets to Keep Track of Checklist 


Whether you’re a new owner or you’ve had your facility for years, keeping track of your digital assets is key.

Nothing is worse than spending time finding photos or having to recreate designs you already paid for. Going through this checklist is a great way to make sure your digital assets are right where they need to be!

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Legal Update: Where are we now?

Gabfocus Episode 16 | Legal Update - Where are we now?

Since laws and legal best practices are constantly shifting, we're getting an update from our storage legal experts. Where do things stand? Are there any COVID-related updates storage owners or facilities need to know about? Are there any legal changes that have happened in the last few months that affect the storage industry? Join us for an update!

Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Joe Doherty

Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: September 24th, 2020
Duration: 1:03:50

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Open Q&A: Marketing & Operations

Gabfocus Episode 15 | Open Q&A - Marketing & Operations

This Session, we hold our first Open Q&A - a full hour of attendee questions, discussion, and surprise guest experts. We cover everything from referral programs to avoiding auctions, from self storage associations to third part management. Check it out to hear what your self storage colleagues are thinking about!

Featured Speakers: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: September 10th, 2020
Duration: 1:09:49

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Online Auctions and Collections

Gabfocus Episode 14 | Online Auctions and Collections

In this session, Pete Whittingslow and Alonna Ross from StorageAuctions.com break down the ins and outs of switching your auctions from in-person to online, dealing with lien sales amidst COVID-19, and best practices for getting your units sold online.

Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Alonna Ross & Pete Whittingslow

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: August 27th, 2020
Duration: 1:09:12

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Developing Your Best Company Asset

Gabfocus Episode 13 | Developing Your Best Company Asset

In this session, Stephanie Tharpe and Sue Haviland discuss how your management team is the front line of every facility. They tackle topics like manager training, evaluating performance, and how to create avenues of growth and motivation for a healthy, prospering storage facility.

Moderators: Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe and Sue Haviland

Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: August 6th, 2020
Duration: 1:05:12

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The Magic of Photography and Videography

The Magic of Photography and Videography for Self Storage


We’ve all heard the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true for modern marketing websites, Google My Business Listings, and social media.

Learn how photos and videos can support your marketing efforts and drive more rentals!

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Beating the Competition

Gabfocus Episode 12 | Beating the Competition

In this session, Bob Vamvas and Tommy Pug break down how to stay ahead of competition and the keys to differentiate yourself from the facility down the road. Panelists also discuss value-based pricing, important metrics to track sales, and how to keep your managers motivated.

Moderators: Melissa Huff 
Featured Speakers: Bob Vamvas and Tommy Pug

Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: July 24, 2020
Duration: 1:05:12

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Top 11 Self Storage Tools & Resources

Top 11 Self Storage Tools & Resources

There are so many tools and resources out there to choose from!

That's why we asked self storage experts for their favorites.

From survey software to SEO dashboards, these tools and resources cover the spectrum, and we hope they're useful to you and your team.

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Making Yourself a Company Asset - Manager Session

Gabfocus Episode 11 | Making Yourself a Company Asset - Manager Session

In this session, Cindy Ashby and Melissa Huff break down the fundamentals that every self storage manager should know. Panelists also discuss roles and responsibilities managers should possess, tenant relations, employee growth, and best practices to take ownership and set obtainable goals.

Moderators: Tommy Nguyen 
Featured Speakers: Cindy Ashby and Melissa Huff 

Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: July 16, 2020
Duration: 1:12:07

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Self Storage Tools - Our Favorite Resources

Gabfocus Episode 10 | Self Storage Tools - Our Favorite Resources

In this session, our panelists break down their favorite self storage tools they use for budgeting, training their managers, customer surveys, social media tools, competitor insights, call centers, customer text messaging, online visibility, and more! Whether you are a manager of a facility or opening one for the first time, Denise and Jess offer tools you can use to take your facility to the next level.

Moderators: Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff
Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley and Jess Casto 

Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 25, 2020
Duration: 1:12:42

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Top 10 Podcasts and Books for Managers

Top 10 Best Podcasts and Books for Self Storage Managers

As a manager, your qualities as a business leader and storage expert are what make or break your facility. 

You’re making decisions across a range of topics from marketing to sales to HR to maintenance. So, how do you do your best work and how do you get better at it?

We've gathered our Top 10 Podcasts and Books to help self storage managers take their storage expertise and business knowledge to the next level.

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Real Estate in Recession

Gabfocus Episode 9 | Real Estate in Recession

In this Session, John and Stacey break down the economic shift in the 2008/2009 financial crisis versus the current global health crisis. They discuss the current bidding landscape for self storage investors and why it’s still a great time to buy, as well as looking into self storage trends across the map.

Moderators: Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff
Featured Speakers: John Chang and Stacey Gorman

Category: Real Estate
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 18, 2020
Duration: 1:03:15

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Be Ready - Storage Law & Legal Preparation

Gabfocus Episode 8 | Be Ready - Storage Law & Legal Preparation

Our legal experts break down how to navigate the CARES Act, PPP funding, evictions, lien sales, and employee liabilities as an operator during COVID-19. Panelists share best practices for understanding each state's legal restrictions and regulations dealing with tenants as well as the benefits of e-signature for rental agreements.

Moderators: Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Scott Zucker and Melissa Huff

Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 4, 2020
Duration: 1:16:12

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True Qualified Demand

Gabfocus Episode 6 | True Qualified Demand

What is your True Demand at your facilities? This session dives into all facets of your self-storage facility’s demand, an essential component for any facility owner and manager to increasing profits and valuation of your current facility in any economic environment.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Phil Murphy, Eric Thordsen, Paul Darden

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 28, 2020
Duration: 1:03:23

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Revenue Management

Gabfocus: Revenue Management

What are the major expenses of running a facility? How do you know what parts of your business to adjust? How do you best monitor your revenue? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how self storage experts and operators keep track of their bottom lines.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Peter Spickenagel, Jim Mooney, James Appleton, Jim Ferguson, Denise Bowley, Scott Worden, Bob Vamvas

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 14, 2020
Duration: 1:12:05

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The Whole Customer Experience

Gabfocus: The Whole Customer Experience

What kind of impression do you leave on your customers? What’s it like renting from you? What makes them stay and what makes them leave? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how other self storage owners and operators focus on their customers.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Jim Mooney, Sue Haviland, Jess Casto, Phil Murphy

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 7, 2020
Duration: 1:33:00

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Tenant Acquisitions

Gabfocus: Tenant Acquisitions

What are best practices to convert leads into paying customers? How do you keep track? What are the best tools? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how other self storage owners and experts are keeping their facilities full.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Chad Lundberg, Scott Worden, Holly Fiorello

Category: Marketing & Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 30, 2020
Duration: 1:20:28

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Maximize Your Online Exposure

Gabfocus Episode 3 | Maximize Your Online Exposure

What are cost-effective ways to advertise online, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic? What tools are available to get more reviews? Should I use social media? Our panelists dive into the world of Google and share best practices for facilities large and small.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Jennifer Perkins, Chad Lundberg, Jess Casto, Christina Alvino

Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 23, 2020
Duration: 1:26:06

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MsSSOA Virtual Event | Lien Law Panel Discussion with Joe Doherty

MsSSOA Virtual Event | Lien Law Panel Discussion with Joe Doherty

In this panel, Corey Ward, MSSSOA President, Meagan McCandless, MSSSOA Executive Director, and Joe Doherty, SVP, Chief Legal & Legislative Officer for the Self Storage Association discuss the latest lien law updates for Mississippi.

Featured Speakers: Corey Ward, Meagan McCandless, & Joe Doherty
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen

Category: State Associations
Focus: Lien Laws
Aired: February 24, 2021
Duration: 54:23

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SSASC Virtual Event | Top 5 Tech To Review in 2021

SSASC Virtual Event | Top 5 Tech To Review in 2021

Watch SSASC's Winter Quarterly Meeting as StoragePug's Tommy Nguyen discusses the Top 5 technologies owners and operators are using in 2021!

  • Computer and Security
  • Gate Access
  • Phone System
  • Software and Integrations
  • Website and Online Access

Featured Speaker: Tommy Nguyen

Category: State Associations
Focus: Technology
Aired: February 25, 2021
Duration: 54:27

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SSAM Virtual Event

SSAM Virtual Event | What Makes an Ideal Structure for Conversions

Inside Scoop with Janus International
In this SSAM virtual event, we discuss the following tips and tricks for identifying potential conversion opportunities.

Featured Speakers: Theresea Gallus
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen

Category: State Associations
Focus: Investing
Aired: March 3, 2021
Duration: 59:11

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Automated Operations

Gabfocus Episode 2 | Automated Operations

Are you offering No Contract Rentals? What about online payments?  Come see what tools and integrations are out there to boost your efficiency and revenue while maintaining the safety of your team and customers.

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Jim Ferguson, Jane Sauls, Phil Murphy, Scott Worden, Bob Copper

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 16, 2020
Duration: 1:16:01

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Giving Managers the Tools to Succeed

Gabfocus: Giving Managers the Tools to Succeed

  • Learn what you can do to empower your manager and maximize their potential.
  • With more people working remotely than ever before, this is a session you don't want to miss.
  • What are you doing differently during this time?

Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Sue Haviland, Cindy Ashby, Jim Ross, Denise Bowley, Ben Hendricks, Jason Lee, Jim Mooney

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 9, 2020
Duration: 1:12:03

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Gabfest Welcome Address

Gabfest Welcome Address

Meet your hosts, panelists, and emcee. Get ready for an awesome time.

  • 12 Action-packed Panels
  • 20+ Peers (Owners, Managers, and Operators)
  • 30+ Pros (Operations, Marketing, Technology, Lending, Portable, Legal)

You can relive the entire, all-day event. Watch from anywhere at any time. 

Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 8:54

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Hiring Best Practices

Hiring Best Practices

Tips to hire and train good people and the benefit of hiring right the 1st time!

Pros: Jim Mooney Jr and Bob Cooper
Peer: Stephanie Tharpe

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 31:08

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Giving Managers the Tools to Succeed

Gabfocus Episode 1 | Giving Managers the Tools to Succeed

  • How to Audit Yourself and Operational Auditing
  • Learn important tips and tools managers need to succeed
  • Discover how to support managers remotely

Pros: Cindy Ashby, Jim Ross, and Denise Bowley
Peers: Ben Hendricks and Jason Lee 

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:16

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Chaos to Control: How's & Why's of Online Auctions

Chaos to Control: How's & Why's of Online Auctions

  • No auction day chaos
  • Follow the same legal process
  • Keys to online auction success

Pros: Pete Whittingslow and Alonna Ross
Peers: Stephanie Tharpe and Bob Vamvas

Category: Marketing and Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 31:10

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Legal Minute

Legal Minute with Jeffrey Greenberger

Self Storage Legal Expert, Jeff Greenberger, discusses topics such as photo ids, chip readers for self storage, and online auctions. Special guest Damon Emerson (Storable.com) joins to share his experience with tenant insurance and protection plans.

Pros: Jeffrey Greenberger
Peers: Stephanie Tharpe

Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 32:07

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Revenue Management

Gabfocus Episode 6 | Revenue Management

  • Best Practices for Collections Communications
  • The Impact Tenant Insurance has on Revenue
  • Decreasing Liability while Increasing Revenue
  • Tools to help with Revenue Management
  • Rent rate increase strategies

Pros: Scott Worden, Peter Spickenagel, James Appleton, Jim Ferguson
Peers: Jim Mooney

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:27

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Tenant Acquisition

Gabfocus Episode 4 | Tenant Acquisition

  • Referral Source Tracking Through the Rental Process
  • Tying Marketing Efforts to Revenue
  • Top ROI Marketing Channels Driving Rentals
  • Learn how to determine Cost Per Lead and Cost Per Rental
  • Technology Options to Improve Operations

Pros: Tommy Nguyen, Scott Worden, Holly Fiorello
Peers: Chad Lundberg, Matt Clark

Category: Marketing and Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 28:33

The Whole Customer Experience

Gabfocus Episode 5 | The Whole Customer Experience

  • How Do We Look? Taking a hard look at how your customer sees your self storage operation
  • Best practices for amazing customer experience 
  • Disaster Preparedness and COVID-19
  • Exit Surveys

Pros: Jim Mooney and Cindy Ashby
Peers: Jess Casto and Phil Murphy

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:48

Automated Operations

Automated Operations

  • Automation and COVID-19
  • Automation to rent more units
  • Automation to improve customer retention

Pros: Bob Copper, Terry Campbell, Jim Ferguson
Peers: Jane Sauls, Raheem Amer, Melissa Huff

Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 32:07

Self Storage Financing: A Look at SBA Loans

Self Storage Financing: A Look at SBA Loans

  • Interest rates
  • SBA 7a
  • SBA 504
  • How has COVID-19 impacted closings
  • How to get financing for your new self storage business

Pros: Terry Campbell
Peers: Jane Sauls, John Manes

Category: Lending and Finance
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 26:10

Creative Ideas for Relocatable Rentals

Creative Ideas for Relocatable Rentals

  • Maximize property usage and increase rental revenue with relocatable units
  • Using relocatable rentals provides a strategic and scalable way to grow your site
  • Expand your brand by adding portable storage service to your business model.

Pros: Lisa Maloney
Peers: Bob Copper

Category: Operations and Development
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 32:43

State of Self Storage: Trends and Numbers

State of Self Storage: Trends and Numbers

  • Self Storage Performance in 2019
  • Self Storage Trends
  • 2020 Outlook
  • Impact of COVID-19 on Self Storage New Construction

Pros: Cory Sylvester, Anne Williams
Peers: John Lindsey

Category: Operations and Development
Focus: Owners 
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 30:28

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