You may not know this, but I’m the co-author of Web Analytics For Dummies. I am also co-owner of Conversion Press, as well as a marketing communications firm.
Can I be blunt? I think self-storage industry service providers, facilities, vendors, et. al. are losing a great opportunity to do more business through the Web. That’s because many of the web sites are old, outdated, and don’t adhere to Conversion Design principles that lead customers not just to visit the site, but also to take the action you desire to take.
I beseech you, self-storage brethren, to come talk to us about your web site needs for two good reasons: the money you are losing and the money you could be making. I don’t usually use this blog to pitch our services, but I’ve broken my own rules because this is so vital and so misunderstood, and it’s making the industry look mediocre. We have beautiful properties and not-so-beautiful web sites.
Together, we can get you a self-storage web site that looks good, that performs well, that drives revenues from self-storage Internet marketing and Internet advertising initiatives and that puts a smile on your face as you run to the bank.
March 11th, 2008
HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. – MARCH 10 , 2008 – The National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) has selected Self Storage Promotions’ Jennifer LeClaire to write educational articles for its industry newsletter, the Global Container.
The NPSA is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. The NPSA assists members with industry, regulatory and workforce issues, and offers members networking, marketing and legislative support at national, state and local levels.
“Jennifer is an accomplished author, writer and marketing professional. Her practical articles will add tremendous value for our readers,” said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive Director the National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. “This is information you’d typically pay a pretty penny for. Now our members can receive strategic insights as part of their membership.”
A division of Revelation Media Networks, Inc., Self Storage Promotions is the industry’s only integrated marketing communications firm. Whether you need a quick press release, a complex web site, grand opening event management, or some other promotional service, consider Self Storage Promotions your one-stop shop for strategic solutions that bring results.
“I am exciting about sharing what I’ve learned about public relations and marketing with NPSA members,” said Jennifer LeClaire, President and Creative Director of Self Storage Promotions. “I believe this column will demonstrate some practical principles that will pay dividends for NPSA members who take the time to implement them. Of course, we’re always here to lend a helping hand to storage companies who need it.”
For more information, visit www.npsa-us.org.
About Self Storage Promotions
A division of Revelation Media Networks, Inc., Self Storage Promotions is the industry’s only integrated marketing communications firm. Whether you need a quick press release, a complex web site, grand opening event management, or some other promotional service, consider Self Storage Promotions your one-stop shop for strategic solutions that bring results. For more information, visit www.selfstoragepromotions.com. Or visit the parent company at www.revmedianet.com.
The National Portable Storage Association
National Portable Storage Association’s (NPSA) website. We at the NPSA are here to serve those in the portable storage industry who rent, sell or lease containers, trailers and mobile offices. The National Portable Storage Association is dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. The NPSA assists members with industry, regulatory and workforce issues; plus, offers members networking, marketing and legislative support at national, state and local levels.
March 10th, 2008
HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. – March 10, 2008 – Self Storage Promotions, the self-storage industry’s leading integrated marketing communications, is helping real estate investors get a handle on the complex world of self-storage.
The Texas Self Storage Association has chosen Self Storage Promotions to design an educational workbook designed to spark an interactive training experience that leaves a lasting impression.
The materials will be distributed at the Texas Self Storage Association’s Managers and Owners Storage Training (M.O.S.T.). The six training modules are: Pricing and Marketing; Keeping Costs Down and Profits Up; Collections; Leasing and Phone Skills; Customer Service and Handling Challenging Customers; and Employee Hiring, Motivation and Compensation.
The event is being held on March 26, 2008 in Houston, Texas at the Hilton Houston Hobby Airport. Early registration for one person is $119 and $109 for additional people from the same company.
ABOUT SELF STORAGE PROMOTIONS
A division of Revelation Media Networks, Inc., Self Storage Promotions is the industry’s only integrated marketing communications firm. Whether you need a quick press release, a complex web site, grand opening event management, or some other promotional service, consider Self Storage Promotions your one-stop shop for strategic solutions that bring results. For more information, visit www.selfstoragepromotions.com.
March 10th, 2008
HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. – MARCH 8, 2008 – The National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) has renewed its contract with Self Storage Promotions, a division of Revelation Media Networks, Inc. as its public relations agency of record.
The NPSA is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. The NPSA assists members with industry, regulatory and workforce issues, and offers members networking, marketing and legislative support at national, state and local levels.
“The National Portable Storage Association remains committed to being a voice in the industry,” said NPSA Executive Director John Finnessy, CMP. “Self Storage Promotions has helped us get ink in newspapers and magazines, and bring greater awareness about the many uses of portable storage to our target audiences. We look forward to making new strides in 2008.”
Self Storage Promotions will provide public relations and media relations services to NPSA to help educate the mainstream public and media about the many benefits of portable storage. Storage containers are ideal for manufacturers, contractors, warehouses, auto dealerships, retail outlets, schools and colleges, and municipalities that need extra storage space for inventory or supplies. Ground-level storage containers are an attractive storage alternative that serve as a temporary or permanent solution.
“The National Portable Storage Association is making a name for itself with its educational campaign that is helping people understand what portable storage is all about,” said Jennifer LeClaire, President and Creative Director of Self Storage Promotions. “This year, we’ll take the campaign to the next level with strategic promotions that generate even more awareness of NPSA member companies.”
March 8th, 2008
There’s a good story over at Highlands about self-storage auctions. I was glad to see it, because it showed the compassionate side of the industry and helps to educate consumers about the process. Here’s an excerpt:
Five owners of local storage centers offered the same feedback about auctions.
They feel guilty whenever they hold one.
“I don’t want to sell other people’s stuff,” said Beth Patrich, owner of County Line Mini Storage in Spring Hill.
She, like a lot of others, prefers to show compassion when it comes to someone’s personal property. When someone cannot pay their rent on time, they are usually willing to work with them. Maybe they will waive or extend the penalty fee or accept partial payments.
Of course, we have to be careful becomes in some states accepting a partial payment starts the whole process over again. And we know we don’t want to waive fees to often because it encourages late payments. But the bottom line is we should show compassion when compassion is due. It’s good community relations, which is good for business. Word of mouth is still the greatest marketing tool known to man.
March 3rd, 2008
There are many benefits to joining the National Portable Storage Association (NPSA). One of them is a year of free access to the Global Equipment Trader Network, or GETnet. GETnet is a technology platform that lets you list available equipment for sale, search for equipment you need, and negotiate the best possible deals – live 24 hours a day, seven days a week.The ContainerRental.com network maintains GETnet, which links a growing network of traders for two-way searching and matching. The platform connects all kinds of transportation and storage equipment suppliers with companies searching for good deals on equipment. GETnet is providing a year of this service complimentary to all NPSA members as part of member dues.
“The NPSA is pleased that GETnet is providing this valuable access to portable storage industry players who choose to become members of our industry organization,” said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive Director the National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. “There are many advantages to GETnet that will enhance your ability to do business locally and globally.”
When vendors post equipment for sale on the GETnet platform, for example, they receive offers from potential buyers. Likewise, when buyers are searching for equipment they post the makes and models and what they are willing to pay. A variation of the popular eBay online auctions, buyers and sellers can enter into live negotiations. Users can also find network suppliers who are willing to pay to transporters to move equipment for them. It’s a one stop equipment trading shop.
“GETnet technology offers NPSA members a chance to make money – and to save money,” said NPSA Operations Manager Joel Rathbone. “Our members also save time with this tool that makes searching and selling equipment a snap. The automatic features for searching and posting notifications by text message is an innovative use of technology that marks the high-tech side of the portable storage industry.”
For more information about becoming an NPSA member, visit http://www.npsa-us.org.
December 18th, 2007
Portable storage containers aren’t all about helping schools save money, helping the construction industry keep its tools safe, and otherwise lending support to businesses large and small. Sometimes portable storage is about spreading holiday cheer.
Just as you see Santa Claus jingling his bell for the Salvation Army in front of retail stores, you may also see a few portable storage containers in shopping center parking lots this Christmas season. That’s because National Portable Storage Association members are donating them for good causes, like the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
“Each year, charitable programs collect and distribute toys, food and other goods to communities in need. The National Portable Storage Association applauds portable storage vendors for lending a helping hand,” said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive Director the National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. “This is the time of year to give back, and we are glad to help with portable storage units that can be filled to overflowing with toys and goods that will put smiles on kids faces this holiday season.”
Click here to read the rest of this release. Or click here to visit the NPSA.
December 14th, 2007
The National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, has announced a new symbol that demonstrates the membership’s commitment to better portable storage products, businesses and industry. NPSA members banded together to develop the symbol, officially dubbed the “NPSA Seal.”
The NPSA Seal is a round sticker that dons the association’s logo (a grey portable storage container with the acronym “NPSA” along the side) and important text, along with the association’s e-mail address and toll-free phone number. The text reads: “This seal designates that this portable storage unit was leased or sold through a National Portable Storage Association member who adheres to a Code of Ethics pertaining to superior standards of conduct, integrity, quality, professional service and honesty.” (more…)
December 4th, 2007
t’s the holiday season. That means consumers are shopping until they drop, both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores. In fact, more than 147 million shoppers hit U.S. stores this Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Retail Federation.Some retailers are relying on their Web sites to push traffic into stores. Other retailers are selling their widgets exclusively online. Both are stocking more merchandise than they do any other time of the year. That means it may not all fit on the store shelves – or even the stockroom. Savvy retailers are tapping into the power of portable storage containers to keep seasonal merchandise overstock just a few steps away. (more…)
November 29th, 2007
Making the most of portable storage containers demands three considerations: location, location and location. The National Portable Storage Association’s (NPSA) new training video offers tips for ensuring portable storage units are situated in the right location on a property.”One of the most important considerations is finding level ground,” said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive Director the National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. “You also have to be sure not to block septic tanks, manholes and other objects that you or others may need access to.”
The NPSA video also reminds portable storage consumers to allow enough space in front of the container for the truck to back away from the unit once it’s grounded. As a general rule of thumb, you should place the portable storage unit in an area that offers enough space to accommodate two containers. That ensures the delivery truck has room to safely maneuver.
Vertical clearance is another common “location” issue. Depending on the delivery method, the container could tilt as high as 14 or 15 feet. If there are tree limbs, electrical wires, roofing, or other objects in the delivery path, property damage could result. Finally, dirt or grassy surfaces should be dry before a container is placed there. Wet dirt could shift and settle and make it difficult to open and close the doors.
“The NPSA is committed to helping you find a solution to get your container into the proper storage area,” said NPSA Operations Manager Joel Rathbone. “Our members are experts at dealing with deliveries and pick ups at even the most challenging locations with safety always top of mind.”
For more information, visit www.npsa-us.org.
November 23rd, 2007
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