Champkling's blog

Ways To Improve Your Organic Marketing

As interesting as it may seem, organic web traffic is still an important part of ensuring your presence in the online market. Fortunately, having an online presence as a business has leveraged the playing field between small and large businesses. How can this occur? Organic marketing doesn’t require the use of paid ads and are not contingent on advertising. This is great for small businesses who may not have the cash flow that larger businesses do. Here are a few tips that can help get you the exposure you need:

Have A Presence

This means you need to list yourself everywhere you can. Google Places for Business, Yelp and other sites that allow you to claim a space is key. Your name, address, hours, phone number, website and possibly a video could assist in helping people find your facility.

Open Your Business To The Online Market

Every business that wants to experience some form of interaction and success with the outside world does business online. For a storage facility, this is important. Make sure your rates are online, as well as the types of units, such as climate-controlled or drive-up. Your site should be responsive, allowing customers to reserve units online as well.

Optimize Your Site

Make sure your site is optimized for search engines. Having good content that is clear and concise helps quite a bit. Here are some other tips:

• Your site should be search-engine friendly.
• Use local keywords. This will help local people find you. Specific, targeted keywords should be a priority.
• Update your site on a consistent basis. You want to make sure your site has a variety of information which doesn’t always sell your services. Consumers like to see the “human” side of the business.
• Link your visitors to other helpful sites.

Be Engaging and Interactive

Using videos and starting a blog will allow customers to stay plugged in to what’s going on with your business.

Social Media is Your Friend

Use social media vehicles like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn to post daily. Using coupons, links to websites or articles and contests will help bring your business to the forefront. 

Use Strong Email Tactics

Nothing is as bad as an email marketing campaign that goes bad. You want to make sure you’re using tactics that work. Don’t always make it about a sales pitch. Customers appreciate when you let them know about the latest blog posting or video short.

Use Analytics

Tracking your efforts is important. It shows how your changes affect your search results and where you need to tweak your strategy. Any change could alter your page rank, positively or negatively and it’s best to know where you stand.

Having a web presence is important, but good marketing goes beyond web space. Take the time to do the work to make your business grow. Organic marketing will garner results over time if you approach the project strategically. 

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/471-ways-to-improve-your-organic-marketing

storage beds beds with storage network storage storage ideas water storage

Self Storage Found To Be A Risk-Free Investment

Buy a piece of real estate is always a good investment is everywhere. If you want to go this route, there is a kind of property you can invest in less risky. We speak of the self-storage.

Bloomberg reports in his recent return rankings safe storage company that the best risk-adjusted return produces itself. The report covers 10 real evidence REITs in the U.S. in the last 10 years. Compared to offices, hotels and warehouses, free storage facilities to the highest total yield and the third lowest volatility.

Investing in self storage are also risks low. For one thing, there are movements that have no impact on cash flow. Other factors are the minimum loss of collection areas and non-profit multiple.

Among the most important institutions, cubes Mart, Public Storage was additional space for storage and Sovran Self Storage Inc., Inc. has always a cash-flow growth, and investors won, had low debt. Revenue trends Extra Space Storage Financing for the first quarter of 2012 rose by 41 percent. Others have yet to declare their income.

Industry experts offer a self-storage capacity and increased demand and rents in the coming year. The occupation is expected to grow 1-3 percent points, while rents will rise by three to 3.5 percent. This forecast is based on the survey covered by Cushman & Wakefield, approximately 7,000 facilities in the U.S. based

Compared to 2011 the average occupancy rose from 80 percent to 81.1 percent. Rental fees were also up to $ 88 to $ 90 for a unit of measure 10 feet by 10 feet.

Storage units for rent are very useful for people regardless of their status in life. Renting a space is usually based on several factors, but mainly to travel on a life-changing situation that requires people to places. These include graduating from college, changing jobs, divorce or going through a death in the family.

Rental units often vary from less than five feet by five feet to larger measures 25 feet by 25 feet. And while some companies to own their buildings, there are others who actually rent space by the month.

In the U.S. alone, the data collected in 2011 showed that there are now 50.048 self-storage facilities. The number is nearly 30,000 in 1999. Institutions also have an average of 243 units in 2000-566 units each increased in 2011.

Many investors have even ventured into the store to take advantage of people need a safe place to keep their old and valuable personal items. There is a constant demand for rental of space in the last few years, after which the industry much better than traditional real estate investments.

The self-storage industry has been considered to maintain due to the recession proof investments cheaply and easily profit margins more important that he enjoys. Amidst financial crisis, the industry was also affected. The Self Storage Association (SSA) also confirmed that this particular sector enjoys rapid growth between the commercial property market.

Source: http://www.vfsi.org/self-storage-found-to-be-a-risk-free-investment

storage bag home storage portable storage cold storage storage bags

Is Your Blog Worthy?

As you're rethinking your strategy for 2014, one of the things you should really consider is whether or not your tools are effective. One of the most widely used tools today is the blog, which provides advice, suggestions and reading material to help brand your company as an expert. That’s a good thing. Being labeled an expert gives you credibility in your field, and makes people want to hear what you have to say. Although this can be a tool that will help you, it can also hurt you. Readers want to be engaged and informed, and anything short of that does not add value.

There are a number of reasons why your blog may not be as effective. One thing good brands realize is that they don’t have to have their content filled with links, nor do they have to self-promote at every turn. When you have a loyal following, you’re getting the promotion without doing a thing. Here are a few other ways you can hurt your own brand:

• Self-promoting too much. When you promote your company or services all the time in every single post, it gets boring. Good companies realize that readers want value, and your content should reflect that. Giving a customer information to help them solve a problem will work more effectively than having your content filled with links. A good company knows that one link that connects them or at the most, two will suffice. Anything more, especially if it takes away from the relevancy, kills the post and the brand. For instance, a news piece may link to one article that directly relates to the story. That adds relevancy but does not take away from the content. If you have a service blog though, like self-storage, having links to climate-controlled, auto, and outdoor storage within one posting is a bit much. Design blogs will link to a photo or featured piece of a designer to get their point across, but you never want to have too many links. Spamming your own site hurts your brand more than you can ever know.
• Not responding to comments. Having a consistent rapport with your readers is important. It’s good to respond to comments, whether they are bad or good on the blog or social media. Readers respect you more and feel that you care about your brand.
• Content is too keyword driven. Although having some keywords within the content is good, there is such a thing as too much. Creating posts specifically for keywords is obvious and it gets tiring. You want to have a good mix of content that is relevant, trend driven and current to create a balance that works. Companies that place too much on keyword driven content are doomed before they get out of the gate.
• Writing is not diverse. This is important. Every post on your blog does not have to be about your company. When you show a diversity in your writing, it increases your ROI in your brand.

These are tips that can help you in 2014. Look at your strategy – is your blog worthy?

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/436-is-your-blog-worthy

bench with storage storage bench bench storage

Blog: nyfan29

Source: http://my.facilitiesnet.com/personal-announcements/b/nyfan29/default.aspx

storage bins storage auctions storage sheds storage auction storage store

Costa Mesa Food Trucks: A Moveable Feast!

A

Source: http://magellanstorageblog.com/2013/09/24/costa-mesa-food-trucks-a-moveable-feast/

self storage storage wars storage units storage unit storage facilities

Self-Storage Growth: Companies To Watch

It’s no secret that the self-storage market continues to grow. With the population consistently rising, competition is fierce. Small business owners are also making waves in the industry with their eyes on expansion. Here are a couple of companies that made a big splash in 2013 and are on target to continue their streak this year.

Amsdell Companies – Compass Self Storage – amsdellcompanies.com

This Cleveland-based company operates under the name Compass Self Storage. They own 40 facilities in approximately 10 states, 11 of those purchased in 2013. The company has plans to continue expanding their portfolio with acquisitions with four projects already underway.

William Warren Group – StorQuest – williamwarren.com

This California-based company is a self-storage and third-party management company who expanded their portfolio in 2013 with 18 properties between South Carolina and Florida. The company also opened a regional office facility in Tampa, Florida. This company currently manages over 80 facilities and plans continued expansion throughout the year.

Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. – SmartStop Self Storage - strategicstoragetrust.com

Headquartered in Ladera Ranch, California, this company has plans to go major. They filed paperwork in 2013 for a $1.1 billion IPO. If successful, they will become the fifth publicly traded self-storage company in the United States. They added 12 facilities in 2013, including five properties in Dallas-Fort Worth. They own more than 120 facilities spanning 17 states and Canada.

Stein Investment Group – steininvest.com

This real estate firm based in Atlanta, Georgia has major acquisition plans in store for 2014. The company plans to acquire properties in Denver, Nashville and Phoenix for redevelopment and new development opportunities.

Devon Self Storage Holdings LLC – devonselfstorage.com

This self-storage management company based in Emeryville, CA acquired 22 properties from CubeSmart LLP in October. These included 10 facilities in Memphis, Tennessee. They have plans to continue acquisitions in 2014 and redevelopment.

Morningstar Properties LLC – mstarproperties.com

Morningstar sold 43 properties to Public Storage for $315 million. They also purchased six properties with seven under contract. The company is set to rebuild their portfolio with 20 to 25 facilities.

National Storage Affiliates – nationalstorageaffiliates.com

This was a merger between Northwest Self Storage, SecurCare Self Storage and Optivest Properties. The initial merger was 64 facilities, with a gradual contribution of all the properties of the three. This will give the company 220 facilities, making it the largest private self-storage operator in the United States

While these are definitely companies to watch, other businesses and online aggregators can beef up their marketing efforts in these cities to compete. Making sure the business is technologically up-to-date with the latest software and internal processes could be a major factor in the longevity of the company. Utilizing these tactics and watching the market can give you leverage going forward and ideas on which markets to target. Strategic moves are key when competing against firms that have their eyes set on being number one, especially if your company does not have the same level of cash flow. Now is a good time to watch, listen and learn.

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/472-self-storage-growth-companies-to-watch

storage sheds storage auction storage store the storage store storage cabinets

Should You Consider Going Paperless?

Conducting business in today’s technological environment is a blessing and a curse. With so many elements to consider, there is always a need to be “turned-on.” This creates a two-fold issue when looking at processes to streamline. The self-storage industry has embraced this change, implementing technology-based solutions, but that isn’t always the case, especially when it comes to signing documents and handling other sensitive materials. Adopting a paperless office is good business strategy, giving you options for staying on the move. How do you know when you should consider going paperless?

One of the ways you can determine whether or not this is viable for you is to look at your area. Are you swamped with paper? Do you have outside climate-controlled storage units to hold documents that could be scanned? Is it becoming a significant problem? If you are experiencing these types of issues, maybe a paperless home or business scenario may work for you. Here’s how to get started:

Do not keep junk mail

Tons of junk mail gets delivered every day. Instead of tossing it, most people just set it to the side, letting it accumulate. Don’t fall into that trap! If you have a deluge of junk mail hanging around or in your mailbox, toss it immediately.

Get your statements online

This is a sure-fire way to speed up your efforts to becoming paperless. Most companies offer a paperless option for your statements, including bank, health statements and even post office documentation. Utilizing computer statements instead of receiving them in the mail will also help alleviate fraud. Thieves can’t get your information if there’s no paper trail. Companies and banks relay updates and changes via their social media networks, which keeps you in the loop at all times.

Stop receiving catalogs

Companies love sending out catalogs to advertise their wares. Although it may be fun to look at pretty pictures, if they don’t have an online catalog, chances are you don’t really need to do business with the company unless they are local. Eliminate the waste and stop receiving catalogs you don’t need or use.

Use online bill pay

Paying bills online is easier than sending payments through the mail. You don’t have to worry about your documents getting lost, and you see your payments automatically received. This cuts down on transaction time and keeps you on top of your finances.

Scan everything

Using a scanner to keep your documents in electronic files is much easier than searching through mounds of paperwork. You can also use a cloud-based software program as a backup to your own hard drive. This way, you can file documents how you need them and can access them from anywhere in the world.

You may have thought going paperless was hard, but it’s not as difficult as it may seem. As a business owner, being able to access information from different locations will be much easier. As a homeowner, you’ll save a lot of space and time. Paperless is the wave of the future. Embrace it and get clutter-free!

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/482-should-you-consider-going-paperless

storage units storage unit storage facilities storage boxes personal storage

Staging Your Home For A Move

Anticipating a move can be beneficial and will alleviate a lot of last minute pressure. If you know you will be moving in a few months, taking the time to stage your home will work wonders in how the moving process proceeds.

What exactly is staging?

It’s when you are prepping your home in advance of what’s to come. Homes that are property staged make it easier and convenient for everyone. This differs from how a real estate stages a home for selling. You are essentially staging or planning your move well in advance, which will include a place for boxes to be stored, cleaning of rooms, fixing cracks and everything else that will have to be done prior to the move. This will make it a lot easier when it’s time to move, because everything will already be done and you can move and not look back.

What needs to take place?

Staging a home for a move is a lot like staging a home for a sale. Stat with the basics first:

• Create a staging platform. This will be your war room of sorts. You will plan and decide how everything will be moved and stored.
• Get your supplies together. This includes paint, moving boxes, and anything else you will need to get your home ready.
• Get tips from self-storage facilities in your area to help you create orderly spaces. Knowing what will store well, even in your home is a plus when putting together a plan. Depending on when you will be moving, you may have to think about humidity and air circulation for items that will be stored in boxes for an extended period of time.
• Look at magazines or videos to get a feel for tips on getting your home ready for the moving process.
• Get quotes from moving companies to compare prices for when you will need the assistance of movers.
• Getting advice from social media on staging and moving tips always helps too. Soliciting advice from those companies that specialize in storage and moving will be invaluable when packing.

Is it expensive?

Getting boxes and other supplies that will assist in getting your home ready will have some initial outlay. If you are okay with using recycled boxes, you can get them from your local grocery or department store, but make sure they are sturdy. As you are painting and staging the different rooms in your home, if you plan on painting and switching out lighting and other things, it could get expensive. The key is to make a budget and follow that when making your changes. Although you want to put your best foot forward, once you are out of the home, there will probably be changes anyway.

Taking the time to be proactive in the moving process will give you time to see what you want to keep, give away or donate. It will also give you time to assess whether you need new items in your new place. Remember this – planning makes perfect, each and every time!

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/510-staging-your-home-for-a-move

drawer storage a storage self storage

Forum Post: Ask A Water Efficiency Expert

Throughout the month of April, Becky Fedak, an engineer with sustainability consulting firm Brendle Group, will take your questions on water efficiency. Please post below - and check out the four questions Fedak already tackled in our Ask An Expert feature.

Source: http://my.facilitiesnet.com/managing_buildings/green/f/88/p/11661/14944.aspx#14944

storage drawers vehicle storage storage unit auctions extraspace storage drawer storage

Keeping Your Spaces Clutter Free

It’s hard to keep your spaces clutter free when you have a lot of possessions or live a very fast-paced life. There are many times when you don’t know whether you are coming or going, and you just want to shove everything to the side for an hour or two of sleep. Other times, you have so many things you don’t know where to start. And what about when you have unexpected visitors and haven’t taken the time to straighten up? These are the times when you need to take a deep breath, survey the situation and roll your sleeves up to tackle those projects.

One of the best things you can do when getting ready to downsize some things is to assess your storage options. You can rent a self-storage unit from a storage facility with a variety of options, or if you don’t have the money for that, containers and other storage solutions can come in handy while keeping a lid on your budget and fashion sense. There are many tips that are useful in storing items in your home, garage or attic. Being able to recognize those areas that will work for you and using strategies that will help you accomplish the goal is a great asset.

There are other ways to stay clutter free:

• Limit the number of items you have.
• Limit new purchases.
• Go through your mail as soon as your receive it and discard the mail you don’t need.
• Scan your bills and other documents to stay away from paper clutter.
• De-clutter your spaces once a month (refrigerator, mail bin, bills, etc.)

These are just a few ways you can keep some of your spaces clutter free, but for large areas, you need another solution. If you have too much furniture, get rid of it! There are many ways you can function with a limited amount of furniture that will give you space and remain stylish at the same time. Getting ideas from the pros can help you with this issue.

It may be a daunting task to get organized, but once you do, taking the steps to keep your areas clear of clutter will be the challenge. Make a plan and stick to it. Start practicing putting things away as soon as you use them. Don’t drop clothing at the door. Take the time to put it away. After washing, fold and hang your clothes up to prevent them from accumulating. Once you do something 21 days in succession, it becomes a habit. Practice a series of organization skills for a few weeks to see what works, what is doable and how you can incorporate these changes into your lifestyle. At this point, it’s really about mind over matter. Believe it or not, the way you feel does matter. Being stressed from having too much stuff eventually takes its toll. Don’t get caught in the fray. Make your mental health a priority and start de-cluttering your life today!

Source: http://usselfstoragelocator.com/blog_posts/512-keeping-your-spaces-clutter-free

storage container container storage storage bins containers bed storage storage bed