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Listen in as we gab about the self storage industry and focus in on particular areas. Want to learn more about auctions, operations, management, marketing, best practices, customer service, and more? Interested in what the best in the industry have to say? Melissa Huff and Josh Huff tap into a combined 30+ years of experience on operations and marketing to speak to the issues that concern owners and operators. This is also the place for the monthly Gabfocus webinar rebroadcasts where Melissa ...
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Grow your podcast with insights from talented podcasters, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders. Emmy-Nominated TV Journalist & Podcast Coach Christine O'Donnell uses the lessons she's learned after more than a decade in the news business and a few years in marketing to focus specifically on helping independent podcasters grow their shows. This goal of this podcast is to be a resource for growth, inspiration and community. Our guests include Libsyn's Elsie Escobar, Rob Greenlee, Erica Mandy, ...
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Snakes, birds that attack, glow in the dark tenants... we've got a few fun stories from our recent travels to share on this lighter 4th of July special episode. There is never a dull day in self storage, and we are extremely thankful for the freedom to work in this industry and build our business. Despite the strange circumstances, tempermental tec…
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The Good, Better, and Best In Storage Security w/ Aaron Harwell
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Get ready for one of our most entertaining podcasts of the year. Aaron Harwell from SpiderDoor joins Tommy and Melissa to talk about self storage security. Aaron has experience both as a self storage owner and the owner of a self storage security company and talks about what has (and hasn't) worked for his facilities and what led him to the many un…
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Up next in our series on "Dealing with Problem Tenants" are our business operators. This is a tricky category as many of our business tenants are our best tenants. They follow the rules, pay on time, and stay forever. But there's a difference between a business that stores with you and one that operates on your property. How can you discover this p…
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Theft is one of many security issues facing every self storage facility. Preventing it should be a top concern. Sadly, one of the sources of theft is our own tenants. For most of your renters, you have nothing to worry about. But what about that one bad apple? How can you "thief-proof" your facility? Better yet, how can you head off a thief before …
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Tenants are the life blood of our business. Most of the time, and with most of our tenants, the relationship is great. But every once in a while you get that one tenant... Today we tackle the first of many problem tenant types: The Complainer/Bully. This is the tenant who knows your business better than you do and always has a "helpful" suggestion.…
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There is a common denominator every self storage business shares that is often under-valued and under-utilized: the customer. Building customer loyalty is the final step in the sales funnel. But too often, companies are so focused on getting customers, they don't know how to truly enlist them to continue building their business. Today we gab about …
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The self storage laws in Georgia were recently updated to include new provisions for non-monetary defaults and unsigned lease agreements. But along with these changes are best practices to protect both the facility owner and the tenant. While some practices are now legal, owners must be careful to implement them in the right way. We break down some…
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Increasing Occupancy With a Great Experience with Luke Westbrooks
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Increasing occupancy is top of mind for most self storage operators. Advice is plentiful, from upping your ad spend to dropping your rates. But what really works? Luke Westbrooks joins the webinar to discuss what has and hasn't worked for the portfolio under his care. You won't be surprised by the bottom line- it's all about the customer experience…
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After more lunches, sessions, trade show seminars, podcasts, and webinars than we we can count, we've finally cracked the code and figured out the most important thing in self storage. It's not your website, location, class, security, software, or curb appeal, although all those elements relate to it. At the end of the day, self storage is a busine…
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Elevating Your Marketing Through Curb Appeal w/ Jane Sauls
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Curb appeal isn't just about what you see. It's about what others see when they visit your property, whether in person or online. The right curb appeal can attract a great tenant leading to long term healthy arrangement. But the reverse is also true. Negative curb appeal can keep good tenants away or attract the wrong kind of tenant. So, what are t…
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Keep It Clean Y'all: Physical Curb Appeal
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You never get a second chance to make a first impression. This famous slogan rings true in more areas than just keeping your hair free of dandruff. It's especially true in the self storage industry. What are people's first impression when they drive by or walk on your property? Today we dive into the different aspects of keeping your facility neat,…
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Top 5 Sales Skills for Managers with Carol Mixon
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One of the top training guru's in self storage, Carol Mixon, joins the podcast today to talk all about selling skills. Active listening, problem solving, customer care, product knowledge, and of course closing those leads are just a few of the many topics covered in todays episode. Carol shares a variety of helpful examples along with practical adv…
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We're back from Inside Self Storage with all our fun takeaways from the education, networking, and trade show. Dozens of speakers, hundreds of vendors, and thousands of attendees made this an event to remember. And speaking of thousands, the Storage Gives event was HUGE, raising thousands for all the worthy causes they support. Interested in purcha…
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Legal Chat Episode 1 with Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker
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Welcome to Episode 1 of Legal Chat. This is the podcast version of the virtual "Power Hour" featuring Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker which covers a variety of topics and questions sent in from self storage owners and operators around the country. Today we get to know Carlos Kaslow's origin story before the guys dive in to the legal topics facing th…
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We're back (for a few days at least) from the recent '24 Self Storage Association Spring Conference. Honestly, we were blown away by the amount of new additions to the storage space. Today we share a few key takeaways regarding new tech players in the industry, session highlights, and products to consider. There are more tools today than ever befor…
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It's Not Personal, It's Just Business: Collections
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Collections may be the least favorite part of self storage management. But you gotta do it. It starts with a good policy and ends with getting paid, but the in-between part of interacting with customers and vetting excuses is where it gets fuzzy. Or does it? As with most things, consistency is key with collections. Rent is due when it's due. If you…
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Does Grassroots Marketing Work in 2024? w/ Stacie Maxwell
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Digital marketing dollars don't go as far as they used to, but don't worry- Stacie Maxwell, the Grassroots Guru, joins us to explore the ways you can get involved in your community to keep your facility top-of-mind when people need storage. Do you host local events? Have a robust referral program? Use QR codes? Engage in social media? Partner with …
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Are you getting the most out of your self storage facility? Raising your rates is still the best way to increase your income, but these days price increases are a bit more tricky. Today we explore several affordable and effective ways to increase revenue from retail, to technology, to value pricing, and many more in between. Our industry is full of…
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Trade show season is off to a great start! We were at the Florida Self Storage Association Conference & Expo last week and noticed a few things trending in self storage. Of course, AI was talked about, but we don't share the same opinion as some others who think it'll be a slow roll-out in our industry. Plus, we're noticing a growing trend of more …
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The lease is probably the most important document for your self storage business. It's the agreement between owner and tenant, outlining all the fees, penalties, and agreed upon practices for having a good relationship with your customers. One of the most frustrating things we are seeing through the industry is owners not enforcing their lease. Thi…
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Training is essential... Seems like a fairly obvious statement, but how many of us put it into practice? Do you have a training plan for yourself and/or your team? Training is so much more than handing a new manager a book of policies on day one, expecting them to read and implement it their own. It's about the people and equipping them with all th…
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2024 State of the Industry w/ John Chang
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It's time for an economic temperature check for the self storage industry, and who better to share his insights on this than John Chang from Marcus & Millichap. Where are we now? What should we expect with the recession, occupancy, street rates, or construction? How should operators be approaching pricing, expanding, or investing? What should self …
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We pay all sorts of attention to our curb appeal to make the most of that first impression. Same thing with our phone skills (more on that in last week's episode). Do we have the same focus for our websites? Are they intuitive and customer friendly? Is the experience of renting a unit as easy as if a manager was walking them through the process on …
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Thousands of dollars are spent each month in the hopes of making the phone ring, but if you aren't there to answer it or don't know how to sell, that money is wasted. Today is all about those phone skills- being prepared, asking the right questions, overcoming objections, and closing the sale. Make sure those marketing dollars are well spent. If yo…
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We're going back to basics to kick off 2024, and it doesn't get more basic than opening and closing your self storage facility. Do you have an opening check-list? If you needed to hand off opening or closing procedures to someone else for a day or a week, would everything be taken care of? Turning on lights and checking email might seem like common…
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It's the final episode of 2023, so we're looking into our crystal balls to see what's in store for the self storage industry in 2024. Will occupancy bounce back? Is remote management here to stay? Where will marketing dollars be spent? What systems will come under the microscope? We discuss all this and more as we get ready to turn the calendar ove…
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It's the final webinar of the year and it did not disappoint. Industry experts Jane Sauls, Nick Newcomb, and Ginny Sutton talked the good, bad, and ugly of 2023 along with a few predictions for 2024. They discussed the impact of decreased rental activity, rising costs, and tenant issues, along with the crucial role of technology adoption in staying…
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We're back for a second look at day to day operations. The normal routine of a self storage manager is anything but routine. There are several day to day practices that can make the job run smoothly and efficiently no matter what your property or your tenants throw your way. Our experts weigh in on communication software, sending information to ten…
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Apparently it's time to panic. Occupancy is down, deliquency is up, and we have to do whatever it takes to fill up our self storage facilities, right? False. There is a time and place for discounts and specials, but has that time come for you? Just because the big boys are dropping discounts doesn't mean you need to do it as well. Today we talk abo…
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Today is all about Thanksgiving! And we certainly have a lot to be thankful for, especially when it comes to the self storage industry. Our Gabfocus Friends helped us out for this episode, so a special shout out to Max, Adam, Megan, Cindy, Sue, Bob, Chad, Alonna, and all the rest who chimed in with their reasons for gratitude. From tenants, to mana…
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A secure self storage facility is one of the top 2 priorities for new and existing tenants. But how can practically and affordably keep your facility secure? What are the best gates, cameras, and lights? How often should you upgrade your technology? What are the newest tools entering the storage industry? Our experts tackle these questions and many…
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Keeping Up With Your Facility Part 2
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Maintaining your property is a huge area of focus if you own and operate self storage. If done properly, it can save you thousands of dollars. It's so important that we've dedicated not one, but two webinars to it. Jackie and Nigel are back for round two. Last time was all about doors. This one is about all the rest- gates, locks, driveways, beauti…
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Managers are crucial to the success, or failure, of your self storage business. We learned this lesson again and again on our membership drive through Louisiana last month as we encountered dozens of managers. The vast majority were fantastic, exemplifying the importance of that friendly face in the office. Of course, there were some not so great o…
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2023 Storage Legal Update with Joe Doherty
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Joe Doherty (Self Storage Association) joined us for our 2023 Storage Legal Update! We reviewed the latest national and state legal updates and discussed the trickiest legal sticking points of self storage. What are the legal challenges happening around the country? What are the biggest concerns facing operators? How do you handle dead bodies in yo…
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How important is social media? Is a manager really necessary? Tenant protection or tenant insurance? These were the topics debated at the 2023 Tennessee Self Storage Association conference in Nashville. Our participants gave great arguments on all sides of these issues. But who won? We go through the arguments, highlight our favorite points, and de…
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Attorney, Author, & Self Storage Guru: Scott Zucker
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We're excited to welcome Scott Zucker, one of the best self storage attorneys, to the podcast. You may be familiar with Scott's work as his expertise has played a role in many leases and laws throughout the storage world. But you may not be as familiar with him as an author or baseball fan. Today, we cover all three as we hear some incredible stora…
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Marketing can be a maze of acronyms, analytics, and ad management, but it doesn't have to be. Simple solutions are out there for even a beginner self storage manager or owner to utilize. Today we tackle some takeaways from a few of the recent shows we attended. In particular, we get practical with marketing, give away some tools to help verify your…
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We're back with a fresh webinar episode focussing on data & reports. What reports should you focus on? What metrics should you be measuring? What data tells the true story of your self storage facility and what can be misleading? Our amazing guests shed light on the key things to consider when analyzing the data and reports for your self storage op…
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We're LIVE from Las Vegas at the SSA Fall Conference and Expo! There is a ton happening in our industry, from technology to marketing to operations. We learned a lot, plus spent plenty of time building relationships with our storage family. Listen in on a few key takeaways from days one and two of the conference, plus a few teasers for topics we'll…
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Are you just getting started in self storage? Have you been around for a bit and want to hear what another operator is up to? From new tech, to building plans, to the benefits of your state association, we cover a ton of territory with some very special guests. Max & Allison Vallotton from Gate 5 Self Storage joined us for a fun remote podcast LIVE…
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Industry experts Sue Haviland and Terry Campbell join hosts Tommy and Melissa for our monthly webinar rebroadcast focused on team management. We covered a ton from hiring top talent, identifying red and green flags, and implementing effective training programs to nurturing employee growth, retaining staff with attractive perks, and resolving confli…
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Picture a vibrant luncheon near Memphis, TN, where attendees gathered around round tables, engaging in lively discussions about occupancy, marketing, and preferred vendors. The event kicked off on a light note with the question "What's the craziest thing you found in your units?" Listen in as we share the most intriguing and hilarious stories that …
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What is the best self storage software? What should it do for you? What are the must-have features? Software is essential for the success of your self storage business, from online rentals, to facility maps, to integrations. We've seen a lot of questions online about which company to choose and which options are important. There are a ton of great …
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Do you know what it takes to maintain your self storage facility? What preventative maintenance should you schedule and when is it time to replace vs repair? Join us for a maintenance-focused episode where self-storage experts Jackie Belau and Nigel Kreft join Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff for an insightful discussion. From gates and fences to door…
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It's easy to become complacent in any industry, thinking you've got the answers. Maybe you do know all the answers to your questions, but are you sure you're asking the right questions? That's where a consultant proves their value. Have you enlisted a consultant to maximize your self storage business? If not, why not? Consultants provide a valuable…
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A picture's worth 1,000 words, but a drone photo is worth 1,000 photos. If you haven't gotten on board the drone train to showcase your self storage facility, you're missing out on a valuable marketing tool. But once you decide to enlist a drone company, how do you pick the right one? Can't you just do it yourself? Melissa and Josh cover just about…
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Did you have a fun day off celebrating the 4th of July? Did your customers know you were closed? We dive into some basic best practices for holidays, plus talk through some scenarios brought up on the self storage managers Facebook group. How do you deal with a potentially problematic tenant who is on property all the time and may be up to no good?…
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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 rebroadcast of the Gabfocus webinar Optimizing Your Day-to-Day, we'll take a magnifying glass to small tasks that make up managers' and operators' days and see how you can make them better. Tommy and Meli…
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It's Episode 50! We dive into Melissa's article recently published by Inside Self Storage (ISS) about the importance of policies and procedures. These are your living documents in case the "hit by a bus" scenario happens to you. P&Ps have a huge impact on all aspects of your business, from operations to employees to customers. Do you have them in p…
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We finally rented a storage unit. It was a first for Josh and the first in more than 15 years for Melissa. We walk through our experience, touching on what went well and highlighting some missed opportunities. From the online search, to the rental process, to the boots on the ground move-in, there's a lot involved in self storage. Are you aware of …
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