November 2018 Newsletter
Storage Authority® News
If you are not using psychology-based marketing like the retail and hotel industries you are leaving big $$$$ on the table. And psychology-based marketing starts with your website.
We have just launched our new websites. They are vibrant for both our clients and for Google ( ie SEO friendly). Choosing a facility is often more of a feeling based than a fact-based decision. Notice how we evoke emotion over intellect with our rotating action hero photos, quotes, and site layout. Emotion is a huge ingredient in buying and rental decisions.
Why do they rent at Storage Authority? It just feels right!
Have you ever wondered why so many companies, like McDonald’s and Burger King, use red in their logos? Red attracts attention! Of course, both our logo color, name, and tagline were carefully chosen to get in the minds of our clients and produce more rentals.
You hear a lot of talk about renting online but if you take a closer look 95% are glorified reservation sites that require renters to go to the office to complete the process before they get access. How does this help your potential clients who want to move in on Sunday when you are closed? It does not. Our websites allow you to rent and move in after hours. For now, we decided to allow them to move in with the requirement they need to bring a copy of their photo ID within three days of their move-in date to keep their gate code activated. It won’t be long before we can get a photocopy of ID with the online Rental.
We believe in both the high touch and high tech approach. This allows our renters the amenities and the most options possible. And keeps franchise owners second highest expense, the managers salary reasonable. In case you did not know, taxes are your number 1 expense. The days of having an office open from 8 am to 7 pm – 7 days a week are long gone. Time for the kiosks and website to take care of our clients some of the time. I just saw a 7-11 fully automated – no employees. It is time to embrace choices.
Most renters will find there local Storage Authority website via a direct link. Here is one example site: www.StorageAuthorityWaltersRd.com
We also have the Storage Authority Corporate rental site that provides all the Storage Authority locations – Good for SEO and one more way for renters to find us. Check it out: www.StorageAuthority.com
Don’t forget to check them out on your phone and ipad to see how well they adjust to screen size. We love reviews so If your impressed go ahead and leave a review on the website.
Thanks for the great work G5! You can get more info on G5 website by emailing Christina at: Christina.powell@getg5.com
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As part of our Dynamic Ease Self Storage Development Series, we help our franchisees around the development landmines, including finding land, designing, financing and building a premier self-storage facility and to understand the options and prepare accordingly. _____________________________________ If you want to learn more about Storage Authority Franchise there is a wealth of information on our website www.StorageAuhorityFranchise.com Don’t forget to check out “Why Storage Authority” and our blog/newsroom. Then the next step is to apply on our website or email or call Garrett Byrd (Garrett@StorageAuthority.com or Direct 941-928-1354)
Vendor Highlight
It really takes an experienced in-house team along with a group of vendors dedicated to you, to develop and operate a premier self-storage facility. We are fortunate to have both at Storage Authority. Here are a couple of recently approved Vendor highlights.
Converting an old Walmart or other box store is often a great way to develop a new facility and save time. We are happy to announce our latest approved vendor Janus international who is the best of the best when it comes to conversions.
Janus International (JanusIntl.com) is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of turn-key self-storage building solutions including roll-up and swing doors, hallway systems and relocatable storage units, and door automation tools. The Janus team operates out of several U.S. locations. Here is their contact info – let them know Marc @ Storage Authority sent them.
Richard Lillie Southeast Sales Manager 404-427-7025 www.janusintl.com
When it’s just weeks before you open there are a ton of things to do from making sure the locks are up on the slat walls to checking your website just set up by Storage Authority. Franchisees don’t have the time to prepare their marketing materials so we have done it for them with the help of Dupli.
Dupli – Brent Dufour
203-913-2276
Franchise owners business cards, rack cards, grand opening postcards, marketing cards etc are all prepared for you and ready to go!
One of my favorites it the Storage Authority Cube!
We are excited to announce our vendor partnership with Design Develop Construct, LLC who provide self-storage construction throughout the US.
Aric Platt, LEED AP Vice President Design Develop Construct, LLC 3601 Rigby Road, Suite 300, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342 D: (937) 401-3821 O: (937) 610-1500 C: (513) 200-9001 Email: aplatt@ddcconstruct.com | Website: www.ddcconstruct.com
We look forward to doing a lot of projects with Aric and his team!
Self Storage Bidding Tips You Can Use Today
Twelve items you need to provide/require in your construction bid package.
1. A list of all site and building plans with revision dates. 2. A geo-tech report and any other soils information 3. Site & building specifications. 4. A list of any specific products or vendors to be used like gates, steel fence , Open Tech Kiosk & Gate access system, building manufacture etc. 5. Payment timing and payment holdbacks based upon your banks standard. Updated lien waivers to be provided prior to each payment 6. A list of items not in the bid. 7. A list of items in the bid that might be overlooked 8. A schedule 9. Who is responsible for permits & fees 10. Who is responsible for testing and the testing requirements. 11. A requirement for weekly updates on progress and schedule update 12. A requirement that construction progress pictures are uploaded weekly to a photo sharing website.
Poor planning and incomplete plans and specs are a disaster waiting to happen.
Storage Authority experts are ready to help you every single step of the way, from finding land to building your facility, to operations, to driving your revenue year on year. If you have a question give us a call. Team up with the experts to save time and maximize your profits. Call Garrett at 941-928-1345 for more information.
ARE YOU READY?
Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity. H.Jackson Brown Jr,
Recent Storage Authority Blogs You Will Enjoy!
Recent Storage Authority News Letters
Storage Authority Video of the Month
Storage Authority Pre-Opening Preparations
What Makes You Happy and Excited to be Alive?
I love to build things! Marc Goodin CEO Storage Authority
The Cottage on the River Part 1
We bought a cabin for the price of the land with the idea it would be a neat place to hang out now and them. It basically had no amenities, no utilities. So why did we buy it? It had a beautiful fishing river – my dream. Is self-storage the right vehicle to make your dreams come true? After a couple of visits, we loved the place so much my wife GP decided to do a total renovation.
So just like Self Storage we:
Took our time to find the right location at the right price. It can take several months to find a good self-storage site. We looked at a few places that were 10 feet from the river. We did some research and found they flooded out once every several years so we were happy to find our place on the hillside out of the flood waters.
Building it to last for the next generation – New metal roof, new windows, new septic system, inside down to studs for new utilities, insulations, and walls!
Problem #1 No foundation, the cottage was on wood blocks. Soils are clay so the sinking wood blocking had to be redone yearly. Adding a foundation for $40K was not a happy thought. We thought way outside the box and found a metal pier contractor with a small drilling rig willing to go inside the house and install 23 piers through holes we cut in the floor. We had to crawl in the dirt for the carrying beams but it solved the problem at a small fraction of the cost of a new foundation. Many new self-storage developers are going have to think outside the box and have a big dream in order to take the first step!
Just like Self Storage You Must Think Ahead and Enjoy the Journey.
One of the first things we did was to fix up the wood stove and make it operational. The heat, not to mention morning bagels at break time and even lunch cooked on the wood stove is a treat every day as we headed from fall into winter.
The two bedrooms were about 8′ x 8′. It did not make sense to spend a ton of money not to have a master bedroom so we put on an addition. We also took one bedroom and made a huge bathroom! Again are you thinking “what do my self-storage clients, need & want?
The 4 inch Smart trim around the windows & on corners makes a world of difference every time we drive up! 25% to 50% of your clients will decide to rent from you based upon your drive by and drive in appearance! Do you see the birch trees in the window? The will be saved in our oversized deck out to the river!
Check out the size of the deck in progress. There are two large birch trees in the deck and overlooks the hillside garden I created from a hillside of the brush. I love to garden. And what a view of the river from the deck!
I am going to love to relax with a glass of red wine on our deck next summer! Soon I will share some of the smaller features that make a huge difference.
ForwardPlease share! We Love Referrals.
Storage Authority 677 N Washington Blvd. Sarasota FL 34236
www.StorageAuthorityFranchise.com Garrett@StorageAuthority.com 1-941-928-1354