Maximize Your Online Exposure | Gabfocus | Self Storage Virtual Workshop

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

Gabfocus Sessions

Gabfocus Sessions are weekly, virtual workshops for self storage owners, managers, and operators. Brought to you by the team behind Gabfest: StoragePug and MR Management.

Each session features hand-picked industry pros who will dive deep into relevant topics surrounding our industry, share best practices, and explore trends in the market. It's our hope that these sessions help you navigate your self storage business better during these uncertain times.

Want more tools for your managers? Join us on Gabfocus weekly on Thursdays.

Top Questions Answered in this session

What are important online tools to focus on right now? Where do you start?
Are there any digital trends that we should be paying attention to?
What are easy ways to get your name to the top of Google searches? (Barry Betts)
What are other ways to get more good reviews for your facility, other than just asking customers? Any good suggestions?
What are cost-effective ways to advertise online, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic?

These are just a few of the questions answered during this session! Get your pen and paper ready!

jennifer-perkins

Jennifer Perkins

Owner at Synergy Self Storage

Website: http://synergy-storage.com
Email: synergystorage96@gmail.com

Chad Lundberg

The Storage Group

Website: http://superstoragegroup.com
Email: chad.thestoragegroup@gmail.com

Jess Casto

Digital Marketing Consultant

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-casto-747962149/
Email: jlcasto0684@gmail.com

christina-alvino

Christina Alvino

Fine View Marketing

Website: http://fineviewmarketing.com
Email: christina@fineviewmarketing.com

Resources from this session

Stats and Numbers

46% of all searches have a local intent
97% of people read reviews before they do business
93% treat a review the same as a personal recommendation
1 in 10 families know about self-storage
It takes 18 positive reviews to cancel out 1 negative review
Mobile traffic was at 22% in 2017, is at 50% now, and is expected to go to 75%

Quotes to Note

“If you’re not in those top three on Google, do you even exist?” - Jessica
“Take yourself out of the manager position and put yourself in the shoes of the customer.” -Chad
“We do everything we can to show up anywhere someone would look for us.” - Jessica
“I don’t put units on Sparefoot that I know I can rent on my website.” - Chad
“Do not stop asking for reviews!” - Christina
“When I post something on Facebook, I’ve got in the habit of posting on Google My Business.” - Jennifer

Tools Mentioned

Workshop Highlights

We asked the panelists: "How are you adjusting your Marketing to the 'new normal'”?

“We’re focusing on how renting our units can be a contactless experience.” - Christina Alvino

“We’re doing a lot of educating of our customers and our staff, and we’re adjusting our messaging to focus on what can be done online.” - Jessica Casto

“We’re communicating how these new protective measures aren’t how we normally like to deal with customers but we need to take precautions. Our customers have appreciated us acknowledging that." - Chad Lundberg

“It’s always been my vision to run my business remotely, so the customers I have are already looking for a touchless experience. I’m also communicating about my sanitizing efforts with customers over social media." - Jennifer Perkins

Gabfocus Takeaway

The consensus time and time again from our experts is that Google My Business is the most important online tool you can optimize. It’s the first touchpoint potential customers have of your facility, and it centralizes your offerings, your reviews, and your business details all in one place.