One of the biggest questions we get asked is, "How can I compete with my competitor down the street who is offering the same unit as me but for 50% less?"

Low intro rates are a strategy many large companies are using, but don't worry. You have options other than bottoming out your prices and losing money for the first several months of a rental.

We examine target marketing and several "specials" that have proven effective at combatting the low intro rate strategy. This isn't the time for a "if you can't beat them, join them" approach. These strategies call for setting your business apart as a greater value and showing that it's worth paying a few dollars more in the long run.

If you'd like to read more about target marketing, here's the link to the article we mentioned in the show - How Target Marketing Can Transform Your Self-Storage Business article from Inside Self-Storage

If you'd like to listen to more about these strategies, we get into several of them on our recent webinar with Andrew Sherrard from Reliable Storage - Optimizing Occupancy Podcast with Andrew Sherrard

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Sometimes real life just smacks you in the face. That was our week, and it happens to us all. If you run a small business, like self storage, it can hit a little different. What happens to your business if you get that call or text that forces you to focus all of your attention on something else? If you have to step away, will your business survive?

Today we focus on some simple practices that can help you handle those real life moments and still keep your business going. Planning margin in to your schedule, automation, and using tech are just a few of the areas we touch on.

But the most important takeaway - if you are faced with the choice of real life or your business, always choose real life. The broken gate will still be there in the morning.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

What do you do when a tenant passes away while renting a storage unit? This was the opening question AI came up with... Hopefully, no one has ever passed away in your office while renting a unit, but dealing with an existing tenant who has died happens more often than you think.

This is one of the most uncomfortable but critical situations self storage operators face—and getting it wrong can come with serious legal consequences.

In this episode, we break down the must-know legal and practical steps operators need to take when a tenant dies. They cover everything from probate considerations to next-of-kin contact, and how to avoid common missteps that could land your business in hot water.

Key topics include:

• Legal obligations when a tenant dies

• Understanding your lien rights in these situations

• Why having a secondary contact in your lease matters

• When to hold off on selling the contents of a unit

• Practical advice on handling the emotional side with surviving family

• Steps you should take before this ever becomes an issue

If you’ve never dealt with this situation before, you probably will. Death is a part of life, and hopefully your business can be a part of the solution rather than adding to the stress.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions