We've tried several things in our area as the market is hard right now. We have a bakery here that every Saturday morning has a live Polka band and German food, we've gone a couple of times and introduced ourselves, met new neighbors and handed our flyers that have a discount of somesort (only if presented at time of rental). This has been very effective. We now have the Bakery owners as one of our new tenants!!
We also have a farmers market each Saturday on the Main square. We have attended this several times and it is a nice, non-pushy atmosphere to meet the town residents. More times that not, we run into current tenants and are able to have conversations with them on a regular level rather than tenant/mananger level. And we get to introduce our families, which is always nice.
One other way we have generated some business is by getting in touch with several Home Owner Associations. Most of them have newsletters and a most of them also have all the decorations stored in garages for all the major holidays when they decorate the entire neighborhood. We have offered discounts to the HOA's in exchange for an ad in their newsletters. We now have several of these neighborhoods in several different communities participating in this.
And one last thing, hit all the Dr's offices, dentist, CPA's, etc. They have to store records for long periods of time according to State law. They need a convenient place to keep them. We have about 5 different offices that utilize our units for this purpose.
Actually, one more thing, get in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce. There are several monthly functions we attend on a regular basis and it is a great way to increase your social networking. They are also more inclined to pass your company name along to others if they know who they are dealing with personally.
Tried and true has to be face to face. Nothing works better than getting out in the community and talking to prospective tenants. We have a blast with it!
Just a few ideas!! Hope it's helpful!!!!!
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