Thread: College Students

If you're located near a college or university, how do you reach the students (potential tenants)?

What kind of advertising do you use? What specials or offers do you cater to them? Anyone care to post some examples?

Originally Posted by jcarlisle

If you're located near a college or university, how do you reach the students (potential tenants)?

What kind of advertising do you use? What specials or offers do you cater to them? Anyone care to post some examples?

In college, we're taught to constantly watch bullettin boards. There are specific channels to go through that slightly vary from school to school to ensure your flyers aren't pulled down. Typically it is the department secretary for each of the various buildings. The flyers may be your cheapest, most effective option as it should have the highest visibility.

College papers may reach some people, but typically end up trashed as the writing/stories are usually low quality. Also, spamming campus emails is also a poor idea, as those just get deleted.

go to the housing and student life depts of the college, they usually have a page on their section of the college website for college-student friendly summer storage facilities.

also, visit the apartment complexes around the college, they usually hand out a packet of info to the students at move-out time.

We hired a local college student, we drop off pens at apartment buildings near campus and participate in the annual housing fair on campus.

Most of our rentals come via word of mouth, so students will store where their friends store(d). Each spring I buy a couple of display ads in the (award-winning!) student newspaper. Last year I offered a free lock and a 10% discount off the first month.

btw, Parents are already beginning to call, inquiring about rentals for their students' summer break. Did I say I love college students?!

Here the college students move in June leave August and take the smallest units good news never had one go to auction, bad news losing so many units to a short term rental takes away from customers that might be long term renters. How did they find me website I had the best deal in town and they found it.

In addition to the great comments you have already generated John, I wanted to pass along a personal experience. At one facility we managed years ago near a University, we arranged to set-up a table in the student union, using Greeks from both fraternities and sororities, about a month before the end of the seminar. In addition to a package deal (pay the entire amount up front – no monthly payments) with a range of move-in and move-out dates, admin fee, lock, boxes, etc we also included large pizza. It was a hit. At the table they took reservations – no money or credit card information was exchanged. The reservation form had a map and phone number. We had a great average of sign-ups to rentals. Investment very much paid for itself.

Alos don't forget to call on the HR office because the professors and other professional on campus are amoung the highest paid people in the community. Make sure they know who you are and the "Special" university employees receive.

MisterJim444

Yeah, I can see food working with any college kid. It's how credit card companies recruited at my school. Clever! Fell for the ad, and didn't even remember it enough to feel bitter about it. Thanks for the reminder.

Originally Posted by peten

... bad news losing so many units to a short term rental takes away from customers that might be long term renters...

I have been pleasantly surprised by how many students keep their units after they begin their fall semester. I think they like the idea of keeping sports equipment, etc. out of their tiny dorm rooms.

And MisterJim, great idea about tabling on campus, as well as not forgetting about the faculty/staff.

We are only a mile from 1 university and 2 miles from the other. Years ago I dropped off information in the Administrative offices and they passed the fliers around to the dorms and departments. I don't think that they wanted visitors walking around campus. I go back each year. Our locker units are rented through the summer and approximately 80) 5x5's are rented at that time too. We do save some smaller units for non-college students.