Thread: Marketing..HELP

So Marketing. I plain out suck at it. Its my weakness. Im shy when im out and about but Im an awesome Sales Person when someone steps into my office. I need massive help. im drowning...

Where are some good areas to market? Apartments? Funeral homes? Dr offices?

What do you say?

Whats the best marketing material?

How often do you return?


Any ideas, insights and ways to improve the companys Marketing as a whole would be great!

Specials and promotions are always a good place to start. People love a good deal as long as the quality remains the same.

People love a good deal even if the quality isn't the same...thus the popularity of Wal-Mart and items made in China.

The quality of our facility is def not lacking. Best Rates on my side of town, attractive staff (I know that doesnt matter, just felt like boosting my confidence a bit), trucks, move in specials, clean facility, fantastic reviews.

I just need to find ways to approach local businesses, and how to actually start out a convo

Originally Posted by Smartgirl

The quality of our facility is def not lacking. Best Rates on my side of town, attractive staff (I know that doesnt matter, just felt like boosting my confidence a bit), trucks, move in specials, clean facility, fantastic reviews.

I just need to find ways to approach local businesses, and how to actually start out a convo

I'm not sure how this will be accepted, but I have used craigslist numerous times with great success. I had 5 indoor boat units sitting empty, a sign at the street of vacancy and no takers, popped an ad on craigslist and filled it all in 1 week. Lots of people use craigslist. We are a boat/rv storage and I post under rv's for sale, boats for sale, and services sections. Most of the time, its people that are in the 1 mile radius and didn't even know we are here, or say I have never went south on that street I always go north!

Yep, already have an amazing Craigslist ad, and ads up with Local classified web searches, or whatever you wanna call them.

I only have 8 rv spaces and 2 empty. I could try and ad in Rv for sale and services. I normally just post in parking and storage. Didnt think of that approach. Thanks!

First of all, I doubt you suck at marketing, you probably just don't have much experience at it. There are many types of potential clients, but you may not want them all. You could probably do well with apartment complexes, but if they are low rent, you may just end up with more trouble than its worth.

I would recommend taking note of where your good customers come from, and if you don't know, then start asking how they found you, and what made them choose your facility. Then try to get in front of the decision that those people made. If they are people new to the area, and found you online, then do some more work at getting your site ranking online, or increase online advertising.

If you want people that are just moving into a house, start talking to realtors. Give them an offer they can give to their clients that means something. Something that the realtor feels ads value to their folder of goodies. Then go to other realtors to give the same offer, then the most important piece.....Track the results.

Put a code or something on the realtor coupon so you know where it came from. In 60-90 days, see how many coupons got cashed in....If it works, then go after more, if not, try another avenue.

Cut what doesn't work, test other ideas, then attack what does work. You will find something. But you must track the results to see what does and doesn't work.

Yes... Craigslist is a very good tool to use... and it's a FREE service... You can't go wrong with that. And as previously stated is it a pretty popular resource.

just got 2 more today off craigslist, got them signed up today.

Have you joined the local Chamber of Commerce? It's usually pretty inexpensive. Once you join though, you need to attend functions. That way, people will see your face and remember what you do and when a need arises, either their own or a friend, they can refer to you. Businesses need storage as well - all types of businesses.

Are you near a large community that has clubs? Clubs for kids, clubs for adults - they may need storage. How about a theatre group, a non-profit, a 2nd hand store? You don't have to do face to face with all of these companies. Sometimes a professionally written letter with information about your site helps.

Another idea - find an article about de-cluttering your home and send out an introductory letter to real estate companies, to people on the web selling their home (Forsalebyowner.com) Look at the photos of the homes though - if the home is empty then there is nothing to store and your letter will probably come back with a cancelled stamp and no response. I sent these out 2.5 years ago when I first opened up with a coupon for first month free. TWO years later, the person decided to de-clutter their home, came in with the letter and understood that the coupon had expired - but I was able to honor it.

Keep in mind, that Marketing works sometimes right now, and other times not for months. Storage is a NEED basis, rarely a WANT basis. Not everybody wants to put out money to store items that still fit in their homes - even if they are crowded.

Another idea - is there a baby store near you? Ask if you can put out some coupons in the store. Some people's 2nd bedroom is full of STUFF and needs emptying when the baby is on the way. Where will they put that "Stuff" now?

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head right now.....Good luck!