Here's a couple we have been brainstorming lately...

* Having a garage sale here at the facility. This would be for our tenants, a few hours on a Saturday (when the weather is better! ) during which they could hold a garage sale from their units. We're polling tenant interest and will see about setting it up if there is enough response.

* Hosting a blood drive here at the facility, possibly in conjunction with a car wash by a high school group.

* We've started a newsletter for our tenants, distributed as they come in to pay, displayed in the office so they can pick one up, and given to new tenants when they sign up. I'm hoping to post one here and there in the community also.

* We contacted the local freebie community newspaper and had a blurb put in there about our facility being under new management (us), etc.

So back to the blood drive event...any ideas on a giveaway for our tenants if they donate? We're thinking a bit off their next month rent...but dunno....any other ideas out there?

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Wearing Yellow and Living Strong,
Texas Cycle Gal

No offense, but I think you're taking the wrong angle on the Blood Drive. You are doing THE BLOOD BANK a favor by getting them new blood supply. You need to turn it around.

Here's what I think:

Let the freebie community paper know that in light of the devastating events that happen in this oh so cruel world, you are heavily involved in the community and its well-being and are looking to help make a difference by hosting a blood drive! Are you getting the idea now?

Let all of your customers know and maybe create a small flyer or coupon for the churches, non-profits and community organizations for all of your NON-customers to come in and give blood for the community. Have the store's logo prominently displayed, of course. (A small map is good to have, too.)

The icing on the cake will be to contact a nearby bakery to donate some free cookies for the donors. Because after someone gives blood, they need to replenish their sugars. Make this moment a marketing event!

As the event happens, have the store looking its very best. When everyone arrives, turn on the charm, present your specials and sell, sell, sell merchandise!!!

How much did you spend? The cost to print a flyer? Let me know what you end up doing!

The garage sale idea. Don't do it. All you're doing is hurting yourself. After having a successful "Garage Sale", your tenants will downsize or completely move out.

What's in it for YOU?

You also have to remember that you are inviting "non-tenets" onto your property - who is watching them and what they are doing?
I have been approached by many tenets to allow them to do that - my answer is always "NO - do to security reasons". The only time non-tenets are allowed on the property is during the auction and then I watch them closely.

We have as well thought of the Blood Drive, with the idea that it at least lets people know where you are. Specially being a new location. You can always make a special coupon offering 1/2 first full month or some discount for Boxes or if you have a truck for use. Give it as a thank you for coming by when serving the cookies to all who donate blood.

I would not recommend that garage sales, as someone stated your security is your prize to your site. Letting non customers in gives someone the chance to study and case your site and your current tenants items. Which can only lead to trouble.

Good Luck !!!

How about a small packaging supplies bundle? For example, 2/3 small boxes, 2/3 medium size boxes, some bubble wrap, some tape etc. Total cost per person would be less than $10.00?

__________________
Mel Holsinger, President
Professional Self Storage Management, LLC
3434 E. Kleindale Ste. E
Tucson, AZ 85716
O: 520.320.9135
F: 520.320.9435
www.proselfstorage.com

Has anyone actually hosted one of these community garage sales? I thought the idea behind it was to "get your name out there". I am interested in hearing about real experiences, both positive and negative.
Thanks for your responses.

Amy
Abbey Road Self Storage

I always wondered if that is what happened when you have a facility garage sale...so we've not had one yet.

Our best effort is our referral program. We had coffee mugs made with our logo on one side and $20.00 Referral Program on the other. We had business cards made with our logo on one side and a space for a name and phone number and 4 check boxes, Starbucks, Home Depot, Lowe's, and a beauty supply place. In our state you can not give cash, however we can give our tenants $20.00 credit on their rent. We take the cards and mugs out to local businesses, title companies, home builders, local cable company, and real estate companies.
When a new tenant rents and presents us the card we call the individual that referred on the spot thanking them and invite them to the store to pick up their $20.00 gift. We don't hold the new tenant to anything more than a 30 day (minimum stay) rent which is rarely the case.

Happy marketing

We have several nursing homes around our facility and was wondering if anyone has done any marketing to nursing homes and what seems to work best? I'm thinking about putting together some type of flyer with perhaps a coupon, but wanted to see if anyone has ideas of what works. Thanks!

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Vicki