7 Ways to Boost Lead Generation for your Storage Business

In the competitive self-storage landscape, generating a steady stream of high-quality leads is crucial for sustained growth. While traditional tactics like online listings and print ads can still yield results, savvy marketers need to think outside the box to truly stand out. In this article, we'll explore five proven strategies that most guides overlook, empowering you to supercharge your lead generation efforts and stay ahead of the curve.

1. Create a Robust Google Business Profile

With more customers turning to online searches to find local businesses, having a comprehensive and optimised Google Business Profile is essential. This free listing allows you to showcase your self storage business information, photos, videos, and most importantly, collect customer reviews and get a pin on the map, which helps you appear higher in local search. People tend to place greater trust in businesses that have accumulated positive reviews from previous customers. Favourable reviews reduce perceived risk and increase the likelihood of potential customers choosing your storage facility over competitors.

Practical Next Step: Claim and verify your Google Business Profile, ensuring all details like business name, address, phone number, website, and operational hours are accurate. Upload high-quality photos and virtual tours to give potential customers a glimpse of your facility. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews, as positive ratings can significantly impact your local search rankings and customer trust.

2. Optimise for Local Search

With the increasing prevalence of "near me" searches, optimising your online presence for search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial in addition to ensuring that your Google Business Profile is up-to-date.

Additionally, incorporate relevant keywords into your website's content, meta tags, and alt text for images. This will help your storage facility rank higher in local search results, increasing visibility and driving more qualified leads to your website.

Don't overlook the power of online reviews, either. Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google, TrustPilot, and Facebook, as these can significantly impact your local search rankings and influence potential customers' decision-making process.

Practical next step: Conduct thorough keyword research using tools such as SEMRush, AhRefs, AnswerThePublic etc to identify locally relevant keywords (e.g., "self storage near [city]", "[neighbourhood] storage units").
 

3. Leverage Local Partnerships and Cross-Promotions

Partnering with complementary local businesses can open up new avenues for lead acquisition. Consider forming strategic alliances with moving companies, real estate agents, home organisers, or even charities focused on decluttering. These partnerships can be mutually beneficial, as you can offer discounts or promotions to their customers, while they can recommend your storage solutions to their clientele.

For instance, you could collaborate with a local transport company to offer a free month of storage to their customers who book your services together. This not only provides added value but also exposes your brand to a highly relevant audience actively seeking storage solutions.

Practical next steps: Make a list of complementary local businesses (movers, estate agents, home organisers, charities). Research their marketing channels and customer base to identify good partnership fits. You can then make a compelling cross-promotion plan with mutual incentives (e.g. discounts, free product/service additions). Reach out and pitch the partnership, highlighting the mutual benefits. If they’re happy with the plan, go ahead and create co-branded marketing materials and ensure proper promotion on both sides.

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4. Implement Retargeting Campaigns

Even with a stellar website and compelling offers, a significant portion of visitors may leave without converting. Retargeting campaigns allow you to re-engage these potential leads by serving them targeted ads as they browse other websites or social media platforms.

By leveraging retargeting platforms like Google Ads Remarketing or Facebook Ads Retargeting, you can create tailored campaigns that remind visitors of your storage solutions and entice them back to your website with personalised messages or exclusive offers.

Retargeting works because of two key principles. First, repeated exposure to your brand and offers increases familiarity and positive associations in the minds of potential customers. The more they see your retargeting ads, the more likely they are to remember and consider your storage solutions. Secondly, retargeting targets people who have already shown interest in your services by visiting your website. These "warm" leads are more inclined to complete the desired action (like making a reservation) when reminded through personalised retargeting ads. It's much easier to convince someone who is already partway through the decision process than to start from scratch with a cold lead.

For example, you could create a retargeting campaign specifically targeted at visitors who viewed your unit sizes and pricing page but didn't complete a reservation. Offer them a limited-time discount or highlight your flexible rental terms to incentivise them to revisit and convert.

5. Leverage Stashbee's Lead Generation Tool

Stashbee offers a unique opportunity for self-storage businesses to tap into a vast pool of qualified self storage leads. By signing up for our lead generation tool you can gain exposure to Stashbee's high-traffic website and extensive customer base actively seeking storage solutions. Research has consistently shown that personalised, targeted marketing resonate far better than generic, broad-based approaches. By leveraging Stashbee's platform, you gain access to a curated audience actively seeking storage solutions, significantly increasing the likelihood of conversion compared to traditional marketing channels.

6. Tap into Local Community Events

Participating in local community events can be an effective way to raise brand awareness and generate leads within your target market. Consider sponsoring or hosting events that align with your target audience's interests, such as neighborhood garage sales, decluttering workshops, or charity drives.

At these events, you can distribute promotional materials, offer free storage consultations, or even raffle off a free month of storage to capture attendees' contact information. This approach not only puts your brand in front of potential customers but also positions you as an active and engaged member of the local community.

Practical next step: Research local community event calendars for relevant upcoming events and based on the event's nature, prepare branded giveaways, information packets, sign-up forms. It’s important to have a plan for engaging attendees (e.g. storage consultations, raffles, workshops) and to promote your participation through social media, website, and email marketing. You can capture leads by offering incentives for signing up at your booth. Make sure to follow up promptly with captured leads after the event

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7. Implement a Referral Program

Word-of-mouth referrals can be a powerful lead generation tool, as people are more likely to trust recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues. People inherently trust recommendations from individuals within their social circles far more than traditional advertising. Referral programs leverage this principle by incentivising existing customers to become brand advocates, amplifying your reach and credibility through the power of personal endorsements. Implement a well-structured referral program that incentivises both existing customers and their referrals.

For example, you could offer a free month of storage or a significant discount to both parties when a current customer successfully refers a new customer to your facility. Encourage referrals by prominently promoting your program on your website, social media channels, and in customer communications.

Practical next steps: Define the specifics of what incentives will be offered for both the referrer and the referred customer, as well as lay out the program terms and conditions. Set up tracking mechanisms such as unique referral links or promo codes, and integrate them with your customer relationship management (CRM) system.

Create marketing assets like emails, website pages, and printouts that promote and explain the details of your referral program. Then, ensure you promote the referral program across all customer touchpoints - at your physical office locations, on your website, through newsletters, and on social media channels. Train your staff to effectively communicate the benefits of the program so they can encourage participation. Finally, continuously monitor and analyse referral metrics to identify areas for optimisation and further improve the program over time.
 

Conclusion

By implementing these seven proven strategies, you'll not only generate a steady stream of high-quality leads but also differentiate your self-storage business from the competition. Remember, effective lead generation requires a multi-faceted approach that combines traditional tactics with innovative, outside-the-box thinking.

Stay ahead of the curve, continually test and refine your strategies, and most importantly, prioritise delivering an exceptional customer experience – because in the end, satisfied customers are your greatest assets and your most powerful lead generation engine.