How's your social media presence? Do you post once a month? Once a year? If your Facebook page or Instagram profile are low priorities, it might be time for a change. A HUGE update from META dropped today. Posts on social can now be indexed on Google. Plus, Google is launching AI Mode to go along with their traditional search. What does this mean for self storage? It means content is more important that ever. Google is searching the same way we do, serving results from LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit,...
Jul 10, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 26
We sat down with James Hatfield from LiveSwitch and Michael Brevdeh from Cubby to unpack how self storage operators can make the most of their technology—whether you're working with what you already have or considering your next big upgrade. We dive into: The essential tech tools every facility should have in place The most underutilized features operators overlook How tech can help you enhance marketing , convert leads , and optimize operations Tips to automate your workflow —and what tasks sho...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Clear, intentional signage isn’t just for looks—it can shape the entire customer experience, reduce confusion, and cut down on unnecessary phone calls. In this episode, we break down the essential signs every facility should have and why they matter. We cover: Why your main sign should be simple and brand-driven—no phone numbers required The one sign every facility needs How to guide tenants effectively with keypad instructions and move-out signage The importance of directional signs for large o...
Jun 26, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 24
One of the biggest questions we get asked is, "How can I compete with my competitor down the street who is offering the same unit as me but for 50% less?" Low intro rates are a strategy many large companies are using, but don't worry. You have options other than bottoming out your prices and losing money for the first several months of a rental. We examine target marketing and several "specials" that have proven effective at combatting the low intro rate strategy. This isn't the time for a "if y...
Jun 20, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Sometimes real life just smacks you in the face. That was our week, and it happens to us all. If you run a small business, like self storage, it can hit a little different. What happens to your business if you get that call or text that forces you to focus all of your attention on something else? If you have to step away, will your business survive? Today we focus on some simple practices that can help you handle those real life moments and still keep your business going. Planning margin in to y...
Jun 14, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 22
What do you do when a tenant passes away while renting a storage unit? This was the opening question AI came up with... Hopefully, no one has ever passed away in your office while renting a unit, but dealing with an existing tenant who has died happens more often than you think. This is one of the most uncomfortable but critical situations self storage operators face—and getting it wrong can come with serious legal consequences. In this episode, we break down the must-know legal and practical st...
Jun 05, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 21
In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Sherrard, owner of Reliable Storage in Seattle, to talk all things occupancy—and not just how full your units are, but how well your business is performing overall. In this rebroadcast of the May 29 webinar, we break down the three types of occupancy (yes, there are three!) and how to evaluate what’s actually holding your numbers back. Spoiler: it’s not always your rates. Here’s what we cover: Unit, Area & Economic Occupancy – What they mean and how to...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 20
We talk a lot about amenities in self storage—security cameras, clean units, keypads, gates—but what about you ? The manager is one of the most important amenities at a facility, and often one of the most under emphasized. Appearance, attitude, and professionalism can either enhance or hurt your facility’s image. What you wear and what you support during company time all sends a message about your business. Is it the message you want to send? Is it the message your organization wants to promote?...
May 19, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 19
AI is transforming the self-storage industry—from smarter security cameras and chatbots to automated rate comparisons and call evaluations. But how much is too much? In this episode, we take a balanced look at the role of artificial intelligence in storage operations and explore where it helps—and where it may be hurting more than helping. We discuss this balance regarding: Where AI Works Well – Data-driven tasks like rate comparison, call scoring, and tech enhancements (security, chatbots, dron...
May 09, 2025•47 min•Season 4Ep. 18
In this special on-location episode from Boerne, TX, we're joined by the team from On the Move—Jim, Sherry, CJ, and Stacie—to unpack their biggest takeaways from the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, the industry's largest event. From expert-led education sessions to lively vendor conversations, this episode dives into: Why Good Questions Matter – How smart, thoughtful questions from vendors and operators can lead to better decisions and stronger operations Key Expo Education Highlights – Risk man...
May 05, 2025•58 min•Season 4Ep. 17
In this quarterly Legal Chat, self storage attorneys Scott Zucker and Carlos Kaslow tackle the toughest legal challenges operators face in 2025. From military tenants and bankruptcy stays to lean sale objections and law enforcement searches, this conversation dives deep into the real-world scenarios that take storage owners out of the office and into the courtroom. Whether you're a new facility owner or a seasoned operator, this episode will give you clear legal context and practical strategies ...
Apr 24, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 16
What separates the good from the truly great in self-storage management? In this episode, Melissa and Tommy are joined by Mark Green from The Jenkins Organization to explore what top-performing managers do differently—and how their daily habits, communication, and customer care lead to higher occupancy and better results. Together, they dive into key areas of successful management: First Impressions Matter – From Google Business Profile and curb appeal to phone etiquette and in-person greetings,...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 15
What does it take to truly master self-storage management? In this episode, we give a preview of our upcoming session at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo on Friday morning, where they’ll break down the essential skills every great manager and owner needs to succeed. We will expand on these four core areas: ✅ Managing Yourself – Building discipline, consistency, and strong leadership habits ✅ Managing Your Message – Mastering marketing, brand communication, and first impressions ✅ Managing Your...
Apr 11, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 14
So, you’ve got the land and a feasibility study in hand—now what? In this episode, we walk through the critical next steps before breaking ground on a new self-storage facility. From layout decisions to customer flow to operational planning, this conversation is packed with practical advice for developers and future owners. Topics covered include: Designing with the Customer in Mind – How your layout impacts customer experience, from unit accessibility to traffic flow Operational Planning – Will...
Apr 04, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Fresh off the Self Storage Association (SSA) Spring Conference & Expo in Orlando, we break down key legislative updates and share our top takeaways from the event. New and Pending Legislation – Updates on non-monetary defaults, unsigned leases, and the push to remove outdated newspaper advertising requirements Why Industry Self-Regulation Matters – The risks of government overreach, rent control legislation, and why letting the market decide is best for the industry The Power of Networking –...
Mar 27, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Five years ago, Gabfest kicked off the Gabfocus webinar series to bring expert insights and real-world strategies to the self-storage industry. Now, in our 70th webinar episode , we’re diving into one of the most important topics for storage operators: How to Dominate Your Local Market. In this special episode, Tommy and Melissa sit down with industry expert Stephanie Tharpe to discuss how a strong local presence can set your facility apart from the competition. Topics covered include: Identifyi...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 11
With so many self-storage management software options available, how do you choose the right one for your facility? We unpack the key features and must-haves for 2025, helping you navigate the software landscape to find the best fit for your business. Online Rentals & Payments – How to streamline the tenant experience with electronic signatures, ID collection, and insurance selection Pricing & Revenue Management – The importance of value pricing options to stay competitive in online rate...
Mar 11, 2025•50 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Pricing your self-storage units isn’t just about setting a number and hoping for the best—it’s about staying informed and adapting to market conditions. In this episode, we break down why keeping an eye on your local competition, regional trends, and even seasonal factors is essential for optimizing your rates and specials. Topics covered include: Market Research Tactics – How to track competitor rates using AI, rate-scraping services, or manual calls Comparing Apples to Apples – Why it's crucia...
Mar 06, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 9
A consultant shows you the path you need to walk, but a mentor walks the path with you. In a business as nuanced and unique as self storage, enlisting a mentor can be the difference between a successful business venture and one that never makes it through lease up. As the industry evolves, new investors often face overwhelming decisions about facility design, technology, and operations, while experienced operators struggle to modernize outdated systems and marketing strategies. We tackle this to...
Feb 27, 2025•52 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this rebroadcast of our February 20, 2025 webinar, John Chang from Marcus & Millichap provides an in-depth analysis of the self-storage industry's economic landscape in 2025. With inflation stabilizing, interest rates remaining high, and occupancy trends shifting, John breaks down key market forces shaping the industry and what operators should be prepared for. Topics covered include: The impact of economic uncertainty on self-storage Pricing strategies, rate wars, and competitive pressur...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Self-storage isn’t just for life transitions anymore—more and more small business owners, gig workers, and entrepreneurs are using storage units to run and grow their businesses. From Etsy sellers and antique dealers to pharmaceutical reps and lawn care companies, these customers have unique needs and can be some of the longest-staying tenants. In this episode, we explore how self-storage operators can attract and serve business customers effectively. We discuss marketing strategies beyond the t...
Feb 14, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Today we dive into figuring out your self storage story- the characters, the plot, and the target audience. It's only after those pieces are in place that an effective story can be told, and your business is no different. But that's only half of the journey. Once you've figured out your story, you have to tell it, and often words just aren't enough. We discuss several examples of storytelling in our industry and dive into figuring out the "why" of your business. A good story will set you apart f...
Feb 06, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 5
We're back for part 2 of the self storage SEO discussion that began on last week's episode. There were so many unanswered questions that needed a response: What if you have multiple locations? Do you use 1 website, 1 Google Profile? How do you get in the Map Pack if your not already? Should my website list every single chain restaurant near my facility? When is it worthwhile to mention a landmark or other business in my content? What if people don't have Google accounts? What metrics should we p...
Jan 30, 2025•50 min•Season 4Ep. 4
What is SEO, why does it matter, and how does it work for self-storage specifically? Today we tackle search engine optimization basics and discuss the impacts of the REITs, AI, and changes to expect in the coming year. Do you need to still be on page 1 of Google? What metrics should you pay attention to? Who and how do you target your ideal customer? David, the SEO expert from StoragePug, joins the webinar to answer these and many other questions to make sure you are on the right track. This is ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 3
When is the last time you looked through your self storage operations manual, assuming you have one in place? Is it still fully applicable and relevant? Are you using it to train new employees or is it so out of date it just collects dust on the shelf? Today we talk best practices for optimizing your operations manual. These documents should be regularly used tools to run your business. If they aren't serving you well, we go over several ways to turn that around and make them a valuable piece of...
Jan 16, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 2
A new year is here and change is in the wind! Is it time to get into TikTok? Do you need to pivot to AI search? Maybe a billboard strategy or having a manager available 24/7 is what you need. As more and more options for doing self storage become available, what do you need to be doing as a business owner or operator? As with most things, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Self storage has been around for a while, and the basics are still the basics. Yes, there are more options...
Jan 02, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Welcome to Episode 4 of Legal Chat. This virtual "Power Hour" covers a variety of topics and questions sent in from self storage owners and operators around the country. Today it's all about costs, data protection, and un-signed leases. Is it okay to pass along costs to your tenants? How long should you hold on to your tenants information once they vacate their unit? What if your tenants refuse to sign a new or updated lease? Carlos and Scott tackle these topics on this quarter's episode. You ca...
Dec 26, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 48
"The sky is not the limit, demand is the limit for what we can do in self storage." This is just one of the nuggest from our end of the year review. What was your toughest challenge this year? What are the weaknesses you identified in your business? What worked? What didn't? What trends are you expecting in 2025 for self storage? We look back on 2024 and peak ahead at 2025 with our special owner, operator, and broker guests who join Tommy and Melissa on our final webinar episode of the year. Thi...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 47
You're paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get website visitors, walk-in traffic, and phone calls to rent self storage units. But what if you're not there to answer the phone? Too many voicemails and missed calls turn into missed opportunities if you aren't connecting with customers in the moment. But is a call center the right solution? Sherry Miller from XPS Solutions joins us as we talk tackle these questions and more: Are call centers essential for running a self storage busines...
Dec 12, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Cameras and gates and wasp spray, oh my! Yes, these are all great ways to keep the trash off your property and to give your security a boost. Security is top of mind for most self storage tenants. It consistently ranks in the top 3 for what is most important to our customers. What security do you need for your facility? Do you really need a gate? What about cameras and lighting? From locks to access hours, good managers to AI, cameras to wasp spray, we cover a ton as we break down what it takes ...
Dec 05, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 45
