Self-Storage Marketing and Conversion Ratios the Focus of MiniCo Webinar by “Hat Lady” Anne Ballard

On November 10, 2010, highly respected self-storage industry expert M. Anne Ballard, known industry-wide as “the hat lady,” will present the free webinar Converting Your Traffic, Calls and Walk-Ins into Move-Ins. Ms. Ballard’s presentation will address the importance of tracking and measuring conversion ratios to improve overall revenue. Topics will include the following:

· The four magic questions
· How to sell on the phone and in person
· Techniques for closing the sale
· The importance of conversion ratios
· Improving revenue by tracking and measuring conversion ratios
· The importance of traffic source

A longtime top operator in the self-storage industry, Universal Management Company offers self-storage business owners the benefits of the company’s extensive industry experience as well as professional, unbiased management services. Ms. Ballard is a frequent speaker at self‑storage industry conventions and workshops, and she is a regular contributor to the Mini‑Storage Messenger, Self‑Storage Almanac, and other self-storage publications. Her latest book is The Hat Lady Speaks: Marketing Self-Storage.

The webinar Converting Your Traffic, Calls and Walk-Ins into Move-Ins is part of the ongoing Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series, which offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
Universal Management Company – www.universalmanagementcompany.com

Self-Storage Marketing Expert Derek Naylor Hosts MiniCo Webinar on Improving Sales, Marketing and Customer Service

The three key skills needed to thrive as a self-storage manager in today’s competitive marketplace are sales, marketing and customer service. On October 19, 2010, Derek M. Naylor, President of Storage Marketing Solutions, will present a free webinar for self-storage professionals entitled How to Become a Self-Storage Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Ninja. The webinar will provide tools and information to help facility managers and owner-operators improve skills in these three critical areas. Topics will include the following:

 

• Why site-level personnel are one of the most important links to success
• Why bonuses and other incentives don’t work the way we all want them to
• Creating real and lasting change in your sales, marketing and customer service culture
• Four simple steps to double your lead-to-rental conversion ration
• The most effective and affordable training formula for site-level personnel

 

The webinar will be sponsored by Storage Marketing Solutions. Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the presentation as part of the ongoing Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

 

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

 

 

 

Strategies for Self-Storage Success in a Hard Economy the Topic of Next MiniCo Webinar

The next webinar in the MiniCo webinar series for self-storage professionals will feature longtime self-storage management professional Stephan A. Ross, owner of Cutting Edge Self Storage Management, discussing the key actions that self-storage operators can take to help their businesses thrive in today’s hard economy. The webinar entitled Five Things You Must Do to Thrive in 2011 and Beyond will be presented on October 13, 2010. Topics will include the following:


· New ways of marketing in today’s economy
· Improving customer service
· Effectively presenting your products
· Providing ongoing manager support and training
· Managing revenue

Cutting Edge Self Storage Management is sponsoring the webinar, which will be moderated by MiniCo’s Poppy Behrens as part of the Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:


Mini-Storage Messenger - http://www.ministoragemessenger.com/
Cutting Edge Self Storage Management – www.cuttingedgeselfstorage.com

Reducing Energy Costs Through Self-Storage Roofing Retrofits

Self-storage operators may not realize it, but their roofing may be costing them money and profits. On September 22, 2010, Bill Shanko, Regional Manager for leading national roofing contractor D.C. Taylor Co., and Gary Shultz, a representative for Carlisle SynTech, Inc., will present a free webinar for self-storage professionals entitled Metal Retrofit: Eliminate Leaks and Reduce Energy Costs. The webinar will address daily weathering effects on roofs and options for extending the life of existing roofs. Topics will include the following:


· Extending the life of your current roof
· Creating a stable environment by reducing expansion and contraction
· Water resistant roofing with proven performance
· Implementing a cool roof option and/or additional energy savings
· Improving R value to save energy
· Preserving existing metal roofs to prevent further deterioration

D.C. Taylor Co. has over 60 years of experience providing roofing solutions specifically designed for the self-storage industry. The company is sponsoring the webinar as part of the ongoing Mini‑Storage Messenger Self‑Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

Self-Storage Legal Expert Jeffrey Greenberger Presents MiniCo Webinar on Words to Avoid While Marketing

Marketing a self-storage facility is a great way to increase business and keep established customers. However, using some words in marketing messages can give customers the wrong impression. On September 15, 2010, self-storage legal expert Jeffrey J. Greenberger, Esq., and Joseph Dahlquist, Product Manager for Chamberlain Access Solutions, will present the free webinar Seven Words You Should Never Say: Legal Reasons for Taming Your Advertising Claims. Topics will include the following:


· Words that should never appear in your advertising and why
· Keeping your claims reasonable in all communications with customers
· Making reasonable claims in your business correspondence
· Legal reasons to protect your business

Mr. Greenberger is an attorney based in Cincinnati, Ohio. His practice is focused on representing self-storage business owners and operators. The legal advisor to several state self‑storage associations, Mr. Greenberger is a widely known industry consultant, contributes to many industry publications, and is a frequent speaker at self-storage conventions and seminars.

Seven Words You Should Never Say: Legal Reasons for Taming Your Advertising Claims will be sponsored by Chamberlain Access Solutions and hosted by MiniCo as part of the ongoing Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series, which offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

MiniCo Webinar Focuses on Self-Storage Roofing Retrofits to Reduce Energy Costs and Improve Performance

For self-storage operators, minimizing cost and streamlining maintenance are important issues. On September 22, 2010, leading national roofing contractor D.C. Taylor Co. will sponsor a free webinar for self-storage professionals, architects and construction professionals to discuss the daily weathering effects on roofs and offer options for extending the life of existing roofs while eliminating day-to-day leaks that cost money, upset tenants, and damage otherwise rentable storage spaces. The webinar Metal Retrofit: Eliminate Leaks and Reduce Energy Costs will be presented by Bill Shanko, Regional Manager for D.C. Taylor Co., and Gary Shultz, a representative for Carlisle SynTech, Inc. Topics will include the following:


· Extending the life of your current roof
· Creating a stable environment by reducing expansion and contraction
· Water resistant roofing with proven performance
· Implementing a cool roof option and/or additional energy savings
· Improving R value to save energy
· Preserving existing metal roofs to prevent further deterioration

D.C. Taylor Co. has over 60 years of experience providing roofing solutions specifically designed for the self-storage industry. The company is sponsoring the webinar Metal Retrofit: Eliminate Leaks and Reduce Energy Costs as part of the ongoing Mini‑Storage Messenger Self‑Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

MiniCo Webinar Focuses on Unique Legal Topics for Self-Storage Operators

Operating a self-storage business involves dealing with a variety of legal issues, some more common than others. On August 18, 2010, renowned self-storage industry professional Tom Litton, President of Litton Property Management, Inc., will present a free webinar focusing on several legal topics that are seldom discussed but important to successful self-storage operations. The webinar Unique Legal Topics for Self-Storage Owners and Managers will address the following legal topics:


· The importance of a redaction policy
· Changing and enforcing the rental agreement’s limit of value clause
· Legally postponing an auction
· Posting the rental agreement online
· The legal definition of “sold to the highest bidder”
· Advertising lien sales in the right newspapers
· Applying the statute of frauds to self-storage
· Legally entering a rented self-storage space

Unique Legal Topics for Self-Storage Owners and Managers will be sponsored by Litton Property Management, Inc., and moderated by MiniCo Publishing’s Poppy Behrens. The Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
Litton Property Management, Inc. – tomlitton@msn.com

“HAT LADY” ANNE BALLARD PRESENTS MINICO WEBINAR TO TEACH SELF-STORAGE OPERATORS HOW TO GROW RENTALS AND REFERRALS USING ON-SITE EVENTS

In the current challenging economy, it’s more important than ever for self‑storage business owners to identify efficient methods to market and attract customers to their facilities. Universal Management Company President and Founder M. Anne Ballard, popularly known in the self-storage industry by her nickname, “the hat lady,” asserts that increasing RRM – referrals, repeat customers and marketing-sourced customers – represents the lowest cost per lease for facilities. On August 25, 2010, Ms. Ballard will host the free webinar Using On-Site Events to Grow Referrals, Repeats and Marketing-Sourced Move-Ins. Topics will include the following:

· Getting the most value out of on-site events
· Setting up a referral program
· Working with existing customers to get more rentals and referrals
· Why facilities need more Door Turns to improve occupancy and referrals

A longtime top operator in the self-storage industry, Universal Management Company offers self-storage business owners the benefits of the company’s extensive industry experience as well as professional, unbiased management services. Ms. Ballard is a frequent speaker at self‑storage industry conventions and workshops, and she is a regular contributor to the Mini‑Storage Messenger, Self‑Storage Almanac, and other self-storage publications. Her latest book is The Hat Lady Speaks: Marketing Self-Storage.

Using On-Site Events to Grow Referrals, Repeats and Marketing-Sourced Move-Ins will be hosted by MiniCo as part of the ongoing Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series, which offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the presentation. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
Universal Management Company – www.universalmanagementcompany.com

MINICO WEBINAR FOCUSES ON INCREASING SELF-STORAGE OCCUPANCY AND INCOME VIA E-MAIL CAMPAIGNS

On July 7, 2010, Derek M. Naylor, President of Storage Marketing Solutions, will present a free webinar for self-storage professionals focused on using e-mail as a marketing tool to increase occupancy and income. The webinar A Non-Geek Guide to Using E‑Mail Marketing for Automated Occupancy and Income Growth will address issues to include costs, demographics, and SPAM regulations. Topics will include the following:

• Setting up an inexpensive, automated e-mail machine
• The secret to enticing recipients to open your e-mail
• Four crucial groups you should be e-mailing
• Understanding and complying with SPAM laws

Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the presentation. The webinar will be sponsored by Storage Marketing Solutions as part of the ongoing Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
Storage Marketing Solutions – www.storagemarketingsolutions.com

Go to http://www.ministoragemessenger.com/webinar/7A10_Naylor/index.html to register.

Self-Storage Expert Anne Ballard Hosts MiniCo Webinar Focused on Helping Owners Find "Hidden Money" and Improve Income

On June 23, 2010, M. Anne Ballard, known throughout the self-storage industry as “the hat lady,” will present a free webinar entitled Finding Hidden Money in Your Store’s Operating Reports. The presentation will discuss techniques self-storage facility owners may use to find “hidden money” inside a store’s operating reports in order to improve income. Topics will include the following:


· Specific actions to improve store income in 2010
· The benefits of balancing and making deposits daily
· Writing successful rate-increase letters
· Management techniques for achieving monthly income goals

Ms. Ballard is the president and founder of Universal Management Company, the sponsor of the webinar, and a longtime top operator in the self-storage industry. The company provides professional, unbiased third-party management services backed by extensive self-storage industry knowledge and experience. Ms. Ballard is a frequent speaker at self‑storage industry conventions and workshops and a regular contributor to the Mini‑Storage Messenger, Self‑Storage Almanac, and other self-storage publications. Her latest book is The Hat Lady Speaks: Marketing Self-Storage.

Finding Hidden Money in Your Store’s Operating Reports will be hosted by MiniCo Publishing as part of the ongoing Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series, which offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the presentation. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

Finding Hidden Money in Your Store’s Operating Reports

Known throughout the self-storage industry as “the hat lady,” M. Anne Ballard, president and founder of Universal Management Company, will host this free webinar focused on helping self-storage business owners improve income throughout the year. During the webinar, she will provide techniques for using a store’s operating reports like a treasure map to unlock additional income.


TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

• Specific Actions to Improve Store Income in 2010
• The Benefits of Balancing and Making Deposits Daily
• Writing Successful Rate-Increase Letters
• Management Techniques for Achieving Monthly Income Goals

It will take place on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 pm MST / 11 am PT.

This webinar will be presented by M. Anne Ballard, President, Universal Management Company and will be moderated by Poppy Behrens, Publisher, MiniCo Publishing.

M. Anne Ballard is the founder and president of Smyrna, Ga.-based Universal Management Company. Universal Management Company is a longtime top operator in the self-storage industry offering self-storage business owners the benefits of the company’s extensive industry experience as well as professional, unbiased management services. A global industry consultant, Anne has served for more than a decade on state and national self-storage association boards. She has written many articles for the "Mini-Storage Messenger" and other publications, and is a regular contributor to the annual "Self-Storage Almanac." Anne’s latest book is "The Hat Lady Speaks: Marketing Self-Storage."

Go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/946347642 to register.

Don't Miss our Upcoming FREE Webinar

Sign up now for our FREE webinar: Roof Inspections, Maintenance and Coatings: Tasks You Need to Address Now.

Presented by Bill Shanko, Regional Manager, D.C. Taylor Co. & Kathy Schoch, Sales Manager, KST Coatings

Sponsored and presented by D.C. Taylor Co.
Moderated by Poppy Behrens, Publisher, MiniCo Publishing

 Spring is here, and it’s time for self-storage owners and managers to inspect their facilities and identify maintenance tasks. In this webinar, Bill Shanko and Kathy Schoch will provide information about the importance of roof inspections and maintenance.

 TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

• Benefits of Roof Inspections and Maintenance
• Prolonging Roof Service Life with Reflective Coatings
• Saving Energy and Promoting Sustainability with Cool Roofs

About our speakers:
Bill Shanko is a Regional Manager for D.C. Taylor Co. Bill has been with the company since 2003 beginning as a laborer and working his way up to Regional Manager. He now specializes in identifying and solving roofing problems for a variety of industries, most notably self-storage facilities. Bill has participated in several self-storage trade shows where he has made presentations on topics such as maximizing your budget with roof restoration and implementing energy-saving roof system solutions.

Kathy Schoch is a Sales Manager for KST Coatings, a business unit of The Sherwin-Williams Company. She has 21 years of experience with the Uniflex® industrial roof coatings.

Click Here to Register Now!

Self-Storage & Social Media

The way businesses communicate with their customers and potential customers has changed. Using social media to share information about your company is more critical than ever. According to a study by Forrester Research, over 80% of Americans use social media on at least a monthly basis. If you are not effectively using social media, you are missing out on crucial marketing opportunities.

A couple of months ago, we put on a webinar titled "Self-Storage & Social Media: How to Make it Work Without Wasting Time & Money."

If you are interested in putting social media to work for your self-storage business, this is a great webinar to watch for tips and ideas on how to get started.

The webinar, presented by Derek Naylor, President of Storage Marketing Solutions and Rebecca Morse, focuses on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and:

 

•The Ever-Growing Social Network

•Live Demonstrations of Social Media Sites

•Time-Saving Tools to Increase Efficiency

•How Self-Storage Facilities Are Using Social Media

•How to Get Started & Best Practices for Your Facility

To view the webinar in our archives, CLICK HERE.