Drive Leads, Increase Occupancy: How to Use AI for Self Storage Marketing

_ July 28, 2023_ Debbie Kuo_ 0 Comments

Drive Leads, Increase Occupancy: How to Use AI for Self Storage Marketing

35% of companies have adopted AI into their marketing strategies. 1 out of every 2 businesses see the benefits of using AI. In a highly competitive industry like self-storage, being ahead of the curve is crucial for boosting occupancy rates and driving revenue growth.

To do this, self-storage marketers need to adopt AI strategies and multi-channel marketing to reach their target audience and stay ahead of the competition.

So, how do you get started?

In this guide, we will cover the key components of AI-powered, multi-channel marketing in the self-storage industry.

Let’s dive in.

Know Your Audience
Planning and Executing Multi-Channel Marketing
Improving Digital Experience with Data Analytics
Utilizing the Power of ChatGPT for Storage Marketing
Boost Your Storage Marketing with Cubix’s Digital Marketing Solutions

Know Your Audience

To effectively engage with your audience, it’s important to understand their needs and preferences. As a facility manager or operator, you can identify your facilities’ user persona and market specifically to that demographic.

Here are some key insights and statistics about self-storage customers across the United States self-storage industry.

Demographics

88% of renters are between the ages of 21 and 55 years old.
65% of renters are women (but 90% of the moving is done by men).
The average renter makes around $35,592 annually.
Gen X (those born between 1965 and 1980) rent self-storage units the most.

Source: One Desk Self-Storage Industry Statistics (2022)

Bonus Tip: To help narrow down your storage renter persona, try using optional online forms like Survey Monkey or Type Form to survey your customers. By understanding the demographics and storage needs of your target audience, you can tailor your marketing strategies to effectively meet their requirements.

Planning and Executing Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-channel marketing involves utilizing various platforms and channels to engage with your audience. Here are some key strategies for planning and executing successful multi-channel marketing campaigns in the self-storage industry.

1. Google Ads

Leverage Google Ads to target a 3-mile radius around your facility and utilize extensions to highlight key features.
Implement call tracking and utilize retargeting to convert site revisitors.

2. Local Map Search and Google My Business

Optimize your local map listings and Google My Business profiles to increase visibility and engagement.
Showcase your facility features with professional photos, videos, and relevant contact information.
Utilize on-site SEO (search engine optimization) strategies to improve your search engine rankings and user experience.

3. Social Media Advertising

Leverage platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to build your storage community and increase brand awareness.
Utilize contextual interest targeting to reach specific audience segments based on their life events and interests. For example, you can target a few psychographic groups like outdoor enthusiasts, community-engaged individuals, eco-conscious residents, business entrepreneurs, family-oriented individuals, budget-conscious customers, etc.

4. Remarketing

Implement remarketing or retargeting strategies to reach potential customers who have visited your website.
Utilize Google display, performance max ads, and discovery ads to expand your reach and generate quality leads. Use Google Analytics (GA4) for audience retargeting setup.

5. Traditional Marketing Efforts

Utilize building signage, billboards, fliers, and brochures to increase visibility and drive local awareness.
Engage with the local community through partnerships with non-profit organizations and boost brand affinity with referral programs to show your commitment to community values.

Improving Digital Experience with Data Analytics

Data analytics plays a crucial role in optimizing marketing efforts and improving the digital user experience. Here are key considerations for utilizing data analytics in the self-storage industry.

1. Aggregate Data Silos

Aggregate, transform, and analyze data from various channels to gain real-time actionable insights.
Utilize free powerful tools like Google Analytics (GA4) or Google Data Studio for comprehensive tracking and visualization of user data.

2. Understand the User Journey

Create a 360-degree view of the self-storage user journey by analyzing data from all touchpoints.
Identify key marketing performance gaps and sales opportunities through data analysis.

Multi-channel marketing is an essential strategy for self-storage operators looking to boost occupancy rates and drive revenue growth.

By understanding storage audiences, planning and executing multi-channel campaigns, optimizing local search and SEO, leveraging social media and remarketing, and utilizing data analytics, self-storage operators can effectively reach interested target audiences, enhance the digital user experience, and achieve success in a competitive market.

Utilizing the Power of ChatGPT for Storage Marketing

Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm. It’s a game-changing tool with far-reaching implications. Bill Gates himself has hailed it as a monumental advancement, comparable to the graphical user interface.

So, how does this affect marketing in the self-storage industry? In this section, we’ll explore how Generative AI tools like chatGPT can revolutionize storage marketing strategies.

Content Creation

Generative AI tools offers storage marketers an efficient way to create content for self storage marketing campaigns.

While it should be used as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for human input, Generative AI tools can generate ideas and provide inspiration to ensure content is unique and valuable.

However, it’s key that you exercise critical thinking to avoid generating repetitive or generic content.

By leveraging Generative AI tools for faster content creation, you can streamline campaigns and maintain a consistent publishing schedule, positioning your company as a thought leader in the storage industry.

Data Analysis and Insights

One of the significant advantages of Generative AI tools is its ability to analyze data and generate valuable insights.

This tool can identify trends, predict consumer behavior, and personalize marketing messages based on demographic interests in ways that were previously impossible.

By leveraging Generative AI tools’s data analysis capabilities, you can gain a deeper understanding of your target audience and make informed decisions to optimize their storage marketing strategies.

Additionally, Generative AI tools can be utilized for market research, analyzing customer feedback, and assessing social media sentiment to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior and market trends.

Here is an example of how you can prompt Generative AI tools like ChatGPT for storage marketing strategies and ideas.

Prompt:

I want to get a complete analysis of the ideal hyperlocal self-storage tenant profile in the neighborhoods of Lufkin, TX. My goal is to gather valuable insights about the unique characteristics, demographics, psychographics, preferences, and needs of individuals residing in Lufkin, TX.

Based on the demographic insights, please also list search engine marketing strategies, copy, targeted keywords, social media post messages, and the target audience for this self-storage facility https://www.aaaselfstoragelufkin.com.

Customer Service and Experience

Chat GPT enables storage brands to provide high-quality customer experiences at a lower cost, leveling the playing field against larger competitors.

By automating customer service interactions using AI chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer support system, ChatGPT can answer common queries, provide personalized recommendations, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Cubix Digital Asset Management offers a Swivl AI chatbot, with embedded ChatGPT logic. The chatbot offers instant support to customers 24/7, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to respond to user queries efficiently. You can see it in action here.

Cubix Asset Management AI Chatbot Drives Leads and improves Self Storage Marketing

This automation can lead to improved customer satisfaction, higher retention rates, and increased sales for storage businesses.

Streamlining Routine Tasks

Generative AI tools can simplify various routine tasks in sales and marketing, freeing up valuable time for you to focus on strategic initiatives.

It can automate lead generation and nurturing processes, as well as assist in social media management.

By automating these tasks, you can streamline operations, increase efficiency, and achieve better results.

This is particularly advantageous for small businesses that can benefit from ChatGPT’s ability to optimize their operational efficiency and drive growth.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The impact of ChatGPT on SEO and search engine rankings is key.

AI-generated content may have negative implications for website rankings, so it’s crucial to maintain the quality and relevance of content to rank highly in search engines.

Your brand should focus on producing expert-level, niche-specific content that builds trust and authority with search engines.

Leveraging ChatGPT as a data analysis tool, you can optimize content for search engines, generate meta descriptions, and enhance your rankings.

Bonus Tip: You should always double-check ChatGPT-generated facts and ensure accuracy and consistency in content creation.

Sign Up for a Free ChatGPT Account

Signing up for a free ChatGPT account is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below to get started.

Go to the ChatGPT website.
Click on the green “Sign Up” button.
Enter your email address.
Create a secure password (at least 8 characters).
You will then be asked to verify your account via email.
After verifying your email, you will be asked to enter your first name, last name, birthday, and phone number.
You will then be sent a text message to verify your phone number.
Now, you can begin using ChatGPT!

Boost Your Self Storage Marketing with Cubix’s Digital Marketing Solutions

The complexities of digital marketing campaigns can be a struggle for many storage operators. To assist you, Cubix offers comprehensive and cost-effective digital marketing services tailored specifically for the self-storage industry.

Our main focus lies in our omnichannel on-demand strategies, where we specialize in customizing multichannel campaigns for SEM, social media, and retargeting ads with sequential marketing. We offer a fully integrated, fast, and responsive site to deliver an exceptional eCommerce rental experience.

Furthermore, we strive to cultivate branded messages on your site and at every digital touch point.

Choose the Right Package for Your Needs

Cubix offers three comprehensive digital marketing packages tailored to different budgets and requirements. Each upgraded package includes all the benefits of the lower-tier packages.

Cubix Essential:

Social Media Marketing

Includes Google My Business and Yelp advertising to reach a broader audience.
Establishes an online presence to engage with potential customers.

PPC/SEO

Offers a PPC campaign on Google to drive relevant traffic to your website.
Provides SEO and content marketing to increase search engine visibility.

Cubix Plus:

Social Media Marketing

Expands social media reach by including Facebook.
Increases brand visibility and customer engagement.

PPC/SEO

Expands PPC advertising to include display and programmatic campaigns for increased visibility.
Enhances SEO efforts to improve your website’s search engine rankings and organic traffic.

Cubix Pro:

Social Media Marketing

Takes social media marketing to the next level by incorporating Instagram, and YouTube on top of Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook channels.
Enables video marketing to showcase your storage facility and attract potential customers.

PPC/SEO

Takes PPC/SEO to the next level to include comprehensive strategies and advanced techniques for Google, Facebook Advertising, and Bing.
Delivers maximum visibility and drives high-quality traffic to your website.

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Drive Leads, Increase Occupancy: How to Use AI for Self Storage Marketing