Most self-storage operators don’t stay with a marketing agency because everything is perfect. They stay because leaving feels risky. “We’re not thrilled, but it’s working well enough.” “I don’t even know how to get out of the contract.” “What if switching makes things worse?” And then, before you know it, the contract renews. Another year passes. The same spend, the same reports, the same unanswered questions. Not because you made a bad decision — but because the cost of disr

Tis’ the season! Budget planning season! For self-storage operators, digital marketing is no longer optional or “nice to have.” It’s how future customers find you, compare prices, check availability, and ultimately decide where to rent. But budgeting and analyzing how much to spend and where to spend it, is where most operators get stuck. The good news? Creating a smart, data-driven digital marketing budget doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear framework, the right ben

A few weeks back, we were giving a demo to a regional self storage operator when they leaned toward the screen, eyebrows raised, and asked the question we’ve now heard a dozen times: “Wait… so I don’t need to contact you to make these changes?” Followed by… “How do I know what’s working, do I wait for a report from you?” Self storage operators are used to an old model for how to handle marketing. An agency or outside “marketing person” who updates your ads, fixes your website

Search is evolving fast. AI-driven answers, changing consumer behavior, and Google’s shifting ad formats are reshaping how renters find self storage. We recently explored this topic and discussed it with self storage operators during several round tables at a few SSA events. Best way to answer some of these tough questions is to start digging into some data and start interpreting it! So check out the infographic below as well as some additional thoughts and ideas from the tea

Excited to use Google’s latest “smart” features and experiment with automated bidding and optimization modes? You might want to think twice before handing over the controls.  In fact, for most self-storage operators, those automated tools are doing more harm than good. When “Smart” Isn’t Smart for Storage Google Ads is packed with AI-driven options: Smart Campaigns, Performance Max, max click automated bidding, maximize conversions, broad match recommendations, “optimized” ta

The future of search advertising is being rewritten by AI. From conversational interfaces and “AI Overviews” to new campaign types powered by machine learning, it’s clear Google is shifting its focus toward more automated, natural-language-driven experiences.