Finding Reliable Storage Services in Tacoma WA

Storage rental services are ideal for those who wish to store items for both short-term and long-term periods.

Even if it is your first time to consider a storage rental service, doing thorough research will help you find the right option. There are some basic questions you need to ask so you can find the storage rental services in Tacoma WA you are looking for.

Create a checklist and find out if your prospective storage rental companies meet these criteria:

24/7 Access

It can be too much of an inconvenience for a tenant if the storage facilities only operate on specific business hours. Not all storage rental companies offer 24/7 access, so you need to ask about the hours offered by your prospects. You will also have to take note that there may be a different gate and business hours. Business hours refer to the hours where a manager is available onsite while gate hours refer to the hours you can gain access to your unit or the facility.

Climate Control

You will also have to check with your self-storage company how they handle climate control. When it comes to climate control, keep in mind that the company should have control over temperature and humidity. In most cases, units are kept between a range of temperatures, especially during summer and winter months. There are valuables that may require a higher level of climate control.

Security

Self-storage units are not only meant to keep your items but also protect them. It is not enough to use locks on your unit to keep your personal items safe as you also need extra security measures, such as gated key access, door alarms, 24/7 security guards, cameras, and secure building access.

Insurance and Special Requirements

The facility manager may require some documentation before you can proceed with using the facility. A valid photo ID is the most basic requirement you should secure. It should reflect your current address and emergency contact once you sign your lease. Ask if you are covered by self-storage insurance. Tenants are often required to have insurance, which is provided through rental or homeowners' policy.

Lease Terms and Conditions

Frustration when using a self-storage facility often originates from the lack of a better understanding of the company’s terms and conditions. Before signing the lease agreement, make sure you have thoroughly understood the policies. If there are terms you are not clear about, ask questions.

Payments

Self-storage facilities have different payment options. It is important to ask the accepted payment options to avoid inconvenience. Aside from the payment options, also ask about how much notice the facility will require when ending your lease.

Self-Storage Misconceptions

Myth #1: Self-storage units are costly

Some customers who have not tried considering self-storage before may have a preconceived notion that the facility is too expensive. However, the prices are affordable and the additional fees you pay will depend on several factors, such as the size, location, and features of the unit.

Myth #2: Security is not guaranteed at self-storage facilities

Most self-storage facilities these days are equipped with security features to ensure that your belongings are stored safely. The security features include key code access, door alarms, video surveillance, and more. These facilities are also well-lit so resident managers can easily detect any suspicious behaviors.

Myth #3: Self-storage facilities provide limited services

Facilities have a vast range of self-storage resources depending on your needs. Self-storage services are not only meant to provide a space to keep your items, but also to ensure that your belongings are in good hands.

Myth #4: Self-storage units are outdated

Self-storage units never go out of style as many people still prefer them, especially on situations such as relocating or taking a vacation. Self-storage services are a whiff of fresh air because these can take care of your storage needs and ensure that a high storage standard is maintained.

How to get the most use of storage rental services in Tacoma WA

1. Know where you place your items

Even when placing items in a self-storage unit, there are still some instances when you need to remove certain belongings. This is why you need to make sure that you place the items you use frequently closer to the door for easier access. Also, label boxes or create a checklist so you will not have any difficulty finding your belongings when you need them.

2. Ensure items are insured

Avoid risking losing valuable items while keeping them in a storage unit as the fire or roof may collapse. The facility has no liability if your items are not insured. If you have an existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you can ask the agent if the items you place in a self-storage unit are still covered under your insurance policy.

3. Take the environment into consideration

Your items could be damaged due to extreme temperatures. Wood furniture may warp due to extreme heat. You will need to check where the storage units are located and make sure that the facilities offer environmentally controlled units. Aside from temperature control, a facility must also offer pest control.

4. Avoid focusing on the price

When exploring self-storage unit options, avoid focusing only on the price. Since these facilities offer flexibility as you can access your belongings whenever you need them, you need to choose a company that offers services based on your needs. Finding a location that is nearby is also a practical option so you do not need to travel far just to access your items. If you are looking for storage rental services in Tacoma WA, be sure to focus on the services offered.

5. Create an inventory of your items

It is also important to know the items you place in a storage unit. Taking photographs or video of the items will help you remember the items. The inventory will also serve as a guide when deciding how much storage space you need. Aside from creating an inventory, list all items’ current and replacement value, so you will have an idea about the cost of buying the item brand new.

Storage Rental for Businesses and Organizations

How to Market a Storage Rental for Businesses and Organizations

Here are some great examples of what can be done to get the word out about such services:

1. Community marketing – community marketing can be a great way to help build awareness about self-storage rental for businesses and organizations. This is done by getting involved in the activities of the communities near the facility. Self-storage rental companies can join nearby community events like local fairs, conferences, town hall meetings, and other gatherings in order to become more visible.

Companies can also try holding events or sponsoring events within the storage rental premises and invite the members of the business community so that they can see the facilities. It will be good to have people who are known in the business community and are considered to be influential in the guest list. If these people like what they see, they would not only avail of the services but also endorse or recommend them to their peers.

2. Sponsoring events – many events are held every day and getting the word out about self-storage rentals can easily be done by sponsoring one or several of these events. This, of course, will require the company to spend money. A good way to address the budget issue is to work out an exchange deal with the event organizers.

Free services or fee waivers could be offered in exchange for having a booth in the event where the company’s representatives can connect with the attendees and gather leads. Ideal for these sponsorships are events where owners and ultimate decision-makers of businesses and organizations that are most likely to need self-storage facilities are present.

3. Referral marketing – the idea behind referral marketing is to have existing customers help in finding new customers for the self-storage rental company. This can often be done for only a fraction of the budget that is required for full-on marketing campaigns. What the self-storage company needs to do is to provide incentives that will encourage customers to refer the company to their family, friends, and colleagues.

In any referral marketing campaign, the quality of the company’s services and the perceived value of the incentives are critical elements. The customers need to be satisfied with the services that they are getting. At the same time, the incentives have to be attractive enough to compel the customers to actually give referrals. Some companies give free items while some offer discounts and free services to referring customers.

4. Traditional advertising – companies with advertising budgets can choose to buy spots in traditional tri-media. A short mention from the local TV news anchor or a local radio DJ would be a good idea. Choosing the time slots when business owners and organization leaders are listening would also make the ad more effective.

Companies that wish to advertise would have to consider the production side as well. TV and radio ads, for instance, would require writing a script and hire talents. Companies would have to spend time and effort to come up with their advertising materials.

5. Promotions – probably the simplest way to market companies that offer self-storage rental for businesses and organizations is to hold promotions. These could also be quite costly. Depending on the available budget, advertising can be done through various channels. Flyers, posters, and brochures can be printed for display and distribution.

Promotions can be in the form of general campaigns as billboard ads, posters in the lobbies of business buildings, print ads in leading newspapers, pop up internet ads, etc. They can also be done more strategically as targeted campaigns like direct mail special discount offers and business organization newsletter ad placements.

6. Printed materials – omnibus posters and flyers can be printed out for distribution to various audiences. Flyers can be left in take-one racks at convenience stores, bookstores, furniture stores, home depots, and other places where people usually go. Posters can be displayed in community bulletin boards, school announcement boards, and similar locations. To distinguish the brand from all the other companies using the same marketing channel, a self-storage rental company should ensure that its printed materials are well-designed and strategically displayed.

7. Freebies and giveaways – unlike fast-moving consumer goods like food, clothes, and gadgets, self-storage rental for businesses and organizations do not have any tangible product that they can give as free samples to organizations. To help promote their brand, companies can give out pens, hats, t-shirts, caps, and other promotional items. Aside from the company logo, the complete company details should be printed on the promotional items so that businesses and organizations can easily call or visit if they have inquiries.

All-occasion gifts to business owners, organization officers, and ultimate decision-makers can also be given. Corporate gifts and tokens are likewise popular during special events and holidays like Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. The gift does not have to be extremely expensive. More importantly, it has to be something that will be useful to the recipient and something that will make them remember the brand.

It is important to note that some companies have gift-giving policies that prevents employees and officers from receiving gifts. There are some that allow gifts that exceed a maximum value asset in their policies.

8. Tie-ups and partnerships with moving companies – moving companies can help build a clientele for self-storage rentals. Their own clients would most likely have the need for storage services as well. These clients are usually those who are downsizing or relocating their offices. Such a tie-up could entail giving commissions for every new customer that is referred by the moving company.
Partnerships and tie-ups can also extend the reach of the advertising efforts of companies offering self-storage rental for businesses and organizations. These businesses can arrange to have their logos and corporate information appear in each other’s promotional materials.

9. Social media marketing – this is one of the more popular ways to market various businesses these days. It is relatively inexpensive, yet flexible enough to serve the specific needs of each company. For companies offering self-storage rental for businesses and organizations, having a social media marketing officer would be a good idea. This officer will take care of all the social media activities of the company and its target audience. He will also be responsible for conceptualizing, implementing, and monitoring various social media campaigns to generate leads and eventually increase the number of customers availing of self-storage rentals.

Just like any other business, a self-storage rental should have a well-thought-of of the marketing plan. Not all marketing initiatives are effective for all self-storage rentals. Choosing the ways to market the company would have to depend on what its business goals are.