Using Social Media Marketing in Self Storage
Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus have created new advertising and marketing possibilities for small businesses like self storage facilities. The advantage that these tools can bring to niche markets are many. For the most part, they are free (unless you buy an ad on Facebook); they are simple to use; and they allow you to directly connect with future customers in a very personal way.
Here are some very basic tips for incorporating social media networks into your marketing plans.
Traditional Marketing Made Anew
Many of the techniques you’d use in traditional advertising media can and should be adapted to the world of social media. Many business owners begin their businesses by letting their friends and family know about it first.
It is said that the average person knows about 250 people. A 250-person foundation for your business is quite a marketing boost. To translate this into the social media realm, join social media sites like Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus. Once you set up your page, invite your friends and acquaintances to “Like” the page or to follow you. With sites like Facebook, their friends will see your post, depending on the settings. This has the potential to garner you new followers. With Twitter, if you use hashtags (#) and keywords, people looking for those terms will find you and follow you.
Post Items of Interest
One of the issues that business owners often forget is that social media is social. While the goal is to promote your self storage business, the majority of your posts should not look like it — least not directly. For example, instead of constantly posting your rates, hours of operation and other facts about your business, look for articles that give people advice on how to pack for storage and for moving.
Highlight local charitable events that your business is participating in and ask followers a question or comment on their pictures, videos and links. When you do finally make the occasional post about what your company has to offer, it will be more welcome, because it won’t fell like you’re constantly trying to sell something.
Posting Frequency
Plan on posting regularly. Consistent content ensures that more people will see the post and it will catch readers who log on at different times of the day. Additionally, some days are better days than others for garnering attention. Very often midweek days like Tuesday or Wednesday will net you more viewers than Saturday or Sunday posts. One caveat to this, however, is that those who are moving and who are in need of storage may look on the weekends for leads. Make sure you know the habits of your audience and where and when they might find your message the easiest.
Last Thoughts
Social media can be the great equalizer for niche businesses like self storage companies. Just as you must constantly market your business in traditional media like the Yellow Pages or in the newspaper classified, so too must you do this in social media. Consistency is the ultimate key that determines whether or not your social media efforts meet with success.
Sasha Smith is an associate with EZ Storage, a Boston self storage facility with locations in Framingham, Natick and Newton.
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by EvelynGiggles via Gadget Advisor
At Huebris, we’ve found that most old school marketing tactics don’t have a home in social media marketing. There are the usual suspects that aid in copy writing, but beyond that, social media is about sharing. Sharing means doing the number one thing people should take from this article, “Post Items of Interest.” There’s a term for that kind of tactic; it’s called “content marketing.” Attach your name to something that is sure to be bounced around on social networks. Package your message so that it rewards sharing. Having a seed list of friends and family is a good start, but eventually, you want people outside that seed list to share your content. Infographics, YouTube videos, Competitions and Deals are the best way to increase your audience.
Most people don’t know how good social media can be for their business, and many don’t realize how effective social media is. Without a way of measuring the success of social media, they are blindly using that form of communication without realizing the effect it has with their customers.
I trust and use traditional social media marketing strategies, but indeed it is very important to stay updated with new social marketing tools
Social media is certainly a great way to engage readers. They are key to any bloggers or business success. I use them frequently. Thanks for the tips!
Social media can be very effective if they implement it right and know how to verify the result.
We recently started using social media a lot more at our business and it took a little while but we feel that we really have engaged our customers. The next step is to potentially look into running some ads on Facebook but I see value in engaging current customers.
I love that you can see how many people who don’t like your page see your posts due to getting likes and shares. It’s nice to see articles advocating the use of social media in self storage because most of the company heads are older and don’t see how it works.