The Self Storage Show by 3 Mile Storage Management

Truth: AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. And the storage owners who embrace it will have the advantage.

The biggest operators are already using AI for call handling, follow-ups, pricing, and customer support. If you’re still doing things manually, you’re falling behind.

Truth: If your storage business doesn’t run on systems, it runs on guesswork—and that’s costing you time and money.

Many owners rely on memory and manual effort to keep things moving. But without clear, repeatable systems, things fall through the cracks—calls go unanswered, fees don’t get applied, and rev...

Truth: The best self storage operators don’t wait for problems to show up—they constantly refine, adjust, and improve.

Most owners only make changes when something breaks. But if you want consistent growth in revenue and occupancy, improvement has to be a daily habit—not a one-time fix.

Truth: The way your manager handles the first phone call determines whether a customer rents with you—or your competitor.

Most self storage managers answer the phone but don’t actually know how to close the deal. If they’re just giving out prices without creating urgency or asking for the rental, that cus...

Truth: Curb appeal isn’t just about looks—it determines whether a customer walks in or drives to the next facility.

First impressions happen before a tenant ever talks to your manager. If your facility looks rundown, messy, or outdated, potential renters will assume your service is the same. A clean, well...

Truth: If you’re not actively collecting reviews, your competitors are winning before a customer even calls you.

When potential tenants search “storage near me,” they don’t just compare prices—they compare reputations. If your competitor has 100+ five-star reviews and you have 12 mediocre ones, they’re go...

Truth: If you’re not charging for add-ons like locks, admin fees, or tenant insurance, you’re leaving easy money on the table.

Most self storage owners focus on rental rates to grow revenue. But the most profitable operators know that ancillary income—small fees and product sales—can add thousands to the ...

Truth: If tenants don’t feel their belongings are safe, they won’t just move out—they’ll tell others to avoid your facility.

Most self storage owners focus on occupancy and pricing. But if your property doesn’t feel secure, even satisfied tenants will second-guess their decision. And perception matters—sm...

Truth: Customers don’t choose the cheapest storage facility—they choose the most convenient one.

Most self storage owners think price is the biggest factor in renting a unit. But the real deal-breaker is how easy—or hard—you make it to rent. If your process is clunky, slow, or manual, customers will find ...

Truth: Keeping your storage rates the same for too long isn’t helping tenant retention—it’s quietly killing your profits.

Many self storage owners avoid raising rates because they’re afraid of losing tenants. But the real risk is letting your margins shrink while your competitors grow.

Truth: If your Google Business Profile isn’t updated and optimized, you’re invisible to potential renters.

Most self storage owners think having a website is enough. But when customers search “storage near me,” Google decides who shows up first—and it’s not random. ...

Truth: Tenants don’t leave because of price—they leave because they feel ignored.

Most self storage owners assume move-outs happen after rate increases. But the reality is, tenants are willing to pay more—if they feel taken care of.

In this episode of

If your marketing is focused on “brand awareness” instead of generating leads, you’re wasting money.

Self storage owners—customers will pay higher rates if they believe they’re getting more value.

Most owners hesitate to raise rates because they’re afraid of losing tenants. But here’s the truth:

• People don’t leave over small price increases. They leav...

The most expensive thing at your self storage facility isn’t your property, payroll, or marketing—it’s your empty units.

Every vacant unit is lost recurring revenue, yet many storage owners don’t realize how much money they’re leaving on the table.

F...

If you’re not charging (or enforcing) late fees, you’re losing thousands in revenue every year.

Many self storage owners hesitate to enforce late fees because they don’t want to upset tenants. But here’s the truth: Late fees aren’t about punishment—they’re about behavior. If you don’...

If you’re not optimizing your Google Business Profile, you’re handing customers to your competitors.

Most self storage owners focus on ads and promotions, but when people need storage, the first thing they do is Google "storage near me." If your facility isn’t showing up at the top, y...

If your self storage facility isn’t filling up, it’s not just a marketing problem—it’s a follow-up problem.

Most storage owners think they need to spend more on ads or lower their prices when leads don’t convert. But the truth is, most leads don’t rent because no one follows up.

Self storage owners—your rental process might be costing you move-ins. Today’s renters expect fast, seamless online rentals. If they have to call, visit in person, or wait for office hours, they’ll book with a competitor who makes it easier.

In this episode of 3 Minutes with 3 Mile, I’ll ...