Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

I will admit that a few years ago I was scared of competing in a market against REITs. Well, yes, they have a lot more money than I do, and yes, I had my doubts about whether I could compete for the same customers and win. Those days are over. I am clear that smaller facility owners who are willing to learn and play the game can go head-to-head and win. Also, there is a free download you can get with some measurements for the third way I discuss. The link is below. Free download from this episode: The Community Scorecard New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

One of the advantages of being a smaller self-storage operator is that — unlike the REITs and larger players who focus on their investors and stockholders — we can focus on the real source of our success: our customers. I found the StorageCafe (an online marketplace for consumers) newly released survey on self-storage in 2026 very interesting. Let’s explore the results and what they can mean for us smaller owner-operators. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

As I look to the future, as I regularly do as a business owner, I realize that the self-storage business of the past will most likely not be the industry of the future. Let’s jump into the time machine and take a look at self-storage in the years ahead. Hint: To a large degree, this future landscape is already here. Don’t tell anyone. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

Let me tell you why I am not a big fan of large storage funds. I was recently reminded of this when I read an article in the ISS Newsfeed. We have got to do something to restore the image of our industry and I think the time to start is now. Let me explain in this episode. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

I don’t see owners utilizing landing pages that much anymore in online self-storage marketing, and I am not sure why. I suspect it is because it has been beat into our heads that reduced clicks for consumers is the holy grail for online marketing success. Now I am all about reducing friction to renting units online, but let me tell you why I am still a firm believer in landing pages. Even today! New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X