Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

Let’s talk about the biggest issue I see today in leasing up new self-storage space is overspending for online marketing that doesn’t produce results. I see it happen far too often and have experienced it myself. Here are the steps, spaces, and things I put my attention on as I work with vendors and/or employees to design and execute a marketing strategy and budget that works. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Let’s talk about converting potential self-storage renters into customers. I had this conversation last Friday in our Inner Circle group and thought it may be good to discuss it in more depth in this episode. This is probably the most powerful tool our team has ever used to rent units. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Let’s talk about the new tax implications for self-storage owners and take a look at the good, the bad, and the potentially ugly parts of the massive tax bill recently signed into law and championed by the current administration, at least from my perspective. I am only going to touch on a few items that I think most directly impact us as self storage owner/operators. I’m doing this because I have changed a few things in underwriting and planning for the next couple of years in capital improvements. Let me share. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

We are going to have to talk about insurance and self-storage, which may touch on politics. Part of our job as owners and entrepreneurs is to look at what is going on now, extrapolate some data, and then make predictions about the future to some degree so we can make moves today. And in my opinion, it doesn’t look good for insuring self-storage projects. In fact, it looks ugly. So let me ask you a question in this episode, a philosophically political question. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Let’s discuss what features, what tech bells and whistles to add to your new facility or one you may be purchasing. I approach this differently than I did a few years ago. Let me explain. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Let me share what I’ve gathered about the state of the self-storage industry halfway through 2025. This is based on the latest Yardi Matrix data, Radius insights, REIT shareholder reports, and—just as importantly—my own observations and experience in the trenches. I will also share with you my insights on what to focus on and not focus on for the next 12 to 18 months or so. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

We all know the usual add-ons for self-storage projects by now, like tenant insurance, retail items, and truck rental. Let’s discuss some new possibilities for the modern project today. These are just a few outside-the-box ideas that could generate extra revenue that makes a big difference today in our projects. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Last week, we started a conversation about how to organize a management operation for your small, automated self-storage facility. This week, we’ll wrap it up. If you missed Part 1, here is a link: Let’s finish this week and discuss how, as a small Owner, you can set up a successful Marketing Division of your automated management operations and what that can include. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Recently, I’ve been working closely with several people who are either purchasing or developing automated self-storage facilities. Naturally, the conversation quickly turns to one thing: how are we going to manage them? I am also reinventing how I will manage properties I am involved with, both through automation and with managers. Let’s talk about how to set up your automated self-storage operations, or at least what we are doing. This is the first of a two-part series designed for smaller owners/operators who want to take over running their facilities from third-party management companies or set their own management systems in place to run their facilities. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Two weeks ago, we began a series outlining the five phases our construction company uses when developing self-storage projects in today’s unpredictable environment. This is the same process we use ourselves—and you can use it too, especially if you’re doing a solo project. The goal of this series is simple: to bring a development, expansion, or conversion project to the finish line in a way that actually pencils out—despite current interest rates, material costs, and labor challenges. If you haven’t seen the first two parts of the series, you can catch on: Episodes 457 & Episode 458. This episode covers the last phase, and we discuss the biggest mistakes we see people make today in self-storage construction. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Last week, we started a series outlining what our construction company uses as a general outline for developing self-storage projects in today’s uncertain world. This series aims to bring in a development project, or an expansion or conversion, in a manner that actually pencils out financially with current interest rates, material cost, and labor cost. It is a process you can use yourself if you choose to. If you did not watch or read last week’s episode, start there. What we covered were the first two phases and, in many ways, the most important ones. Lots of money is wasted in our experience in these first two phases. Let’s talk now about the two construction phases we utilize in our development process. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-wealth-through-self-storage/id1588425875 ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Given the continued high cost of existing self-storage facilities for sale and the challenges of getting into the business, let’s discuss the development steps for smaller investors. Or at least my take on the development process for the smaller player in the space. This has evolved over the years and was further refined and improved on by my construction partner, Smitty Smith of Resolve Self Storage Construction. I have divided the process up into five sections, or spaces to move through. Over the next three episodes, we will explore each one in more detail. However, this is not comprehensive writing, and it does not include everything you need to know. In Part 3 of this series, we will also touch on a few of the big mistakes we see people making in the self-storage development process. Let’s get started with where so much money is lost and wasted! **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-wealth-through-self-storage/id1588425875 ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

The Inside Self Storage Expo 2025 is coming up next week in Las Vegas, and I’ll be there. I make it a point to attend at least one self-storage convention a year to stay sharp—tracking trends, seeing new products, and deepening relationships in the industry. Events like these are essential if you’re in or entering the self-storage business. But today, I want to talk about something most people overlook: Breakthroughs in business often come from outside your industry. Let me share with you where most of the biggest leaps in my self-storage business came from! **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-wealth-through-self-storage/id1588425875 ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com

Let’s talk about charity work and your self-storage business. As business owners—especially those of us making a living in a particular trade area, city, or region—I believe we owe something back. We should contribute in some way as good corporate neighbors. Let’s discuss some different approaches to this today. **Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy** https://TheQuickStartAcademy.com/ **Listen on Apple Podcasts** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-wealth-through-self-storage/id1588425875 ** 5 KPIs we measure** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/top-5-kpi-ebook/ **My blog** Creating Wealth Through Self Storage **Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/markhelmselfstorage/ **Twitter** Tweets by MarkHelmSelfSt **The Storage World Analyzer** http://storageworldanalyzer.com/ **The QuickStart Academy Store** https://quick-start-academy.myshopify.com