Your self-storage unit has flooded. You're either A) out on your own, standing in knee-deep water, unsure of what to do next or B) you're a member of the Self Storage Association (SSA) so you give them a call and get sound guidance and support on how to resolve the issue.
If you're in group A, read on! We're about to let you in on all the benefits of being a member of the SSA (if the dreadful flooding scenario wasn’t convincing enough!)
Perhaps you've never heard of the SSA, or maybe you have but you think it's just for big businesses? Think again. As a business owner, navigating challenges is tough enough, so having expert support by your side is invaluable. In this blog, we'll outline the nine big benefits of being an SSA member.
What is the SSA?
The SSA is a 600-member strong trade organisation representing the self-storage industry - both self-storage businesses and suppliers.
Why should you join the SSA?
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To stay in the know
As an SSA member, you’ll have access to valuable industry insights to stay updated on the latest trends and tech advancements. The SSA conducts annual surveys with self-storage operators, customers, and the public to gather essential info. Their reports cover key findings like occupancy rates, rental prices, and customer habits. This is key to helping you plan out your future steps. Plus, you’ll get their quarterly magazine, UNLOCKED and e-newsletters to keep you in the loop.
Some insights may reveal the need to rethink your strategy. For example, if demand drops, you'll know if it's happening everywhere or just with your business so that you can tweak your pricing or marketing. Spotting trends can also help you prep for busy seasons and adjust your approach. Additionally, insights into customer behaviour and preferences enable you to tailor your offerings to attract more clients.
2. To network
Joining the SSA opens you up to a vast network of industry pros. You’ll get to meet people, share experiences and learn from one another. You can chat about challenges, swap stories, brainstorm new ideas and gain fresh perspectives. Never underestimate how much you can learn from others in the industry.
3. To become part of the industry voice
As a member, you’ll become part of the collective. The SSA acts as the authoritative voice for the industry, promoting best practices and supporting the growth of self-storage. There’s a real benefit in belonging and being part of a ‘community.’ You’re not out there in the big bad world on your own. You’ve got the association to lean on for support and encouragement.
4. For legal support
What happens if a customer stops paying, you experience a break-in or even a fire? The SSA can support you when the bad stuff happens. It can also help with your legal contracts. You need a solid license agreement because it only takes one unhappy client to take you to court, turning it into a financial disaster. As a member, you get access to tailored legal agreements designed just for self-storage operators - it's all included in your membership fee. Plus, you'll receive a handy Manual of Advice and Procedures (MAP) to help you tackle almost any situation. If you’re not a member, getting a legal agreement from a solicitor can cost you thousands. And if it’s not done right, you could face even bigger problems down the line.
5. For access to a members-only helpline
Just a phone call away, the SSA are poised and ready to help you with any questions or advice, so you’re never on your own. It's difficult being a business owner. You juggle many responsibilities and roles. Being part of a collective like the SSA just gives you that reassurance. The SSA has been around for decades, so whatever issue you’re dealing with, they’ve definitely seen it before and know just how to handle it, just like that flooding example above.
6. For the online webinars and events
The SSA have regular monthly webinars with the UK CEO, Rennie Schafer and guest speakers. Members can ask questions and share their own experiences. Past webinars have tackled subjects like managing business rates, sustainability practices and criminal activity in self-storage. It’s all interesting, informative stuff to help you do business better.
7. For the training sessions
As a member, you get access to a variety of training sessions tailored to the self-storage industry. They cover everything from operations management to social media marketing. All sessions are led by industry pros who share their real-world experience through examples, group discussions, and practical takeaways, so you and your team can apply learnings right away.
8. To appear in the facility locator
Another great perk is getting listed on the SSA UK website’s Facility Locator, right on the homepage. Customers can search by town, city, or postcode, plus a preferred distance. They’ll see a map and a list of nearby members, and clicking on a listing takes them straight to your store or site to enquire or book. It’s a fantastic way to promote your business! Now imagine if a customer lands on the facility locator, types in your location and your competitor comes up but you don’t… doesn’t feel good does it?
9. To use the SSA logo
Displaying the SSA UK logo on your website and communications adds credibility to your business. It reassures customers that you meet industry standards, making them more likely to choose your self-storage service over others. The SSA has a code of conduct that its members follow, so customers know they’re dealing with a trustworthy and reliable business when they see the logo.
Final thoughts
As a supplier, MoverAlerts of TwentyCi is a proud member of the SSA. We supply self-storage lead addresses to both removal companies and self-storage businesses. How? Well, we track over 99% of the property market so we know exactly where homemovers are in the home-moving journey. We know the right time to target these movers to generate leads for businesses like yours.
We don’t need to tell you that homemovers are a key target customer for self-storage facilities. In fact, the 2024 report revealed that 32% of self-storage usage is due to home moves, either because people don't have enough space after moving or are between properties. With our address leads you can either market directly to these potential customers or we can handle the marketing for you. Even if the customer isn't yet considering storage, a marketing message highlighting its benefits could persuade them. If you’re interested in finding out more about signing up to our self-storage lead addresses, our team would love to hear from you.