Happy first day of Summer!

As temperatures rise and people spend more time outdoors, summer presents the perfect opportunity for self-storage facilities to open their gates—figuratively and literally—to the communities they serve. While your storage units might be about space, your business is about people. Here are some fun, purposeful, and low-cost ideas to foster local connections, support your neighborhood, and raise brand visibility.

1. Host a Summer Food Drive

Support Local Families & Build Goodwill

Partner with a local food bank or nonprofit and designate a few empty units as collection points for canned goods and non-perishable items. Promote the drive across your website, social media, and email list with a summer-themed name like “Fill a Unit, Feed a Family.”

Bonus Tips:

• Offer a small discount or swag item to anyone who donates.
• Encourage tenants to contribute as part of their monthly rental experience.
• Partner with other nearby businesses to broaden reach.

2. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Build Cross-Promotion Opportunities

Summer is peak season for farmers markets, garden centers, and mobile vendors. Invite local entrepreneurs to set up pop-up shops or demo tables in your parking lot on weekends. It turns your facility into a mini-event space and exposes you to entirely new audiences.

Partnership Ideas:

• Ice cream trucks or food pop-ups
• Pet groomers, car wash services, or landscapers
• Local gyms or yoga instructors offering free outdoor classes

Offer them free space and ask them to promote your business in return—whether via flyers, social shoutouts, or simple word-of-mouth.

3. Launch a Summer Raffle or Giveaway

Drive Engagement & Tenant Loyalty

Who doesn't love free stuff? Use a summer raffle to reward existing tenants and draw attention from prospective ones. Entry can be as easy as:

• Following your business on social media
• Leaving a Google review
• Referring a friend
• Donating to your food drive

Prize Ideas:

• One month of free storage
• Summer gift baskets (coolers, beach towels, gas gift cards)
• Tickets to local events

Be sure to announce winners publicly to maximize buzz and brand exposure.

4. Create a “Community Wall” in Your Office or Online

Celebrate Local Stories

Dedicate a wall inside your office—or a featured post series on your social platforms—to highlight community members. Showcase stories of small business tenants, military families, or long-time customers. It humanizes your brand and builds deeper emotional connections.

5. Plan a “Summer Storage Saturday” Event

Encourage Visits & Offer Facility Tours

Designate one Saturday as an open house celebration:

• Offer free snacks or drinks
• Run games for kids (think water balloon toss or chalk art)
• Provide guided tours and facility Q&A sessions
• Showcase how storage works for RVs, seasonal gear, or moving families

It's a casual, festive way to make your business approachable—especially for those new to storage.

Why It Matters

In a competitive industry, differentiation is about relationships, not just rentals. Engaging with your community can lead to increased word-of-mouth referrals, local press coverage, and stronger customer loyalty. Plus, it makes your work a whole lot more fun.

This summer, don’t just store—connect.

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