Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

A few weeks ago we had a three-part series on Revenue Strategies designed for 2026. Now let’s focus on the expense side today.

Today, let’s go over the expenses I think can be impacted in 2026 and a few general ideas and practices I might recommend doing to achieve that. I think you may have more impact than you may initially think.

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Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

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I am in some partnerships that will be taking over some facilities and doing some expansions. So I have been thinking through some of the spaces our team will have to go through as we prepare to bring these projects online.

Given the purpose of these episodes is to learn out loud what we do in the self-storage industry, I thought this would be a fitting episode for early 2026, especially if you are also bringing something online soon.

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

Two weeks ago I started this series (Episodes 487 and 488). I think it is critical for this year, given what we see in the current self-storage landscape. Effective revenue strategies are going to make the difference between well-performing assets this year and ones that fall behind due to pressures on operating expenses, as well as macro-economic pressures, which were outlined in last week’s episode.

In this episode, we will discuss another important way to have a major impact on your cash flow and revenue. Let’s increase your add-on revenue in 2026 and beyond.

Let’s explore some of the usual suspects, then get creative.

Get the Playbook at the end of this series:

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

Last week I started this series, Episode 487, which I think is critical for this year given what we see in the current self-storage landscape. Effective revenue strategies are going to make the difference between well-performing assets this year and those that fall behind due to pressures on operating expenses, as well as macro-economic pressures that were outlined in last week’s episode.

In this episode, we will discuss another way to have a major impact on your cash flow and revenue, and a powerful way to increase the value of your self-storage project. That is being on top of, and effective in, collecting your delinquencies.

I think you may be surprised at what you can learn from it.

Get the Playbook at the end of this series:

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

In today’s competitive world of self-storage, reducing rates to match or beat your competition can feel like the smart move.

There’s a lot of supply, and pricing algorithms are adjusting rates to keep up with what’s happening in a trade area. And consumers often think of self-storage as a commodity, so they’ll just go with the cheapest rate… right?

Well, not always.

In 2026, powerful revenue strategies are going to be critical—more important than ever. I will explain why in this three-part series.

In this first episode, let’s explore what I think are some good approaches to consider this year around pricing and move-in incentives.

Get the Playbook at the end of this series:

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

In 1995, I had an Acquisition Director for Storage Trust, a REIT at the time, tell me, “Basically, self-storage is a boring and slow industry. Not many changes.”

That is certainly not the case in 2026. This industry is evolving, and evolving at a fast clip.

Let me share with you what I see for the small self-storage investor in 2026.

I’ll talk about where I see the industry going this year and how it may impact us and what we put our attention on.

Music in the episode is from Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” from a golfer’s POV.

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

Here are some details, benefits, and specials about my premier training program, the Self-Storage Bootcamp.

Watch this short video to see if this is for you. For more details and to register, please click here.

https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/2026-q1-live-virtual-bootcamp/

To schedule a call with me to see if it is right for you, here is the link:

https://markhelmcoachingcallschedule.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?notembedded=1

Now is the time to take action if you want to get into, or grow, your self-storage business in 2026.

For information on the upcoming Bootcamp:

https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/2026-q1-live-virtual-bootcamp/

**Q1 2026 Virtual Self Storage Bootcamp Sign Up**

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

I hesitated to make this video. I don’t want to sound alarmist or like I am trying to scare people.

I’ve seen multiple market cycles over the years. But what I believe is approaching now is very different from anything we’ve seen before.

Let’s talk about how what I see coming could impact you, your life, and your self-storage business.

For information of the Upcoming Bootcamp: Bootcamp

**Q1 2026 Virtual Self Storage Bootcamp Sign Up**

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

I was glad to see Ron Matejko’s article online about the Slate article on self-storage pricing tactics.

I read the same article. Ron is an associate editor for Inside Self Storage.

Let’s go over what is coming down the pike and how we are addressing it in the upcoming Self Storage Bootcamp in Jan. 2026.

**Q1 2026 Virtual Self Storage Bootcamp Sign Up**

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**

A friend of mine was telling me about an experiment that was conducted in the 1950s using rats the other day. I did some research and was absolutely fascinated by what I learned from it.

Let me share it with you and some of the takeaways I think may be applicable to us in the self-storage business.

**Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook**

**Startup Checklist**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**The 4 Critical Metrics Download**

**Five Mistakes PDF*

**Q1 2026 Virtual Self Storage Bootcamp Sign Up**

**December 6, 2025 Fast-Track Your Self-Storage Success — Free Live Webinar**

**Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator**

**Online Courses at The Quickstart Academy**

**Listen on Apple Podcasts**

**5 KPIs we measure**

**My blog**

Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

**The Storage World Analyzer**

**The QuickStart Academy Store**