Five years ago, Gabfest kicked off the Gabfocus webinar series to bring expert insights and real-world strategies to the self-storage industry. Now, in our 70th webinar episode, we're diving into one of the most important topics for storage operators: How to Dominate Your Local Market.

In this special episode, Tommy and Melissa sit down with industry expert Stephanie Tharpe to discuss how a strong local presence can set your facility apart from the competition.

Topics covered include:

• Identifying Your Target Market – How to map out where your tenants are coming from and which local businesses can drive referrals
• Engaging with Your Community – The value of sponsoring local events, supporting charities, and partnering with businesses
• Grassroots Marketing Tactics – Direct mail, flyers, local events, and other effective ways to build brand recognition
• Referral Programs – How to structure incentives for customers and local businesses to spread the word
• Optimizing Your Website for Local SEO – Why local photos, keywords, and backlinks matter for conversions
• Converting Leads into Tenants – How to position your facility against REITs and online price wars

From networking with local businesses to running promotions that actually drive results, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you own your market and increase occupancy.

Guest: Stephanie Tharpe , President, A+ Management Group

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Lighthouse Storage Solutions