Best Lighthouse IT Solutions Podcasts (2025)

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The End of Dial-Up, ChatGPT-5, AI Browsers, & Pinterest Won Over Gen Z 36:33

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6d ago36:33

36:33

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - August 22nd, 2025 Join us in this episode of the Lighthouse IT Solutions podcast as we dive into a variety of topics! From discussing weekend movie plans including 'Barbarian', 'Him', and 'Nobody 2', to talking about technological advancements and AI's impact on the economy. We cover wins in the tech industry, such as Ep…

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Disaster Prep & Recovery with Kevin Leebrick and Scott McLaughlin 1:10:54

7d ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Today we focus on something every self storage operator hopes they never have to face—but absolutely need to be ready for: disasters. When the worst happens, every decision matters. Kevin Leebrick and Scott McLaughlin join Tommy and Melissa to share real stories from their own crisis experiences—fires, floods, and more—and the lessons they’ve learn…

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Get Team Alignment like Amazon 15:14

12d ago15:14

15:14

In this episode of the Lighthouse Leadership Podcast, Evan Hickok unpacks one of the most overlooked but essential elements of team success: alignment. He shows how clarity around what needs to be done, why it matters, and who is responsible can transform a group of talented individuals into a high-performing team. Through stories ranging from JFK’…

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Legal Landmines: ADA, Arbitration, & Antitrust in Self Storage - Legal Chat Episode 6 with Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker 42:30

13d ago42:30

42:30

As the self storage industry moves further online, legal risks are evolving fast. In this Legal Chat episode, Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker break down the biggest legal challenges operators face today—and how to prepare for them. Key topics include: Website accessibility & ADA lawsuits Deceptive Trade Practices and Drip Pricing Mandatory arbitrati…

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Seeing is Believing: The Role of Transparency in Knowledge Work 7:48

19d ago7:48

7:48

In this episode of the Lighthouse Leadership Podcast, Evan Hickok explores why making progress visible is essential for keeping teams engaged and motivated—especially in knowledge work where results aren’t always tangible. Drawing on neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and examples from companies like Pixar and Apple, Evan shows how transparent pro…

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Seismic Phones, AI Browsers, DNS Malware, and Linux Desktops 45:43

21d ago45:43

45:43

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - August 8th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff uncover the hidden superpowers of everyday technology: 🫨 Millions of Android phones are now part of a crowdsourced earthquake alert system. 🐧 The surprising surge of Linux on desktops as it challenges Windows and macOS. 🤵 Microsoft Edge gets an AI 'Copilot' butler. 🏫 ChatGPT get…

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Everyday Uses for AI in Self Storage with Jennifer Barroqueiro 57:14

22d ago57:14

57:14

AI is everywhere in the self storage world—but how can operators actually use it day-to-day? In this episode, Jennifer Barroqueiro from All-Purpose Storage joins Josh and Melissa Huff to share real, practical ways managers and owners can leverage AI to save time, improve communication, and boost efficiency. We discuss: How AI can streamline emails,…

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Future-Proofing with Upgrades & Expansions: with Nigel Kreft 1:10:41

29d ago1:10:41

1:10:41

Is your self storage facility ready for the future—or falling behind? In this episode, Nigel Kreft from Elevate Structures joins Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff to talk about how to keep your property competitive, profitable, and positioned for growth through the right upgrades and expansions. We discuss: When and why to upgrade or expand (from occup…

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AI Feature Requests, Instagram Indexed, Grok 4, Foldable iPhone, & Ingram Micro Hack 39:52

1M ago39:52

39:52

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - July 25th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff dive into: 🎸 Soundslice's Accidental Feature: Music learning platform Soundslice noticed users mistakenly believed it had a feature for scanning ASCII tablature for guitar due to misinformation from ChatGPT. Instead of correcting the error, Soundslice decided to develop the featu…

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Incentivizing Your Managers 44:35

1M ago44:35

44:35

Your facility manager isn’t just an employee—they’re running your multi-million-dollar business. Are you training, empowering, and compensating them to reflect that responsibility? In this episode, we cover: What NOT to incentivize (and why the wrong goals can hurt your bottom line) How to educate your manager (or yourself) so they fully understand…

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Run It Like You're Selling It 41:43

1M ago41:43

41:43

Whether you plan to sell next year or in 20 years, one thing is certain: you won’t own your self storage facility forever. So how do you ensure it’s gaining—and retaining—value? In this episode, we explore what it means to steward your storage asset with the future in mind. We break down three key areas that directly impact your facility’s long-ter…

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Apple's F1 play, BlackSOD, PNG 3.0, Bots Paying Up, & Agent2Agent Ads 39:13

2M ago39:13

39:13

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - July 11th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff dive into: 🏎️ Apple's F1 Movie Races to the Big Screen, and Controversy 🪦 RIP Blue Screen of Death. Meet Its Dark Successor 🖼️ PNG Format Is Back, and It's Better Than Ever 🗣️ Branding 101: Should Your Company Yell or Whisper? 🤑 Cloudflare Tells Bots to Pay Up 📈 Bots Buying Ads? …

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Social Media is Back! - How AI and META are Changing How People Find Self Storage 34:59

2M ago34:59

34:59

How's your social media presence? Do you post once a month? Once a year? If your Facebook page or Instagram profile are low priorities, it might be time for a change. A HUGE update from META dropped today. Posts on social can now be indexed on Google. Plus, Google is launching AI Mode to go along with their traditional search. What does this mean f…

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The Collapse of Sonos: How Leadership Drift and Ignoring Risk Ruined a Great Brand 38:49

2M ago38:49

38:49

In this episode of Lighthouse Leadership, Evan Hickok breaks down the slow, public unraveling of Sonos—a brand once synonymous with seamless, multi-room audio. What began as a visionary pursuit of whole-home wireless music degraded into a cautionary tale of leadership drift, neglected risk, and a product update that shattered customer trust. This i…

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Making Tech Work For You with James Hatfield & Michael Brevdeh 1:27:30

2M ago1:27:30

1:27:30

We sat down with James Hatfield from LiveSwitch and Michael Brevdeh from Cubby to unpack how self storage operators can make the most of their technology—whether you're working with what you already have or considering your next big upgrade. We dive into: The essential tech tools every facility should have in place The most underutilized features o…

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Scattered Spider, Handheld Wars, and the Future of AI Search 30:19

2M ago30:19

30:19

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - June 27th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff dive into critical cyber alerts as the "Scattered Spider" group targets insurance firms and CISA issues urgent warnings for TP-Link and Zyxel devices. In the gaming world, a new handheld war begins with the Microsoft/Asus ROG Ally taking on the record-breaking Nintendo Switch 2. …

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The Essential Signs For Your Facility 39:03

2M ago39:03

39:03

Clear, intentional signage isn’t just for looks—it can shape the entire customer experience, reduce confusion, and cut down on unnecessary phone calls. In this episode, we break down the essential signs every facility should have and why they matter. We cover: Why your main sign should be simple and brand-driven—no phone numbers required The one si…

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How to Beat the Low Intro Rates 26:16

2M ago26:16

26:16

One of the biggest questions we get asked is, "How can I compete with my competitor down the street who is offering the same unit as me but for 50% less?" Low intro rates are a strategy many large companies are using, but don't worry. You have options other than bottoming out your prices and losing money for the first several months of a rental. We…

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Real Life VS Running a Business - Can Your Self Storage Business Run Without You? 27:37

3M ago27:37

27:37

Sometimes real life just smacks you in the face. That was our week, and it happens to us all. If you run a small business, like self storage, it can hit a little different. What happens to your business if you get that call or text that forces you to focus all of your attention on something else? If you have to step away, will your business survive…

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Claude 4, Forever Trials, Gen Z Data Deals, LinkedIn Algorithm & SEO 2.0 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - June 13th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff discuss the future of AI, spacey software loopholes, Apples rebranding, Gen Z's surprising take on data privacy and why your LinkedIn post probably isn't going viral. https://hub.lighthousesol.com/blog/lighthouse-podcast-2/claude-4-forever-trials-gen-z-data-deals-linkedin-algorit…

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Dealing with Dead Tenants 28:57

3M ago28:57

28:57

What do you do when a tenant passes away while renting a storage unit? This was the opening question AI came up with... Hopefully, no one has ever passed away in your office while renting a unit, but dealing with an existing tenant who has died happens more often than you think. This is one of the most uncomfortable but critical situations self sto…

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Optimizing Occupancy with Andrew Sherrard 1:15:41

3M ago1:15:41

1:15:41

In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Sherrard, owner of Reliable Storage in Seattle, to talk all things occupancy—and not just how full your units are, but how well your business is performing overall. In this rebroadcast of the May 29 webinar, we break down the three types of occupancy (yes, there are three!) and how to evaluate what’s actually…

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Holy Cards, Cheating Grads, Coinbase Bribery, Buying 23andMe & IT Cuts 47:29

3M ago47:29

47:29

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - May 30th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff talk about how HBO is renaming itself again, the Pope's trading card craze, Collage students using AI to "cheat", Apple and BYOD, Coinbase's breach due to bribery, Regeneron buying 23andMe, why your IT budget might be dangerously low, and much more! https://hub.lighthousesol.com/b…

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Personal Curb Appeal - Seeing Yourself As a Self Storage Amenity 28:11

3M ago28:11

28:11

We talk a lot about amenities in self storage—security cameras, clean units, keypads, gates—but what about you? The manager is one of the most important amenities at a facility, and often one of the most under emphasized. Appearance, attitude, and professionalism can either enhance or hurt your facility’s image. What you wear and what you support d…

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How a Song Crashed HDDs, App Store Freedom, an EV Truck, & AI Shakeups 41:33

3M ago41:33

41:33

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - May 16th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff discuss: 🕹️ How Gemini 2.5 Pro beat Pokémon Blue 🎵 The Janet Jackson Song Crashed Laptops for 9 Years 🔑 OpenAI's Restructuring and Microsoft Holding the Keys 📊 AI Usage Stats in 2025: Beyond Search and Code 🔍 When AI Workers are coming and the Security Risks ⚖️ The new App Store F…

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Why Feeling Like a Fraud Means You’re Growing as a Leader 17:17

4M ago17:17

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Host Evan Hickok explores the “valley of despair,” the grim dip on the Dunning–Kruger curve where confidence plummets just as competence begins to climb. Drawing on stories from Natalie Portman, Albert Einstein, Tom Hanks, and his own career pivots, Evan shows new managers how that anxious “I don’t belong” feeling signals real growth. He maps the r…

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When AI Isn't the Answer 46:36

4M ago46:36

46:36

AI is transforming the self-storage industry—from smarter security cameras and chatbots to automated rate comparisons and call evaluations. But how much is too much? In this episode, we take a balanced look at the role of artificial intelligence in storage operations and explore where it helps—and where it may be hurting more than helping. We discu…

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ISS Takeaways with the On the Move Crew 57:39

4M ago57:39

57:39

In this special on-location episode from Boerne, TX, we're joined by the team from On the Move—Jim, Sherry, CJ, and Stacie—to unpack their biggest takeaways from the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, the industry's largest event. From expert-led education sessions to lively vendor conversations, this episode dives into: Why Good Questions Matter – Ho…

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Security Scares, Politeness Costing AI, and Tech Industry Shakeups 47:37

4M ago47:37

47:37

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - May 2nd, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff delve into how Sam Altman stresses the unexpected computational cost of digital politeness in AI interactions, security vulnerabilities, such as a critical flaw in CentreStack and Triofox, and an unconfirmed Oracle Cloud breach. Also, Apple is looking at new Vision models to advanc…

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Bankruptcy, Military Tenants, Search and Seizure - Legal Chat with Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker 35:29

4M ago35:29

35:29

In this quarterly Legal Chat, self storage attorneys Scott Zucker and Carlos Kaslow tackle the toughest legal challenges operators face in 2025. From military tenants and bankruptcy stays to lean sale objections and law enforcement searches, this conversation dives deep into the real-world scenarios that take storage owners out of the office and in…

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Microsoft’s 50th, Switch 1.5, Roblox & Google Partner, & YouTube’s AI 40:25

4M ago40:25

40:25

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - April 18th, 2025 This week, we discuss the latest tech breakthroughs, as well as some history. They explore Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration, where past and present CEOs reflected on the company's influential history and future potential. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts some upgrades and exciting new g…

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What the Best Managers Do (That Others Don't) with Mark Green 1:07:04

4M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

What separates the good from the truly great in self-storage management? In this episode, Melissa and Tommy are joined by Mark Green from The Jenkins Organization to explore what top-performing managers do differently—and how their daily habits, communication, and customer care lead to higher occupancy and better results. Together, they dive into k…

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Become a Master Manager - Inside Self Storage Preview 25:55

5M ago25:55

25:55

What does it take to truly master self-storage management? In this episode, we give a preview of our upcoming session at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo on Friday morning, where they’ll break down the essential skills every great manager and owner needs to succeed. We will expand on these four core areas: ✅ Managing Yourself – Building disciplin…

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Before You Build - Key Considerations As You Design Your Self Storage Facility 32:35

5M ago32:35

32:35

So, you’ve got the land and a feasibility study in hand—now what? In this episode, we walk through the critical next steps before breaking ground on a new self-storage facility. From layout decisions to customer flow to operational planning, this conversation is packed with practical advice for developers and future owners. Topics covered include: …

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23andMe Bankruptcy, Skype Shutting Down, Pebble Watches, & Meta Bots 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - April 4th, 2025 This week, we discuss a wide range of developments in the tech world, first the Pebble Smartwatch. The Core 2 Duo ($149) is bringing back the nostalgia of the original Pebble with the same black-and-white e-paper display and a battery life lasting over 30 days. The addition of an in-device speaker for cha…

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New Self Storage Legislation and More From the SSA Spring Show 38:19

5M ago38:19

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Fresh off the Self Storage Association (SSA) Spring Conference & Expo in Orlando, we break down key legislative updates and share our top takeaways from the event. New and Pending Legislation – Updates on non-monetary defaults, unsigned leases, and the push to remove outdated newspaper advertising requirements Why Industry Self-Regulation Matters –…

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AI Search, AI Social Media, AI Ransomware, & In-Car Ads 28:29

5M ago28:29

28:29

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - March 21st, 2025 This week, we discuss the massive security update for Windows; make sure you install it as soon as possible! Additionally, more security updates include a new VMware exploit that has been discovered and patched. We now have the first reported incident of an AI-created ransomware attack, with the unfortun…

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Owning Your Local Market with Stephanie Tharpe 1:13:51

5M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

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 indust…

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The Best Self Storage Software - 2025 Edition 50:09

6M ago50:09

50:09

With so many self-storage management software options available, how do you choose the right one for your facility? We unpack the key features and must-haves for 2025, helping you navigate the software landscape to find the best fit for your business. Online Rentals & Payments – How to streamline the tenant experience with electronic signatures, ID…

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Turning Hidden Problems into Visible Solutions: Avoiding Costly Mistakes 13:47

6M ago13:47

13:47

In this episode of the Lighthouse Leadership Podcast, Evan Hickok shares a cautionary tale from early in his career, highlighting how a seemingly insignificant $1 oversight escalated into a costly $90,000 issue. Evan unpacks critical lessons on the importance of effective issue tracking, clear alignment within teams, and the shift from individual e…

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Why So Many Projects and Managers Fail — And How to Fix It 26:04

6M ago26:04

26:04

Welcome to the first episode of the Lighthouse Leadership Podcast! In this powerful kickoff, Evan Hickok shares the personal journey that inspired the creation of this podcast—a failed team turnaround that left him wondering: What makes some teams thrive while others fall apart? Diving into eye-opening statistics, Evan highlights the staggering fai…

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Framework Fans, Copilot Search, Fortinet Vulnerability, & AI Security 49:04

6M ago49:04

49:04

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - March 7th, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff discuss their favorite computer manufacturer, Framework, and their upcoming releases. To no one's surprise, another Fortinet vulnerability has been discovered and patched, but not that many people have installed the patch. While cybersecurity knowledge is becoming more common, it…

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How The Market Impacts Your Rates 40:49

6M ago40:49

40:49

Pricing your self-storage units isn’t just about setting a number and hoping for the best—it’s about staying informed and adapting to market conditions. In this episode, we break down why keeping an eye on your local competition, regional trends, and even seasonal factors is essential for optimizing your rates and specials. Topics covered include: …

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The Power of Self Storage Mentorship 52:00

6M ago52:00

52:00

A consultant shows you the path you need to walk, but a mentor walks the path with you. In a business as nuanced and unique as self storage, enlisting a mentor can be the difference between a successful business venture and one that never makes it through lease up. As the industry evolves, new investors often face overwhelming decisions about facil…

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AInception, Social Stats, 8Base-less, & Google Tag Skimming 33:09

6M ago33:09

33:09

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - February 21st, 2025 This week, Matt and Griff discuss OpenAI's allegations that DeepSeek used OpenAI's models to train DeepSeek's open-source model. Bing is seeing a rise in search engine usage and authority due to its collaboration with ChatGPT, with some companies reporting better results from Bing Ads than Google Ads.…

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2025 State of the Industry with John Chang 1:10:04

6M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

In this rebroadcast of our February 20, 2025 webinar, John Chang from Marcus & Millichap provides an in-depth analysis of the self-storage industry's economic landscape in 2025. With inflation stabilizing, interest rates remaining high, and occupancy trends shifting, John breaks down key market forces shaping the industry and what operators should …

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Beyond the 4 Ds: Why Business Owners Need Storage with Jamie Boros 45:49

7M ago45:49

45:49

Self-storage isn’t just for life transitions anymore—more and more small business owners, gig workers, and entrepreneurs are using storage units to run and grow their businesses. From Etsy sellers and antique dealers to pharmaceutical reps and lawn care companies, these customers have unique needs and can be some of the longest-staying tenants. In …

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Pebble OS, Apple Chip Vulnerability, UnitedHealth Breach, & DeepSeek 43:23

7M ago43:23

43:23

The Lighthouse IT Podcast - February 7th, 2025This week, Matt and Griff discuss Google releasing the source code for Pebble OS and allowing for the creation of a new Pebble smartwatch. Finally! Sweden has seized a ship known as Vezhen over suspicions that it is directly responsible for the recent damage to the Baltic Sea fiber data cable running to…

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Telling Your Self Storage Story 36:03

7M ago36:03

36:03

Today we dive into figuring out your self storage story- the characters, the plot, and the target audience. It's only after those pieces are in place that an effective story can be told, and your business is no different. But that's only half of the journey. Once you've figured out your story, you have to tell it, and often words just aren't enough…

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Self Storage SEO Part 2 50:29

7M ago50:29

50:29

We're back for part 2 of the self storage SEO discussion that began on last week's episode. There were so many unanswered questions that needed a response: What if you have multiple locations? Do you use 1 website, 1 Google Profile? How do you get in the Map Pack if your not already? Should my website list every single chain restaurant near my faci…