Though it is often confused as one, Inside Self-Storage (ISS) is not an industry association. It does, however, provide many of the same resources and benefits. Through its website, publications, expos, training institute, online community and vendor relationships, ISS provides self-storage owners, managers, investors and developers with the resources they need to be successful in the business; and now, ISS is pleased to offer an official membership program, with three tiers of packaged benefits at extraordinary value.
Following are common questions being asked about the new program. To learn more or become a member, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/signup.aspx.
If ISS is not an association, what is it?
ISS is a dynamic services provider that creates educational resources specifically for the self-storage industry. It is owned and operated by VIRGO, an information-distribution company based in Phoenix. Until now, ISS could engage with its audience on many levels, but it was not possible for its users to officially join ISS. The new ISS Membership Program changes all that.
What do I get if I become an ISS Member?
It depends on the package you choose. Members pick the Basic, Manager Plus or Owner Advantage package. Each contains different benefits tailored to the users needs including live and online education, publications, marketing services, human-resources services, insurance resources and discounts, and more. See the detailed package descriptions on the next page.
How is being a member different from subscribing to ISS magazine or attending an ISS Expo?
When you sign up for ISS Membership, you buy into a streamlined, convenient package that provides deep discounts on popular industry products, services and informational resources. Once you register, all of your benefits are clearly listed and explained for you on a personalized account page at InsideSelfStorage.com. From this one Web page, you can directly access each of your benefits and discounts or get detailed instructions on how to activate them.
For example, John Smith signs up for a Manager Plus package. To access his benefits, he visits www.insideselfstorage.com and logs in to his account. From there, he gets a promo code for a $75 discount on the Qualified Storage Manager online-training program; he clicks on a link for free access to the 2011 Legal Learning Webinar Series; he gets instructions for claiming his free creative ad design from Michaels Wilder; and much more. Its that easy.
Are all of the benefits provided by ISS?
No. ISS has teamed up with several vendor partners to provide products and services commonly used by self-storage owners and managers. At this time, the membership program includes a wealth of marketing and staffing products and services provided by Michaels Wilder, mystery-shopping services provided by A Top Shop!, and insurance resources and discounts provided by Universal Insurance Facilities Ltd. More vendor offerings will be added throughout the year.
How much does ISS Membership cost, and how often do I have to renew?
ISS Membership renews annually. The cost is $195 for Basic, $325 for Manager Plus and $495 for Owner Advantage. The value of these packages far exceeds their cost, by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Inside Self-Storage Membership Packages
For detailed descriptions of package benefits, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/signup.aspx.
BASIC PACKAGE
Education
- One-year subscription to Inside Self-Storage magazine
- Annual Inside Self-Storage Factbook
- $50 discount on the ISS Expo Standard Education Package
- $50 discount on the Qualified Storage Manager online certification program
- Discounts on a selection of online staff-training courses
Human Resources
- Complimentary mystery calls and related reports (two per year)
- Discounts on employee background checks
Insurance
- Self-Storage Insurance Resource Guide
- Free insurance quote
Marketing
- Complimentary ad creative design
- Complimentary analysis of your business marketing plan
MANAGER PLUS PACKAGE
Education
- One-year subscription to Inside Self-Storage magazine
- Annual Inside Self-Storage Factbook
- $50 discount on the ISS Expo Standard Education Package or Premium Package
- $75 discount on one Qualified Storage Manager online certification program
- Free access to the Legal Learning Webinar Series
- Free access to ISS online special reports
- Discounts on various online staff-training courses
Human Resources
- Discounts on employee background checks
- Complimentary mystery calls and shops and related reports (two each per year)
- Discount on behavioral assessments for new hires
Insurance
- Self-Storage Insurance Resource Guide & Supplement
- Free insurance quote
- Discount on PLUSS (Pollution Liability Underwriting for Self Storage)
Marketing
- Complimentary ad creative design
- Complimentary analysis of your business marketing plan
- Complimentary development of a multi-product marketing plan
- Complimentary call tracking on a print or online advertising campaign
- 10 percent discount on print or e-mail newsletter consultation, development and execution
OWNER ADVANTAGE PACKAGE
Education
- One-year subscription to Inside Self-Storage magazine
- Annual Inside Self-Storage Factbook
- $50 discount on the ISS Expo Standard Education Package or $100 discount on the Premium Package
- $75 discount on the Qualified Storage Manager online certification program for up to 10 students
- Free access to the Legal Learning Webinar Series
- Free access to ISS online special reports
- Free access to the owners webinar series: Self-Storage Business Endurance
- Discounts on online staff-training courses
- Discount on customized staff training
Human Resources
- Discounts on employee background checks
- Complimentary mystery calls and shops
- Discount on behavioral assessments for new hires
- Complimentary review of your HR Web pages
- Discount on an HR audit
Insurance
- Self-Storage Insurance Resource Guide & Supplement
- Free insurance quote
- Discount on PLUSS (Pollution Liability Underwriting for Self Storage)
- Insurance coverage evaluation for additional discounts and credits
Marketing
- Complimentary ad creative design
- Complimentary analysis of a business marketing plan
- Complimentary development of a multi-product marketing plan
- Complimentary call tracking on a print or online advertising campaign
- 20 percent discount on print or e-mail newsletter consultation, development and execution
- Complimentary Web audit
- Discount on client-engagement surveys
