Discover tips on utilizing a scrolling LED sign to attract renters who require storage space immediately.
A scrolling LED sign can do more than just flash a message, as it can help fill empty storage units faster than a poster on a telephone pole. Whether you’re in a busy college town or a quiet suburb with growing families, getting your units rented consistently can be tough, especially during off-peak seasons. But a bright, programmable sign in front of your property? That’s the kind of attention you want.
In this article, we’ll show you how self-storage businesses can use programmable LED signs to bring in more renters, like students relocating after the semester ends, families in between homes, or even seasonal workers.
Let’s light up that vacancy board, literally.
#1 Students on the Move: Capture Their Attention
College students move often. In fact, more than 55% of college students require temporary storage when heading home for summer or study abroad programs. They don’t have time to scan through flyers or wait for an online ad to load, they want fast, visible answers.
An LED sign near your facility’s entrance can flash helpful, urgent messages like:
“STUDENT SPECIAL: First Month $1” or
“SUMMER STORAGE NEAR CAMPUS – RENT TODAY”
These messages work especially well in high-traffic zones near campus entrances or intersections. Use bold fonts, bright colors (red or amber), and simple graphics like a moving arrow or flashing text to draw attention.
Scrolling signs with short, clear messages in animation modes like falling text or exploding letters help make these deals more visible to passing drivers. College students are often pressed for time, they’ll appreciate signs that get right to the point.
#2 Families in Transition: Be the First Storage They See
Every year, millions of American families relocate for jobs, school districts, or better homes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 7.5 million people moved between states in 2023. Many of these moves aren’t perfectly timed. Some families end up needing temporary storage during the process.
Outdoor LED signs can help catch them while they’re driving around looking at neighborhoods, homes for sale, or rental units. Display messages like:
“FAMILY STORAGE UNITS AVAILABLE – CLIMATE CONTROLLED”
“MOVING? SHORT-TERM STORAGE FROM $59/MO”
Use animation modes like shooting text or flashing red to create urgency. Position signs to face oncoming traffic near residential areas or busy streets. The more visibility, the more likely you’ll catch someone mid-move looking for immediate storage.
You can even program your sign to show directions like:
“RIGHT TURN: STORAGE IN 0.2 MILES”
That’s a simple feature, but one that works. Visibility and immediacy win.
#3 Seasonal Renters: Keep the Snowbirds Coming Back
Snowbirds, or people who move to warmer states during the winter, often need a place to store vehicles, boats, or furniture for months at a time. This is a perfect audience for programmable LED signs, especially during the spring and fall transitions.
Try rotating messages such as:
“WINTER STORAGE READY – BOOK EARLY”
“SNOWBIRDS WELCOME – RESERVE SPACE NOW”
Highlight promotions like free use of a moving truck or discounted long-term contracts. Use the Pacman or falling text animation modes for messages that cycle cleanly without being overwhelming. Keep it readable from a distance, remember, most people see signs while driving by.
LED signage is very visible during low-light hours. This is especially useful in late fall or early spring, when the sun sets earlier. A backlit LED sign running from 6 AM to 10 PM can pull in a renter even after your front office closes.
#4 Local Promotions: Encourage Walk-In Traffic
FedEx Office “What’s Your Sign?” survey found that almost eight in 10 American consumers enter a store they have never visited before based on the signs, plus nearly seven in 10 have purchased a product or service because a sign caught their eye.
Encourage passers by and motorists to check out your shop by displaying engaging messages. Programmable LED signs let you switch messages throughout the week or even daily.
For example, use your LED sign to promote:
Weekend-only discounts
Military and senior specials
Refer-a-friend programs
With scrolling signs, you can update your offers fast without replacing physical materials. And you can even test which messages bring in the most foot traffic just by switching your wording and watching the result.
#5 Weather-Related Messaging: Stay Relevant Year-Round
People store things when the weather changes. During hurricane season, some renters look for places to protect equipment, outdoor furniture, or even important paperwork. In winter, demand rises for vehicle storage.
With scrolling LED signs, you can respond to sudden shifts in weather:
“STORM COMING? STORE WITH US – INDOOR UNITS OPEN”
“COLD WEATHER? HEATED STORAGE UNITS READY NOW”
Being able to update your message on short notice is a powerful feature of programmable signs. You can make changes in minutes, perfect for keeping your business ahead of the competition when everyone else is still printing flyers.
#6 Add Directional Clarity with Custom Messaging
A surprising number of renters give up just because they couldn’t find the entrance or didn’t know which building had available units. A scrolling LED sign can help with basic but valuable communication.
Use your sign to point people in the right direction:
“NOW RENTING – ENTER ON MAIN STREET”
“OPEN HOUSE: STOP IN TODAY”
Some storage facilities also use signs to display live availability updates, like:
“5x10 UNITS: 4 LEFT”
“10x20 VEHICLE STORAGE – NOW OPEN”
This real-time messaging shows transparency and urgency. It encourages people to act quickly instead of “thinking about it.”
#7 Save Money Long-Term Compared to Traditional Ads
Compared to print ads or billboards, programmable LED signs are more affordable over time. You don’t need to print new materials or pay recurring fees to update messaging. One upfront cost gives you the freedom to advertise 24/7.
Even better, outdoor LED signs can last up to 10 years or more, especially when you buy from trusted providers. That’s a decade of round-the-clock advertising you can update with just a few clicks.
If you're worried about energy costs, many LED signs today use high-efficiency diodes that consume less power while staying bright and clear. Most scrolling signs today use energy-saving circuits that can operate day and night without spiking your utility bill.
Final Thoughts: Make Every Message Countm
Self-storage business owners know it’s about having space and keeping it filled. A scrolling LED sign does more than blink words across a screen. It helps you communicate clearly, stand out in your community, and turn drive-bys into new customers.
From students to snowbirds, there’s a constant stream of people who need temporary storage. The key is making sure they see you at the right moment. With programmable LED signs, that moment can be any time, day or night, rain or shine.
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Want to get started with a reliable outdoor LED signage? Explore your options at AffordableLED.com and choose a unit that works as hard as you do.
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