SpareFoot, an online self-storage marketplace and provider of Web-marketing tools, has launched a social-media contest seeking out the best self-storage marketing ideas, with a Kindle Fire tablet as the first-place prize. Facility operators are encouraged to submit their most creative marketing ideas through the Facebook page for SelfStorage.com, a SpareFoot partner.

The contest is deliberately open-ended to invite a wide range of marketing ideas or strategies that self-storage owners and managers could use to drive more tenants to their facilities. Operators are invited to contribute anything from a crazy concept theyre tossing around in the back of their minds, to a tried-and-true effort thats been successful in the past.

Entries are being accepted at facebook.com/SelfStorageInc through Nov. 28, when a jury of SpareFoot marketing experts will review all entries and select five finalists. On Dec. 1, the finalists will be announced and the viewing public asked to vote on a winner. Anyone may vote for any idea once during the voting period, which concludes Dec. 21.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 22. He or she will win a recently released Kindle Fire tablet.

The goal is to inspire storage operators to recognize social media as not only a consumer marketing channel, but also as an ideal platform for sharing ideas and learning from peers in the industry, said Rachel Greenfield, SpareFoot marketing analyst and contest coordinator.

Founded in 2008, SpareFoot.com lists more than 5,000 self-storage facilities in its nationwide directory, which allows consumers to find, compare and reserve self-storage units online. Through multiple websites including SpareFoot.com, SelfStorage.com, Apartments.com and many others, SpareFoot helps self-storage operators find new tenants through a pay-for-performance model. This Austin-based startup company is backed by Silverton Partners, FLOODGATE and Capital Factory.