#StorChat, the first self-storage community to live on Twitter, will continue to provide online interaction, education and fun for industry professionals in the year ahead, according to a press release issued by its inventors.

Launched in September by co-creators and hosts Kenny Pratt, president of Crescendo Properties, and Rachel Greenfield, marketing analyst for SpareFoot, #StorChat is a weekly online conversation during which self-storage operators gather to discuss business-relevant topics. Participants ask questions, get answers, share their expertise and exchange ideas in an open, real-time exchange.

#StorChat will be expanded in 2012 to include live meet-ups at tradeshows, a monthly blog series on the best lessons learned in chats, and #StorChat challenges that ask participants to experiment with certain marketing or operational efforts and report back to the group on what works and what doesnt.

Previous #StorChat discussions have covered topics ranging from social marketing and sales tools to alternative revenue streams and green initiatives. Ideally, participants walk away with valuable lessons learned.

It flows fastinfo overload, said Cochrane Road Self Storage Manager Gina Six Kudo (@CochraneStorage). I like the interaction and idea exchange aspect, I always learn something.

Bossier Self Storage Manager Richard Hart (@Storage_Boy) said his favorite #StorChat tip was learning how to get tenants to leave video testimonials. Robert Madsen, vice president of U-Lock Mini Storage Group (@StorageMadMan), said he benefited most from discussions on technology tools like Google Docs and blogs.

Six Kudo and Madsen are also contributors and moderators on Self-Storage Talk (www.selfstoragetalk.com), the industry's largest online community, which is available 24/7. SST currently boasts approximately 4,700 members. Membership is free.

All self-storage professionals are invited to participate in #StorChat on Wednesdays, 1-1:30 p.m. PST. More information can be found at http://bit.ly/storchat.