YOUR MONTHLY SPARK

March’s Resources - Click on what you need!

⬇ March Planning Calendar: Canva or PDF

⬇ Marketing: Marketing for Preferred Employers

⬇ Renewals: Handling Renewal Challenges

⬇ Events: Featured Event Initiative

⬇ Appreciation Download

⬇ Communication: Resident Newsletter Template

⬇ Social Media: Caption & Graphic

⬇ Just For You: Desktop & Phone Inspirational Wallpaper & First Aid Kit

⬇Next Month’s Sneak Peek

We value our founding Spark Members and want to make your experience even better! Help us shape the future of our monthly Spark Membership by sharing your feedback in this quick survey. Your insights will help us bring you even more resources, inspiration, and support. Thank you for being a part of Spark!

Download March Resources

Make sure to scroll down - your membership is packed with SO much more than these downloadable resources!

RESOURCES Always Available FOR MEMBERS

DOWNLOAD THE MONTHLY SNAPSHOT

February is a short month, and your Snapshot Worksheet is the key to making every day count.

- Prioritize Smartly: Choose 1-2 key marketing, retention, or leasing goals that will have the biggest impact on your month.
- Plan for Momentum: Break these goals into actionable steps and aim to achieve early results by mid-month. Success here sets the tone for stronger engagement and progress.
- Stay Organized: Use the worksheet to track updates, deadlines, and action items, ensuring you’re focused on what matters most.
- Check-In Weekly: Schedule quick check-ins with your team to review the status of assigned tasks. Use a simple spreadsheet to log goals and track whether you’re on track, moving slowly, or off track. Adjust priorities as needed to stay aligned.
Starting strong in February can turn a short month into a productive powerhouse. By leveraging your Snapshot Worksheet and team accountability, you’ll make the most of your time and maximize your results.

DOWNLOAD THE MARKETING CHECKLIST

Grab your Marketing Checklist filled with actionable ideas for marketing, outreach, referrals, follow-up, and extras. It’s your go-to resource to elevate your efforts across multiple areas quickly.

Quick. Actionable. Focused.

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.”

PLANNING CALENDAR

March’s Initiative:

Give the Creative Calendar as a thoughtful gift to prospects and residents

Encourage residents to use their planning calendar as a tool to stay organized and connected. Highlight key community dates like events, rent reminders, and maintenance tips when handing it out, and let residents know it’s a resource designed to simplify their busy lives.

1. Highlight Convenience in Follow-Up Emails

Subject Line: “Your Month, Organized—Pick Up a Free Calendar!”
Body:
"We know life can get busy, but staying organized doesn’t have to be a hassle. Our free [Community Name] calendar is packed with key dates and community events to help you plan your month. Swing by the office to grab yours—it’s just one more way we’re here to make life easier for you!"
CTA: “Stop by today and pick up your free calendar!”

2. Make It Visible During Tours

Display the calendar prominently in your leasing office or model unit with a sign that says:
“Take a Free Calendar and Stay on Top of Your Month!”
Mention it during tours as an example of how you prioritize residents’ convenience:
“We make it easy to stay in the loop with our free community calendar. It’s perfect for tracking key dates, events, and reminders.”

3. Use It in Resident Communications

Add a mention in email newsletters, flyers, or event reminders:
“Need a little help organizing your month? Grab your free [Community Name] calendar in the office! It’s packed with everything you need to stay on top of important dates.”
Include it in rent reminders:
“Don’t forget to grab your free calendar! It’s our way of helping you stay ahead this month.”

4. Add a Personalized Touch

Pre-fill the calendar with helpful information like:

Rent deadlines.
Upcoming community events.
Maintenance tips (e.g., “Change your air filter this month!”).

For prospective residents, write a welcoming note on the first page:
“We’re so excited to have you join us! Let us know if you have any questions.”
For renewing residents, include a thank-you:
“Thanks for another great year—we’re so happy to have you as part of our community!”

Customize Planning Calendar in Canva

Download Planning Calendar as PDF

Customize Blank Calendar in Canva

Download Blank calendar as pdf

Want to get ahead? Grab April’s Calendars HERE

Marketing

March’s Marketing Initiative: PEP Marketing

Three Key Tips for Marketing to Preferred Employers

1. Understand Their Needs

Tailor your messaging to the specific concerns and lifestyle of the employer’s workforce.

Medical professionals: Highlight proximity to work, stress-free living, and convenience for on-call shifts.
Educators: Emphasize quiet spaces, affordability, and homes outside of their work area for added privacy.

2. Make Your Outreach Memorable

Stand out with thoughtful, branded gestures tailored to the industry.

Create goodie baskets for break rooms or lounges with snacks, practical items, and your marketing materials.
Use clever, attention-grabbing taglines, like "Your stress-free oasis just minutes away."

3. Keep It Actionable and Simple

Make it easy for employees to engage with your program.

Clearly outline benefits (e.g., discounts or flexible terms) and include a direct call-to-action.
Provide flyers, QR codes, or contact details so they can learn more or schedule a tour with minimal effort.

PREFERRED EMPLOYER OUTREACH MARKETING FLYER DOWNLOAD

FREE TEMPLATe: CLICK HERE TO OPEN IN CANVA

Directions for Using Your Canva Template to Market to Preferred Employers (PEPs)

1. Customize the Template

Open the Canva template and personalize it with details specific to the preferred employer, such as:

Your property’s name and logo.
The preferred employer program benefits (e.g., discounts, flexible lease terms, unique amenities).
Specific messaging that resonates with the target audience (e.g., “Just 3 minutes from [hospital name]” or “Your stress-free oasis after a long shift”).

Pro Tip: Use the employer's branding colors or references (if appropriate) to make it feel tailored and thoughtful.

2. Prepare Materials for Delivery

Print your customized flyer on high-quality paper for a polished look.
Pair the flyer with a branded goodie basket or small giveaway (e.g., snacks, hand sanitizers, or pencils) that aligns with the employer’s industry.

For medical professionals: Include items like energy bars, tissues, or protein shakes.
For educators: Consider classroom supplies like pencils, erasers, or motivational treats like cookies.

3. Make the Delivery Personal

Visit the employer in person to build rapport with key decision-makers or staff:

Introduce yourself and your community with a warm, friendly tone.
Mention the purpose of your visit: “We wanted to share information about our preferred employer program and how it can benefit your team.”
Ask if you can leave the flyers and goodies in their break room, staff lounge, or other common areas.

4. Follow Up

After the visit, send a follow-up email or call to the point of contact you met.

Reiterate your appreciation for their time.
Restate the key benefits of the program and encourage them to share the flyer with their employees.
Provide a simple way to get in touch or learn more (e.g., website link, QR code, or direct contact info).

Grassroots Marketing Exclusive Training:
Target Markets, Preferred Employers & Lifestyle Marketing

Enjoy part two of our member-exclusive training where we deep dive into target, preferred employer, and lifestyle marketing. We’re covering the medical field, education professionals, and more! We’ll show you how to build genuine connections, stand out, and embrace authenticity in every marketing effort.

The r.e.a.c.h. method

Renewals, Events, Appreciation, Communication, & Heart

Renewals

Handling Renewal Challenges with Confidence

DOWNLOAD RENEWAL challenges WORKSHEET

Training Tip: Handling Renewal Challenges with Confidence

Renewals can sometimes feel tricky, especially when residents realize their renewal rate is higher than what new prospects are being quoted.

It's important to approach these conversations with empathy, professionalism, and confidence, equipping yourself with the tools to explain the reasoning behind pricing while focusing on the value of staying.

By helping residents see the big picture—including factors like the cost of moving—you can guide them toward a renewal that benefits both them and the property.

Remember, the goal is not only to secure the renewal but also to maintain positive relationships with your residents.

Use this simple 1-2-3 framework to guide renewal conversations with confidence, empathy, and clarity, ensuring residents feel heard and supported.

Key Reasoning Points:

Market-Driven Pricing: Apartment communities, like retail or travel industries, base rates on supply, demand, and market trends. Renewal pricing reflects the current market conditions, just like how airfare or hotel rates fluctuate.
Cost of Moving: Moving involves a range of hidden costs—truck rentals, utility transfers, deposits, time, and stress. A cost of moving worksheet can help quantify these expenses, making it clear that renewing is often the more affordable and convenient choice.
Value of Staying: Highlight the intangible benefits residents already enjoy, like their knowledge of the community, relationships with neighbors and staff, proximity to work or school, and avoiding the hassle of starting over somewhere new.

All-Access & Retention Members: Check out the latest Renewal ideas

Events

March’s Event Idea Magazine

THIS month’s resident event ideas

(Exclusive to All Access and Resident Retention Memberships)

ALL-ACCESS AND RETENTION EVENTS PAGE