Problem

For over a decade, Ashley Moore, the Senior Property Manager at Mini Storage Depot in Merrillville, Indiana, has managed the complex task of legal notices. State law requires Moore to submit legal ads to the local newspaper ten days before their auctions.

“We have an auction every month,” said Moore. “It’s a regular part of my work.” The local newspaper, Northwest Indiana Times, efficiently catches errors and maintains an excellent relationship with Moore.

Earlier this year, the newspaper adopted a new digital solution for managing the legal notice process: Column. “I worried about losing the personal touch,” Moore admitted.

Solution

However, Moore found the transition pleasant. “Once I started using the software, I saw why the Northwest Indiana Times switched. Placing our legal ads with Column isn’t hard at all. Everything is streamlined and efficient.”

Moore appreciated Column’s onboarding process. “Switching platforms can be a headache, but not with Column,” she said. “I received support through helpful emails and instructional videos. Setting up an account and logging into the self-serve portal took no time. Now, posting an ad takes me just five minutes.”

Moore also valued Column Support. “I love the support team. They answered my questions quickly during the transition and understood the urgency.”

Impact: 3 Key Benefits

Summing up her experience with Column, Moore said, “It’s valuable, time-saving technology for everyone involved, not just us at the storage facility but also the newspaper staff.”

1. Easy Self-Serve Submission

“The self-serve portal is a game-changer. I can post an ad in just five minutes,” Moore said. “The text editor allows easy file upload and copy-paste. With Column, I get a price estimate right away and can make edits. Column gives you multiple chances to make changes if needed.”

2. Fast Affidavits

Moore highlighted Column’s efficient handling of affidavits, thanks to the automated affidavit service. “I need affidavits for our auction files, and Column sends them promptly via email. This is crucial for our compliance requirements,” she remarked. All Column accounts store affidavits so that users can access them anytime. “Column always sends me an email with the affidavit, so I can print and file it at my convenience.”

3. Automatic Emails Ensure Accuracy 

“Column has simplified the process of legal ads without sacrificing accuracy and compliance,” said Moore. “You still get an automatic email to proofread before you push it through, providing extra assurance.”

Conclusion

In an industry where efficiency, accuracy, and compliance are crucial, Ashley Moore’s experience with Column highlights the importance of newspapers adopting customer-centric, online solutions. Column empowers users to navigate legal notice requirements easily, enhance operational efficiency, and drive business success for newspapers and their clients.