We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Stone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

“Absolutely, I’m thrilled to share about ‘Kickin It IN Keller’ and our amazing Kickin It Partners. The group was born out of a desire to create a space on social media that radiated positivity and provided a platform for genuine engagement and interaction. We noticed a significant need for a community-centric group where residents of Keller and those interested in our town could learn, connect, and support local endeavors.

At the heart of it all, ‘Kickin It IN Keller’ is more than just a Facebook group; it’s a community dedicated to collaboration, connection, and celebration of everything Keller has to offer. We share updates, recommendations, events, and stories, but it’s the way we do it that sets us apart. We encourage our members to engage, share their favorite spots to ‘kick it’ in town, and create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone’s voice is heard.

As for our Kickin It Partners, these are local businesses and individuals who have linked arms with us to support and uplift the community. They’re not just partners; they’re integral members of our community who give back, support one another, and actively volunteer in Keller. These relationships have grown organically, built on shared values and a common goal of fostering a stronger, more connected community.

Our partners play a vital role in running the group and supporting our efforts. They help us maintain an active and engaging platform while also contributing to the local vibe of Keller. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, as they gain visibility among our engaged community members, and we gain their invaluable support and local expertise.

The idea for this partnership program was inspired by our mission to support local and create a positive online space that reflects the vibrant spirit of Keller. We wanted to move away from the negativity often seen on social media and create a place where people could learn about our town, connect with neighbors, and discover local businesses and events that make Keller unique.

Through ‘Kickin It IN Keller’ and our Kickin It Partners, we’ve been able to create a network of support, engagement, and positivity. It’s a testament to the strength of our community and the power of coming together to celebrate and support one another. We’re not just a group; we’re a community thriving together, and our partners are a crucial part of that journey.”

Ashley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

“Kickin’ It Media Group is a vibrant collaborative effort between myself and my husband, Mike Hernandez. Together, we have meticulously nurtured and expanded this group, cultivating a thriving community of over 11,000 members. Our journey is fueled by a profound passion for serving our community and a desire to bridge the gap between local businesses and the residents of our rapidly evolving city.

Recognizing the disconnect between businesses striving to reach their audience and community members eager to stay updated on the city’s transformation, we took it upon ourselves to forge that crucial connection. Our initiative extends beyond the digital realm, aiming to create tangible relationships, bolster local enterprises, and build a tight-knit community.

Social media serves as a powerful tool to keep us connected, but we wanted to transcend virtual interactions and guide people on where they can experience the true essence of our city, in person. Kickin’ It Media Group is dedicated to capturing those fleeting ‘moments’—the ones that often slip through the cracks of our busy lives. We document the city’s growth and the vibrancy of its events, employing drone footage, video interviews, photos, and more to share real, compelling stories of our community.

As we have developed the group, we’ve concurrently cultivated our own business, propelling our passion for visual storytelling in new ways. Every aspect of our work is infused with our dedication to bringing stories to life, fostering a space where both our community and our businesses can flourish together.”

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building a reputable presence in our market has been a journey rooted in unwavering consistency and a deep commitment to authenticity. These two core values have served as our guiding principles, shaping the way we interact with our community, support local businesses, and share the story of our city.

Consistency: From the very beginning, we recognized the importance of showing up for our community day in and day out. We’ve maintained a steady stream of engaging content, timely updates, and meaningful interactions within our group. This consistency has not just been about the frequency of our posts, but also about the quality and relevance of the content we share. We’ve worked diligently to ensure that every piece of content aligns with our mission and resonates with the values of our community. This steadfast commitment has helped us build trust and credibility among our members, showcasing our group as a reliable and invaluable resource for everything Keller.

Authenticity: In a world where digital interactions are becoming increasingly prevalent, we’ve strived to keep the human element alive in all our communications. We share genuine stories, celebrate the real moments, and connect on a personal level with our community members. Our authenticity shines through in our willingness to be open, transparent, and real in every interaction. We embrace the full spectrum of community life.

By intertwining consistency and authenticity in every aspect of our work, we’ve been able to cultivate a space where people feel seen, heard, and connected. We believe that our reputation is a reflection of the trust and rapport we’ve built with our community, and it’s something we don’t take lightly. We’re honored to be a part of Keller’s story, and we’re committed to continuing this journey with the same passion and integrity that have brought us to where we are today.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building a successful Facebook group like “Kickin’ It IN Keller” requires strategic planning, consistent effort, and a genuine passion for community building. Here’s an insight into the key steps and strategies that helped in building the group:

1. Clear Vision and Purpose:
Defining Objectives: We started by clearly defining our objectives, aiming to create a space for positive social media engagement, local support, and community connection.
Mission Statement: We crafted a strong mission statement focusing on community, collaboration, and connection, which guided all our actions and content.

2. Targeted Promotion:
Word of Mouth: Encouraged current members to invite friends and family, leveraging the power of personal recommendations.

3. Engaging Content:
Diverse Content Types: We varied our content types, including polls, live videos, Q&A sessions, and local news updates, to keep the engagement high.
Community Spotlight: Featured local businesses and community members, showcasing their stories and contributions to Keller.

4. Consistent Interaction:
Regular Posts: Ensured a consistent posting schedule, keeping the group active and engaging.
Prompt Responses: Responded promptly to comments and messages, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

5. Creating Interactive Opportunities:
Events and Meetups: Organized in-person events and meetups, encouraging members to connect offline.
Interactive Challenges: Initiated challenges and contests with incentives, boosting participation and interaction.

6. Fostering a Positive Environment:
Moderation: Implemented strict moderation policies to maintain a positive and respectful environment.
Encouragement: Actively encouraged positive interactions and sharing of local experiences.

7. Building Partnerships:
Local Businesses: Partnered with local businesses, creating mutually beneficial relationships that also provided value to our members.
Community Organizations: Collaborated with community organizations for joint events and initiatives.

8. Analyzing and Adapting:
Feedback Loops: Established feedback mechanisms to learn from members what they liked or wanted to see improved.
Adaptation: Adapted our strategies based on feedback and engagement data to continually enhance the group’s value.

9. Celebrating Milestones:
Acknowledgment: Celebrated group milestones and successes, creating a sense of achievement and belonging among members.
Member Highlights: Regularly highlighted active members, showing appreciation for their contributions.

10. Maintaining Authenticity and Transparency:
Real Conversations: Ensured that all interactions and content were genuine, building trust and authenticity.
Openness: Maintained transparency in our actions and decisions, further solidifying our credibility.

Through these strategies, we were able to not just grow the group in numbers, but also in depth of engagement and community connection, truly living up to our mission of fostering a vibrant and supportive community in Keller.

Contact Info:

• Website: kickinitinkeller.com. kickinitmediagroup.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kickinitinkeller
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kickinitinkeller
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kickinitinkeller

Image Credits
Kickin’ IT Media Group