F.I.R.E.D Up with Krista Mashore - Episode 936 Summary: "How He Built His Business by Focusing on Local Businesses and Building Relationships"
In Episode 936 of F.I.R.E.D Up with Krista Mashore, host Krista Mashore engages in an insightful conversation with Chris Pasek, a thriving real estate agent from Dripping Springs, Texas. Released on March 25, 2025, this episode delves deep into Chris's strategic approach to building a resilient business by emphasizing local community engagement and robust digital marketing practices.
Guest Introduction: Chris Pasek and PEEK Properties
Chris Pasek introduces himself as a key player in PEEK Properties, a growing real estate company based in Dripping Springs, Texas. Alongside his cousin, Chris has expanded the team to include seven other agents, marking a steady and consistent growth trajectory in the Central Texas real estate market.
Notable Quote:
"Central Texas is where I live, where I work, and just get stuff done here."
— Chris Pasek [00:42]
Navigating a Challenging Real Estate Market
Despite facing what Krista describes as the "worst real estate market since 1995," Chris shares how his business remains robust. He attributes this resilience to his strategic focus on local businesses and relationship-building within the community.
Notable Quote:
"It's been the worst real estate market since 1995, and you don't seem to be doing so bad."
— Krista Mashore [00:59]
Embracing Digital Marketing and Social Media
Chris recounts his initial struggles with social media marketing prior to joining Krista's coaching program. Understanding the necessity of digital presence, he immersed himself in learning Facebook marketing strategies, including ad management and location domination. This foundation enabled him to pivot effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Quote:
"If you don't bring them value, they don't remember you. But if you bring them value and you don't ask for anything in return, you're gonna get stuff back from them."
— Chris Pasek [00:00]
Focusing on Local Small Businesses
Recognizing that many local businesses lack marketing expertise, Chris positioned himself as a valuable partner by offering his marketing prowess. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the community, understanding the unique challenges local businesses face, and providing tailored solutions to enhance their digital presence.
Key Strategies:
- Community Engagement: Actively participating in local groups and events to build relationships.
- Targeted Facebook Ads: Utilizing precise geo-targeting and interest-based criteria to reach potential customers.
- Educational Initiatives: Teaching business owners how to effectively manage their social media and advertising efforts.
Notable Quote:
"People don't really... if you don't bring them value, I find out more and more now, if you don't bring them value, they don't remember you. But if you bring them value and you don't ask for anything in return, you're gonna get stuff back from them."
— Chris Pasek [01:38]
Implementing Effective Facebook Advertising
Chris details his approach to running successful Facebook ad campaigns for local businesses. By focusing on specific zip codes and interests pertinent to each business, he ensures that ad spend is optimized and reaches the right audience without unnecessary expenditure.
Notable Quote:
"We're literally targeting a zip code. That's it."
— Chris Pasek [07:27]
Additional Insights:
- Interest Targeting: Aligning ad content with the interests of the target demographic (e.g., targeting beer enthusiasts for a local brewery).
- Analytics and Feedback: Monitoring ad performance and gathering customer feedback to refine strategies.
Evolving Through Collaboration and Innovation
Initially, Chris collaborated with another Realtor to host live shows aimed at supporting businesses during the pandemic-induced downturn. However, he received feedback regarding repetitive content, prompting a strategic shift.
New Approach:
- Chamber of Commerce Partnerships: Collaborating with local chambers to feature different business owners each week.
- Live Shows Format: Hosting 15-20 minute sessions via Streamyard, where each episode highlights a unique local business and encourages cross-promotion among community members.
Notable Quote:
"Every Monday, there's a different person on with me, and we're promoting not only their business and talking through, hey, you know, what do you do at Martin's Dripping Spring Pharmacy but also asking those owners, you've been here for a while, what are your favorite local businesses."
— Chris Pasek [08:20]
Achieving High Engagement Without Ad Spend
Chris's revamped live show format has garnered significant organic engagement, averaging between 800 and 1,200 views in the first week without additional advertising. By leveraging his business's Facebook presence, he ensures that the content is widely viewed and shared within his network, amplifying reach organically.
Notable Quote:
"Most of these I'm without running ad spend on them and I'll get to that in a second. But without running ad spend, most of these things are between 800 and 1200 views in the first week."
— Chris Pasek [10:50]
Conclusion: The Power of Value-Driven Relationships
Chris Pasek's journey underscores the significance of building meaningful relationships and providing genuine value within a community. By focusing on local businesses and leveraging digital marketing tools effectively, he has not only sustained his real estate business during challenging times but also fostered a supportive and interconnected local economy.
Final Insight:
"When you get that engagement, when they know that you've got an audience, they're going to take your stuff and spread it a little bit further on Facebook."
— Chris Pasek [10:51]
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs and Real Estate Agents:
- Prioritize Local Engagement: Building strong relationships with local businesses can create a network of mutual support and referrals.
- Leverage Digital Marketing Skills: Mastering tools like Facebook Ads enables targeted and cost-effective marketing campaigns.
- Provide Value First: Offering knowledge and assistance without immediate expectations fosters trust and reciprocity.
- Adapt and Innovate: Continuously refine strategies based on feedback and changing market conditions to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
- Utilize Live Platforms for Community Building: Hosting live shows or events can enhance visibility and strengthen community bonds.
By integrating these strategies, entrepreneurs and real estate professionals can navigate challenging markets and achieve sustained growth through community-focused initiatives and strategic digital marketing.