Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

Today we’re diving into something that so many of you have been asking for, how to start (or refresh!) your Instagram from scratch, without all the second guessing. Whether you’re brand new to the platform or you’ve been around a while and just need an account audit, I have tons of practical tips and golden nuggets to help you take the guesswork out of establishing a strong Instagram presence. We’...

What really drives growth on social media? It might not be what you think. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a niche or worried your content is too personal to help your business, you need to hear this. I’m sharing how my mentor Sara Wiles exploded her Instagram following just by posting what she’s passionate about, and how big brands are nailing social by being, well, more human . We’ll break down my...

Let’s unpack what’s really working on social media right now, it’s all about feeling and nostalgia. In this episode I’m diving into why people are craving content that’s emotional, specific, and makes them feel something. I share real examples of trending content, including two major summer trends that I’m loving, plus actionable ways you can apply these trends to your own business, whether you’re...

It’s time to wrap up our deep dive into the power of belonging in your social media marketing. In this episode, we’ll discuss creating “heard” content, evergreen strategies like the “you’re not alone” messaging and why pinning empathetic, relatable posts or reintroducing yourself can establish a welcoming vibe for new and returning visitors. With an emphasis on storytelling, we’ll talk about using...

At the heart of every thriving social media presence is a feeling of belonging, and in this episode I’m breaking down why cultivating a sense of belonging isn’t just a nice extra, it’s a non-negotiable. Inspired by a stand-out Instagram reel and a real-life story of resilience, we’ll discuss helping your audience feel truly seen, heard, and part of something special, whether you’re a solo entrepre...

Today, we’re diving into something that trips up so many entrepreneurs and content creators: understanding the strengths and differences between static images, carousels, and reels on Instagram. These formats have evolved so much over the years, and in this episode I’ll break down what makes each one unique, why you don’t need to choose just one, and how to play to your strengths and your audience...

Have you ever felt puzzled by how trial reels actually work, or wondered what type of content actually pops off for non-followers? You’re not alone! I’ve been experimenting with trial reels since they first launched, testing out different hooks and content styles, and I’m here to share what’s really working. We’ll explore why storytelling and clear elevator pitch style intros just might be the sec...

We’re diving into one of my favorite categories from my signature 4H Method. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the advice about content calendars, conversion posts, and complicated strategies, I’ve got you, friend! I’ll break down why making your audience feel heard is so important when it comes to creating your Instagram content, plus I’m sharing some of my most effective hooks and viral exa...

This summer is going to be amazing for your content and we are going to kick it off by exploring how today’s biggest brands (think Oreo, Taco Bell, and DSW) are embracing a more personal, relatable approach in their content marketing. We’ll walk through some big brand reels breaking down how they fit into the REP hook, discussing why the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing, and how being hu...

Today’s episode is a bit extra special, because I’m recording from our very own beach house at the Outer Banks! I’m sharing the wild, emotional journey of how I was able to buy the lot next to my grandmother’s original cottage and how content creation made it all possible. We’ll also talk about why the best content these days looks and feels like it’s coming from a real person, and I’ll break down...

When you create content you’re passionate about, your audience feels it, and that authenticity leads to better engagement and faster growth for your brand. Today, we’re talking about my tried and true R.E.P. hook formula: Relatable, Expertise, and Personal. We’ll discuss how to infuse these elements into your reels, using relatable words, recognizable brands or phrases, and personal storytelling t...

Let’s break down exactly how to nail your short form videos without feeling overwhelmed, whether you’re creating Reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok videos. I’m sharing examples of reels that have exploded with engagement and how the 3 S’s apply every single time. We’ll discuss why certain words work so well to make your videos more relatable and actionable, and why specificity in your hooks helps co...

Let’s talk about self-awareness in marketing and why truly loving your topic is your secret sauce for both content creation and business growth. I have a question for you today: what’s that one thing you could jump on national TV and feel confident sharing? Because when you tap into that area of expertise, your excitement lights up your audience, and your content becomes magnetic. We’ll walk throu...

Sometimes it’s the most simple yet powerful tweaks that can take your content from just okay to truly engaging, and in a recent Reels Lab coaching call, we did just that. You may not realize just how much of a difference one or two small changes can make, whether it’s adding a descriptive word or slightly tweaking your messaging to make your content feel more relatable. I’m sharing examples from v...

Do you want to save hours of your time when it comes to creating content on social media? I know you do! That’s why we are going all in on how to repurpose your content with ease across various platforms. We’ll discuss the difference between reposting and repurposing, why repurposing is the way to go, and how content performs differently across platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. We’ll...

Did you know only 3% of your audience is ready to buy right now? That’s an interesting number, isn’t it? Typically, someone needs to see your content 77 times before they are ready to buy, but there are occasions where someone is ready to buy instantly, just like I was this weekend. This reel stopped my scroll and had me hooked immediately . I was ready to buy without hesitation, and I’m breaking...

You have probably heard that b-roll is boring and that’s why your content isn’t performing well. That’s simply not true. B-roll has been around forever, it’s not new, social media didn’t invent it, it’s always been there. In fact, “boring b-roll” isn’t the problem, pair it with a good trending audio and quality copy and it works . Remember, it's not about the fancy shots and edits, but the st...

Can you remember why we all hopped on social media in the first place? I think we've strayed a bit too far with all the perfectly curated content, replicating the endless cycle of tips and value posts that sometimes, let's be honest, feel a bit impersonal. So, let’s talk about the shift back to basics, where real, human connections spark genuine engagement. Whether it's a simple sto...

What are your customers really telling you? If you did last week’s homework (go back to episode 52 if you missed it!) you should have some great market research right now. In this episode, we are going to put it all into action with two viral reels prompts: "POV: You find/found" and "Not to be dramatic". Our goal is to attract and convert, so we’ll walk through examples of how...

Today we're diving into the way you create content and connect with your audience. First up, I'll share a brilliant marketing strategy that shows us how shifting focus from the product to the experience can make all the difference. We'll discuss the value of using customer testimonials and feedback (aka their own words) to craft compelling marketing materials that actually resonates...

I know you’ve been told time and time again NOT to talk about yourself and it’s because of this that content has become kind of boring, it took out the connection piece. You need to talk about yourself in your content! We want to hear from you, your journey, why YOU choose to do something a certain way. So today, we’re talking about this type of reel and I want you to try it, because not only can...

If the “experts” are telling you not to post on stories, I wholeheartedly disagree. Instagram stories changed everything for me, so we’re going all in and discussing how to make stories work for YOU! Stories can be magical for your business, use them, love them, and have fun with them ! Whether your goal is to boost engagement or increase sales, we’ll chat through some of my tried and true strateg...

We're diving into the world of funny and relatable content and how it can strengthen your social media presence and connect you with your audience like never before. We'll cover different strategies to infuse humor into your content, from evergreen prompts to trending memes, and I’ll share tips to leverage tools like ChatGPT to generate creative ideas. Whether you're looking to boos...

Today, we're diving deep into the secret sauce for success on social media, the three S's of content creation: Simple, Shareable, and Specific. We'll be talking about how you can tap into these elements to create engaging content that resonates across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We'll also review real examples from content creators who've nailed one or more of the...

Let’s talk about the Instagram algorithm, it’s not that scary, I promise! The overall goal is simple: keep users on the app. Remember, the algorithm rewards good content! I’m going to walk you through the differences between connected and unconnected reach, along with key factors like watch time, likes, and shares. We’ll also look at a few viral reels right now and I’m sharing some easy ideas you...