Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

In this episode, we're unpacking the magic of creating reels with simple yet effective content ideas. Inspired by my own beach adventures, we're exploring the surprising benefits of going “rogue” when it comes to creating brand content and we'll discuss how giving your audience easy, relatable ideas can lead to viral content, even if it’s not directly related to your business. Plus, I'll share some genius, easy-to-implement examples I’m loving right now. In this episode we’ll be covering:Using a simple idea to create relatable contentFinding balance between fun and business-related postsRelatability to current trends such as summer or vacation modeUtilizing everyday moments for content creationSharing simple hacks, ideas, and actionable tipsUsing specific, relatable phrases to connect with your audienceSend a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

What would I do if I was starting over at zero on social media? To start I would ignore all the fear tactics and conflicting advice that’s out there. Instead, I would take the time to observe and start to study what is actually working right now. Knowing your audience is key, the more you know them, the easier your content will flow. Let’s start creating good content!In this episode we’ll be covering:Why timeless marketing strategies always winKnowing your capacity when you are creating contentDoing your homework and getting to know your audienceHow to conduct effective market research and what to askTailoring trending content to fit your industry and brandHaving fun on social media with your brand personality The importance of your core values and how they show up in your contentLinks + Resources: Want to hear more about brand personalities? Dive into episode 6 “Selling a Lifestyle, Not Just a Product”Send a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

Consider this the official summer episode. With summer in full swing, this episode is all about creating content that works for you, even on your days off. We’re talking about posting less this summer, how I prepare my own Instagram account for time away, and having fun with your content this summer.In this episode we’ll be covering:Strategically using pinned posts and reels on your accountCreating the summer content everyone wants to see right nowUtilizing insights and creating content that works so you can post less this summerHaving fun with your content while you’re on vacationHow to make sure they know you’re coming backSend a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

In a recent Reels Lab Q&A, I walked my students through several reels that are going viral right now. They left with so many new ideas, I thought I'd share some of those reels with you. I’m also going to address the misleading reels that “Instagram Coaches” are sharing right now. We’ll discuss the pitfalls of clickbait tactics and why ethical, specific, and engaging content is always your best bet for success. This ten minute episode is full of actionable tips to help you create genuinely good content that will actually resonate with your audience. In this episode we’ll be covering:The misleading and unethical advice on Instagram on right nowCreating ethical hooks vs unethical hooks in your contentReal examples of using specificity that are actually working One simple thing I do to understand why a video is so successfulHow using specificity in your content creates a connection point  Send a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

If you’ve been stressing about your Instagram captions, you need to hear this episode! No more wondering how long a caption should be, I’m sharing an easy to remember formula with all the essentials. We’re discussing hooks and how to use them, the importance of your call to action (especially if your goal is to grow and sell!) with helpful examples to start writing your ideal caption.In this episode we’ll be covering:The Instagram Creators account and "engagement bait"The essentials of writing an Instagram captionCaptions vs on screen textDifferent types of hooks and when to use themWriting readable content that even skimmers won’t want to missKeeping your caption simple to maximize engagementImportant questions to ask yourself when writing a caption Send a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

If you're feeling overwhelmed on Instagram, just know you're not the only one. It’s time to cut through the noise and bust some major social media myths that everyone is asking about. I’m calling out the biggest lies on Instagram right now (copy and pasting, editing and deleting, hashtags, and engaging with content outside your niche) and sharing the no-fluff advice you need to hear. I’ll talk about how instrumental Instagram stories have been to my business, how I use the “story test” and why you don’t need to post every single day. Remember, good content is good content, so let’s ditch the toxic advice and have fun on Instagram again!In this episode we’ll be covering:Impactful ways to use stories for connection and content that resonatesEncouragement to take days off from posting, without fear of penaltiesPractical tips to make social media less draining and more funCommon myths around content creation and posting on InstagramAvoiding toxic advice and following credible sourcesJoining the conversation for genuine connections and community-buildingMaking sure social media is actually a fun experienceMissed a few episodes? Head back to the beginning to binge all the short, ten minute episodes while you're folding laundry, in the car, or by the pool - you'll be caught up in no time!Links + Resources: Get the Grow Your Gram GuideSend a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

How well do you know your audience? When you're creating good content, you have to know your audience. You have to know what they'll find funny. You have to know what their worries are. What are they searching for on the Internet? You have to know them that well. You may have seen these gurus saying, you have to do this, you have to stop doing this, you have to…I’m reminding you that you know your people best. There are no absolutes and what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. It’s all about what works for you and your goals.In this episode we’ll be covering:Doing your homework as a business ownerNot all market research has to be boring, you can make it fun!Marketing expert red flags The only rules you need to worry about on InstagramDo data backed opinions and observations make it a rule?How to know when you should throw out the “rules”Send a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

If you have been wanting to throw out Instagram, please don’t! I know we have seen some crazy shifts on Instagram lately, which means it’s more important than ever to create good content. So let's talk about creating the type of content that gets you sales, because I know you guys are here to make money. Creating testimonial content has nothing to do with another Canva graphic, instead we're turning client success stories into engaging content that actually makes sales, even if you haven’t made any yet.In this episode we’ll be covering:What you need to know about the algorithmRepurposing content and keeping it simpleProof this actually works, I’m doing the research for you right hereThe one video type I post that always leads to salesSolutions for anyone who doesn’t want to talk to the cameraCreating content around your clients that gets salesSend a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

I haven’t been feisty on the podcast yet, but today’s the day. I know you’ve probably heard the algorithm is changing again. Here’s the thing, it’s not that the algorithm is changing, it’s what works is changing, and what you need to know is that Instagram favors engagement. Let's take a peek at the Reels content we created at the Annual Social Squad Society Retreat and discuss why people don’t want to be educated on Instagram anymore and what to do instead.In this episode we’ll be covering:Creating the simplest Reels everHow service providers can create shareable content Reminders we really need to hear in your content, even if you think we already know itYou can make sales without going viralThree things to keep in mind when you’re creating your next ReelLinks + Resources: Did you miss the episode I recorded in Savannah at the Annual Social Squad Society Retreat? Head to Episode 008: Creating Content That Starts a Conversation to listen, there’s a surprise guest at the end!Send a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

Let’s dive into what’s working right now on Instagram in May 2024. Here’s the deal, a lot of people are overthinking their content. So today, we’re going to chat about creating conversational content to bring people into your world and how to keep it simple.Did I mention this episode is coming to you from the Social Squad Society retreat in Savannah, Georgia? Make sure you stay till the end for a surprise guest!In this episode we’ll be covering:Sharing mind-blowing tips is easier than you thinkGiving your audience a chance a chime in and join the conversationKeeping your content simple and easy to digestHow to turn conversational content into market researchThe latest stats from one of my recent ReelsApplying the 3 S’s to your contentSend a message!Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!