Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

Instagram has just launched long-form video content and I’m breaking down exactly what this means for you as a content creator. We’ve talked about using new features on Instagram before, they like to prioritize content by early adopters, but don’t think you need to completely change your entire content strategy. I’m sharing how I plan to lean into this new feature and we’ll look at some ways other creators have already started using long-form video (examples linked below!) 

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Details about Instagram’s newest feature launch of long-form video content and what it means for you as a creator.
• How long-form content is already prominently featured on Instagram's explore feed.
• How you can start utilizing this feature in a way that works with what you’re already doing.
• Remember that using new Instagram features is completely optional and never a requirement, but I do encourage you to give it a chance!
• The opportunity to make long-form content your own, it can be as long or short as you want, minimally edited, and repurposed.

Featured content in this episode:

• Jenniferhylwa: Sorites Paradox
• Sweetpotatosoul: Ask a vegan health coach
• Lizfenwickdiy: 25 Christmas DIY Home Tips 
• Ninanoticingthings: You don’t have to listen
• Baseballbatbros: Best wiffle ball bat

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 25: Why You Want to Use the New Instagram Features
• Episode 121: Discover What’s Valuable Once You Start Posting
• Episode 130: Feeling Excited About Content Creation Changes Everything
• Episode 133: You Need a Content Schedule That Works For Your Life

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I’ve compiled all of my favorite content creation hacks into one episode and you don’t want to miss this, because these tools can be your lifeline for saving time and actually tapping post on your next piece of content. I’ve found simple user-friendly tools that make it easy to create and organize your content so you aren’t spending hours editing or getting lost in complicated apps. You’ll find a nice mix of free apps and some paid tools that are going to make content creation so much easier for you, from the Edits app to Google Drive to my favorite selfie light, I’ve got so much to share!

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• How to use the Edits app and why it's my favorite alternative to some big name editing apps, I’ll even share a quick demo so you know just how easy it is to use! 
• Templates! I use templates for everything and you should too, they speed up the process and helps you bypass overthinking.
• How to organize and store your content in Google Drive and iPhone, from content ideas to setting up B-Roll folders.
• My favorite Amazon purchases that I consider lifesavers as a busy mom and business owner because they make it so much easier to create.

Featured content in this episode:

• Brand.nat: My Claude Video Editing Guide
• Lisen Phone Mount
• Wireless Microphone
• Selfie Light

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 104: How to Create Viral Reels From Everyday Video Clips
• Episode 130: Feeling Excited About Content Creation Changes Everything
• Episode 133: You Need a Content Schedule That Works For Your Life
• Episode 134: The Simple Editing Process for Reels That Saves Me Hours Each Week

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This isn’t a typical episode, but I want to talk honestly about what it’s like to continue to show up on social media when things feel like they’re falling apart. Maybe you’ve experienced this and you can relate, or if you haven’t had that experience, I hope this gives you some advice and permission to do what’s best for you, whether its pressing pause, slowing down, or getting extra support. Social media can be deceiving, it looks like everyone is always on and everything is business as usual, but the fact is things aren’t always great and times do get tough.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• You’ve got options. We’ll talk about what you can do from hiring help and getting support, to repurposing your content, or simply taking a break.
• Your audience won’t notice if you take a quick breather, and when they do I’m sure they will be just as supportive as ever.
• How being a business owner exposes everything, it really forces you to look at who you are and gives you permission to be yourself.
• I’m getting up close and personal here, I’ve struggled with my own things this year and I’m sharing how I have handled my social media content and just life in general (hint: it’s ok to ask for help).
• Take the pressure off and trust yourself. Consider this your permission slip to be yourself and do what you need to do when life gets hard. 

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 57: Repurpose Your Content for More Impact with Less Effort
• Episode 116: Easy Content Ideas for When You’re Not Feeling Creative
• Episode 119: Your Boring Life Moments are the Shortcut to Success
• Episode 124: Have More Conversations and Let Your Audience Shape Your Content
• Episode 133: You Need a Content Schedule That Works For Your Life
• Episode 135: Building a World for Your Brand on Social Media

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I hear from everyone all the time “My life is too boring. My product is too boring. My service is too boring.” Well friend, I am here to help you make it unboring by showing you what it means to create an entire world around your brand. We’ll talk about inviting your audience into your world through your content and Instagram stories, making your brand a place people actually want to revisit, just like their favorite tv show. Plus, I’m sharing examples from big brands to show how they’ve built unique online communities of fans rooted in taste and identity along with tips to leverage UGC, collaborating with other businesses, and simply letting your authentic self shine. You're not just creating content, you're creating a world for people. You're creating something for people to walk into, feel invited into, and feel safe in. You want them to align with who you are, your tastes, your identity, so stop hiding who you are.


In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Creating a world people want to be a part of and keep coming back to, whether that is a product, a service, or a brand.
• Inviting people into your world, into your way of thinking, your perspective, even your life story through your content.
• You’re not boring. As business owners, we get so wrapped up in our world that we think we have nothing of interest to say to others around us, and that’s not true. 
• Building worlds through identities and taste, and building a community where people want t open Instagram and go to your account to see it. 
• Discovering and developing your personal brand by talking and sharing, so you start learning and opening up about who you are and what your taste and identity is.

Featured content in this episode:

• Fishwife: Cutest Eye Masks You’ve Ever Seen

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 108: Why You NEED To Take Content Creation Seriously
• Episode 113: This Instagram Story Strategy Became My Biggest Sales Funnel
• Episode 118: Identity Maxxing Will Help You Find Your Ideal Audience
• Episode 119: Your Boring Life Moments are the Shortcut to Success
• Episode 125: How to Get Noticed Online for Brand Deal Opportunities
• Episode 129: Start Thinking Outside Your Niche

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Editing reels does not need to take up hours of your time and I am going to share exactly what I do each week to simplify the process. I’m breaking down how I make editing reels faster by leaning on the Edits app and using templates, and we’ll discuss duplicating projects and saving your favorite sounds and fonts so you’re always ready to create. I’ll also show you how to incorporate the RISE method to create irresistible hooks for reels, keeping the content creation process simple, saving you hours each week.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• My approach to editing Instagram Reels quickly (without spending hours on content creation)
• Saving time by using templates and the Edits app to streamline your workflow.
• Step-by-step process for duplicating and repurposing templates for recurring signature series.
• Using the RISE method to create scroll-stopping hooks in your talk-to-camera videos.
• Practical editing features like overlays, captions, and sound effects to boost engagement.

Featured content in this episode:

• How I edit my videos

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 101: Double Your Views on Instagram with the RISE Formula
• Episode 115: It’s Time to Get Yapping On Camera
• Episode 127: Create Trial Reels that Turn Viewers into Followers with Personalized Content
• Episode 130: Feeling Excited About Content Creation Changes Everything
• Episode 131: Two Types of Reels to Turn Viral Views into New Followers
• Episode 133: You Need a Content Schedule That Works For Your Life

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Did you know you’re more likely to hit post on your content when it feels easier and it actually works with your life? I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but I tend to avoid posting heavy content on Friday, leaning into content that is low lift and a little more fun. I actually plan out all my content in a way that fits into my busy schedule and I have some advice to share when it comes to posting routines and squeezing content into your busy workdays. I have some ideas for low lift, low energy content days and why you don’t need to be posting three times a day, every day (I don’t) because I want you to walk away feeling inspired to create content that feels easy and truly works with your life. 

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Posting your content at optimum times that make sense for you and your audience, think 7am coffee run.
• Embracing the idea of low-effort reels and relatable content, sometimes we just need something simple and that's okay!
• How I keep ideas ready when I’m out of energy and need quick and easy Instagram content inspiration.
• Building content creation into my week in a way that works with my schedule, not against it.

Featured content in this episode:

• Mosseri: Ranking on Instagram

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 104: How to Create Viral Reels From Everyday Video Clips
• Episode 121: Discover What’s Valuable Once You Start Posting
• Episode 130: Feeling Excited About Content Creation Changes Everything
• Episode 132: Creating Content For An Interest Based Algorithm

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Rumor has it that social media as we know it, is dead. In a sense, yes, social media is dead as we once knew it, but social media is still a place to be social and it’s still a place to build community, it just looks a lot different from what it was six to ten years ago. Now, instead of seeing all your friends and their new dog or their vacation, our feeds are interest based, which means we are seeing content around what we are showing interest in. If I send my husband a golf video, I’m going to be seeing a lot of golf related videos on my feed. So, what does that mean for you as a content creator? I’m breaking it all down for you in this episode.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• How the algorithm adjusts to your interests to keep you engaged and on the app longer.
• Don’t stress out about losing followers, let’s change the perspective on what it means when someone chooses not to follow you anymore.
• Start sharing your interests on social media, I’m giving you permission, because there is more to you than just business.
• Get to know your people and know them really well. Post in stories, ask questions, pay attention, and listen to what people are talking about.
• What conversations are happening in your industry? Take the time to listen to what people are frustrated with or what they are excited about. 

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 84: Train the Instagram Algorithm to Hype Up Your Content
• Episode 95: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments
• Episode 103: Hot Take: We’re Following Accounts Where We See a Reflection of Ourselves
• Episode 106: Spark Conversations with Reels Your Audience Will Want To Respond To
• Episode 109: The Human Side of Content That Sells
• Episode 124: Have More Conversations and Let Your Audience Shape Your Content

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If you’ve ever had a reel go viral with thousands of views, but you didn’t really gain any new followers from it, this happens more often than you think. Just because a reel goes viral, doesn’t mean all those views suddenly convert into new followers. I have found two types of reels that consistently bring in new followers, a signature series and what I like to call a “that’s me!” reel. We’ll talk about why I love these two types of reels so much and I’ll share how my new signature series is doing. If you’ve been on the fence about creating either of these types of reels, or if you’re looking for more followers on Instagram or TikTok, take this as your sign to turn those views into follows!

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• What to do when your reel goes viral, but those views don’t turn into new followers.
• Recap of what a “That’s Me!” reel looks like and my favorite hooks that tend to attract and convert really well for this type of reel.
• Creating a signature series that works for your account and we’ll chat about what my new signature series looks like right now!
• Continue posting regularly, testing and using trial reels to reach your ideal audience, sometimes all it takes is a little tweak to find the right people. 
• How to discover what series your audience wants to see from you so your new viewers want to stay for more. 

Featured content in this episode:

• Content Playdate: Episode 1
• Fall Signature Series Ideas

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 19: Convert Viewers to Followers with the “That’s Me” Reel
• Episode 26: Start a Signature Series That People Keep Coming Back For
• Episode 118: Identity Maxxing Will Help You Find Your Ideal Audience
• Episode 120: Three Things To Set Up Before Your Content Goes Viral
• Episode 127: Create Trial Reels that Turn Viewers into Followers with Personalized Content
• Episode 130: Feeling Excited About Content Creation Changes Everything

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If you’ve ever wondered about going viral on Instagram and what it really takes to grow your business through content creation, I’m sharing stories about how I recently helped two different accounts skyrocket over 30,000 followers using a simple, strategic reel with a powerful hook and how you can prepare if something similar happens to you. We’ll talk about the importance of having systems in place to capture and communicate with your new audience, and how I use tools like ManyChat to build my email list. I’m also taking a moment to reflect on my own business journey, including the recent explosion of my new content series that earned me thousands of new followers in just days, and why slow, steady growth can be just as valuable as an overnight viral moment. Remember, every growth journey looks a little different, so experiment a little and have fun creating! 

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• How finding success always looks a little different for everyone and a quick look at two different accounts that gained 30K followers from one reel. 
• Preparation for going viral by having systems and tools in place to manage the influx of followers and messages, especially important for new creators!
• Having fun with content creation will help you create better content, and most often the simplest content performs the best!
• Overnight growth vs. slow and steady, a reflection of my own business journey (spoiler: I wouldn’t change a thing!)

Featured content in this episode:

• Chelsea Explains
• Bitter Builds

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 120: Three Things To Set Up Before Your Content Goes Viral
• Episode 126: Make More Sales by Building Trust with Your Audience
• Episode 127: Create Trial Reels that Turn Viewers into Followers with Personalized Content
• Episode 128: The Rise of the Conversational Expert
• Episode 129: Start Thinking Outside Your Niche

Send a message!

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If you feel stuck in the cycle of strictly business content, consider this your permission to start thinking beyond your niche. For your next post I want you to experiment and have some fun, show us who you are and what you’re up to. We’ll discuss why posting about your random interests can spark engagement and attract new followers and how curiosity and connection will always be the heart of social media success. Make sure to tune into the next episode for part two!

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Try this “Ask me about” exercise to start thinking beyond your niche to connect with your audience on a personal level.
• There’s value in posting seemingly “random” content that ventures outside your niche.
• Embrace your interests! You aren’t confusing the algorithm by posting beyond your niche, the algorithm favors interest and curiosity, and you can still reach aligned followers.
• Skip product only posts, share your stories and humanize your brand, there is growth and sales potential for any brand with heart. 

Featured content in this episode:

• Stop only posting within your niche
• 7 Out-of-the-box things to post this week

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 109: The Human Side of Content That Sells
• Episode 119: Your Boring Life Moments are the Shortcut to Success
• Episode 121: Discover What’s Valuable Once You Start Posting
• Episode 127: Create Trial Reels that Turn Viewers into Followers with Personalized Content

Send a message!

If you use the send a message option above, be sure to include your email address if you would like a reply! (Please allow 3-5 business days for a response)

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