Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

The theme for today’s episode is familiarity. We all love familiarity, it’s comforting, it feels safe, and it gives us a sense of belonging, which has a huge impact on your online presence. We’ll look at real examples from creators that cultivate this sense of familiarity through scenarios, locations, and identifiers, making their audience instantly feel seen and at home. We’ll also discuss the viral 2016 Instagram trend and the psychology behind why we tend to gravitate towards scenarios we recognize. 

In this episode we’ll be covering:
Making your content feel familiar to your audience and the impact it has on trust and engagement.
The emotional safety and belonging that comes from familiar relationships, and how to evoke a similar feeling through your content.
The role that nostalgia and simpler times plays in content right now, reminiscing about significant or everyday moments and the feelings that it creates.
Why familiarity works in content, attracting and retaining viewers, offering connection and belonging.
How to create familiarity in your content with trial reels, identifiers, and crafting scenarios that are relevant to everyday and lived experiences.

Featured content in this episode:
Inside Edition Interview on YouTube
Kay.harike: Stranger Things New Years Eve Party
Smillagrundholm: One day closer…
Everythingemili: New taco night fav
Ashroedl: Road trip and 2016 playlist
Everydaywithmandy: Mom to mom
Shannonmckinstrie: 2016 Trend Post

Recommended episodes:
Episode 081: Your Next Powerful Piece of Content is Already on Your Phone
Episode 085: Start Thinking Like a Marketer So People See Themselves in Your Content
Episode 087: How to Get New Followers on Instagram: Trial Reels, Bios, and More!
Episode 091: Here’s What Good Content Will Look Like in 2026
Episode 095: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments

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I’ve said this before, we’re going back to basics when it comes to creating content online. In this AI age we are craving memorable content that connects us and feels human, content that feels real and tangible. There’s an increasing trend for an analog lifestyle, we’ll explore what those trends look like with lots of examples (all linked below!) and how I plan to incorporate this into my own content in 2026. We’ll talk about how the viral Topgolf story ended and what viral unplanned moments can teach us about belonging online. We’ll also discuss how important your retention rates are and why community interactions are key to engagement and growth.

In this episode we’ll be covering:
Reframing trendy content, especially if you feel anti-trend and don’t want to follow along.
Getting people to interact with your posts and how I get so many comments.
Creating content that makes people feel connected and like they belong somewhere.
Why the analog trend is working so well right now and how to start incorporating it into your own content plan.
How to hold audience attention, and increase retention rates and watch time with current trends.

Featured content in this episode:
Shannonmckinstrie: Topgolf breakdown
Travelingtoretirement: Our number one money rule as a married couple
Professorcorporate: Ways to call people stupid at work
Satmasterclass: Writing
Ambitiouslyalexa: January journal prompts 
Wordsof_emmaheaphy: Journaling on screen
Askbridgetteg: Boyfriend instruction manual
Theselfhelpplanner: Four goals you need for 2026
Vuongdusti: Media I’ve been consuming instead of doomscrolling
Cheesegal: You let your kids pick the menu
Tahirashome: 10 Things we did to make

Recommended episodes:
Episode 067: The Importance of Belonging on Social Media
Episode 088: Find Your Content Rhythm and Build a Simple Content Strategy
Episode 090: How You’re Going to Become Really Good at Content Creation in 2026 (Part 2)
Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
Episode 096: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments

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Let’s kick off the new year with a little fun as I share some TikTok’s that had me laughing out loud. We’ll dive into why these viral moments were such a hit and we’re bringing it all back to community because this year we want to create content that truly connects by sharing real journeys and moments. I hope this episode reminds you that social media success starts with community and being you. So take a breath and join me for a light but meaningful start to the year.

In this episode we’ll be covering:
The importance of building a community on social media that sticks with you long after the initial journey ends.
Sharing personal journeys and moments online helps bond with your audience, creating loyal followers.
Viral videos that showcase a vibrant and engaged community rallying around a shared moment. 
Sharing fresh perspectives and behind-the-scenes moments.
Pivoting your content doesn’t have to mean losing your audience.
Getting active in comment sections and using stories to spark genuine interaction.

Featured content in this episode:
_tatianaforbes
Viral Topgolf
Fixed for Logan

Recommended episodes:
Episode 076: Create Content That Makes Them Want to Keeping Coming Back
Episode 082: How to Get New (and Old!) Followers to Binge Your Content
Episode 091: My Personal Predictions for Instagram in 2026
Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
Episode 093: The Instagram Algorithm is Not the Villain: Being More Intentional with Your Content
Episode 094: You Want Your Content to Fit Your Life, Not Become Your Life

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As business owners who are creating social media content, the stakes feel so high and the pressure is so heavy, but I want you to remember that your content needs to support your life and your lifestyle, not replace it. The best content doesn’t come from overthinking it or forcing ideas, it comes from living our real everyday lives and sharing those authentic moments, opinions, and experiences online. I’ll walk you through why the magic of social media lies in showcasing your personality and lived experience, and I’m sharing some fun content examples to help you get some quick wins so you can approach content creation with renewed energy as we head into 2026.

In this episode we’ll be covering:
How to make content creation less overwhelming by living your life, record what you're already doing and turn that into content.
Sharing what your audience is too afraid to say or something that they haven't really thought of in that way.
Using your lived experience to create relatable posts that connect with your followers.
Why brands and products need a unique personality to succeed on social media in 2026.
Content examples that drive engagement and growth using the 4H’s: helpful, humorous, heard, and happenings.. 
Tips for integrating content creation into your routine without it taking over your life.

Featured content in this episode:
Wonderfilled_life_: This coffee smells like everything is getting thrown away today
Dr.zachtrevino: Merry Christmas to everyone except…
Hanashappyhome: Small starter home
Charlotteetiquette: One polite habit…
Lydkerr: Turns out veggies are delicious
Boringfriends: Support smaller businesses

Recommended episodes:
Episode 006: Selling a Lifestyle, Not Just a Product
Episode 044: Become Their Favorite Comfort Creator with Everyday Moments
Episode 063: Was That an Ad? Even the Big Brands are Making it Personal
Episode 070: Instagram Growth Hacks That Actually Work and Give Your Account Personality
Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging

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If you’ve been feeling confused, overwhelmed, or just simply stressed out by Instagram this past year, it’s time to change your approach for 2026. It’s not 2020 anymore and content strategies have changed. Going into the new year, we’re focusing on crafting a more intentional content strategy that’s all about authentic connection, powerful storytelling, and understanding exactly what your audience craves. We’ll discuss a major Instagram update from this past week (hashtags aren’t dead), how to best apply the change to your own content, and why it might feel like the algorithm is the enemy (it’s really not!). Let’s make 2026 our best year yet!

In this episode we’ll be covering:
The latest update from Instagram: New hashtag update limits usage to three to five relevant hashtags per post.
Prioritizing intentional content, with keyword-rich captions and on-screen text.
Keeping audiences engaged and increasing retention rates through storytelling and humanizing your content.
Using me-centric storytelling hooks and relatable language that builds emotional connection, driving shares and saves.
Doing audience research and speaking directly to followers' needs, interests, and lifestyles for optimal reach.
The algorithm myths: Instagram rewards valuable content that genuinely resonates with people.

Featured content in this episode:
Hashtag Update

Recommended episodes:
Episode 088: Find Your Content Rhythm and Build a Simple Content Strategy
Episode 089: How You’re Going to Become Really Good at Content Creation in 2026 (Part 1)
Episode 090: How You’re Going to Become Really Good at Content Creation in 2026 (Part 2)
Episode 091: My Personal Predictions for Instagram in 2026
Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging

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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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