Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie

• How to Get New Followers on Instagram: Trial Reels, Bios, and More!

  Let’s talk about real strategies for getting new Instagram followers, especially as social media has evolved and people have become a lot more selective when it comes to hitting that follow button. I’m breaking down what actually makes someone want to follow you, including how to optimize your bio, pinned posts, and stories to create a magnetic profile, and why trial reels are still one of the best tools for attracting fresh eyes, even if they don’t go viral. In this episode we’ll be covering:How to think like a user, what makes you hit follow on an account? The strategy I use for trial reels that consistently brings in new followers to my account.Why is Instagram really giving those warning messages and should you be worried?How to prevent a trial reel from sharing to your account. Creating an irresistible Instagram profile with an optimized account bio, purposeful pinned posts, and daily engaging stories.Don’t have access to Trial Reels yet? Try this hack and let us know if it works for you!​​Step 1: Go to this URL on your phone (https://creators.instagram.com/blog/instagram-trial-reels?locale=en_GB)Step 2: Click the ‘Create Reel’ buttonStep 3: This will open IG to upload or create a video. Press next, make any edits, etc., then press next again to fill out the caption etc. You should see a toggle to select “Trial Reel” (This is a trial reel and will only be shown to non-followers at first.) Post when you’re ready!Step 4: Repeat the process and upload as many as you want. After a while the feature will just be on your account.Additional step: if you ever lose the feature after you had it, just repeat the step-by-step and you’ll get access to it again.Recommended episodes:Episode 019: Convert Viewers to Followers with the “That’s Me” ReelEpisode 020: SEO Strategies to Optimize Your Instagram ContentEpisode 040: Build More Connections with Everyday MomentsEpisode 050: Stories Work! Here’s how to make them work for YOUEpisode 071: Start a New Instagram Account From Scratch (or Refresh Your Current One)Episode 073: Staying Top of Mind with Instagram StoriesSend 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) 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!

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• Give Your Social Media Content a Holiday Twist

  Ready or not, the holiday season is here! Let’s dive into holiday content ideas that will spark your creativity, no matter what your niche may be. From trending buzzwords to repurposing your best-performing posts with a seasonal twist, I’ll walk you through tons of actionable hooks, scenarios, and brand-specific concepts to help your content stand out this time of year. Whether you’re in real estate, food, home interiors, writing, or even a lawyer or pediatrician, I’ve got strategies that you can use too. This season can feel chaotic and stressful, but I want it to be fun! In this episode we’ll be covering:How to train your Instagram algorithm for holiday sales and trending topics discovery.Three strategies for viral holiday reels: scenarios, buzzwords, and relatable identifiers.Ideas and examples for home decor, food, real estate, and authors to maximize holiday engagement.Tips for updating previous posts with a seasonal twist for winter, Christmas, Hanukkah and beyond..Local marketing suggestions: spotlighting holiday events, markets, and must-visit spots in your city.Featured content in this episode:Interiorjems: Ralph Lauren Christmas decor you haven’t seenBeyond_gray: Decorate your stair railing like a proBeyond_gray: How do you hang your window wreaths?Lifebyleanna: Above sink garland hackLife_of_glow: How do you get your dried citrus so perfect?Miriamobrien_: Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas on AmazonDrinkswithdanica: Your new favorite holiday cocktailSimplyeverydayliving: Christmas Shirley TempleLeahsguides: Books that make you feel like you're in a Hallmark movieXchristmas365x: Christmas breakfast ideasJingle.all.year: Ultimate Christmas movie calendarEmilywelchstyle: Soon life will feel like an early 2000’s Holiday rom-comLindsforthegirls: Perfect Christmas fleeceCozycornerkai: How we’re surviving darker daysLex_nicoleta: Gifts for the coolest girl you knowLeannebarlow: Picky girl christmasKatiegeorges: Gifts people actually want under $25Krystaldunn_: Girls craft nightRecommended episodes:Episode 057: Repurpose Your Content for More Impact with Less EffortEpisode 067: The Importance of Belonging on SocSend 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) 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!

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• Start Thinking Like a Marketer So People See Themselves in Your Content

  This episode is all about helping you think like a marketer, not just in theory, but in a way that’s practical and approachable. I’m breaking down how to connect deeply with your audience by moving beyond those generic identifiers and tapping into real-life scenarios, emotions, and storytelling that makes your content truly resonate. We’ll discuss the psychology behind great content, learn how to speak directly to your audience’s lived experiences, and you’ll leave with a quick win you can put into action this week. Whether you’re selling a product, a service, or simply trying to grow your presence on social media, the goal is to build genuine connection, community, and belonging through every piece of content you share. In this episode we’ll be covering:How to think like a marketer by knowing and understanding your audience almost as well as you know yourself.Practical tips for creating relatable content that focuses on real-life moments and scenarios that can be used in any industry.The why behind specific identifiers  vs generic labels like “busy mom” or “small business owner”The key reasons people choose to follow and buy: connection, community, and belonging, and making sure they are in any content you create.Featured content in this episode:Masseya: Home cooked meal for your kidsRecommended episodes:Episode 042: Your Simple B-Roll Can Become Easy Reels That Actually ConvertEpisode 067: The Importance of Belonging on Social MediaEpisode 076: Create Content That Makes Them Want to Keeping Coming BackEpisode 080: A Crash Course in Social Media MarketingSend 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) 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!

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• Train the Instagram Algorithm to Hype Up Your Content

  How do we get the algorithm to be your hype man? You make it easy for the algorithm to know exactly who to show your content to. I’m breaking down how the algorithm actually works and sharing practical tips so you can train it to be your ultimate hype man. We’ll talk about how Instagram’s shift toward interest-based content is shaping what you see in your feed, why keywords and identifiers are more powerful now than ever, and how using strategic hooks, hashtags, and local references can get your posts seen by the audience who really wants them. With a few simple tweaks, you’ll be equipped to make the algorithm work for you. In this episode we’ll be covering:Understanding the Instagram algorithm shift from relationship-based to interest-based content delivery.How to train the Instagram algorithm to become your personal hype man, getting your content in front of more right fit people.Using identifiers and keywords to find and connect with your ideal audience.Leveraging SEO strategies (keywords, hashtags) to help Instagram categorize and serve your content.Real-time examples showing how Instagram algorithm recommendations reflect user behavior and interests.Featured content in this episode:Nataliembode: Fall wardrobe upgradesInourhouseandhom: One sentence responseSaraparkerdesign: Your interior design styleShannonmckinstrie: The thing people won’t tell youRecommended episodes:Episode 064: POV: They’re hitting follow… Immediately.Episode 067: The Importance of Belonging on Social MediaEpisode 069: Why Slow Summer Vibes and 90’s Nostalgia are Stopping the Scroll This SummerEpisode 081: Your Next Powerful Piece of Content is Already on Your PhoneSend 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) 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!

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• Use the REP Hook Formula and Start Filling in the Missing Pieces

  Grab your notebook because today we’re talking about nailing your messaging with the REP hook formula. I just spent some time in Indy with our mastermind and I’ve brought back some seriously powerful insights for you. In this episode, we’re getting into what makes content really click, and how nailing your messaging and understanding psychological triggers can transform your posts, reel in new followers, and boost your sales (like one mastermind participant who gained 600 followers and $500 in sales in less than 24 hours!). If you’re stuck on what to say in your hooks, feeling lost when it comes to filling in those blanks, or just frustrated that your Instagram isn’t delivering results, you’re going to hear proven strategies and prompts that are working right now.In this episode we’ll be covering:A breakdown of my REP Hook Formula: relatable, expertise, and personal connection and how to apply each part to your own content.The importance of using relatable recognition and identity marketing when creating content and why words matter in your script, copy, and captions. Positioning yourself as a trusted source of insider knowledge, sharing your expertise as a job title or personal experiences.Highlighting the  curiosity gap with personal words (like I, my, we, us) making hooks more personal to foster authority and relatability.Actionable hook prompts and how to personalize them (even if you feel stuck!) using specific, situational language to increase relevance and stakes.Featured content in this episode:Shannonmckinstrie: Steal my proven hooksRecommended episodes:Episode 060: Nail Your Short Form Videos with This Simple FormulaEpisode 061: Use The Relatable Expert Hook to Create Your Next Helpful ReelEpisode 067: The Importance of Belonging on Social MediaEpisode 076: Create Content That Makes Them Want to Keeping Coming BackEpisode 077: Simple B-Roll and Strong Hooks for Low-Effort, High-Impact Instagram 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) 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!

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