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Open a bottle of pinot grigio or whip up an oat milk latte and relax with your host, Shannon McKinstrie, as she cuts through the obnoxious social media noise, answers all your burning questions, and shares exactly what’s working right now in real time. No more second-guessing, it’s time to level up your social media game the tried and true way…with good content.
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What an amazing year it has been! There’s a lot to unpack in this episode, I’m sharing a major milestone in my business journey and we’re talking about ethics in marketing. We’ll also look at current viral reels trends that you’ll be seeing more of in 2025. In this episode we’ll be covering: A behind the scenes look at hitting business milestones! …
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Let’s be honest, it’s the holidays and you do not have the time to stress about what to post on Instagram this week. When used correctly, ChatGPT can be an incredible tool in your business, but instead of allowing ChatGPT to write boring, generic content for you, use it for inspiration and add your own unique twist. It isn’t always easy to know exa…
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As 2025 approaches, we're diving into the future of social media content creation. Spoiler alert: it's all about making your content personal and relatable! We'll discuss how educational content has transformed over the years, why personal stories resonate more than generic Google tips, and we’re exploring examples of viral content that connects wi…
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In my eleven years of managing and teaching social media, I’ve actually never been asked this question before… and it was a good one. The question was: “with all the trends and the tips and the tricks out there, how do I make sure I'm not losing my identity in my content?” Here’s the thing, everyone keeps saying nothing is original anymore and yes,…
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This is a really important topic that I wanted to talk about with you today and that is how to use inspiration when it comes to creating content. We’ll dig into the ethics of it all, including scrolling for inspiration, leveraging ChatGPT, and giving credit where it is due. We’ll also talk about using your own unique experiences to tailor your cont…
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Let’s dive into THE hot topic that's been stirring up the social media world. Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, recently confirmed something many of us suspected—video quality on the platform dips when engagement drops. So, let’s discuss the importance of creating engaging content to keep your video quality high and your reach wide. I'll share some r…
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Carousel posts are a HOT topic right now, but are they really all that? Spoiler alert: good content always wins, regardless of the format. I'm sharing my personal tips and tricks for creating engaging carousel posts as I guide you through storytelling techniques, educational content, and how to make the best use of Instagram’s latest features. Plus…
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Let’s discuss the core of what makes social media engagement powerful: storytelling. Fresh off Taylor Swift's Era's tour stop, I'm reminding you how storytelling can transform your social media strategy. We'll explore why Instagram remains a storytelling app, the magic behind Taylor Swift's fan connection, and practical steps for incorporating stor…
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This is a difficult topic to navigate, especially with everything going on in the world right now. I promised you that this podcast would focus on what’s working right now - and right now you may be feeling very heavy. If you don’t want to create content right now - that’s ok - your people will understand. Just know that like you, your audience may…
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Creating captivating talk-to-camera videos can be intimidating, but my most recent talk to camera reels have brought in ten times more followers than my “viral reels” with trending audio. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I’ll guide you through the latest verbal hooks and storytelling techniques that are working right now. Plus, i…
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This episode is all about exploration and observation as we discover what's currently working when it comes to Instagram Reels. You may feel like your content just isn't performing as well lately, but I promise your content can be successful too! Let's go for a scroll as we dive into real examples, exploring simple yet impactful reel structures, an…
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This is a topic I'm incredibly passionate about, but we haven't discussed much before – gatekeeping. Grab your notepad, because I'm going to share actionable tips on why revealing the full value in your content, without sending viewers to the captions, can boost both your engagement and business growth. I’m sharing real-life examples and proven hoo…
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This is a topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately, the importance of showing your brand personality on social media. Inspired by a recent LinkedIn post, we are going to explore why showing your true self is key to creating compelling content, even if you feel like you are too quirky or boring. We’re discussing the NFL’s sassy TikTok responses and…
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Consider this your sign to start your own signature series that keeps your audience coming back for more. In this episode, we are going all in on how to start a signature series that makes your brand instantly recognizable and keeps followers coming back again and again. I’m using real-life examples to explore how creators are leveraging this type …
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Here's the deal, when Instagram launches something new, they want you to hop on it, and Instagram’s latest feature has been the boost for reach and engagement you’ve been looking for. If you’ve been struggling with converting non-followers into followers or felt disheartened by low engagement, I’ve got some fresh insights for you. I’m breaking down…
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Instagram has always been a storytelling app and in this episode we are going all in on why your content needs storytelling. Social media apps are meant for human connection and we're diving deep into the heart of what makes social media so engaging. I’m sharing actionable tips and real examples on how you can become a captivating storyteller, even…
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Are you struggling with low engagement and reach on social media? Can't get your reels to convert viewers into followers? If you’re nodding yes, I've got you! In this episode, we're diving into the vital role of market research, because the biggest thing that you can do to create good content is figure out why people buy from you. We'll also explor…
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Today we're diving into the topic that’s on everyone's mind right now: engagement. If you've been feeling the pinch with your social media stats lately, you don’t want to miss this episode because I’m sharing actionable tips to give your content the boost it needs. From going live and collaborating with others to actively engaging with your audienc…
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Guess what time of year it is? It’s FALL content time! August is just the beginning of fall content on Instagram and we are about to dig into creating engaging content that will impress your audience. We’ll take a look at the reels going viral right now and what makes them so effective, so you can take these tips and create reels that your audience…
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Now that you have good content, it’s time to optimize it! In this episode we’re going all in on keywords, hashtags, and SEO. There's been a lot of buzz and even some fear-mongering about changes to hashtags and how they impact your reach. But don't worry, I'm here to set the record straight and give you some practical tips to optimize your Instagra…
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There is a particular reel that I swear by, one that not only brings in views, but actually converts to followers. I call it the “That’s Me” reel, meaning when your people see it, they literally go, “That's me. I am their person. I need that.” In this episode, I’ll guide you through the exact steps of this game-changing formula that have helped my …
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If there is one thing I want this summer, it is for you to actually enjoy creating content on Instagram ...but I know a lot of you are feeling really stressed or drained when it comes to content. So, today we’re going back to basics with a refresher on the four pillars I teach all my clients. I'm breaking down each of the Four H’s (Helpful, Heard, …
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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 direc…
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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 cr…
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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…
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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, spec…
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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…
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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 t…
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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…
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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 …
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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 Squ…
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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 Savann…
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It’s the end of April 2024 and creating relatable content has been on my mind all week. If you are struggling to post relatable content because you think your life is boring, nothing ever happens, or sharing your daily life just doesn’t come naturally to you, I need you to hear this: you’re not boring, the magic is in the mundane, friend! In this e…
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I just got back from my trip to Coachella, where my favorite beverage brand Poppi won marketing, hands down. I know a lot of you have been asking, “what is good content for products?” This episode is definitely for my product people, but if you’re a social media manager, web designer, realtor - anyone in the service industry, you’ll find this helpf…
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It’s April 2024 and everyone is asking right now “how can I get my content to more non-followers?” For the majority of the people I’m talking to, non-follower reach is drastically down, and most of their content is going to their followers. If you are seeing this with your own content, this episode is for you! In this episode we’ll be covering: How…
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One thing you should know is I am really passionate about marketing messaging AND helping people grow on social media. In this episode, I’m getting real about the ever-changing world of marketing and social media, and why being specific in your content is key to your success. So let'e get into what's working right now so you can start creating cont…
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What I see doing really well on social media right now is simple content, in this episode we’re talking about how you might be overthinking your content and what you can do instead. I’m also sharing the four H's of content creation, with real examples of what I see working right now on Instagram, because keeping it simple really does connect with y…
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Is growing a business and marketing going to be a lot of work? Yes, of course it is! But what I want to do is make your life a whole lot easier by making the process as simple as possible. Stay tuned because I’m revealing exactly what I do to create good content, in less than five minutes. I want to help you create better content, so let’s dive in …
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What is your account to people? I really stopped to think about that for today’s episode as we explore the power of creating content that evokes feelings like comfort or relief. I’ll be sharing examples as we talk about the importance of knowing what your audience needs to hear, and how what works on one platform may not work on another. Alright, l…
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Do you ever miss the days where you actually enjoyed showing up on social media? If you’re ready to show up and promote your business without all the extra guesswork and overwhelm, you’re in the right place. Each week we’ll be talking about actionable ideas and strategies that are working right now, so you can actually have fun on social media whil…
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