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, a...
Hashtags Are Not Dead: Here's How to Use Them in 2025
Today is the day that we have a conversation about hashtags. I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about how hashtags don’t work anymore or how they decrease your reach, and I know you’ve been hearing them too. So are they dead? Or are they still a powerful tool for your content? We’ll look at how hashtags (and keywords) can still be an effective way to maximize your reach and categorize your content. In this episode we’ll be covering:Remember my experiment with testing longer reels? The initial results are in!How hashtags work, how many to use, and how to use them to categorize your content so it reaches the right audience.The evolution of hashtags over the years, including their effectiveness and different strategies. Hashtags, keywords and the algorithm - how it all works together to make sure the right content gets to the right people.We’re reviewing real time examples and what results I am currently seeing in my own clients' content.Integrating keywords into your content strategy and where to find the best ones related to your niche!Other episodes you might have missed:Episode 012: Ditching the Toxic Advice on InstagramEpisode 014: Why Creating Specific Content Leads to Higher EngagementEpisode 020: SEO Strategies to Optimize Your Instagram ContentEpisode 034: Is Engagement the Most Important Metric on Instagram?Links to reels in this episode:Reel #1: HealthcareReel #2: HouseSend a message!Sign up for Reels Lab Join the Social Squad Society Love this conversation? Tap the follow button so you never miss an episode. Connect with me over on Instagram!
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12:51
Navigating Social Media Changes: Instagram Updates and Save Time Editing Videos
I don't know about you, but my head is spinning from the whirlwind of social media updates from this past weekend. From the roller coaster of TikTok's (brief) ban to Instagram's new grid layout and the introduction of three-minute reels, there's a lot to unpack. I'll also be sharing my favorite editing tips using InShot to make your talk-to-camera reels even more engaging and don't worry, I've got some viral reels to share with you to inspire your content this week!In this episode we’ll be covering:All the Instagram updates that happened over the weekend and how to make the most of the changes.Impacts of the new Instagram grid update and how you might be able to adapt, even if it isn’t ideal.I’m sharing my go-to tool for editing short form videos for Instagram and TikTok, plus I’ll walk you through my favorite features!How I got my start editing video - you may not have heard this story yet!Diversifying content platforms, while you may have a favorite, it’s still good to repurpose content to use on others.Other episodes you might have missed:Episode 025: Why You Want to Use the New Instagram FeaturesEpisode 029: Tailoring Successful Reel Techniques to Your NicheEpisode 032: We All Start at Zero: Embrace Storytelling to Connect with Your CommunityLinks to reels in this episode:Reel # 1: ScriptsReel # 2: Bodydoubling Send a message!Sign up for Reels Lab Join the Social Squad Society Love this conversation? Tap the follow button so you never miss an episode. Connect with me over on Instagram!
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15:06
Become Their Favorite Comfort Creator with Everyday Moments
Let’s just get right into it, I have so much I want to talk about in today’s episode, but first I want to remind you not to box yourself into one single type of content. Sharing a variety of different content types can be a far more effective way to reach and connect with your audience. We’ll dig a little deeper on this topic, exploring different ways to create a blend of content using my 4H Method that can actually captivate and convert your audience. We’ll also look at real-life examples of viral content that leverages everyday experiences to engage with followers.In this episode we’ll be covering:Diversifying your content types and how that can help engage multiple buyer personas.Using the 4H Method to share different aspects of life and business in your content. Returning to basics and using real-life experiences to create content that connects through relatability and trust. Using storytelling, no matter how mundane or boring it seems, personal stories captivate and engage your audience.Create and share offline experiences, these real life experiences encourage inspiration, and lead to more engaging and relational content. Make your audience feel as if they're interacting with a friend, this “comfort creator” content feels personalized and relatable.Other episodes you might have missed:Episode 018: The 4 H’s Are the Only Content Pillars You Need for ReelsEpisode 026: Start a Signature Series That People Keep Coming Back ForEpisode 037: Personalization is the Key to Your 2025 Content StrategyEpisode 040: Build More Connections with Everyday MomentsLinks to reels in this episode:Reel #1: Wedding Anniversary Reel #2: Heatless CurlsReel #3: Heart FloorReel #4: Alex on a BudgetSend a message!Sign up for Reels Lab Join the Social Squad Society Love this conversation? Tap the follow button so you never miss an episode. Connect with me over on Instagram!
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14:26
We’re Getting Back to Basics and Loving Our Content
We’re kicking off 2025 with a commitment to going back to basics and actually being excited about the content we are creating. It’s more important than ever to share your stories and show up as your true self to truly connect with your audience. I’m also sharing my thoughts on how the social media landscape has changed in recent years, exploring the shift away from toxic one size fits all advice and focusing more on transparency and integrity. Let's navigate this new year together and create content that's not just effective, but also enjoyable!In this episode we’ll be covering:How the social media landscape has changed since 2020 and even during 2024We’re ditching the toxic marketing tactics, there is no space for the stressful marketing advice that has become widespread in recent years.The return to fundamental marketing principles like transparency, integrity, and honesty.Applying the 4 H Method to your content strategy this year.Diversifying your content with a mix of personal stories to build a genuine connection with your audience.A peek at the big plans coming in 2025!Links from this episode: Grow Your Gram GuideThe 4 H Method MasterclassA Week of ContentEpisodes you might have missed:Episode 039: Transform Your Business in 2025: Top Tips and Trends for Good ContentEpisode 040: Build More Connections with Everyday MomentsEpisode 041: Let’s Make Content Creation the Easiest Thing on Your To Do ListEpisode 042: Your Simple B-Roll Can Become Easy Reels That Actually ConvertSend a message!Sign up for Reels Lab Join the Social Squad Society Love this conversation? Tap the follow button so you never miss an episode. Connect with me over on Instagram!
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14:38
Your Simple B-Roll Can Become Easy Reels That Actually Convert
I have some EPIC reels to share with you today as we send off 2024 and head into 2025. I hope you did your homework from last week’s episode, because we are taking content creation seriously in the new year, and it’s going to be the easiest year of content creation yet. Now that we're making content part of our daily routine, let's talk about what you’re going to do with all the B-roll you’ve been capturing over the last week and how to turn it into simple and engaging reels.In this episode we’ll be covering:Skipping the fancy edits to embrace a minimal set up to document daily activities.Three different types of text for B-roll: Lists, Random Thoughts, the “Book Reel”Repurposing your reels and carousels without hitting copy and paste.Creating habits and routines that make it easy for you to capture relatable content throughout the day.Examples of successful reels that are currently going viral with simple B-roll videos of mundane activities.Links to reels in this episode:Reel #1: Toddler SnackReel #2: Productivity Coach Habit StackingReel #3: Podcaster with HeadphonesReel #4: Workout, Being UncomfortableReel #5: Hotel ContentReel #6: Logo's I redesignedReel #7: How Your Dinner Should FeelOther episodes you might have missed:Episode 017: Turn a Simple Idea into a Reel People Will LoveEpisode 037: Personalization is the Key to Your 2025 Content StrategyEpisode 039: Transform Your Business in 2025: Top Tips and Trends for Good ContentEpisode 040: Build More Connections with Everyday MomentsEpisode 041: Let’s Make Content Creation the Easiest Thing on Your To Do ListSend a message!Sign up for Reels Lab Join the Social Squad Society Love this conversation? Tap the follow button so you never miss an episode. Connect with me over on Instagram!
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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