I just wrapped a workshop for consignment shop owners and I have a big win to share that will help you crush your next piece of content and finally get out of 200 view jail. Fun fact: your next viral video is already sitting on your phone, just waiting for the right hook. You already know that storytelling and human connection are key elements for creating good content, but today we’ll go a step further and I’ll break down the viral reel one consignment store owner created in my workshop. She shared a simple reel that landed perfectly with her audience using a three week old video clip she found in her camera roll and a touching human moment.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• A peek into my weekend workshop with an amazing group of women and how they finally broke out of 200 view jail.
• The storytelling potential I envisioned for this group of consignment shop owners.
• A viral reel case study: how we turned a B-roll reel about a postman into viral success by adding more context and emotional appeal.
• What it means to close the loop when we create a piece of content, and why it’s important!
• If you’re wondering how to get access to all the great trending audio sounds you hear on Instagram, I have the quick fix you need to start using those sounds asap!

Featured content in this episode:

• Chic_and_unique_burlington: Our postman…

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 94: You Want Your Content to Fit Your Life, Not Become Your Life
• Episode 95: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments
• Episode 96: Boost Retention Rates and Create Memorable Content that Feels Human
• Episode 100: Use Identity Driven Content to Connect and Engage with Your Audience
• Episode 101: Double Your Views on Instagram with the RISE Formula

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I don’t see anyone else talking about this, but it is absolutely crucial for anyone creating content in 2026. We should see ourselves mirrored in your hooks. So many people are missing this when they post, creating content that people simply consume instead of content they actually see themselves in. Taste driven content goes beyond simple product recommendations, it directly taps into our identities of who we are and who we want to be. So next time you start to tap post, I want you to ask yourself, will this grab their attention by taste alone?

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• How taste driven content makes your audience feel seen and connected when they are scrolling (solving 99% of your Instagram marketing problems!?)
• Examples of irresistible hooks, visual cues, and specific callouts that instantly align your brand with the people you truly want to serve.
• Creating value through connection and making sure people feel seen in your content.
• Using visual storytelling (B-roll, branding, and aesthetics) to quickly grab attention on Instagram and TikTok.
• Naming your audience’s taste with identity call outs, building instant connection and engagement.

Featured content in this episode:

• Jkb.journal: Your cleaner shouldn’t need a warning label
• Jessandmissamelia: POV She kept you up all night
• Kaivalondon: Milestone ring stack
• Berlingerjewelry: Normalize smaller engagement rings
• Henryjwade: Do you want to go camping?
• Lauramvila: When I say I want a big candle
• Vivianshayhome: I’m an artist kitchen remodel

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 19: Convert Viewers to Followers with the “That’s Me” Reel
• Episode 83: Use the REP Hook Formula and Start Filling in the Missing Pieces
• Episode 92: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
• Episode 96: Boost Retention Rates and Create Memorable Content that Feels Human
• Episode 97: We All Love Familiarity, Here’s How to Create that Familiar Feeling in Your Content
• Episode 100: Use Identity Driven Content to Connect and Engage with Your Audience
  
  

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In this episode, I dive into Instagram’s latest advice straight from the Creators account, breaking down what really drives your reach and engagement, and showing you how to actually put these tips to work. We’ll discuss why showing your personality and values matters just as much as your niche and we are officially busting the myth that Instagram’s algorithm changes all the time. We’ll walk through the practical do’s and don’ts for your content, including how authentic interactions, great lighting, and trending audio can make all the difference.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Latest Reels Lab success story of how my student gained 350 followers from a single post and how your content doesn’t have to be all business.
• Fun fact: Instagram hasn’t changed. What’s changed is what resonates with users, that includes the type of content we want to see and how we interact with it.
• Understanding the Instagram algorithm and how it works for you, so that you can actually grow your account.
• Instagram’s official tips for how to boost your reach, focusing on authentic interactions, video quality, and trending audio.
• What hurts your reach the most when it comes to creating content.
• Additional tips to consider when you’re trying to create engaging social media content.

Featured content in this episode:

• Shannonmckinstrie: The hook formula I swear by
• Creators: What helps your reach

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 57: Repurpose Your Content for More Impact with Less Effort
• Episode 79: Posting Isn’t the Only Way to Grow: Engage More Using This Simple 10-10-10 Method
• Episode 84: Train the Instagram Algorithm to Hype Up Your Content
• Episode 93: The Instagram Algorithm is Not the Villain: Being More Intentional with Your Content
• Episode 94: You Want Your Content to Fit Your Life, Not Become Your Life
• Episode 101: Double Your Views on Instagram with the RISE Formula

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Everything is about to fall into place for you, because I’m going to tell you exactly what to do when you create your next Instagram post. I created the RISE Formula to help boost your engagement and get more views on your content. This hook formula will not only increase your reach, but it actually converts so you get more followers and sales, while growing your community. We’ll look at content examples and break down how each fits into the RISE Formula so you can confidently start using it right away. If you’re ready to rethink your hooks and leverage what makes you and your audience unique let’s jump in!

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• An overview of the REP Hook (Relatable, Expert, Personal) and how it is geared towards creating helpful content.
• What the RISE Formula is (Recognizable, Identity, Specific, Effect) and how to start using it in your next Instagram hook.
• Content examples to help you start creating your next hook with confidence and boost your engagement.
• There is no one right way to do a hook, but if your content is underperforming, it’s probably the hook.
• The more relevant a hook is, the more effective it is for your audience; try to use at least two or three elements of the RISE Formula, if not all four.
• If your content is not converting to new sales, followers, or community, then what’s the point?

Featured content in this episode:

• Fairwayphysiopt: POV: You’re a golfer…
• Feelgoodwithfi: The dinner I’ve been eating
• Coltonreidofficial: POV: You find the most perfect home
• Her.thirties: Sunday lunch in your thirties
• Absolutelyaustin: Mental health walk

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 83: Use the REP Hook Formula and Start Filling in the Missing Pieces
• Episode 92: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
• Episode 94: You Want Your Content to Fit Your Life, Not Become Your Life
• Episode 96: Boost Retention Rates and Create Memorable Content that Feels Human

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This episode is extra special, it's our 100th episode! Identity is everything when it comes to creating Instagram content that really resonates with and engages your audience. We’ll talk about calling out your audience’s identity and then leaning into your own identity, looking at viral examples to break down the differences. I’m sharing a client win from a recent viral reel and we’ll talk about why sharing your unique perspectives and experiences are the key to standing out online.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• Giving yourself permission to start things messy and embrace imperfection.
• How we love to learn from each other through stories and experiences.
• Prioritizing your messaging and understanding who your audience is when creating content.
• Reviewing the REP Hook Formula: Relatable, Expertise and Personal.
• Audiences purchase or engage based on their own identity or the creator’s identity.
• Leveraging personal identifiers in content hooks to resonate with your audience, such as demographics, situations, and locations.

Featured content in this episode:

• Casuallymatthew_: POV There’s a nook on Instagram
• Mecailabeth: I have ADHD
• Noahglenncarter: Kevin James sitting alone
• Shawnacischroeder: Classic Literature by Black Authors
• Mindfullymademotherhood: Snack my family asks for on repeat
• Budgeters_anonymous: Our son’s net worth at 3 months

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 53: Use Customer Insights to Create Reels That Attract and Convert
• Episode 61: Use The Relatable Expert Hook to Create Your Next Helpful Reel
• Episode 67: The Importance of Belonging on Social Media
• Episode 83: Use the REP Hook Formula and Start Filling in the Missing Pieces
• Episode 85: Start Thinking Like a Marketer So People See Themselves in Your Content
• Episode 92: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
• Episode 95: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments

Send a message!

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Business owner to business owner, can we just take a moment to have a conversation about running a business during these heavy times? Between the constant news cycle and everything that’s happening in the world and in our personal lives, I want to take a moment to remind you to trust yourself. You know what’s best for you, especially as we navigate life right now.

I want to share a little about my time with CNN during some really dark and difficult times and how that experience shaped how I care for my nervous system now. I’ll touch on the responsibilities we face as content creators and business owners and why it’s important to listen to your gut when deciding what to share. I also have a quick win to help you keep your content human and transparent, even when things aren’t perfect behind the scenes, because I think we all need it right now.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• An honest discussion about the realities of maintaining a business when the world is on fire.
• The emotional toll and impact on our mental health from news overload.
• Following your instincts when it comes to posting content and promoting your business.
• How to handle expectations and public pressure when it comes to speaking out.
• Managing within your personal capacity and protecting your mental wellbeing.
• Quick win for posting content right now: less polished, personal perspectives and lived experiences that lean into transparency and belonging.

Featured content in this episode:

Shannonmckinstrie: The content actually growing accounts right now

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 67: The Importance of Belonging on Social Media
• Episode 74: How to Humanize Your Account When You Feel Stuck in Business Mode
• Episode 77: Simple B-Roll and Strong Hooks for Low-Effort, High-Impact Instagram Content
• Episode 95: Building Real Community with Stories and Shared Moments

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One of the biggest challenges in business is how to actually sell on social media, without feeling awkward or like a sleazy salesperson. I’m sharing my personal journey and my tried-and-true “sandwich method” for making sales feel natural, fun, and effective. Whether you’re pushing a low-ticket digital product or a high-ticket offer, I’ll walk you through exactly how I show up every day, explain my strategy for converting followers into buyers, and talk about why your excitement and real client wins make all the difference. We’ll discuss using different platforms to drive traffic where it counts, and I’ll present you with a challenge to help you start selling with confidence, no hard sell required.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

• My struggles with selling on social media and the early challenges I faced in my business around feeling salesy.
• How I was able to lean into Instagram stories as a sales tool in a way that felt comfortable and familiar.
• My go-to Instagram stories strategy, also called “the sandwich method” with a breakdown of each step.
• My personal approach to selling higher ticket vs lower ticket items on stories.
• Integrating client successes and testimonials into stories in a way that feels natural and shares excitement.
• The role of sales funnels and email marketing and how everything works together to drive sales.

Featured content in this episode:

• Shannonmckinstrie: First three stories to share

Recommended episodes:

• Episode 053: Use Customer Insights to Create Reels That Attract and Convert
• Episode 056: The Reel That Had Me Clicking Buy Immediately
• Episode 073: Staying Top of Mind with Instagram Stories
• Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging

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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

Send a message!

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