Podcast Summary: “Here’s What Good Content Will Look Like in 2026”

Podcast: Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie
Host: Shannon McKinstrie
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging snow-day episode, Shannon McKinstrie offers her forward-thinking predictions on the future of “good content” in 2026. The central theme is a return to the heart of social media: genuine connection, timely relevance, and relatable storytelling grounded in real life. Shannon breaks down exactly what’s working now and what will continue to drive social media growth—with actionable tips, real-world examples, and her signature conversational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Real-Time Relevance

Timestamp: 00:25–01:45

• Shannon opens by stressing the value of observing your current environment and integrating what’s timely into your content.

  “When you’re stuck on what to post, literally look out the window and think about what is relevant right now, right?” (00:34)

• She highlights how context—like weather, seasons, or holidays—shapes what resonates most with audiences.
• Actionable Tip: If you sell products, tie your content to gifting during the holidays; if you sell cozy home goods, lean into winter vibes.

2. Social Media’s True Purpose: Connection

Timestamp: 01:45–02:10

• Social platforms, at their core, are for connection and sharing life’s real moments.
• Shannon predicts 2026 will amplify this trend, moving away from rigid strategies to more authentic sharing.

  “My biggest prediction for 2026 is we’re going to keep going back to what social media has always been, which is connection.” (01:51)

3. Specificity & Relatability: The Secret Sauce

Timestamp: 02:10–07:00

• Shannon shares a recent viral Reel as a case study:
  • POV: You’re a busy fourth year med student who tried the $35 Whole Foods family meal, and now you have dinners for the whole week.
  • The reel’s specifics—audience (“fourth year med student”), brand (“Whole Foods”), price point ($35), and solution (meals for the week)—made it highly relatable.
• She dissects the anatomy of hooks that work:

  “This is how you structure a hook. A POV. A ‘this is your sign’. Any of those silly easy reels where it’s just one text box in one to two sentences.” (04:30)

4. The REP Method for Content Hooks

Timestamp: 04:50–08:15

• Shannon’s “REP” formula:
  • Relatable: Tap into shared experiences or interests (e.g., being busy, loving Whole Foods).
  • Expertise: Show why your perspective matters (e.g., “fourth year med student”).
  • Personal: Share through direct experience and opinion.
• She encourages listeners to repeatedly test hooks, assuring that virality often comes from persistent experimentation.

  “You’ve gotta test these hooks, you’ve gotta test these words, you’ve gotta test, test, test, test. That’s—marketing is testing.” (04:56)

5. Examples Across Content Types

Timestamp: 06:45–10:10

• She reviews different formats—Reels, carousels, talk-to-camera scripts—demonstrating how the REP approach can be adapted.
  • A carousel example: Seven simple things to start doing in December to make content creation easier in 2026.

  “What’s relatable there? December 2026. It’s relatable, but it’s relevant. You can kind of mix those two up. Relatable and relevant for the REP.” (08:00)

  • Adds a personal subtitle: Because I refuse to let you hustle your way into the new year.

6. Making Expertise Approachable and Human

Timestamp: 10:10–12:40

• Shannon advises professionals in technical fields to use friendlier, more familiar language:

  “A lot of people in my Reels Lab are, you know, in really sciency and like crazy important fields…What I’ve helped her do a lot…is taking less of the heavy duty words and more like—from someone who helps people live longer.” (10:53)

• By anchoring expertise in everyday outcomes, content becomes immediately accessible.

7. The Ultimate Social Media “Hack” for 2026

Timestamp: 12:40–END

• Shannon closes with her clearest advice:

  “The biggest Instagram hack of all is to get to know your audience and bond with them.” (13:17)

• She emphasizes ongoing interaction (via stories, DMs, etc.) as critical to discovering the words, challenges, and desires that fuel winning content.
• Brands both big and small are succeeding with content that makes their community feel “seen and heard and appreciated.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Relevance as Strategy:

  “Honestly, sometimes the best strategy is just what’s relevant right now.” (01:08)

• On Why Personal Stories Win:

  “What we used to post back in the day? Our own journey…It needs to still be from your perspective, your lifestyle, your thoughts, your experiences.” (03:44)

• On Timeless Content Trends:

  “As much as you guys can use the prompts I gave you in the most recent podcast and just keep talking to your people, keep…showing up in stories and talking about things, because that’s where the DMs happen.” (11:25)

• Hope for Social Media’s Future:

  “We’re getting back to just being social and having fun with our content again. And I could not love it more for us, friend.” (14:35)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:25-01:45| Using relevance in content strategy | | 01:45-02:10| Social platforms as connection tools | | 02:10-07:00| Anatomy of a viral, relatable Reel | | 04:50-08:15| REP method breakdown and examples | | 10:10-12:40| Humanizing expertise, making content approachable | | 12:40-end | Closing advice: audience bonding, the future of social |

Conclusion

Shannon’s vision for 2026 is refreshingly simple: the creators who win will be those who listen, relate, and stay present in their audience’s real lives. The “REP” method, the power of repeated testing, and the drive for authentic connection are not just trends—they’re the foundation for all good content, now and in the future.