Podcast Summary: "Start a New Instagram Account From Scratch (or Refresh Your Current One)"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Good Content with Shannon McKinstry
- Host: Shannon McKinstrie
- Episode: Start a New Instagram Account From Scratch (or Refresh Your Current One)
- Release Date: July 22, 2025
Shannon McKinstrie delves deep into the essentials of initiating or rejuvenating an Instagram account in her episode titled "Start a New Instagram Account From Scratch (or Refresh Your Current One)." Tailored for both newcomers and seasoned Instagram users, Shannon provides actionable strategies to optimize profiles, engage authentically, and build a thriving online presence.
1. Understanding Your Motivation and Audience
Shannon emphasizes the importance of introspection before diving into content creation. She advises listeners to identify the "why" behind their Instagram presence.
Shannon [04:30]: "Why is it that people want to follow you? And you might even want to lean on someone that you trust that will be brutally honest."
Key Actions:
- List Favorite Accounts: Identify 3-5 favorite creators who have influenced your purchasing decisions or brand engagement.
- Determine Value Proposition: Understand what makes these accounts appealing—be it content quality, community engagement, or unique offerings.
2. Optimizing Your Bio
Your Instagram bio serves as the first impression. Shannon breaks down the bio into three crucial components:
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Value Statement: Clearly state what followers will gain.
Shannon [15:10]: "The first line needs to basically say what they get out of your account."
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Location: Including your location can enhance discoverability.
Shannon [16:45]: "Put your location in your bio. It's a perfect example of why you need to put your location."
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Call to Action: Encourage visitors to take a specific action, like clicking a link.
Shannon [17:20]: "Put a call to action to encourage what's in that link below so that they click it."
Additional Tip: Utilize tools like ChatGPT to refine your bio, ensuring it’s compelling and keyword-rich.
3. Mastering the Name Field and SEO
The name field in your profile is vital for searchability. Shannon advises:
Shannon [22:15]: "Instagram's SEO is getting better and better every day. That name field needs to say what they would search in Google."
Recommendations:
- Include Keywords: Use relevant keywords that potential followers might search for.
- Specify Role and Location: For instance, "John Smith – Real Estate Agent, Sacramento."
4. Choosing the Right Profile Photo
A recognizable and relatable profile photo can significantly impact engagement.
Shannon [25:40]: "We are hardwired to recognize and respond to faces. So do it, do it, do it."
Guidelines:
- Personal Accounts: Use a clear, high-quality image of your face.
- Business Brands: A professional logo is acceptable, but personal brands should prefer a human element.
5. Creating Effective Pinned Posts
Pinned posts act as highlights, showcasing your brand's essence. Shannon outlines three types of pinned posts:
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About You/Story:
Shannon [33:05]: "One pin post needs to be about you, your story. This could be a carousel, this could be a founder story."
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Conversion-Focused Content:
Shannon [36:50]: "In the caption, you can put the testimonial and say comment, blah, blah, blah."
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Community-Driven Content:
Shannon [39:20]: "It could be a fun reel that's doing really well, that helping people get to know you."
Objective: These pins should clearly communicate who you are, convert viewers into followers or customers, and foster community engagement.
6. Engaging Through Following and Interaction
Shannon stresses the significance of building relationships by actively following and engaging with others.
Shannon [48:35]: "When you're first starting to grow, get as social as you can. That shows Instagram that you're involved and that you're being social and you're trying to build a community."
Strategies:
- Follow Relevant Accounts: Engage with businesses, influencers, and community members aligned with your brand.
- Comment Meaningfully: Leave thoughtful comments to attract attention and encourage reciprocal follows.
7. Maintaining Content Consistency and Variety
Consistency in posting helps in building a reliable brand image. Shannon introduces the concept of the Four H's to diversify content:
- Humor
- Helpfulness
- Highlights
- Heartfelt Stories
Shannon [52:10]: "Follow the four H's right? And even if you don't want to do all four, do at least two to three so that you know, you mix up your content."
8. Analyzing and Learning from Successful Content
Understanding what content resonates with your audience is crucial for sustained growth.
Shannon [57:50]: "Create a save collection of reels that grab your attention. Make you want to go to their bio, make you want to click, make you want to buy and study it."
Action Steps:
- Study Top-Performing Reels: Analyze why they are effective—be it hooks, editing, or captions.
- Replicate Success: Incorporate similar strategies while maintaining your unique voice to avoid plagiarism.
9. Final Tips and Mindset
Shannon concludes with empowering advice to view Instagram as a community-building tool rather than a daunting platform.
Shannon [1:05:15]: "Do not think of Instagram as this big, scary thing. Think of it as a community. You're building your village."
Key Takeaways:
- Be Authentic: Share content rooted in your life to ensure sustainability.
- Optimize Profile: Utilize keywords, location, and a compelling bio to enhance discoverability.
- Engage Actively: Foster relationships through meaningful interactions and consistent content.
- Stay Adaptable: Regularly audit and tweak your profile to align with evolving goals and audience preferences.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive episode, Shannon McKinstrie provides a roadmap for anyone looking to start or refresh their Instagram presence. By focusing on authenticity, strategic optimization, and community engagement, listeners are equipped to navigate Instagram's landscape effectively, ensuring their profiles not only attract followers but also convert them into loyal customers or advocates.
Stay Tuned: Shannon hints at an upcoming episode dedicated to mastering Instagram Stories, promising to delve deeper into leveraging this feature for enhanced engagement.