Hot Take: We’re Following Accounts Where We See a Reflection of Ourselves

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
  
  

If you use the send a message option above, be sure to include your email address if you would like a reply! (Please allow 3-5 business days for a response)

Join me in the Reels Lab!

Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Connect with me on Instagram!

Transcript

Shannon McKinstrie [00:00:05]:
I am your host, Shannon McKinstrie. Welcome to Good Content, the podcast where I remove the neverending content creation guesswork and overwhelm so that you can actually enjoy being on social media again and growing your business with what has always worked, good content. Quite honestly, this might be one of the most important episodes of Good Content, especially in 2026, because I think we really underestimate, and it's something that I, I mean, I hate saying this because I don't see everyone in my field's content, but I really do not see anyone else talking about this. And it's so important. I've covered it before in carousels, but I'm going to do a post obviously when this podcast drops to really drive it home because, you know, I talk a lot about how hooks like should mirror people. We should see ourselves in those hooks. You can read all about it here. I really break down how the difference between your hook, like people scrolling right past it versus, oh my gosh, that's me.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:01:05]:
It's, she's talking to me. He's talking to me. That boutique gets me. That lawyer gets me. Whatever it is. When we see ourselves in your content, I mean, sold, right? So imagine walking into a store, a busy, busy store, something like a HomeGoods or a Wegmans. It's overwhelming. There's so many choices.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:01:25]:
And there was one aisle in that store that gave you everything that you need, things coming up in your life, things that you- that are broken that you need to fix, and better versions of yourselves. We all know we buy for so many different reasons, but typically we're investing in better versions of ourselves. Now, if you're in a wedding and the groom says, this is the tux we're wearing, obviously you have to buy that. It might not be the tux you want, but that's what you're buying. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about We see a necklace, it's like the Ariana Grande, like I see it, whatever, I like it, I bought it, whatever that thing is. It's like that, right? We buy based on our personal tastes or tastes that we're becoming. Like I always say, like my friend Kendra just came over last week and got rid of probably 50 to 60% of my wardrobe.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:02:05]:
Cause I was like, these clothes just aren't me anymore. And then think about what you do or sell. It might be a big life change for someone, whether it's divorce, an unexpected diagnosis, right? We are buying things based on. Things we're facing. So when your content is like, oh, here's how to XYZ, or here's 3 things to buy, or here's what you should put in your cart if you're getting a puppy, right? Life scenarios. But a lot of that is also based on taste. And that's kind of the underlying thing that no one talks about. So I wanted to talk a bit about that today, especially for my product people, because that's easy.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:02:35]:
You guys got this locked down. And especially like even people who sell clothes or home decor or photography, right? You're a photographer. The way you document and the images you show are what's typically going to get me to work with you because your taste reflects mine or who I want to be, who I want to become. Okay. So I think we all know we have to, you know, I hate that term, provide value. Yes. But what does that mean? Value is connection. Value is making people feel seen.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:03:02]:
And a lot of times just your taste can make people feel seen. Now, again, do I do a lot of taste-driven content? No, but when people watch a video of mine, they see my taste sometimes. And that could be the reason that makes them go, oh, I really like that person's vibe, whatever it is. But it's not as deep as you think it is. You don't have to like overhaul your strategy because of the importance of taste. But this is what I'm seeing so many people miss. If I wanted more views on Instagram this week in 2026, I would focus on making sure I would, I would really put an emphasis on maybe some taste driven content to test it out, see if it resonates. Now, What that means is content that you're not just consuming, they see themselves in it because that taste, quote unquote, triggers that identity that we crave as we scroll.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:03:46]:
So if I see a photo dump from a mom with lazy outfits that make you feel put together in seconds, and it's stuff that I'm like, instant follow, like, comment, take my money, right? If I see a restaurant that just opened in Raleigh or in the Outer Banks or somewhere on vacation, we're actually going to 38 this weekend for a speaking engagement. If the coffee shop, the burger spot, the margarita spot matches my taste and vibe, I'm saving and we're going immediately. Right. But if there isn't a Reel out there that really shows the vibe that, and I can't identify with it, I'm not going to save it. Right. So that's why it's so important to get really good B-roll and get really used to creating content with your phone, with just lots of video clips. If it is a restaurant, a coffee shop, your products, your jewelry, your journals, whatever it is you're selling, your stickers, your gift boxes. Make sure your video, be like, will this grab someone by taste alone? Then you add that text on top, boom, right? So you're giving wedding florists, event planners, taste, huge.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:04:42]:
Sodas, right? We always say like that even some branding just grabs us and goes, ooh, that branding's really fun. That matches my vibe, my identity. So again, think about it. You stop for oftentimes the video, the photo dump, the carousel, right? Um, it's the coffee shop that matches your aesthetic. It's the ring style you'd actually wear or that, you know, your wife or husband or whomever wears. And you're like, done. That made it easy. The kitchen reno you see that you're like, that's my dream kitchen taste, right? The vacation you'd book if the house matches it, the hotel, the boutique, the view, the outfit you'd save.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:05:15]:
It's not just value, it's taste alignment. And that's crucial, crucially strong right now on Instagram because we are scrolling so fast because we are consuming so much that when we see something that we see ourselves in, and desire and align with, problem solved. 90% of your problem solved. So here's an example. I, I'd love to do jewelry for this, 'cause obviously we all have different tastes in jewelry. Some of us like more homemade type vibes. Some of us want more luxury, right? We, it's a good place to kind of start. Men, women, whomever.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:05:43]:
If I was selling or creating engagement rings, right? Maybe I have vintage rings, rings for the whimsy people, rings for the gym dude who, right? Like what is the style? What is the taste? What is their lifestyle? How can they right away see it and go, that's me, take my money. So I wouldn't just say something like engagement ring inspo or 2026 wedding rings for men. I would say meet our viral solitaire and whatever, like explain the ring style that they already know and are aware of for the minimal but statement bride, right? You're calling out her taste and her identity. For men, right? It could be what maybe it is like the ring for the gym dude that doesn't, you typically wear rings, like say this stuff, call out our tastes, call out our identity, and you will literally solve 99— I'm going to say it— 99% of your problems on Instagram and TikTok and LinkedIn and everything. And again, instead of spring outfit ideas from Old Navy, I mean, sure, that could work because you borrow that identity of where they shop. That's their taste. You could say outfits for the neutral loving mom on the go, Old Navy edition. For the guy that loves golf, for the guy that loves Faraday, whatever it is, use these brands, right? Um, so again, specific taste for a specific person.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:06:55]:
I talk about the 3 S's all the time, simple, specific, and shareable. So I want you to ask what tastes are you representing? And even if you're a dentist office, maybe you're the dentist office that's really bougie, like own it. Let me just find a couple just to show you. So it just lands. Okay. Here it is. Oh my gosh. Yes.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:07:12]:
Immediate. Your cleaner shouldn't need a warning label. Immediately, guys, immediately. I know if that is my taste or not. Do you wanna know why? First, the text. Your cleaner shouldn't need a warning label. So right away, if my identity is a little bit scrunchy, a little bit like, I don't want to use chemicals in my home, I'm right away like, you're right. I agree.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:07:31]:
That's my identity. You called me out. Or maybe it's who I'm trying to be. I'm a Clorox girly. I'm a guy that loves using, you know, I'm a college student who, whatever. Call us out. Okay. Your cleaner shouldn't need a warning label, but then the visuals.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:07:45]:
Taste, taste, taste. They show an empty bottle and then she fills it. And then this creator, JKB Journal, fills it with florals and all this stuff. Taste. This is the missing factor. And I love focusing on the text. Y'all know that. I love focusing on the images, but at the end of the day, some of this is really, it comes down to just showcasing taste.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:08:03]:
I love this as an example. POV, she kept you up all night and now she's giggling like she's not the reason. Oh, do you know why the algorithm showed me that? Because it knows I have a crazy little 5-year-old that does the same thing. And even though this isn't necessarily taste, it is identity. It's a mom struggling. She's in the trenches. But if you think about it, this, I relate to this mom more than the aesthetic, like, and it is aesthetic. I mean, it's, she's got a cute little matching set.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:08:25]:
Her daughter is precious, but then you see, you know, there's the letters in the background, the artwork, the kids' artwork. It's, it's, again, it's identity. So I want you to stop. I know I talk identity a lot, but I also want you to start adding in that word taste to really drive it home. Like, it's just another thing to look at your reels and your carousels and your content and go, is my taste shining through? And let me do one. I'm actually going to search jewelry because I just feel like jewelry is the easiest to really understand this. Oh my God, this is actually amazing. It says, holy moly.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:08:52]:
Again, like I said, a lot of the taste-driven content and the taste alignment is going to be visual. Like, if you're a home decorator, what's the vibe? If you're a photographer, what's the vibe? If you're whatever— even people in my industry, right, in the social media marketing. Let's say you're a virtual assistant. You could still show your taste by your cute little home office or the coffee shop you go to while you're sharing a tip about being a virtual assistant or being a podcast manager or being a Pinterest manager, right? You can still, based on what makeup you're wearing, food you're eating, all sorts of stuff. Okay. Just something to really think about, guys. But this is perfect. This shows a ring.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:09:23]:
It shows wedding. And then wait for it. It shows fur baby, first home, engagement. So they're literally building a ring stack of someone's entire life with their partner. Brilliant. All right. Here's another perfect one. And I'm going to send it to Steph so you guys can just see.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:09:38]:
Can we normalize smaller engagement rings again and choosing a stone that suits your hand best instead of thinking over 3 carat is better? Hello, identity, taste, all of it. Now, one more. Oh, this is a perfect one. It's a, um, influencer named Henry J. Wade, and it says, do you wanna go camping? And he says, sure, I love sleeping under the stars, all 5 of them. Immediate. So we know that his taste is 5-star luxury, whatever. So again, using words and phrases, like I said, even sometimes you can just look at someone and know their taste.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:10:08]:
Okay, so what does this mean for products? Make sure your videos, it's not just about the soda, it's not just about the coffee, it's not just about the book, it's not What is the identity and taste behind it? What do your people love? Like, and this is, this takes time to get to know, but it's something just to think about as you're scrolling Instagram today and kind of take note and be like, where can I spot the taste in this video? Because again, we want to follow people we align with. We want to follow people whose values align with ours, tastes, et cetera. There's also a really good example. I'd have to dig and find it, but it says basically like, if you're, you know, again, those identity callouts. POV, you're a parent, uh, you know, who still wants to do like the 5-star hotels and stuff like that. So that one went viral for that creator too. So again, it's like that call-out, or you're, again, you're mentioning brands like Walmart. That's your vibe.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:10:55]:
Okay, so real quick, let me— oh my God, perfect. Here, let's do candle, because that's a product that I hear a lot of people, they're like, oh well, I just sell candles. I'm like, you're selling even— I know it sounds silly, but okay, here we go. Look, I just bought this for the podcast from this candle. Um, I just bought all this this weekend at Target, all their spring decor stuff, and that lamp too. It's, it matched my taste. I saw it immediately. So remember, as I'm scrolling, I'd probably see those things and still stop.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:11:19]:
So think about what gets you to stop in the store. What, that's kind of a good way to get to know what your taste is and kind of take note of that. This says, when I say I want a big ass candle, this is what I mean. Taste. That's it. So there you go. That is something to think about this week and start kind of testing. Oh, and one more.

Shannon McKinstrie [00:11:35]:
I'm an artist and it's showing like a '90s kitchen and then the transformation. Oh my gosh, I'm obsessed. See, I immediately would be like, if she was in my area, I'd be like, yeah, how do I work with you? Bye. Your taste is my taste. Let's hang. All right, there you go. That's your little homework for this week. Love you guys, and I'll talk to you soon.