How to Keep Social Media Simple, Fun & Effective: An Interview with Social Media Manager Kristin McShane
Transcription from Episode 192 of the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast ✨
(You can listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast app!)
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Social media is one of the biggest tools we have as business owners…but it can also be one of the biggest sources of frustration, burnout, and overwhelm.
In this week’s episode of the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast, I sat down with Social Media Manager Kristin McShane, who helps small business owners show up consistently (and joyfully!) on social media — especially when they don’t want to.
This conversation is packed with tips, inspiration, and strategies that will help you simplify your social media and fall back in love with connecting online.
Let’s dive in! 💫
Meet Kristin McShane — Social Media Manager & Direct Sales Alum
Kristin, known on Instagram as @simplysocialkristen, helps business owners show up confidently and consistently online. But she didn’t start out in social media management.
In fact, like many of us, her journey began in direct sales.
After five years in the industry — and while still serving her existing customers today — she found that the part she loved most wasn’t the selling…it was the social media. When COVID hit and she was unexpectedly laid off from her corporate job, she saw it as a sign to pursue the passion she’d been growing for years.
She took a course, signed her first clients, and turned her natural talent into a thriving business she now runs from home.
And honestly?
It’s such a beautiful example of following the breadcrumbs of your passion. ✨
How Direct Sales Prepared Her for Entrepreneurship
Kristin shared that direct sales gave her:
- foundational business skills
- confidence to show up online
- exposure to training and coaching
- the “safety net” of learning without doing everything alone
- the chance to discover what she truly loved
This part of her story resonated so much — so many women start in network marketing and realize parts of entrepreneurship they want to grow deeper into.
Why Instagram Is Her Favorite Platform
Though she manages multiple platforms for clients, Kristin considers Instagram her home base. Here’s why:
✨ It has every type of content in one place
✨ Video tools (Reels)
✨ Static posts for readers
✨ Stories for connection
✨ DMs for relationship building
✨ A community feel that’s hard to replicate elsewhere
Plus…she just loves the vibe.
And if you’re not already following her?
Do it. Her feed is chef’s kiss — cohesive, helpful, beautiful, and insanely valuable.
How She Stays on Top of Constant Social Media Changes
Let’s be honest: Instagram changes faster than a Genie+ lighting lane.
So how does she keep up?
- She follows reputable social media news accounts
- She’s in groups with other social media managers
- She constantly analyzes changes and trends
- She learns so business owners don’t have to
- She helps clients focus on principles, not trends
Her approach is simple: you don’t need to know everything — you just need a strategy you can stick with.
Kristin’s Social Media Philosophy: Keep It Simple
Instead of pushing hustle-culture advice like “post every day!” or “30 reels in 30 days!” she keeps things grounded and sustainable.
Her signature approach?
✨ Keep social media simple
✨ Stay consistent in a way that feels good
✨ Focus on connection over perfection
She believes social media should be a fun part of your business, not the thing that makes you “want to chuck your phone at the wall.”
Amen. 🙌
How Often Should You Post? Kristin’s Realistic Recommendation
Kristin recommends:
- 3–4 feed posts per week
- Stories daily or whenever you’re online
And before you panic — no, they don’t have to be perfect.
Quality > Quantity
Connection > Constant posting
Posting less often can actually help you avoid burning out and burning out your audience.
What Working With a Social Media Manager Actually Looks Like
If you’ve ever wondered, “What DOES a social media manager even do?” — Kristin breaks it down beautifully.
She offers two paths: Management and Consulting.
⭐️ Social Media Management
Perfect for business owners who want to hand everything over.
Kristin handles:
- writing captions
- creating graphics
- researching hashtags
- scheduling posts
- managing engagement
- maintaining consistency
You approve — she executes.
⭐️ Social Media Consulting
Ideal for business owners who want to DIY but need a strategy.
She provides:
- content calendars
- hashtag vaults
- caption prompts
- strategic plans
- coaching on what works
You implement — she guides.
Let’s Talk Engagement: How to Actually Be “Social” on Social Media
Most people scroll…but scrolling isn’t engaging.
Kristin recommends a simple daily routine:
⏱ 30 minutes total
Split into:
🔹 10 Minutes: Engage With Feed Posts
Thoughtful comments > random emojis.
🔹 10 Minutes: Engage Through Stories
Respond to slides
Answer polls
React to what people share
This tells the algorithm, “We know each other — please show us more!”
🔹 10 Minutes: Engage Through Hashtags
Explore hashtags your ideal client uses
Leave authentic comments
Find new accounts to interact with
She describes this as “leaving a business card behind,” and that visual is perfect.
How to Collaborate with Others on Instagram (Even If You Sell Different Things)
Collaboration isn’t just co-hosted Reels.
In fact, Kristin says the BEST collaborations are:
✨ genuine friendships
✨ supporting each other’s work
✨ referrals
✨ sharing resources
✨ cheering each other on
These relationships often lead to the biggest opportunities — and they’re rooted in community, not sales.
Love. This. So. Much.
Bio Tips: What Should Actually Be in Your Instagram Bio?
Your bio is your billboard — people make a decision in seconds.
Kristin recommends:
✔ A clear headshot
No photos with kids, pets, or sunglasses.
People need to see you.
✔ Use the “Name” field strategically
Don’t just put your name.
Put your name + what you do.
Example:
Kristen | Social Media Manager & Consultant
It’s one of the few searchable parts of your profile!
✔ Make the bio about your audience
What will they get by following you?
Ex:
“I help women entrepreneurs simplify social media & grow with ease.”
✔ Add a call-to-action
Tell them what to do next:
👉 “⬇ Start here!”
👉 “Grab my free guide!”
👉 “Work with me ↓”
You must tell people where to go — or they won’t go anywhere.
Boundaries Over Balance: How Kristin Manages Business & Family Life
Kristin is not chasing mythical “balance.”
Instead, she prioritizes boundaries:
✨ She only works during specific hours
✨ She doesn’t answer DMs instantly
✨ Her clients know when she’s available
✨ She takes at least ONE full day off social media weekly
✨ She doesn’t allow notifications on her phone
✨ She batches content strategically
One of my favorite things she said:
“We are not brain surgeons. There is literally no emergency that cannot wait until tomorrow.”
YES. 👏
And also…
Working by the pool helps. (A perk she highly recommends!)
Connect with Kristin
You can find Kristin here:
👉 Instagram: @simplysocialkristen
👉 Work with her: Book a discovery call through the link in her IG bio
She’s friendly, generous with value, and truly one of the best people to follow if you want your social media to feel lighter and more fun.
Final Thoughts
This conversation was packed with practical advice AND mindset shifts that will help you show up better, stronger, and more sustainably on social media.
Social media should be:
✨ fun
✨ simple
✨ strategic
✨ relationship-driven
If it’s burning you out, draining you, or making you question your life choices — something needs to shift.
And Kristin is the perfect guide to help you make those moves.
If you loved this episode, screenshot it and share it in your Instagram Stories! Tag both of us:
👉 @lindsaydollinger
👉 @simplysocialkristen
We’d love to see what stood out to you most!