Episode Summary: NEW Instagram Feature - Trial Reels - 813

Podcast: Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media
Host: Brock Johnson
Release Date: December 12, 2024
Duration: Approximately 17 minutes

1. Introduction to Trial Reels

In this episode, Brock Johnson delves into Instagram's newly announced feature, Trial Reels, which has been in testing for several months before its official rollout on December 10th at 9:00 AM PST. This feature is poised to revolutionize how business owners and content creators approach content testing on Instagram.

"This is one of the biggest changes to Instagram that we've had at least in recent memory."
— Brock Johnson [00:28]

2. Understanding Trial Reels

Trial Reels allow users to test their content's performance with an audience beyond their existing followers before deciding to share it more broadly. This feature is specifically designed for those aiming to grow their audience and monetize their content effectively.

• Activation: Once available, Trial Reels can be toggled on in the final step of creating a reel, just below the caption area. A blue "new" icon indicates its activation.

• Visibility: Trial Reels primarily reach non-followers who are likely interested in the content based on Instagram's algorithm, ensuring relevance and potential follower growth.

"This feature was clearly intended to help out content creators and business owners."
— Brock Johnson [00:28]

3. Benefits of Trial Reels

Brock outlines several advantages of utilizing Trial Reels:

• Audience Expansion: Unlike regular reels that predominantly reach current followers, Trial Reels tap into a broader audience, potentially increasing follower count.

• Performance Insights: Users receive key engagement metrics within 24 hours, allowing them to gauge content effectiveness based on engagement rates rather than mere view counts.

"The initial benefit is that those people could potentially follow you because they're discovering your content for the first time."
— Brock Johnson [05:45]

4. Measuring Success with Trial Reels

Brock emphasizes focusing on engagement rates over absolute numbers:

• Engagement Rate Calculation: Total engagements (likes, comments, shares, saves) divided by total views. For instance, 500 engagements from 1,000 views equate to a 50% engagement rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 2-3%.

• Decision Making: Based on the engagement rate, creators can decide whether to share the reel with their entire audience. A high engagement rate suggests the content will resonate well, while a low rate may indicate the need for revisions.

"Focus on the engagement rate rather than the total amount of engagement."
— Brock Johnson [08:30]

5. Best Practices and Recommendations

Brock shares strategic approaches to maximize the effectiveness of Trial Reels:

• Manual Review: Instead of relying on Instagram's automatic sharing based on view thresholds, it's advisable to manually assess engagement data to make informed posting decisions.

• Content Strategy Alignment: Not all content is suitable for wide dissemination. Personal or deeply connected posts may perform better within the existing follower base rather than being exposed to a new audience.

"I would recommend manually checking your reel and deciding whether it should be shared with the rest of your audience."
— Brock Johnson [13:20]

6. Potential Downsides and Considerations

While Trial Reels offer significant benefits, Brock also cautions about potential pitfalls:

• Analysis Paralysis: Overanalyzing Trial Reel performance can hinder regular posting habits and stifle creativity.

• Algorithm Limitations: Instagram's determination of engagement metrics may not always be accurate, potentially leading to misguided content decisions.

• Missed Opportunities: Relying solely on Trial Reels might result in overlooking content that could have gone viral despite low initial trial engagement.

"Trial reels could create some of their own analysis paralysis, where suddenly, instead of just posting your reel every single day, you're posting it as a trial reel and then testing how it's going to do."
— Brock Johnson [16:10]

7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Brock concludes by acknowledging the value of Trial Reels as a tool for experimentation and strategic content testing. However, he underscores the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's unique audience dynamics when integrating this feature into a content strategy.

"Ultimately, it is up to each content creator and business owner to know themselves, to know their account, to know their audience, and to know their content."
— Brock Johnson [16:50]

He encourages listeners to leverage Trial Reels to refine their content creation processes, while also maintaining authenticity and consistency in their posting habits.

Key Takeaways:

• Trial Reels are a strategic tool for testing content with a new audience before full-scale posting.
• Focus on engagement rates to assess content performance rather than just view counts.
• Manual review of Trial Reel metrics is recommended over relying on automated sharing.
• Be mindful of potential psychological impacts like analysis paralysis and strive for a balanced approach.
• Self-awareness and understanding your audience remain paramount in leveraging any social media feature effectively.

For more insights on growing your presence and monetizing your social media platforms, subscribe to Build Your Tribe and tune in every Thursday for the latest strategies and expert interviews.