Good Content with Shannon McKinstry: Episode Summary
Episode Title: How to Start Using Trial Reels for Your Instagram Account
Host: Shannon McKinstry
Release Date: June 10, 2025
In this insightful episode of Good Content with Shannon McKinstry, Shannon delves into the strategic use of Trial Reels on Instagram, offering listeners a comprehensive guide to optimizing their social media presence. The episode is packed with actionable tips, personal experiences, and motivational advice aimed at demystifying the often-overwhelming process of content creation.
Introduction to Trial Reels
Shannon opens the episode by addressing the growing questions and curiosity around Trial Reels. She acknowledges the confusion many creators face, emphasizing that while there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, there are foundational strategies that can significantly enhance reel performance.
Shannon [00:30]: “I will be sharing the code because I've cracked it too. But it's not the same code for everyone.”
Understanding How Trial Reels Work
Shannon breaks down the mechanics of Trial Reels, explaining how Instagram initially showcases these reels to non-followers and their visibility within a user's profile.
Shannon [02:15]: “Your reel will only be shown to non-followers at first and won't appear on your profile. If it performs well, you can choose to automatically share it.”
She shares her personal experimentation with Trial Reels, candidly admitting that not all her reels perform well initially. However, she highlights that letting the algorithm work its magic without immediately sharing to her main feed can sometimes lead to unexpected success.
Shannon [03:00]: “Every time I've done a trial reel, and it does well, I still don't share it to everyone to my following. I just let it ride in whatever algorithm they're throwing it to.”
Strategic Techniques for Maximizing Trial Reels
Duplicating and Sharing Strategy
One of the pivotal strategies Shannon discusses is the duplicating method. By saving a reel to drafts and duplicating it, creators can simultaneously test the reel in Trial Reels and preserve a version for potential sharing on their main feed.
Shannon [05:00]: “When you create your reel, save it to drafts, go to your drafts, there's three little dots and you can literally tap, duplicate, tap duplicate. Share one to trial reels, share the other to your feed.”
This approach allows creators to test multiple versions without the need to recreate content from scratch, thereby streamlining the content creation process.
Content Types That Perform Well
Shannon emphasizes the importance of storytelling in Trial Reels, suggesting that reels which clearly convey what an account is about tend to perform better. She likens these reels to an elevator pitch, succinctly communicating the essence of the account to attract the right audience.
Shannon [08:45]: “Storytelling, which, you know, duh. But I've done these hooks a lot in this podcast. The reels with the hooks and the on-screen text that basically tell people what your account is about, what the vibe is, what you share. Consider it almost like an ad.”
She provides examples such as:
- Introduction Reels: Clearly stating who you are and what your account offers.
- POV Reels: Targeting specific demographics or interests, like millennial moms or interior design enthusiasts.
Shannon [12:30]: “You're in charge of XYZ and not sure what to do, and you find my account basically saying, hello, again, you're an ad. Are you tired of...”
Testing and Iteration
A recurring theme in Shannon's advice is the importance of testing multiple versions of a reel to identify what resonates best with the audience. She encourages creators to produce various iterations of a successful reel to capitalize on its popularity.
Shannon [15:00]: “Once you find the one that works, do it over and over and over again.”
She shares her personal success with this method, noting that duplicating a viral reel multiple times has consistently yielded strong performance.
Examples and Case Studies
Shannon shares specific instances from her own experience to illustrate the effectiveness of Trial Reels:
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Successful Testing: A reel about “five things I do before I press record to make my videos look more professional” garnered close to a thousand views, validating her testing strategy.
Shannon [18:20]: “I did one about like five things I do. Cause I'm actually testing this out to see if I want to share it on my feed. Feed. The hook is five things I do before I press record to make my videos look more professional. And I have a list, didn't do that. Great, got some traction, you know, close to a thousand views.”
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Humorous Content: Even reels outside her primary niche, such as funny clips about her love for public subscriptions, attracted followers, demonstrating the versatility of content types that can perform well.
Shannon [21:00]: “I've shared some funny ones that have actually done pretty well. Even ones outside my niche. Just about like, whatever, something funny with, like, you guys know I love to share my, like public subs and stuff like that. I just did one of those the other day on trials and got a few followers.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Shannon addresses common frustrations among creators, particularly when Trial Reels don't perform as expected. She advises detaching from the outcome and viewing each reel as a test of both content and algorithm.
Shannon [24:00]: “Detach yourself from the outcome. It's literally a test. It is a test and it's also a test of the algorithm because you don't know what non-followers they're showing it to.”
She cautions against overly ambitious strategies, such as posting an excessive number of reels at once, recommending instead a more measured approach of deploying four to five reels per day with slight variations to identify what works best.
Shannon [26:30]: “I've seen people saying they're doing like 100 at a time. I wouldn't do all that. I do like four or five a day.”
Conclusion and Final Tips
To wrap up, Shannon reinforces the iterative process of Trial Reels—create, test, analyze, and replicate. She encourages listeners to remain persistent and open-minded, continuously experimenting to discover what uniquely resonates with their audience.
Shannon [29:00]: “But find the one that sticks. That is the code. That is the code that we have cracked together.”
Additionally, she invites listeners to engage with her through various platforms, promising to delve deeper into the topic in future communications.
Shannon [30:45]: “I would love to hear back from you. I'd love to hear what you have found. If you're on YouTube, leave a comment. If you're on my email list, just reply back.”
Key Takeaways
- Trial Reels are a powerful tool for reaching non-followers and testing new content strategies without overwhelming your main feed.
- Duplicating reels allows for simultaneous testing and preservation of content, making it easier to manage successful reels.
- Storytelling and clear messaging in reels function like an elevator pitch, effectively communicating your account's value proposition.
- Consistent testing and iteration are crucial. Identify what works and replicate it to build momentum.
- Maintain flexibility in content types. Experiment with different genres, such as humor or tips, to see what resonates.
- Stay patient and persistent. Not every reel will perform well, but each provides valuable insights into audience preferences and algorithm behavior.
Shannon's practical advice and personal anecdotes offer a roadmap for Instagram creators looking to enhance their visibility and engagement through thoughtfully crafted Trial Reels. By following her strategies, listeners can navigate the complexities of content creation with greater confidence and effectiveness.