The Abigail Peugh Podcast: Episode 45 Summary Title: How I Gained 4,000+ Followers Using Trial Reels (Q&A)
Release Date: February 18, 2025

In Episode 45 of The Abigail Peugh Podcast, host Abigail Peugh delves deep into the strategic use of Instagram's Trial Reels to significantly boost her follower count and enhance her online business. This episode is structured around a comprehensive Q&A session where Abigail addresses 26 listener questions, sharing her firsthand experiences, actionable insights, and nuanced strategies for leveraging Trial Reels effectively.

1. Abigail’s Journey with Trial Reels

Abigail begins by recounting her initial skepticism towards Trial Reels. After hosting Nikki in Episode 43, where Trial Reels were discussed, Abigail decided to give them a genuine try. Her experimentation over the past four weeks yielded impressive results:

• Follower Growth: 2,302 new followers directly from Trial Reels, contributing to a total of 4,365 new followers in the last 30 days.
• Engagement Metrics: A 10% increase in store visits and a 3% rise in revenue since implementing Trial Reels.

Notable Quote:
"I've posted 32 total trial reels and I've gained 2,302 new followers, specifically from trial reels." [02:30]

2. Key Strategies for Successful Trial Reels

Abigail emphasizes the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in content. She found that Trial Reels performing best were those where she was more open and connected deeply with her audience, as opposed to the polished content typically seen on feeds.

Notable Quotes:
"The Trial Reels that are getting a little bit more vulnerable and kind of wearing my heart on my sleeve a little bit more are performing really well." [04:15]
"People on Instagram are kind of fed up with not knowing both sides. They want to know what you've gone through to get where you are." [04:45]

3. Comprehensive Q&A Highlights

Abigail addresses a wide range of questions, providing detailed answers and practical advice:

a. Access to Trial Reels

• Availability: Trial Reels are rolled out randomly by Instagram, with no specific follower threshold required.

Quote:
"I think they're just randomly rolling it out to people." [05:00]

b. Understanding and Starting with Trial Reels

• Definition: Trial Reels are posts that don’t appear on your main feed or to your current followers but reach a new audience.
• Starting Tips: Utilize existing high-performing content, repurpose old posts, and focus on authentic storytelling.

Quote:
"Trial reels are a way for you to post content that doesn’t go to your feed... It only goes to a new audience." [05:20]

c. Content Strategy

• Type of Content: Authentic, vulnerable, and storytelling content resonates more with new viewers.
• Reposting Strategy: Abigail duplicates successful reels multiple times with slight variations (e.g., different B-roll footage) to test performance.

Quote:
"If something does well, keep posting it multiple times to reach different people who don’t follow you." [12:45]

d. Managing Low Engagement

• Persistence: Not all Trial Reels will perform well initially. It's crucial to continue testing and refining content.
• Specificity: Tailor content to be more specific to your target audience to reduce irrelevant interactions.

Quote:
"Don't feel discouraged if your trial reels are not gaining the traction you want in the beginning. You gotta just keep trying and testing them." [05:40]

e. Posting Frequency and Time Management

• Frequency: Aim to post 3-5 Trial Reels daily.
• Time Efficiency: With a well-organized content library, Abigail manages to create and post multiple reels in just 10-15 minutes a day.

Quote:
"I'm posting three to five trial reels a day and it only takes me about 10 to 15 minutes." [25:30]

f. Hashtag Usage

• Recommendation: Abigail opts not to use hashtags in her Trial Reels to reduce complexity but suggests experimenting to find what works best for your account.

Quote:
"I don't use hashtags in general. So, no, I'm not using them on trial reels." [30:00]

g. Conversion vs. Growth

• Primary Focus: Abigail uses Trial Reels primarily for audience growth rather than immediate conversions. She nurtures potential clients through subsequent interactions like Instagram Stories.

Quote:
"My goal with my trial reels is growth, not sales." [32:15]

h. Selecting Audio and Content Formats

• Audio Selection: Choose audio that complements the mood and message of your content. Thoughtful and matching audio enhances the connection.
• Content Formats: Both B-roll with strong hooks and talking head videos work, but the key is to maintain authenticity.

Quote:
"The audio that matches the vibe of what you're saying is crucial." [35:00]

4. Effective Hooks and Captions

Abigail shares effective strategies for crafting engaging hooks and captions:

• Hooks: Use personal statements like, "I'm 33 and I'm not ashamed to admit..." to immediately connect with the audience.
• Captions: Reuse successful captions and tailor them to fit the context of each Trial Reel. Incorporate questions or calls-to-action to encourage engagement.

Quote:
"Let me de influence you as an online business owner. Share honest things about you that people wouldn't know based on your Instagram feed." [34:50]

5. Overcoming Challenges and Final Tips

Abigail acknowledges that new features can be frustrating, especially when access is inconsistent. She advises staying patient, continuously experimenting, and not letting initial setbacks deter your efforts.

Notable Quotes:
"Anyone can start them if you have access. Just make sure your app is updated and you don’t have any violations on your page." [06:10]
"Don't stress over this new feature. Just enjoy it and have fun with it." [37:13]

6. Conclusion

Abigail wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to embrace Trial Reels as a powerful tool for growth. She underscores the importance of authenticity, consistent testing, and strategic content creation to maximize the potential of this feature.

Final Quote:
"Go make some trial reels. Have some fun with it. Don’t stress over this new feature. Just enjoy it." [37:13]

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and online business owners looking to harness the power of Instagram's Trial Reels. Abigail’s candid insights and practical advice provide listeners with the tools and confidence needed to navigate and succeed with this feature, ultimately fostering a more engaged and expansive online community.