44. How to Use Instagram Trial Reels + 3 Quick Tips for Avoiding Burnout
Feeling that end-of-year burnout creeping in? You’re not alone, and I’ve got your back. In today’s episode, I’m serving up two simple but powerful ideas for your Instagram strategy. First, we’re diving into Instagram’s newest feature, Trial Reels—what they are, how to use them, and why they might just change the way you create content. Then, we’re tackling something we all feel this time of year: exhaustion. I’m sharing three quick tips for taking a guilt-free pause, so you can recharge and step into 2025 with clarity and confidence.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[02:14] What are Trial Reels? Instagram’s newest tool for testing content on non-followers without posting to your grid.
[03:28] How to Use Trial Reels Effectively: Testing hooks, experimenting with content, and deciding if this feature fits your strategy.
[06:50] Trial Reels Pros & Cons: Why they can be a creative game-changer and why Elizabeth is still on the fence.
[08:24] Avoiding End-of-Year Burnout: Elizabeth shares a personal story of hitting the wall and what she learned from taking a month-long Instagram break.
[12:22] Three Tips for a Guilt-Free Pause: Setting boundaries, repurposing content, and making space for reflection.
Key Takeaways:
Trial Reels Offer Low-Risk Experimentation: Use them to test hooks, storytelling formats, or niche topics without worrying about follower reactions.
Rest is Your Superpower: Avoid burnout by setting boundaries and embracing intentional breaks. "Rest is a requirement of your highest-level self."
Repurpose & Simplify Content: Share top-performing posts or use trending memes to stay visible with minimal effort.
Reflection Breeds Creativity: Take time to celebrate wins, reflect on lessons learned, and reconnect with your creative energy.
Links mentioned in this episode:
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Quote
"Rest is a requirement of your highest-level self. The world won’t end if you pause—your creativity will thank you for it."
S3 Ep44 Transcript: How to Use Instagram Trial Reels + 3 Quick Tips for Avoiding Burnout
00:00
In today's episode, I'm gifting you with two simple ideas for your Instagram strategy. First, we'll talk practically about Instagram's newest feature, Trial Reels, and how you may want to play with this for your business. Then, we'll explore the year-end rush and the exhaustion that many business owners face during this time of year. I'll share three quick tips for a guilt-free pause, so you can step into 2025 feeling refreshed and restored. Are you ready? Let's go.
00:23
Welcome to Strut It, a podcast about creating bold visibility on social media with zero apologies. I'm Elizabeth Marberry, your host and Instagram marketing coach. I help small business owners get seen on Instagram and monetize their offers so they can make more money doing their soul-led work.
00:53
If you're tired of spinning your wheels on Instagram and you're seeking simple, proven Instagram marketing strategies that actually work, you're in the right place. Let's dive in.
01:10
Welcome back to the show. I'm Elizabeth Marberry, and every week we come together to demystify the beast that is Instagram. This week is a little different. I'm starting with a tangible, practical strategy that you can implement this week, but I also want to acknowledge the timing of this episode. It’s the week of Christmas, and whether you celebrate or not, this time of year can feel intense.
01:44
So today, I want to focus on giving you permission to pause and reflect. I'll also share some content tips you can use if you decide to stay active on social media during the holidays but want to keep your effort minimal while maximizing output.
02:05
Let’s start with the practical tip: Instagram's newest feature, Trial Reels.
02:14
What are Trial Reels? They’re a new way to test content by sharing reels that only non-followers can see. Trial Reels let you gauge how your content resonates before fully committing to posting it on your profile. Within 24 hours, you'll get insights like likes, views, and comments to assess performance.
02:44
Trial Reels don’t appear on your profile grid, so you can test new ideas without worrying about how your existing followers might react. This feature gives you the creative freedom to experiment while reducing the guesswork of content performance.
03:11
Here’s how it works: First, create a reel as you normally would. When you go to share it, you’ll see an option to enable Trial Mode if it’s available on your account. Toggle it on, and then share. Your reel will only appear to non-followers.
03:47
If the Trial Reel performs well, you can later choose to share it with everyone, and it will show up on your profile grid.
04:22
You can even set your Trial Reels to automatically share with everyone if Instagram deems them high-performing based on early engagement metrics.
05:22
While I see some benefits to this feature—like experimenting without fear—it’s not for everyone. I personally prefer posting content and learning from public feedback immediately. There’s also the risk of prematurely dismissing content that might go viral later, as some of my reels have done weeks after posting.
07:20
That said, if you tend to overthink or feel nervous about trying new ideas, Trial Reels could be a helpful tool. Test it out and see if it aligns with your creative process.
07:50
Now, let's shift gears. As this episode airs near the end of 2024, I want to address the exhaustion many of us feel at this time of year.
08:24
Last year, after months of daily posting for both my brands, I hit a wall. I was exhausted and burned out, and content creation felt twice as hard. Even worse, my content wasn’t performing well.
09:24
I was afraid to take a break because I’d heard that consistent posting leads to growth. But I knew I couldn’t continue. So, I did something radical: I took a full 30-day break from Instagram. No posts, no stories, no reels—nothing.
10:23
To my surprise, when I returned, my biggest fans were still there. The algorithm welcomed me back, and my creativity came back stronger than ever.
11:20
Rest is not optional—it’s a requirement for your highest-level self.
12:22
Here are three quick tips for a guilt-free pause:
Set Boundaries: Decide how you’ll unplug, whether that means a full break or limiting your time online. Communicate this to your audience if you feel it’s necessary, but remember—you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Repurpose Content: If you decide to keep posting, keep it simple. Reuse your top-performing posts or share easy content like memes.
Reflect and Celebrate: Use this time to evaluate what worked for you this year and what you want to focus on next.
15:46
Unplugging can feel challenging, but it’s essential for sustaining creativity and preventing burnout. Give yourself permission to rest—you deserve it.
22:05
That’s it for today’s episode. If this resonated with you, DM me on Instagram and let me know. And don’t forget to share this episode with another business owner who might need encouragement to pause.
22:55
Next week, I’ll guide you through a reflective exercise to close out the year and set aligned goals for 2025. I can’t wait to strut it with you next week.
23:17
Thank you for listening to Strut It. If you’re ready to leverage Instagram to grow your business, grab my free Monetize Your IG Guide at elizabethmarberry.com/freebies.
23:57
If you got value from today’s episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to strut it with you again next week!