Trial Reels for Authors: Why I'm Using Them and Why They Actually Work

I started using Trial Reels as an author, and the results have been surprisingly good.

That's really the short version.

The longer version is that I finally decided to test a strategy that I had been seeing other creators use, and after putting it into practice myself, I discovered something interesting: Trial Reels work extremely well for reaching new readers.

Testing marketing strategies is basically part of my job, so when I started seeing creators talk about Trial Reels on Instagram, I knew I had to experiment with them myself.

As it turns out, a lot of authors are already using Trial Reels. What's funny is that many of them are essentially using the same slideshow strategy I've been teaching for years. The only difference is that instead of uploading the content as a photo slideshow, they're downloading those slideshows as video files and posting them as Reels.

And it's working.

What Are Trial Reels?

Trial Reels are an Instagram feature that allows your Reel to be shown first to people who have never seen your content before.

Think about that for a second.

Instead of your content being shown primarily to your existing followers, Instagram sends it out to a completely new audience. These are people who don't know who you are, haven't interacted with your content before, and haven't already seen your posts repeatedly.

For authors, that's a huge opportunity.

After all, the fastest way to grow your audience and sell more books is to consistently get your content in front of new readers. Trial Reels are specifically designed to do exactly that.

In many ways, it's similar to what TikTok has been doing for years. TikTok regularly pushes content to people who aren't already following you. Trial Reels give Instagram creators a similar opportunity by intentionally placing your content in front of fresh eyes.

Because of that, your content has a much higher chance of taking off than it would if it were only shown to your current audience.

The Strategy I'm Using

The strategy itself is incredibly simple.

I'm still creating the same types of slideshow content that I use for TikTok. The difference is that instead of uploading those slideshows as photo posts, I'm downloading them from Canva as MP4 videos and uploading them as Instagram Reels.

That's it.

On TikTok, the content remains a slideshow. On Instagram, it becomes a video Reel. The actual content doesn't need to change.

If you're already creating content that promotes your books, discusses tropes, highlights scenes, or gets readers emotionally invested in your stories, you can likely repurpose much of that content for Trial Reels with very little extra work.

How to Access Trial Reels

Not everyone currently has access to the feature.

Instagram states that you need a professional account rather than a personal account. You'll also generally need at least 200 followers before the Trial Reels option becomes available.

If you qualify, you'll be able to enable Trial Reels through your account settings. Once the feature is active, you'll see the option when uploading a Reel. Simply select Trial Reels, and Instagram will begin showing that content to people who haven't previously interacted with your account.

Should Every Reel Be a Trial Reel?

Probably not.

I wouldn't recommend turning every single piece of content into a Trial Reel.

A balanced approach seems to work well. You might alternate between regular content and Trial Reels, or dedicate a portion of your posting schedule to audience growth while keeping the rest focused on nurturing your existing followers.

Some creators are posting large numbers of Trial Reels every day, but for most authors, a balanced strategy is likely more sustainable.

The goal isn't just to reach new people. It's to reach new people consistently while continuing to build relationships with the audience you already have.

What If You Don't Have 200 Followers Yet?

Then your first priority is simple: grow your account.

The fastest way to do that is by posting more content.

Most authors dramatically underestimate how much content they need to publish. If you're posting once a week, you're making it much harder than it needs to be.

Instead, aim to post multiple times per day. Even starting with two or three posts daily can make a significant difference. As you get more comfortable, increase that number.

Create content related to books, reading, writing, tropes, characters, and your stories. Keep everything focused on your niche so the algorithm understands exactly who your content is for.

The reality is that when your account is small, you don't have a large audience to annoy. What you do have is an opportunity to get more content into circulation and give yourself more chances to be discovered.

More posts generally create more opportunities for views, engagement, followers, and ultimately book sales.

Why Authors Should Pay Attention to Instagram Right Now

Many authors have relied heavily on TikTok over the last several years, and TikTok remains a valuable platform.

However, a lot of readers and creators have expanded their attention to Instagram as well. As more people spend time on Bookstagram, authors who establish a presence there gain access to an additional source of visibility and sales.

It's important to remember that BookTok and Bookstagram aren't separate apps or exclusive communities. They're simply nicknames for the book-focused corners of TikTok and Instagram.

Readers are still readers.

They're simply discovering books on different platforms.

That means authors who adapt quickly can position themselves wherever readers are spending their time.

Final Thoughts

Trial Reels aren't some magical shortcut that instantly sells books. They're simply a tool that helps Instagram show your content to people who have never encountered you before.

For authors, that's incredibly valuable.

If you're already creating slideshow content, you may not need an entirely new strategy. You may just need to repurpose what you're already making, upload it as a Reel, and take advantage of Instagram's Trial Reels feature.

The barrier to entry is low, the content can often be reused, and the potential upside is significant.

If you're looking for a way to reach more readers without reinventing your entire content strategy, Trial Reels are absolutely worth testing.