Creators 
@austin_sprinz on changing direction to figure out what works
Austin Sprinz’s top tips for creators:
- Diversify your content
Austin continues to find new audiences on Instagram by changing up his content mix, including more lo-fi, spontaneous moments from his life. - Find a way to tell a compelling story
Visuals alone aren't enough. Even the most stunning videos need an underlying structure or narrative to make it more entertaining. - Use trial reels to explore new ideas
Trial reels act like a creative sandbox for Austin, allowing him to test and learn without worrying about his existing audience.
Austin Sprinz has never been one to follow the rules. When he first started posting online, he didn't have a formula or a predetermined plan. Instead, he turned Instagram into a place where he could experiment with new ideas and push the boundaries of his imagination.
That sense of playfulness has captivated an audience of over 4M followers, proving that sometimes the best way to succeed is to buck tradition and forge your own path. We sat down with Austin to learn more about his content strategy, his proven approach to experimentation, and his advice to other creators who want to grow on Instagram.
What role does experimentation play in your creative approach?
When you decide to become a creator, you're signing up for a long-term journey. Audiences evolve. Trends change. People's interests shift constantly. It’s easy to get stuck doing what used to work, but if you stay in the habit of adapting and trying new things, your content and your connection to your audience stays alive. That’s what keeps the whole thing fun.
It seems like you really enjoy stepping outside of your comfort zone. What’s the story behind your biggest leap of faith?
A few years ago, I got a random call asking if I’d ever consider doing a boxing match. I’d never boxed in my life, but I was down to try. Then he told me the fight would be in a month, at Wembley Arena in London, in front of 12,000 people.
That was way outside my comfort zone, but I’ve always believed that the more hard things you take on, the easier they get over time. I trained like crazy for a month and documented the whole journey. That experience completely changed how I view pressure, performance, and even storytelling.
It also opened up a whole new content category I didn’t expect to love: fitness. Since then, I’ve kept boxing in my routine and leaned into more lifestyle and wellness content. Saying yes to something scary helped me grow as a person and as a creator.
How has your content changed since you first started posting a decade ago?
For a long time, I avoided posting more casual content out of fear it wouldn't perform. I didn’t want to do anything that might impact how my audience or brands viewed my page, which at the time was mostly polished, high-production video. But I started to realize how many fun, spontaneous clips were just sitting on my camera roll—stuff I never shared but really enjoyed making.
When Instagram launched trial reels, my mindset shifted. It’s allowed me to introduce new content lanes in a way that feels intentional, like my own creative sandbox. No pressure, no rules, just pure experimentation. And when they perform well, that tells me it’s worth bringing onto my main feed and exploring further.
Have any trial reels surprised you?
Last winter, my brother and I were tossing ice from my cold plunge into the pool to prevent it from breaking the system. He pushed me in and then jumped in right after.
His girlfriend happened to be filming it for fun, so I decided to post a 7-second clip as a trial reel. It hit 10M views overnight. Then 50M. Now it's sitting at over 100M. Before trial reels, that would've just been a private memory on my phone.
What’s your most successful trial reel?
One of my top-performing trial reels was filmed in Dubai. It starts with what looks like a regular pool, but when I take the phone underwater, a whole new world opens up. It’s 60 meters deep with submerged cars, pool tables, and treasure—something anyone can understand and get excited about.
That’s what makes trial reels so cool! I’m able to reach entirely new audiences by leaning into visuals and universal experiences rather than dialogue. I focus heavily on creating globally understandable content. If a clip can make someone laugh or feel something, no matter what language they speak, it has the potential to resonate far beyond my current audience.
What have you learned from creating different types of content?
Visuals alone aren’t enough. Some of my earlier trial reels featured me walking through a trippy tunnel or jet skiing, but they often fell flat without a mini storyline, a joke, or some sort of hook. Now, I only post those kinds of visuals if I can also give them more depth through characters or structure.
How do you decide when to share your trial reels with your followers?
I spend about 95% of my time inside the trial system, testing ideas and seeing what resonates.
I don’t auto share anything. I’ve built up a mental benchmark for what I personally consider post worthy. If a trial reel hits around 100K likes, that’s usually a green light. But sometimes I really love a video or want to explore that style more, so I’ll post it even if it’s at 10K+.
You broke 4M followers on Instagram. What do you attribute to your success?
Consistency, curiosity, and staying adaptable. I’ve never been afraid to pivot or completely reinvent my approach. Even if something feels out of left field for my niche, I’ll try it. That mindset has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.
I’m also extremely intentional about viewer experience. Every time I make a video, I ask myself, “Would this stop me from scrolling? What emotion am I trying to spark?”
What’s your #1 piece of advice for creators who are looking to grow on Instagram?
Don’t wait for permission to try something new. So many creators overthink what should work instead of testing what could work. Post the weird idea. The spontaneous moment. That random clip your friends loved. If it doesn’t hit, cool, try something else. If it does, you’ve just unlocked a new creative lane. Do that long enough, and success becomes a matter of when, not if.
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