Did you know that more than 375 million people use Instagram Direct Messages every month? When used correctly, Instagram DMs represent a huge opportunity to boost both your business and personal brand. That’s because they allow you to reach potential customers on a personal level.
Getting more DMs is an opportunity to start the right conversations and help the Instagram algorithm learn more about you. Below, we’ll share the dos and don’ts of Instagram direct messaging, as well as unique and creative tips you can implement to start getting more Instagram direct messages today.
Table of Contents
The Essentials of Instagram DMs: Do’s and Don’ts
These are the essential things you should know, the things you should do and not do when it comes to sending and responding to DMs on Instagram.
Things To Do
- Be Concise: When you send DMs, it’s important to keep your message brief and straight to the point. People are generally busy, and they’ll skip your DMs if they’re too lengthy.
- Make It Relatable: Always make your DMs relatable through personalization. Instagram users will ignore messages they can’t relate to. Personalization increases your chances of getting a response and piques their interest in your offer.
- Reply Promptly: No one likes to be kept waiting. You must reply promptly to DMs to show you’re serious, which encourages others to do the same.
- Honor Your Boundaries: Sometimes, you may receive uncomfortable requests in DMs. Respect everyone, but never feel pressured to welcome ideas you don’t share. Instead, set your limits, communicate them clearly, and honor your boundaries.
- Apply Filters to Messages: Instagram messaging can be overwhelming, but you can stay organized with message filters. Using these filters, you can separate read and unread messages to ensure you don’t miss anything important.
- Pin Important Conversations: It’s easy to miss key information or forget important details on a fast-moving platform like Instagram. Use the pin feature to keep crucial conversations within view at all times.
- Organize Your Conversations: Organizing your conversations helps you stay focused on what matters. Prioritize friends, collaborators, and verified accounts. However, don’t forget to check others in your free time, as they may include your next collaborators.
Things to Avoid
- Avoid Starting with a Hard Sell: Do not begin Instagram conversations by trying to sell something immediately. You’ll only push people away. Instead, focus on building a relationship and providing value.
- Don’t Send Unsolicited Content: Just like you want your boundaries to be respected, you should do the same for others. Never send people content unless they show interest or specifically request it.
- Skip Generic Messages: Generic messages are turn-offs because they show a lack of effort and attention to individual needs. Doing a little research helps achieve personalization.
How to Get More Instagram DMs: 11 Proven Tips
Getting more direct messages positions your Instagram profile to enjoy greater visibility and other benefits on the platform. The algorithm will promote your Instagram Stories and posts, helping you attract more followers and collaborators. Here are the top tips for increasing your Instagram DMs:
1. Buy Instagram Direct Messages
While there are many ways to get more Instagram DMs, buying Instagram DMs is the easiest and fastest method. As others wait around for messages, you can achieve more engagement and build social proof for your Instagram account when you purchase real Instagram DMs.
This will also help increase your Instagram followers because more people will see and immediately trust your profile. When you want to get Instagram DMs, GetAFollower is the only place to buy authentic Instagram DMs quickly and easily. Purchasing Instagram direct messages from our website is a fast and effective way to boost engagement and credibility on the platform.
2. Send DMs Yourself
You can increase the number of DMs you get by sending some yourself. Reach out to potential partners and customers to start a conversation. Conversations can lead to meaningful relationships, and relationships build trust, which leads people to engage with your brand and make purchases.
Sending out more DMs also helps you become familiar with Instagram Direct Messaging features and signals the algorithm about your interests and potential customers. With that information, the algorithm will share more of your content with the right people, ultimately helping you attract more business opportunities.
3. Reply to Direct Messages
Replying directly to messages is another tip for increasing the number of DMs you receive. When you respond, you advance conversations, strengthen relationships, and build trust—crucial factors for turning strangers into loyal customers.
However, replying directly means doing so personally. Each message deserves a personalized reply that addresses the issue raised or the question asked. Bots can be fast and effective for large businesses, but they cannot maintain conversations or build stronger connections with an audience like humans can. You can reserve bots for times when you’re unavailable.
4. Provide Value in Your DMs
One of the easiest ways to encourage more direct messages is to offer value. People on social media are no longer just looking to chat and waste time on meaningless conversations—they want freebies and tangible benefits. They’ll turn to your DM if they’re sure they’ll receive something worthwhile.
Offer helpful tips and advice whenever you can. Give relevant updates that can simplify their journey, and share personal insights that have worked for you. Building trust will be easier if you do this, and you’ll get more organic DMs in the long run.
5. Use Calls-to-Action in Posts and Stories
One mistake many people make is ignoring DM calls-to-action in their posts and IG Stories. They encourage likes, comments, shares, and follows but don’t ask for DMs. Not all social media relationships progress from likes and comments to messaging—some start with a direct message. Your CTAs can provide the little nudge people need.
Some users also have personal or sensitive questions they’d prefer to discuss via DM rather than in the comments. Alternatively, you can use interactive story stickers. Just add a “DM Me” sticker to your posts and you’re good to go.
6. Greet Your New Followers
Welcoming new followers is a great way to boost the number of DMs you receive. Many people on the internet are wary of unsolicited messages, but thanking them for following is a harmless way to initiate a conversation, and it rarely raises any objections.
Sending personalized welcome messages helps build long-term relationships with new followers or customers. You can use the opportunity to find out about their expectations and how you can meet them. They’re already interested in your content or business—hence, they decided to follow you—so you have a head start in your interactions.
7. Share Exclusive Deals
If you want to encourage more direct messages, use DMs to share exclusive deals. It doesn’t have to be anything complex. Simply tell followers to send a DM for special discounts, and you’ll see them flocking in immediately. This also works for giving out valuable resources, additional content, or exclusive access to behind-the-scenes footage.
Offering a sense of exclusivity will naturally encourage more direct engagement. Gaining access to exclusive content also builds goodwill and trust, giving you more freedom to promote your business.
8. Use Features in Instagram DMs
Instagram DMs include various features that help you communicate effectively while maintaining the security of your content and profile. Leveraging these features correctly can attract more DMs. Here are the major ones:
- Disappearing Photos and Videos: This feature allows you to send media that disappears after some time, protecting your content from unauthorized usage. Remember to send these only to people who follow you or have approved your messages.
- Edit or Unsend Messages: When you make a mistake or send the wrong message, you can unsend it or correct it. Press and hold the sent message, then choose “Edit” or “Unsend.” “Edit” returns it to the editor, where you can fix it before resending.
- Send Photos, Videos, Voice Messages, Stickers, and GIFs: These options help you express yourself and share your business ideas more effectively. To send any of these, tap the photo, microphone, or sticker icon, then select the appropriate media type.
- Using Instagram Polls, Questions, and Quizzes: These interactive features encourage replies and can be used to generate more DMs. As long as you ask the right questions, people will be willing to engage, which increases your DMs in the process.
9. Express Gratitude to Your Followers
People love to be acknowledged. Set aside occasions to tell your followers how much they mean to your brand. Expressing gratitude draws them closer, breaking down barriers that may keep them from sending you a direct message. When you show gratitude, you’re telling your audience that you’re human—and that you see them as individuals, too.
It’s a simple gesture that followers appreciate, as most don’t receive such acknowledgments from the accounts they follow. Don’t just say thanks, though. You can also share exclusive offers or resources. Just don’t forget to invite them to your DM to access these perks.
10. Host a Giveaway
Hosting a giveaway is a sure way to get more Instagram DMs. If you’re strategic about it, you’ll receive more DMs than you can handle because people love freebies. They’ll also share your contest with others, exposing your brand to more Instagram users.
The key is to be transparent with the giveaway and offer a decent prize. Then, make sending a DM one of the criteria for winning. Remember to include a participation deadline to create urgency and encourage immediate action.
11. Use Instagram Ads Strategically
Instagram Ads are highly effective for prompting direct conversations, especially if you’re promoting a business. Ads give you the advantage of audience targeting, ensuring your copy is shown to specific users.
Optimizing your ad copy will lead to DM responses from the most relevant accounts, so you’ll likely see faster results than with purely organic approaches. Ads can be more aggressive and do require a budget, but they’re often worth the effort in the end.
Conclusion
These tips for getting more Instagram DMs work best when you combine multiple strategies. While buying Instagram direct messages is by far the easiest method, you should also send DMs yourself and respond promptly when you receive them. Focus on providing value, sharing exclusive deals, and hosting giveaways to attract more IG users.
Welcoming new followers and thanking long-time ones also helps boost engagement. Don’t forget to include calls-to-action in your Instagram Stories and posts, and consider allocating a budget for ads. By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to receiving more DMs that can help grow your business and personal brand.
