How to sell on Instagram like never before: use automated DMs

Instagram direct messages (DMs) are a valuable tool for any brand or business wanting to create new leads, strengthen consumer relationships, and, most importantly, increase sales.

And everybody wants that, right? A cute little Instagram shop that can start selling like crazy? That's why everyone and their mothers have an Instagram account now.

But with 200 million Instagram app users sending messages to businesses every month, it can be difficult (or rather, freaking impossible) to stay on top of your inbox promptly.

Enter Instagram DM automation.

Automation can help you organize your interactions with potential customers and ensure that you never miss out on any of those opportunities even while you're not formally on the clock.

However, it can do a lot more than that.

Your DMs will fire up like Vin Diesel's car and the nitro pushing your sales channels will be all the techniques we're about to show you that will help you use Instagram DM automation like never before.

So, put on your gloves, get your keys, and get ready to ride towards increasing your revenue, building brand loyalty and so much more with Instagram DMs.

The heroes of Instagram shopping: Automated DMs

When it comes to Direct Messages, the automated responses you can program from your Instagram Business Account can range from straightforward (i.e., addressing FAQs about your products and services) to complex i.e., guiding clients to alternative answer outcomes based on how they reply and telling them the meaning of life. Ok, maybe not that last one, but you catch my drift.

Instagram-compatible bot-building platforms include ManyChat, Inflact, Chatfuel, and MobileMonkey. You may even create your own in-house solution if you're the tinkering kind.

The complexity of their answers is based on what you use to build them and if they're using AI or are purely rule-based.

However, no matter the brain size, they're all capable of truly game-changing feats.

In addition to their customer service and sale-driving capabilities, Instagram's built-in conversational prompts make it possible for chatbot funnels to glean useful data from potential clients, such as their names, email addresses, and preferred products.

Basically, the gasoline that every marketing effort requires: data, data, and more data.

Why use automated Instagram DMs?

According to a recent global survey, 64% of consumers prefer texting to phone calls or emails and 75% of people want to be able to message businesses.

And who can blame them right?

This is the most text-centric time on the internet, people are scared of phone calls like they're scared of spiders in the shower.

Truth is, however, even though businesses receive DMs around the clock, it isn't always feasible (or cost-effective) to have someone answering these at all hours.

By responding to clients and potential leads right away via Automatic Instagram DMs, you reduce the likelihood that customers will go shop somewhere else at 3 am.

Plus you reduce costs since you won't need any sleep-deprived coffee-addicted midnight sales representatives to answer those 24/7 ecommerce shoppers.

7 Ways to Use Automatic Instagram DMs to Drive Sales

Ok, we've arrived.

This is the real meat on the bone.

Here are seven methods to use automated Instagram DMs to improve your marketing strategy and increase sales.

From increasing website traffic to offering customer service that encourages customers to buy your products, we have it all here and they are all as beautiful and powerful as a stock market wizard with a knack for turning likes into lucrative investments.

Provide around-the-clock customer service

You can respond to frequently asked questions from prospective and current clients on Instagram using automated DMs at any moment.

I know it sounds like a no-brainer but providing prompt, helpful customer service around the clock will promote brand loyalty and persuade customers to make additional purchases from you.

Duh, right?

The numbers back this up too. According to a recent marketing study, 40% of customers want companies to reply to their messages within an hour of sending them.

The cool thing about Instagram is that, as a platform, it also has features that help your Automatic DM approach be even more successful.

For example, you can program "icebreakers" (those initial message bubbles for especially shy users) to give customers ideas on possible frequently asked questions.

Customers who receive swift responses to their queries and comments feel that their requests are taken into consideration and that they are valued members of your brand or business community.

Promote Your Products

Automated Instagram DMs are an awesome way to update your whole audience on the newest happenings at your company, whether it's the release of a new product, the fact that you ran out of coffee, or the unveiling of a major new initiative.

A fantastic strategy to advertise your service and increase sales is to keep your followers informed about any company news, the newest goods to be rolled out to the market, and future sales via DMs, Stories, or an Instagram post.

You can focus on the sales you want to prioritize in a direct, more personalized way by updating your followers via direct messages on certain products or services you offer.

Oh, and be sure to remind them of coupons and sales that are about to expire, believe me, urgency is the biggest friend of sales.

Gain New Leads

Using Instagram Stories as a starting point is one of the most effective ways to get leads.

With a whopping 500 million daily users and counting, Instagram Stories present a massive opportunity to drive traffic to your DM inbox.

Once you have a user's attention via your direct messages, you may utilize automation to send them a personalized welcome message, direct them to your website, or recommend that they try one of your products or services.

Also, if someone mentions your brand or business in their (user-generated content) Instagram story, you may use automated direct messages to respond right away.

Build up your email list

You can ask people to message you with a particular automatic trigger phrase using your stories and regular Instagram feed posts.

They'll get in on contests, promotions, and giveaways, which will also drive users to your DMs.

If you run an online store business and put out some Instagram ads offering a discount code for a Black Friday promotion, for instance, you can say something like, "If you want to get a 35% discount code, message us FRIDAY35." You can even put those keywords on your Instagram bio.

Here's the real kicker though.

Instagram DMs are set up to send prewritten responses when you get messages like that.

This will be a prompt to register an account in order to enjoy a special discount or something similar, which is a terrific way to grow your email list.

You know, that gasoline for you metaphorical marketing muscle car.

Drive traffic to your website like never before

It's also a terrific idea to employ automated DMs to link Instagram users to your website.

You can increase your chances of making a sale by sending more traffic to your website using automated messages that feature links to your products and services.

Be careful though!

Remember to keep your brand voice consistent across all channels.

This will help your automated DMs have a significant impact while keeping your current customers happy and within familiar territory.

Now, some valuable advice.

Keep your content fun and engaging, sprinkle some funny cats, cool facts about your products or even educate your audience.

This will give you a big edge when including your call-to-action buttons and asking people to go to your website.

Customers tend to listen to you when they don't feel like they're been sold to.

Think about your favorite influencer and how they sell on Instagram to you. You might not even feel like they're selling anything and that's the secret.

Loyalty is key

Two-way communication is necessary for creating a community of devoted customers. Believe us, regularly engaging with your audience humanizes your brand and fosters loyalty.

Because DMs are private, consumers feel as though they are speaking one-on-one with a brand or company, being treated like VIPs.

Additionally, sending frequent automated messages will help customers feel seen and appreciated, whether it's to express gratitude for a mention, share updates, or make their day brighter with a coupon code or a cat pic.

Chatbot Retargeting

Believe it or not, an Instagram chatbot funnel like the one we've talked about has the potential of achieving a 20-30% conversion rate.

What does that mean you ask?

It means that up to 30% of people who start talking with your chatbot will end up purchasing down the line.

And not just at that exact moment, although some will purchase immediately, chatbots don't forget potential customers my friend.

Here's where the "retargeting" comes in handy.

Let's say a potential customer chats their heart out with your chatbot, adds stuff to their cart but then fails to purchase.

Maybe 1 or 2 weeks later your chatbot will contact them again, start a new conversation,and lead them to checkout (automated)

Bots follow up, not just with the same cart, but maybe adding some sweeteners to the deal, like a new discount code or some products that your bot knows go great with what they're already interested in.

And voila!

They purchase and, in the future, will be reminded again of your incredible products when they run out or maybe when there's another sale going on.

The Verdict: Instagram users won't know what hit 'em!

Having an Instagram Business Profile with Automated DMs is a must now.

Automated DMs are a great tool to increase sales, whether it be through community participation, customer service, brand awareness, or product promotion.

They can also help you organize your inbox and save you significant time and money.

Plus, this is something not a lot of brands know they can do, so if you're a part of the select crowd that sees the potential of this, it's time to jump aboard and step on the gas.

 Do you want to learn more about Instagram DM and Facebook Messenger automation? Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. We promise we won't disappoint.