Instagram DMs are one of the most powerful yet underused communication tools. Whether you're reaching out to an influencer, a potential business partner, or someone you're interested in, the right message can open incredible doors.
But most DMs get ignored. Here's how to be in the minority that gets responses.
Why Most Instagram DMs Fail
- "Hey" or "Hi" — Zero effort, zero response
- Immediate asks — Asking for something before building rapport
- Generic compliments — "Love your content" means nothing
- Too long — People scroll fast; respect their time
- Creepy vibes — Commenting on appearance first is a red flag
7 DM Strategies That Work
1. The Story Reply
Reply to their Instagram Story with something specific:
"That coffee shop looks amazing! Is that in Brooklyn? I've been looking for a good spot to work from."
Why it works: It's contextual, timely, and shows you actually watch their content.
2. The Shared Interest Opener
Find common ground from their profile:
"Just saw your post about hiking the PCT — I did the Washington section last summer! How was the desert stretch?"
3. The Value-First Message
Give before you ask:
"Hey! Your post about productivity apps was super helpful. Thought you might like Raycast — it's similar to Alfred but with better integrations."
4. The Specific Compliment
Be specific about their work, not their appearance:
"The way you explained compound interest in your last reel finally made it click for me. Shared it with my little brother who's starting to invest."
5. The Question DM
Ask something they'll want to answer:
"Quick question — in your last post you mentioned you use Notion for content planning. Do you have a template you'd recommend for beginners?"
6. The Mutual Connection
Leverage shared relationships:
"Hey! I think we both know Sarah from the marketing meetup last month. She mentioned you're working on something cool in the e-commerce space?"
7. The Business Pitch (Done Right)
For professional outreach, be clear and concise:
"Hi [Name] — love what you're building with [Company]. I work with [similar companies] on [specific value]. Would you be open to a quick chat? No worries if not!"
Generate Perfect Instagram DMs
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Get the Free Chrome ExtensionDM Etiquette Rules
- One message at a time — Don't send multiple messages in a row
- Respect no response — One follow-up max, then move on
- Check your profile first — Make sure yours looks legit, not spam
- Time it right — Reply to stories within a few hours
- No voice notes to strangers — Stick to text initially
Key Takeaways
- Reply to Stories for the highest response rate
- Be specific, not generic
- Give value before asking for anything
- Keep it short — 2-3 sentences max
- Make it easy to respond