How to sell on Instagram DM: Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

Instagram DMs aren’t just for sharing fun stuff with friends anymore. Businesses can use them to sell their products. It’s important not to underestimate this opportunity, or you could miss out!

Just look at the diverse features Instagram’s adding every day to DMs, from group chats to adding labels. 

How to sell on Instagram DM, though? Does it really work? Keep reading to get your answers!

What is Instagram DM marketing? Is it effective?

Instagram DM marketing refers to using Instagram DMs to connect with your target audience, promote your products and services, and finally sell them. 

Well, the short answer is Yes, it’s effective, the numbers prove it:

1. Around 75% of customers prefer to engage brands through private messaging channels than traditional ones (Techcrunch reports).
2. Half of IG users use Instagram to shop weekly.
3. High open rates: Compared to emails, DM open rates can be 2-3 times higher. According to Customers.ai, a client achieves 80% open rates and 20% click-through rates on DM campaigns.
4. Positive user sentiment: Studies show users prefer personalized communication and appreciate brands interacting directly.
Socialbakers study found brands interacting with followers through DMs see a 73% increase in engagement.

The benefits of Selling on Instagram DM

Before learning how to sell on Instagram DM, it’s good to know the advantages of using DMs for sale. 

#1. Hyper-targeting & personalization

Unlike public posts, you can use DM conversations to understand individual needs (style, size, budget) and preferences.

Then, you can use this information to suggest specific products or services that perfectly fit their requirements, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

#2. Limited-time offers and exclusive deals

Through Instagram DMs, you can also offer exclusive discounts or early access to new products.

This way, you can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity and encourage your customers to make a purchase.

#3. Leveraging diverse features of DMs

Another big benefit is the various features Instagram messaging provides for businesses, including:

• Texts
• Pics & videos
• Stickers, GIFs & Avatars
• Voice messages
• Video chats
• Group chats
• Add a label
• Notes
• Ad messages
• Saved replies
• FAQs
• Welcome messages

#4. Personalized product demos

Instagram messages let you send product demos and short video tutorials that solve customers’ special needs. This builds loyalty and is more effective than generic marketing materials.

#5. Facilitating pre-orders and custom orders

One great advantage is to accept pre-orders or discuss custom order options. This personal touch improves customer experience and secures sales before your official launch.

#6. Streamlining the buying process

Thanks to Instagram’s auto-reply features, customers can now ask questions and get their answers in no time. This is great for clarifying details and improving conversion rates.

#7. Upselling and cross-selling opportunities

Based on your customers’ purchase history and preferences, you can suggest complementary products or upgrades through DMs. This, absolutely, increases the average order value. 

How to sell on Instagram DM (For Free)

To use Instagram DMs for sale and turn leads into loyal customers, you can employ many effective techniques. But before starting to do so, you need to get prepared. How?

Source: Instagram Business

Before selling on Instagram DM

Follow these steps to make the most of your Instagram DM marketing:

1. Build a strong profile: Make sure your Instagram profile is optimized with a clear and attractive bio, profile picture, and highlights. Your profile should reflect your brand identity and showcase what you offer.

Build an engaged audience: To increase your Instagram engagement, regularly post high-quality content, respond to your followers’ comments, like their posts, and start conversations. 

Identify potential leads: Instagram’s search and Explore features help you find users who fit your target demographics. Users who engage with your content regularly or keep liking or commenting could also be potential leads.

Ready to sell on Instagram DM? Try these techniques.

Personalized product recommendations: Build Trust & Increase value

In this technique, you show you understand your customers’ needs. Personalized recommendations feel special, this increases perceived value and purchase intent. 

Follow these steps:

1. First, engage: Don’t jump straight to sales. Interact with comments, reply to stories, and build rapport before transitioning to DMs.
2. Listen for cues: If you want to understand your customers’ pain points and interests, you need to observe their posts, profiles, and past interactions. 
3. Create a compelling message: Now, briefly introduce yourself, acknowledge their recent engagement, and mention a specific product or service that addresses their needs (Visually appealing images).
4. Highlight the Why: To be honest, people don’t care about your product’s features! All they want to know is how your offering solves their problems or improves their life. 
5. Offer personalization: Generic recommendations don’t work! Suggest specific sizes, colors, or features based on their preferences.
6. End with a clear CTA: In the end, invite them to ask questions, visit your website, or make a purchase directly through DMs.

Example: Imagine you have a follower who keeps commenting on your posts about hiking and outdoor adventures. Time to grab the opportunity! 

DM them saying:

Hi [their name]! I noticed you’ve been crushing some amazing hikes lately!

Your recent post about packing for your next adventure got me curious. What are you most excited about exploring?

I thought you might be interested in our new ‘Trailblazer’ backpack. It’s waterproof, durable, and has all the features you need for a comfortable and organized trek.

…

Customer service excellence: Build royalty & encourage repeat business

You can turn customers into advocates by genuinely solving your audience’s problems and exceeding expectations. 

Picture this: A customer sends you a DM expressing disappointment with a product they recently purchased. 

They complain about the size not fitting, the color being different from the picture, or any other specific issue.

Take a deep breath and turn this into an opportunity!

Follow these steps:

1. Acknowledge and apologize: Respond to their messages quickly within 24 hours or faster. Say how sorry you are about their bad experience. 
2. Offer solution: Don’t just be sorry! Suggest alternatives, even a full refund. Mention: You’d love to make things right!
3. Make a personal recommendation: Now, call them by their name, refer to their profile or purchase history, and offer a product [how about a discount]?
4. End with a CTA and offer support: Finally, remind: You’re always happy to help!

Leverage user-generated content: Build social proof

Another useful tactic to sell on Instagram DMs is to use UGC. Seeing happy customers using and loving your product builds trust and authenticity, far more impactful than traditional marketing messages.

Follow these steps:

1. Run contests & giveaways: Hosting giveaways is a perfect way to encourage followers to create and share content using your product or hashtag (Here, you can find how to do a giveaway on Instagram). 
2. Feature user-generated content: Then, repost stories, highlight photos, and give credit to users who create content featuring your brand. This is both appreciation and motivation.
3. Create case studies: Use user-generated content and testimonials to build compelling stories about how your product or service has transformed lives. 

Example: You’re running a sustainable swimwear brand. A customer recently purchased a bikini and posted a beautiful photo on Instagram wearing it at the beach, tagging your brand and raving about the fit and fabric.

Once you see her post with positive feedback and engagement in the comments, it’s time to grab the chance!

• Start with a friendly greeting: “Hi …, we saw your amazing photo showcasing our [bikini name]! You look stunning and radiant!”
• Express gratitude: “Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience and tagging us! We truly appreciate your support.”
• Offer value: “We see you love the fit and fabric. Did you know [insert interesting fact about sustainable materials]? We’re passionate about eco-friendly practices!”
• Plant the seed for a sale: “We have a new collection launching soon with similar styles perfect for summer adventures. Would you be interested in sneak peeks or early access?”
• End with a call to action: “We’d love to hear more about your experience. Feel free to share any feedback or questions!”

Create scarcity & urgency: Drive quick action

How do you feel when you see “only two available” next to your favorite product on Amazon?

Well, this scarcity taps into psychological triggers and motivates you to act quickly, before you miss out on a valuable deal. 

This sense can serve you to sell on Instagram DMs.

Follow these steps

1. Limited-time offers: Announce exclusive discounts, flash sales, or early access deals through DMs to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate purchases.
2. Limited-Edition Products: Highlight products with limited availability, prompting buyers to act fast before they miss out.
3. Countdown Timers: Use Instagram stories or DM messages with countdowns to specific sale endings, further emphasizing the limited window for purchase.

Partner with micro-influencers: Reach the targeted audience

Unlike the above methods, this can be paid (depending on how established an influencer is). 

Whether you pay for it or not, it’s an extremely helpful technique. 

Because micro-influencers have authentic relationships with their audience and offer targeted reach to potential customers who trust their recommendations.

How to get started?

Follow these steps

1. Identify relevant micro-influencers: first off, find creators with engaged followers who align with your brand and target audience.
2. Collaborate on authentic content: Partner with influencers to create sponsored posts, stories, or DM collaborations naturally showcasing your product.
3. Offer exclusive incentives: Provide influencers with unique discount codes or early access to products, encouraging them to share with their audiences.

Example: You’re running a brand selling travel accessories and partnering with a popular travel blogger known for her adventurous trips and engaging stories.

The blogger creates a story, sharing their must-have packing essentials featuring your product. 

You DM your identified followers asking them to check out the blogger’s story. And here’s the ending message:

Want to pack like a pro yourself? Use code XX for 15% off your next purchase!

How to use Instagram DM features for sale?

Instagram Business DMs offer a treasure trove of features to engage potential buyers and drive sales, even without a direct “Buy Now” button!

Here’s how you can leverage the most important ones specifically:

Add labels

Instagram recently rolled out a new “Add label” feature in DMs, bringing exciting possibilities for boosting sales through communication. 

Here’s how these labels can help:

• You can label chats with “Flag” to highlight potential sales inquiries and “Booked,” “Ordered,” “Paid,” and “Dispatched” to track each stage of the customer journey efficiently.
• Think about identifying chats needing immediate attention, like “Paid” orders awaiting shipment or “Flag” inquiries waiting for clarification.
• These labels can be used for your team to prioritize and handle customer interactions based on order status.
• Another way is to spot “Flag” inquiries that show purchase intent and prioritize responding with relevant product recommendations or address concerns.
• You can also label abandoned carts (“Booked”) and use them for targeted promotions or personalized outreach later on.

Do you have more ideas?

Welcome messages

Auto-reply welcomed messages not only save you time but also allow you to:

• Craft a welcoming message that introduces your brand, sets expectations for response times, and provide helpful links.
• Include a special offer or discount code in your welcome message to encourage engagement and potential purchases.

Saved replies

With saved replies, you can:

• Highlight current promotions or limited-time deals, allowing you to share them quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

This useful feature lets you:

• Create a readily accessible FAQ section within your Instagram direct messages to answer common questions and save time.
• Instead of simply mentioning FAQs, guide users to the relevant section within your DM chat for easy access.

How To Create Best DM Sales Scripts?

If you decide to create your own scripts, you need to keep in mind some of the best practices. 

You may want your script to be as effective as possible. Here is what you need to know and do:

1. Introduce Your Business Briefly And Perfectly

As Will Rogers, the American performer and actor, says, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

 So make a good first impression and write wisely and quickly. People get bored much sooner than you can imagine.

2. Use Appropriate Language 

The way you talk is so important. The language and the words you use must be adapted to the audience you target. 

3. Define Your Purpose Before Sending DMs

Is your purpose more sales? more followers? more views on the YouTube channel? 

So, include your purpose clearly in your scripts and make sure you reach your desired goal. You may ask a question at the end of your message as well,  just to stimulate their interest and continue the conversation.

4. Personalize The Sales Scripts 

By personalizing, we mean you should include something like the username of that person in the text. Also, explore what their interests are and how you can attract their attention.

5. Choose A DM App That Sends Bulk DMs 

This way, you save time and make DMing a quick and effortless process. Take our word for it. You can’t bulk DM on your own. Just sign up on AiGrow and let it do the rest in the best way.

Read: How to mass DM on Instagram?

AiGrow: The best tool to help sell on Instagram DM

AiGrow is an Instagram growth service with a Managed DM feature that helps you sell on Instagram DM. it,

1. Saves time & effort: Sending bulk DMs safely, setting auto-responses, and filtering messages.
2. Personalizes communication: Using customized messages for each recipient, connecting DMs with other channels like Email, and segmenting users.
3. Secures your account: Sending manually DMs to protect your account from the Instagram ban.

Instagram DM sales script examples

Well, I’m totally against preset messages that sound robotic. Always aim for personalized and genuine DMs. So, the following examples are only to spark your inspiration!

1. Hi [Name], I love your [specific post/story]! I noticed you’re interested in [topic related to your product/service]. My [product/service] helps with exactly that by [explain benefit]. Would you like to learn more?
   
2. Hey [Name], your recent post about [challenge] resonated with me. I help people overcome that with [product/service]. Any questions you have?

3. Hi [Name], I have a limited-time offer for [specific product/service] that I think you’d love! Many of your followers (mention specific users) have found it helpful for [benefit]. Interested?
   
4. Hi [Name], based on your recent activity, I thought you might be interested in [specific product/service]. It aligns perfectly with your passion for [interest]. Check it out!

5. Hi [Name], I see you’re struggling with [pain point related to your product/service]. We’ve helped many people overcome that with [solution]. Want to chat about how we can help you?
   
6. Hey [Name], quick question! Are you looking for ways to [benefit related to your product/service]?  If so, I have something exciting to share!

FAQs on How to sell on Instagram DM

Here are a few FAQs regarding the topic:

What is Instagram DM for purchase inquiries?

A business inquiry on Instagram DM is when someone reaches out to you through Instagram Direct Message to ask you about your products, services, discounts, free trials, and so many other possible issues related to your business.

Who can use Instagram DMs for selling?

Anyone with an Instagram business account can sell via DMs, but it shines for small businesses, creatives, service providers, and niche brands seeking personal connections and sales!