Hi Queens, welcome back to the School of Soul: The Social Series. I’m Adeline Atlas, and today I’m going to break down the DM flow that turned my Instagram followers into paying clients — and how you can set up a flow that works for you too.

If you’re struggling with how to move people from “just following” to “buying from you”, this video is for you. You don’t need a fancy website or complicated funnels to convert your followers. What you need is a simple, effective DM flow that guides people through a natural conversation and nurtures them into becoming clients.

Let’s dive in!

What is a DM Flow?

Before we get into how to build a DM flow, let’s define what it actually is.

A DM flow is an automated (or manual) conversation that happens inside Instagram DMs with the goal of guiding your follower to take a specific action. Whether that action is signing up for your email list, booking a call, or purchasing your product, a DM flow helps you nurture your followers and move them down the funnel without feeling pushy or salesy.

Think of it like this: a DM flow is your opportunity to build a deeper relationship with your followers in a more personal, direct way.

Why DM Flows Work

Why should you focus on DM flows? The reason they work so well is because Instagram DMs are the most personal, one-on-one interaction you can have with your audience.

People are far more likely to engage with you in a DM than in a comment or a public post. When you take the conversation into a DM, you're breaking down barriers, creating connection, and showing your followers that you’re more than just a brand — you’re a real person.

But here’s the secret: you need to have a strategy behind those DMs. Random, disjointed conversations won’t do the job. You need to have a structured flow that guides your followers through the process of getting to know you, trusting you, and eventually becoming a customer.

Step 1: Start with a Trigger

The first step in any successful DM flow is creating a trigger. A trigger is the event or action that kicks off the automation — whether it’s someone commenting on a post, clicking a link in your bio, or sending you a direct message.

The most common way to trigger a DM flow is by having followers send you a keyword. For example, you might ask them to comment or DM you with a specific word, like “FREEBIE”, “COURSE”, or “INFO”.

Here’s how it works:

• You post content with a call-to-action (CTA): “DM me ‘FREEBIE’ if you want my free Instagram checklist.”
  
  
• Once someone DMs you the word “FREEBIE”, the trigger is activated, and your DM flow starts.
  
  

Tip: Be clear about what you want your followers to do. The easier you make it for them to take action, the more likely they are to engage.

Step 2: Set Up Your Flow

Now that you’ve got your trigger in place, let’s talk about the actual DM flow — this is where the magic happens.

The Basic Structure of Your DM Flow

1. Greeting & Personalization
   
   
• The first message in your DM flow should always be personalized and welcoming. When someone engages with your CTA, they should feel like they’re receiving a personal response from you.
  
  
• Example: “Hey Queen! Thanks for reaching out — I see you’re interested in the Instagram checklist. Let me send it right over.”
  
  
2. Deliver Value
   
   
• The next step is to deliver on your promise. If you offered a freebie, this is when you send it to them. Make sure that the content you promised is immediately accessible.
  
  
• Example: “Here’s the checklist! [insert link] I hope it helps you grow your Instagram and build your brand!”
  
  
3. Introduce Your Offer
   
   
• Once you’ve delivered value, it’s time to transition into talking about your paid offer. Remember, this should feel natural and not salesy. You’ve already given something for free, so now you’re simply letting them know how you can continue to help them at a deeper level.
  
  
• Example: “If you want more in-depth guidance on how to grow your business online, I have a mini-course that teaches you exactly how to monetize your Instagram. It’s only $27 and packed with value. Want to know more?”
  
  
4. Close with a Call to Action (CTA)
   
   
• Always finish with a clear CTA that tells them exactly what to do next. You can either offer a link to buy or schedule a call, or ask them to respond if they’re interested.
  
  
• Example: “If you’re ready to take the next step, just click here to enroll [link]. Or, if you have questions, just reply ‘INFO’ and I’ll be happy to help!”
  
  

Pro Tip: Make sure to keep your messages concise and clear. The goal is to maintain an engaging conversation, but not overwhelm them with information.

Step 3: Add Automation with ManyChat

If you’re using ManyChat, you can automate your DM flows to save time and scale your process. Here’s how:

1. Set Up Keywords: When someone sends you a specific keyword (e.g., “INFO” or “COURSE”), ManyChat can automatically trigger the flow and send them the next message.
   
   
2. Create Custom Flows: You can design your DM flow with multiple steps, including:
   
   
• Questions: Ask your followers about their needs, interests, or pain points.
  
  
• Multiple Options: Provide them with options (e.g., “Would you like the freebie or the mini-course?”) so they can self-select.
  
  
3. Automate Responses: With ManyChat, you can automate the delivery of free resources, upsells, or follow-up messages without manually typing each response. This makes the process super efficient and scalable.
   
   

Bonus Tip: Always test your automated flow before launching it to your audience. You don’t want to send your followers to a broken link or a confusing message.

Step 4: Nurture Your Followers with Ongoing Conversations

Once your DM flow has delivered the initial value and promoted your offer, your job isn’t done. You need to nurture the relationship by continuing to provide value and building a connection.

Here’s how:

• Follow up: After your initial interaction, send a follow-up message that checks in and provides more value.
  
  
• Offer more resources: Share free content like blog posts, videos, or podcasts that align with their needs.
  
  
• Invite them to a personal call: If they’re interested in a deeper conversation, offer a free consultation or discovery call.
  
  

The goal is to continue the conversation and move them through your sales funnel at a pace that feels natural.

Step 5: Convert Leads into Clients

Your DM flow isn’t just about getting people to click a link — it’s about building relationships and earning trust. When you engage with your followers in a meaningful way, they’re more likely to invest in your offers.

Here’s how to convert your leads into clients:

• Be consistent: Follow up and keep the conversation going until they’re ready to take the next step.
  
  
• Offer additional value: Give them more tips, resources, or insights that are in alignment with your paid offers.
  
  
• Be transparent: Make sure you’re clear about your pricing, what’s included in the offer, and how it can help them.
  
  

The key is to make your audience feel seen, heard, and understood. When they feel connected to you on a deeper level, they’ll be much more likely to say yes to your offer.

Final Tip

The DM flow that converts followers into clients is all about authentic connection, clear communication, and guiding your audience naturally through your offer. You don’t need to be pushy or salesy — just help your audience with the right solution and let them come to you when they’re ready.

Start small, test your flows, and adjust as you go. The more you fine-tune your DM flows, the more effective they’ll be at turning followers into paying clients.

💸 The Soul Social Vault

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✔️ 200+ bite-size lessons on offers, sales, automation, branding
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