You're Leaving Money on the Table If You're Not Doing This in Your DMs

In the world of online business, automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. But in the influencer economy, many creators are still overlooking a game-changing tool that could make a huge difference in both their revenue and their workload: AI-powered chatbots.

AI, especially through platforms like ManyChat, is revolutionizing the way we communicate with our communities, and it’s time you jumped on board. If you’re not leveraging automation in your DMs, you’re leaving money on the table. Find out if you’re leaving money on the table if you’re not doing this in your DMs!

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Why AI-Powered Chatbots?

Let’s face it: Influencers juggle a lot. Between creating content, engaging with followers, and managing business logistics, there’s barely enough time to breathe, let alone create personalized DMs for every inquiry or opportunity that comes your way. That’s where ManyChat comes in.

ManyChat is a third-party platform officially affiliated with Meta (the parent company of Instagram and Facebook), meaning it’s 100% safe and reliable. By connecting your Instagram and Facebook accounts to ManyChat, you can automate messages and create sequences that make your life easier while boosting your bottom line.

Growing Your Email List Without the Hassle

One of the most powerful ways to use ManyChat is to grow your email list. If you haven’t heard it before, hear it now: Social media is a rented landscape. You don’t own your audience on Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform. But your email list? That’s something you own, and it’s one of the most valuable assets in your business.

By using ManyChat, you can automate the process of converting Instagram followers into email subscribers. Let’s say you’re promoting an exclusive lead magnet, like a monthly lookbook or a special offer. Instead of directing your followers to an external sign-up page, you can meet them where they are—in your Instagram DMs. Simply ask them to DM you with a keyword (like “Lookbook” or “Shop”), and ManyChat will take care of the rest, collecting their name, and email, and getting them onto your list in seconds.

Are you reading this and thinking…”I don’t have time for another platform”? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Learn about how we can support you with ManyChat automations HERE!

The Power of a Lead Magnet

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a lead magnet is something that attracts your ideal customer to opt into your email list. In the influencer world, lead magnets are usually things like style guides, eBooks, or exclusive content.

One of the most successful lead magnets I’ve worked with is a monthly lookbook. Influencers will create a list of curated items, such as shoppable fashion pieces, and offer it to their audience in exchange for their email address. Here’s how it works:

Create the lookbook – Curate a list of products or content your audience will love.
Promote it on Instagram – Post stories or static posts, telling your followers how they can get access.
Use ManyChat to automate the process – Direct your followers to DM you with a keyword like “Lookbook,” and ManyChat will handle the rest.

This approach simplifies the process for your followers and allows you to gather more email addresses, creating a direct channel for your audience. Once they’re on your email list, you can send them valuable content and drive sales without relying on social media algorithms.

Automating the Follow-Up to Increase Engagement and Sales

What’s even better about ManyChat is its ability to automate follow-up messages. In traditional email marketing, we’re accustomed to setting up automated sequences to nurture leads and convert them into customers. With ManyChat, you can apply the same principle directly within Instagram DMs.

For example, if someone comments with the keyword “Lookbook,” they’ll be sent an automated sequence to gather their email. Then, once they’re on your email list, you can set up follow-up messages that remind them of limited-time offers or new content. Think of it as a “one-to-many” communication strategy that’s far more personal and effective than blasting out generic posts or stories.

And the best part? You can set up automatic reminders to make sure they’re engaged and ready to purchase when it counts. For instance, let’s say you’re promoting a sale. You can send a follow-up message with a reminder that your discount code expires soon, or that you just added new products to your cart. It’s a great way to keep the momentum going and ensure that your audience doesn’t miss out.

Be Ahead of the Competition

Here’s the thing: Most influencers aren’t doing this yet. The majority of influencers are still stuck in the mindset of traditional engagement—posting content, hoping for likes and comments, and pushing followers to external links.

Meanwhile, businesses and entrepreneurs outside of the influencer space are already taking advantage of automation tools to streamline their communication. By using ManyChat, you’re positioning yourself ahead of the curve, ensuring that you’re working smarter, not harder.

Why You Should Care

If you’re experiencing a plateau in your business, you’re not alone. Engagement on social media can fluctuate, and not every campaign will result in viral success. But with automation in place, you can continue to engage with your audience, drive them off Instagram, and convert them into loyal customers.

Moreover, ManyChat allows you to automate many of the tasks that normally take up your time. If you need to step back from Instagram for a week, your business can keep running without missing a beat. The emails keep going out, your followers are still getting personalized messages, and you don’t need to be glued to your phone.

Getting Started

Ready to start using ManyChat? It’s super simple to set up, and there’s even a free version you can try. The paid version offers extra features, but even the basic plan has been a game-changer for us and our clients. At just $15/month, ManyChat is a no-brainer for automating Instagram DMs and growing your email list.