Did you know that if you are Instagram DMing with someone…
…the algorithm thinks you guys are besties, and therefore it serves your content to them organically more often?
People are always trying to beat the algorithm by testing different Instagram algorithm hacks…
…and asking for as many likes, comments, and even saves as they can get.
But, a lesser-known secret is that DMs trump all of that!
So in this post, we’re going to teach you how to Instagram DM so you can start using it to your business’s benefit.
DM stands for direct message by the way, and we’re going to jump right into showing you how to use it using your Instagram mobile app.
- Sending DMs to someone will make the algorithm think you are close to that person so it serves your content to them organically more often.
- You can send regular text messages, photos or videos taken in real-time, existing photos or videos, and a voice message.
- Use saved replies as a time saver if you get the same kind of messages or questions every day.
How To Instagram DM On The Mobile App
Step 1: We’re logged into LYFE Marketing’s Instagram account, and we’re looking at the Profile tab.
We’re going to click over to the Home tab, and click the messenger icon in the top right corner.
This brings us to the Direct Messages screen, which breaks down into Primary and General messages.
Both of these are messages you’ve accepted to receive, you just organize them by whichever folder you find appropriate.
And then you have the Requests section, which are messages from new people that you need to review and choose to accept or ignore.
If you want to respond to someone who has sent you a message or send a message to someone you’ve messaged with in the past…
…just tap on their conversation.
Step 2: You can send a regular text message in the message box there.
You can also send them a photo or video that you take in real-time with the camera icon there.
Or, you can send an existing photo or video from your camera roll by clicking the photo icon.
You can also send a voice message by clicking the microphone. Just be careful because as soon as you pull your thumb up to stop recording, it sends.
If you’ve already started recording, you need to slide your thumb to hit the trash can without letting it off the screen.
Step 3: Then if you tap the plus sign you get more options to send.
The 3 dots message icon allows you to access saved replies, which are such a time saver if you get the same kind of messages or questions every day.
You can respond with a quick tap instead of re-typing your response every time.
The receipt icon allows you to send over a new order with the total price and notes. This could be helpful for eCommerce store owners.
And the sticker icon allows you to send over stickers and gifs.
Step 4: Then in the upper right-hand corner, you can tap the video camera icon to have a video call with the person in real-time.
Tap the flag if you want to report something about the user or conversation.
And if you tap the information icon, you can see all of your chat settings with this person. You can:
- change the theme,
- turn on vanish mode,
- mute notifications from this message thread.
- move it to another section like General or Primary, and
- if need be restrict, report, or block the user.
Also, as we’re tapping back to all our messages, you can see that if someone tags you in their Story or in their feed post, it will show up to you in a DM.
So although they might not be direct messaging you, the public posts they’ve tagged you in will show up in your DMs to notify you.
Speaking of Story, if you want to learn more about Instagram Stories for businesses, read this post next.
Step 5: Now if you want to message someone who you’ve never messaged with before…
…all you have to do is tap on their profile, and then tap the Message button to start a conversation with them.
Sending A Direct Message On Instagram From Your Desktop
In case you don’t have your mobile phones with you, here’s how to Instagram DM using a desktop.
Step 1: Go to www.instagram.com and log into your account.
Step 2: Then click the same message icon in the top right.
And then, you can either click on an existing conversation or click the draft pencil icon.
We’re logged into the LYFE Marketing account, so we’re going to search for a personal account and send a test message for the sake of this tutorial.
Step 3: You will see the text-based messages function is the same, and we still have access to send emojis, the heart, or photos from our desktop files.
But we don’t have access to any of the other features we saw on mobile, here on the desktop.
Step 4: You can also just go directly to the profile you want to message and click the message button to start a conversation that way.
And we also just double-checked the messages from the personal account that we sent the message to for us to see what they look like on their end…
…and they look normal. You wouldn’t even know that they were sent from a desktop.
And so, those are the steps on how to Instagram DM!
Now the last thing we want to leave you with is if you haven’t read our Instagram engagement post, we would suggest you read that next.
Because in it, we give you a sample message you can use to DM new followers…
…and encourage a strong start in your brand-consumer relationship with them.
By the way, you can learn more tricks on how to get followers on Instagram by reading this post.
And if you need more guidance from the experts, check out our Instagram marketing services today!
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