Instagram DM Templates for Guides, Prices and Bookings

Most first DMs fail for one boring reason: they make the reader work. A good Instagram DM template does the opposite. It confirms what the person asked for, hands it over in one tap and says what happens next. Below are copy-ready templates for guides, prices, bookings and discounts, plus the small edits that make each one sound like you.

Short answer: A first DM that works has four parts: a friendly hello that names what they commented for, the thing itself behind a button, one line of context, and an easy way to reply. Keep it under about 40 words, promise nothing you do not deliver, and write it as you would speak.

What makes a first DM work?

Someone commented a word on your reel because they wanted something. The DM is the delivery, not a sales pitch. Treat it like handing a person a flyer they asked for: short, warm and exactly what was promised.

The same four parts appear in every template below. Once you see them, you can write your own in two minutes.

• Greeting that matches the promise. "Here is the meal plan you asked for" beats "Hello dear customer" every time.
• The thing, as a button. A button is easier to tap than a long URL and keeps the message clean. DmReel lets you add up to two link buttons to one DM.
• One line of value. Say what is inside or what to do first, so the tap feels worth it.
• An open door. End with a question or an invitation to reply. A reply gives you a chance to follow up.

Which template works for a free guide or lead magnet?

This is the classic. The reel ends with "comment GUIDE and I will send it", so the DM must feel like that exact sentence being kept.

• Template 1, short. "Hey! Here is the guide you asked for. It is the exact checklist I use before every shoot. Tap the button below to get it. Tell me which step surprised you most."
• Template 2, with a next step. "Your guide is ready. Start with page 2, it saves the most time. If you get stuck anywhere, reply here and I will point you in the right direction."
• Template 3, for an email signup. "Thanks for commenting! The guide goes to your inbox once you enter your email on the page behind this button. Check the spam folder if it does not show up in a few minutes."

If your freebie is delivered by email, say so in the DM. Surprises at the signup page are the main reason people leave before finishing. Our guide on growing an email list from Instagram walks through the whole funnel.

How do you write a DM that sends a price?

People who comment PRICE are already interested. Do not make them negotiate for basic information. Give the number or the link to it right away, then offer help.

• Template 4, one product. "Hi! Here is everything about the course, including the price and what is included. Tap the button to see it. Reply here if you want to know whether it fits your level."
• Template 5, a price list. "Thanks for asking! The full price list is behind the button below. Prices depend on the package, so tell me which one you are leaning towards and I will explain the difference."
• Template 6, when the price varies. "Good question. The price depends on your size and the date, so the button opens the form where you can tell me both. I will get back to you personally."

Notice that none of these push. The reader decides. Pressure in the first message is the fastest way to get blocked.

What should a booking or appointment DM say?

Bookings are about removing steps. A salon, a coach or a photographer should send the booking link and set expectations in the same message.

• Template 7, instant link. "Hello! You can book your slot with the button below. Pick any time that suits you and you will get a confirmation straight away."
• Template 8, with a short qualifier. "Thanks for your interest in the session. Before you book, a quick note: it takes 45 minutes and works best if you bring your questions. Book with the button below."
• Template 9, keep the chat open. "Hi! Tap the button and I will send you the booking link here in the chat. That also lets you message me if you have a question first."

Template 9 uses a different trick: instead of a link button, the button opens the conversation and DmReel then sends the link inside it. That keeps the chat open for a follow-up, which is useful when people often have one question before they commit.

Start free

How do you share a discount code without sounding like an ad?

A discount works best when it feels like a thank-you to the person who commented. Mention why they get it and give them the way to use it.

• Template 10, code in the message. "Thanks for commenting! Here is your code: WELCOME10. Use it at checkout through the button below. It is a small thank-you for being here."
• Template 11, with a deadline you control. "Your discount link is ready. It is my thank-you to everyone who commented on this reel. Use it this week and tell me what you picked."
• Template 12, for a launch. "You are in! The launch page is behind the button. Early buyers get the bonus pack, so have a look when you have a minute."

Only mention a deadline if it is real. A fake countdown costs you trust the first time someone notices.

What are the most common mistakes in automated DMs?

• Too long. If the first screen is a wall of text, many people will not read the second line. Put the button high and cut the rest.
• Too formal. "Dear valued customer" reads like a form letter. Write the way you talk in your reels.
• Asking for too much. Do not ask for three things in the first DM. One tap is enough.
• Breaking the promise. If the reel said "comment GUIDE for the guide", the DM must contain the guide, not a pitch for a different product.
• Never testing. Comment on your own reel from another account and read the DM as a stranger would.

How do you make a template sound like you?

Templates are a starting point. Change the greeting to the one you really use. Add one detail only you would know, like the name of your studio, your catchphrase or the dish people always ask about.

Then read it aloud. If you would not say it to a friend standing in front of you, rewrite it. If you also reply publicly under the comment, use a few different lines so the section does not look copied. DmReel picks from your public-reply variations, and sends one DM per person even if they comment several times.

For ideas on the reel itself, see our call to action examples and the guide on sending a link as a button.

FAQ

How long should an Instagram DM template be? Short. Aim for two or three sentences and one or two buttons. The reader came for the thing you promised, so lead with it and keep the rest to a line of context and a question.

Can I use the same template for every reel? You can reuse the structure, but change the first line to match each reel. A DM that names the exact thing they commented for feels personal, even when it is sent automatically.

Should I put the link in the text or in a button? A button is cleaner and easier to tap, and you can offer up to two. If the link is long or messy, a button also hides the ugly URL and keeps the message readable.

What if someone replies to the automatic DM? Answer as yourself. The automation handles the first message; the conversation after that is yours, and it is often where the best sales and relationships begin.

Pick one template, adapt it to your voice and test it on your next reel. A short, honest first DM beats a clever long one. You can set it up for free in a few minutes, including for your next reel before you post it.