Instagram Direct Message: Engage Followers

Are you using Instagram’s direct messaging feature? No? You should be, especially if meeting new people is essential to your business.
Not too many people realize that you can use Instagram to send a direct message to an account. One of the most rewarding things I have received from being on Instagram has been the real, yes, real relationships I have made where our first contact had been by using Instagram direct messaging. Where else in the world can you have people from all walks of life, all levels of business and every profession you can imagine, at your finger tips! What a huge opportunity for small businesses to make new connections! In a time when traditional email and even Facebook messages can get overlooked, Instagram’s capability allows you to send photos with a message or even better yet, a short intro video!
Make real connections with real people and cut through the noise.
Real life connections is what Moda is all about and we use Instagram to help us accomplish this. Meeting out-of-this-world talented people with high character makes it worth the time investment to get out there say “Hi”. It’s a joy to think of all the new people you can meet. And the bigger your network grows the more opportunities are available to you and your business. We first met Jessica Williams, Lead designer at Alvina Valenta through a direct message and we got an exclusive view into her beautiful world of lace and tulle.
Here’s a simple how-to for a direct message:
1. Make a video or select a photo to go with your message, like you would normally do when posting to your account.
2. Before you hit “share”, up at the top of your screen it says “share to followers or direct”, choose “direct”.
3. Write your message in the caption area and select a recipient in the “To:” section right below it.
4. Hit “send”.

5. How to check your direct messages: On your home screen, where you normally see all of your followed accounts’ posts, there is a mailbox icon in the top right of the screen. Any messages will be highlighted there with an orange number. Click the mailbox icon to see your messages.

Word of caution though, the quickest way for you to get blocked or immediately written off by your recipient is to make your direct message impersonal, salesy and spammy. Treat this function like a call to your mom or to your best friend. Be real but most of all only use it to connect with businesses you actually want to have a continued relationship with.
Life is too short to make empty connections because after all, what good is your network if you don’t actually connect and know any of them?
Connect With Us