Written guide:
Your outreach success heavily depends on what you say in your first message. If your DMs are getting ignored, the message probably needs fixing. Here’s how to craft a message that works, based on real campaign results:
Step 1: Ask Yourself, Would You Reply to You?
Most people don’t reply to cold DMs.
So… what makes the rare ones that get replies work?
Think back to the last cold DM you responded to. What caught your attention? That’s your benchmark.
Step 2: Choose One of These Two Winning Strategies
Option A: Be Direct + Offer Free Value
This is the most effective approach we’ve seen. The formula is simple:
Be clear and direct about why you’re messaging
Offer a free asset (like a short video, guide, or idea)
Example Message:
“Noticed you weren’t using the [XYZ strategy]. I made a quick 2-min video showing how it works. Want me to send it over?”
Why it works:
Curiosity: “What’s the XYZ strategy?”
No hard sell
Everyone likes free help
Once they say yes, you reply with the link and open a real conversation.
Option B: Ask a Soft Question First, Then Pivot
This approach warms people up before offering value.
Example Message:
“Hey, are you currently taking on new coaching clients?”
Once they respond, you can shift:
“Awesome — I actually built something that helps coaches get more inbound leads. Want me to send over a free explainer video?”
⚠️ Be careful with this one:
If you bait-and-switch too hard, it might turn people off. Always make sure to bring genuine value after the question.
Common Outreach Mistakes to Avoid
These kill your reply rate (or worse, get your account flagged):
Selling in the first message: Don’t pitch upfront.
Sending links in your first message: Increases risk of hitting spam filters.
Vague DMs: “Hey 👋” or “Cool profile” = ghosted.
Using profanity: Can trigger Instagram’s moderation system.