30 Follow to DM Welcome Messages That Get Replies
Your Follow to DM welcome message is the first thing every new follower sees. These 30 templates are organized by niche and sorted by what actually gets replies. Copy, customize, and test.
Quick answer: The best Follow to DM messages are short, niche-specific, and end with a question. Below are 30 proven templates organized by industry. Copy one, customize it for your brand, and use DM Tracker to track which version gets the best reply rates.
What Makes a Great Welcome Message
Before the templates, here are the four rules every Follow to DM message should follow:
- Keep it short. Two to three sentences maximum. The DM preview shows roughly 100 characters, so your opening line has to hook them.
- Make it about them, not you. Do not lead with what you sell. Lead with what they care about.
- End with a question. Questions create an open loop that demands a response. Statements do not.
- Sound like a human. No corporate language. No “We are delighted you have joined our community.” Write the way you would text a friend.
Coaches (Templates 1-6)
Template 1: The Direct Ask
Hey! Thanks for following. I help [type of client] [achieve result]. Quick question, what is your biggest goal with [topic] right now?
Why it works: Gets straight to their pain point. Reply rate: 40-55%
Template 2: The Curiosity Hook
Welcome! Curious, what made you hit follow? Always love hearing what people are working on.
Why it works: Low pressure, high curiosity. People love talking about themselves. Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 3: The Resource Offer
Hey, thanks for following! I just put together a [free guide/checklist/framework] on [topic]. Want me to send it over?
Why it works: Leads with value. “Yes” is an easy reply. Then you can ask a qualifying question in message 2. Reply rate: 45-55%
Template 4: The Relatable Problem
Hey! Quick question. Are you currently [common pain point]? I post a lot about [topic] here and love hearing where people are at.
Why it works: Naming their pain point creates instant connection. Reply rate: 40-50%
Template 5: The Social Proof Tease
Welcome! I just helped a [type of client] [specific result]. Are you working on something similar?
Why it works: Social proof plus a question. Makes them think “I want that result too.” Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 6: The Simple Check-In
Hey, welcome! What brought you to my page?
Why it works: Ultra-short, non-threatening. Great for accounts with high follower volume where you want to qualify before investing time. Reply rate: 30-40%
Agencies and Service Providers (Templates 7-12)
Template 7: The Problem Identifier
Hey! Thanks for following. Quick question, are you currently running Instagram DMs for lead gen or is that something you are exploring?
Why it works: Qualifies the lead immediately. Their answer tells you if they are a prospect. Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 8: The Industry Insider
Welcome! I noticed you are in [industry]. We have been seeing some interesting results with [strategy] lately. Are you using that approach?
Why it works: Shows expertise and creates curiosity about the strategy. Reply rate: 30-40%
Template 9: The Audit Offer
Hey! Thanks for following. We do free [type] audits for [type of business]. Would something like that be useful for you?
Why it works: Clear value proposition. Low commitment ask. Reply rate: 35-50%
Template 10: The Results Lead
Welcome! We help [type of business] go from [current state] to [desired state]. Where are you at right now with [topic]?
Why it works: Frames the transformation clearly. The question naturally segments prospects. Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 11: The Content Reference
Hey, thanks for the follow! Did you find us through [recent post/reel topic]? Would love to know what resonated.
Why it works: Personal, references your content, shows you pay attention. Reply rate: 30-40%
Template 12: The Straight Shooter
Hey! Appreciate the follow. I help [type of business] with [service]. Is that something on your radar or did you follow for the content?
Why it works: Direct and honest. No tricks. Qualifies without being pushy. Reply rate: 30-45%
Ecommerce and Product Brands (Templates 13-18)
Template 13: The Exclusive Welcome
Hey, welcome to the fam! As a thank you for following, here is 10% off your first order. Want the code?
Why it works: Immediate incentive. “Yes” is the obvious reply. Reply rate: 45-60%
Template 14: The Product Quiz
Hey, thanks for following! Quick question. Are you shopping for [category A] or [category B]? I can point you to our best sellers.
Why it works: Segments the customer and starts a helpful conversation. Reply rate: 35-50%
Template 15: The New Drop Alert
Welcome! We just dropped [product/collection]. Want me to send you the link before it sells out?
Why it works: Urgency plus exclusivity. Works especially well for limited editions. Reply rate: 40-55%
Template 16: The Recommendation Engine
Hey! Thanks for following. If you tell me what you are looking for, I can recommend the perfect [product type] for you.
Why it works: Personalised shopping experience in DMs. People love curated recommendations. Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 17: The Behind the Scenes
Welcome! Fun fact, everything we make is [unique selling point]. Curious, what caught your eye about our page?
Why it works: Highlights brand values. Open-ended question invites conversation. Reply rate: 25-35%
Template 18: The Loyalty Setup
Hey, thanks for following! We send exclusive deals and early access to new drops through DMs. Want in?
Why it works: Sets up the DM channel for future messages. “Yes” is easy. Reply rate: 40-55%
Real Estate (Templates 19-22)
Template 19: The Buyer/Seller Qualifier
Hey, thanks for following! Quick question, are you currently looking to buy, sell, or just exploring the [city/area] market?
Why it works: Qualifies intent immediately. Every answer is useful. Reply rate: 35-50%
Template 20: The Local Expert
Welcome! I post a lot about [city/neighborhood] real estate here. Are you local or looking to move to the area?
Why it works: Establishes local expertise. Segments local vs relocation prospects. Reply rate: 30-40%
Template 21: The Market Update
Hey, thanks for the follow! The [city] market has been [interesting trend] lately. Are you keeping an eye on things or actively searching?
Why it works: Leads with market insight. Shows you are knowledgeable. Reply rate: 30-45%
Template 22: The Listing Tease
Welcome! I just listed a [property type] in [area]. Are you looking in that neighborhood or somewhere else?
Why it works: Specific and timely. Good for agents with active listings. Reply rate: 35-45%
Course Creators and Info Products (Templates 23-26)
Template 23: The Skill Level Check
Hey, thanks for following! Quick question. Where are you at with [topic]? Beginner, intermediate, or already advanced?
Why it works: Segments by skill level. Their answer tells you which product to recommend later. Reply rate: 40-50%
Template 24: The Quick Win
Welcome! I just made a quick guide on [specific result]. Want me to send it over? It takes about 10 minutes to implement.
Why it works: Specific, time-bounded, low commitment. “Yes” is easy. Reply rate: 45-55%
Template 25: The Transformation Frame
Hey! I help people go from [current state] to [desired state]. Which side of that are you on right now?
Why it works: Clear transformation narrative. Natural segmentation. Reply rate: 35-45%
Template 26: The Community Builder
Welcome! Love seeing new people in this space. What are you working on right now?
Why it works: Inclusive, warm, open-ended. Great for building relationships that lead to course sales over time. Reply rate: 30-40%
Consultants and B2B (Templates 27-30)
Template 27: The Pain Point Probe
Hey, thanks for following! Most people find me because they are struggling with [common problem]. Is that what brought you here?
Why it works: Names the pain directly. If they say yes, the conversation flows naturally to your solution. Reply rate: 35-50%
Template 28: The Decision Stage Check
Welcome! Are you currently [trying to solve problem] or still researching your options?
Why it works: Identifies where they are in the buying journey. “Researching” means nurture. “Trying” means close. Reply rate: 30-40%
Template 29: The Peer Connection
Hey! I noticed you are in [industry/role]. Always great to connect with other [professionals]. What is your focus right now?
Why it works: Peer-level positioning, not vendor-to-buyer. Creates a genuine connection. Reply rate: 30-45%
Template 30: The Case Study Tease
Thanks for following! I just wrapped up a project where we helped a [similar business] achieve [specific result]. Is that the kind of thing you are working toward?
Why it works: Social proof plus direct qualification. Their answer tells you if they are a fit. Reply rate: 35-45%
How to A/B Test Your Messages
Having 30 templates is useless if you do not test which one works best for YOUR audience. Here is the process:
Step 1: Pick Two Variants
Start with two messages from the same category. For example, if you are a coach, test Template 1 against Template 3.
Step 2: Set Up ManyChat Randomizer
In your Follow to DM flow, add a Randomizer block before the message. Set it to 50/50. Each new follower gets one of the two variants randomly.
Step 3: Tag Each Variant in DM Tracker
Use DM Tracker’s tagging system to label conversations by variant. Tag one group “Welcome-A” and the other “Welcome-B.” This lets you filter and compare.
Step 4: Run for 50-100 Followers per Variant
You need enough data to make a meaningful comparison. At 50+ followers per variant, the reply rate difference becomes statistically meaningful.
Step 5: Check Your Results
In DM Tracker’s statistics dashboard, compare reply rates between your two variants. The winner becomes your new control. Then test a new challenger against it.
For a detailed A/B testing walkthrough, see our Follow to DM A/B testing guide.
Reply Rate Benchmarks by Message Type
| Message Type | Expected Reply Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Question-based (about them) | 35-55% | Coaches, consultants, agencies |
| Resource/lead magnet offer | 40-55% | Course creators, info products |
| Discount/exclusive offer | 45-60% | Ecommerce, product brands |
| Simple “what brought you here?“ | 30-40% | High-volume accounts |
| Statement only (no question) | 10-20% | Not recommended |
The pattern is clear: messages that ask a question get 2-3x higher reply rates than messages that do not.
Mistakes That Kill Reply Rates
Sending a Generic “Thanks for Following!”
“Hey thanks for the follow!” with no question gives people nothing to respond to. Always include a question or offer.
Making It About You
“We are the #1 provider of…” Nobody cares. Make the first message about them, their goals, or their problems.
Including Links in the First Message
Links in the first DM scream “automated marketing.” Save your link for the second or third message after they have replied.
Writing a Novel
If your welcome DM is longer than 3 sentences, most people will not read it. The DM inbox preview shows roughly 100 characters. Your opening line is everything.
Never Changing Your Message
Your first template is never your best one. Test a new variant every 2-4 weeks. Small improvements compound: going from 30% to 45% reply rate means 50% more conversations from the same number of followers.
The Full System
Templates are step one. Here is the complete Follow to DM system:
- Write your welcome message using the templates above
- Set up Follow to DM in ManyChat (setup guide)
- Connect DM Tracker to track reply rates and conversations
- A/B test different variants (testing guide)
- Follow up on conversations that go quiet (follow-up system)
- Check your data weekly in DM Tracker’s statistics dashboard
The welcome message starts the conversation. Everything that happens after determines whether that conversation becomes revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best Follow to DM messages are short (2-3 sentences), personalized to your niche, and end with a question. Messages that ask about the follower's situation or goal consistently outperform generic greetings. Average reply rates for question-based messages are 35-55%, compared to 10-20% for messages without a question.
Keep it under 3 sentences. The first message appears as a preview in the DM inbox, so the opening line matters most. If your message is too long, people will not read it. One sentence of context plus one question is the sweet spot for most niches.
Not in the first message. Links in the initial DM feel salesy and reduce reply rates significantly. Start a conversation first. Once they reply and you understand their needs, then share relevant links. Save your booking link, product page, or lead magnet for message 2 or 3 in the flow.
Use ManyChat's Randomizer to send different message variants to different followers, then use DM Tracker to measure reply rates for each variant. Run each variant for at least 50-100 followers before drawing conclusions. This A/B testing process is how you optimize from 25% to 50%+ reply rates.
Yes, but use them sparingly. One or two emojis can make the message feel friendlier and more personal. Heavy emoji use makes the message look spammy and automated. Test with and without emojis to see what your specific audience prefers.
Not directly. Your welcome DM should focus on the follower, not on you. Instead of pitching your product, ask about their situation. The conversation that follows naturally leads to your offer. People who feel heard are far more likely to buy than people who feel pitched.
Test a new variant every 2-4 weeks or every 100 new followers, whichever comes first. Use DM Tracker to compare reply rates between variants. Once you find a message that consistently hits 40%+ reply rates, keep it as your control and only test small variations against it.
Follow to DM messages welcome new followers and are general. Comment to DM messages respond to people who comment on a specific post and should reference that post. Follow to DM is ongoing (runs for every follower). Comment to DM is tied to individual posts. Both should end with a question.