How to Connect InstantDM with Calendly (Step-by-Step Guide)

Calendly makes scheduling meetings effortless. Connecting InstantDM to Calendly lets you send booking links directly in Instagram DMs and get notified when leads schedule appointments - turning Instagram conversations into booked calls.

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Why Connect InstantDM to Calendly?

• Frictionless booking - one tap from DM to scheduled meeting
• No back-and-forth - Calendly handles availability and time zones
• Automatic confirmations - Calendly sends email reminders
• Two-way sync - get notified when an Instagram lead books, and DM them a confirmation

Common Use Cases

• Send a booking link when someone asks about consulting or coaching
• Auto-send a Calendly link after a lead capture flow completes
• Get notified via DM when an Instagram lead books a call
• Include booking links as buttons in DM flows
• Track which Instagram campaigns drive the most bookings

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What You'll Need

Requirement	Details
InstantDM account	Trendsetter, Trendsetter Pro, or any Multi plan
Calendly account	Free or paid plan
InstantDM API key	Found at Settings → API in your InstantDM dashboard

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Method 1: Static Booking Link in DM Flows (Simplest)

Step 1: Get Your Calendly Link

1. Log in to calendly.com.
2. Copy your event link (e.g., https://calendly.com/yourname/30min).

Step 2: Add to InstantDM Flow

In the Flow Editor, add a Button node:

• Button text: "Book a Call"
• URL: Your Calendly link

Or send via API:

{
  "action": "send_message",
  "type": "buttons",
  "recipient_id": "INSTAGRAM_USER_ID",
  "message": "I'd love to chat! Pick a time that works for you:",
  "buttons": [
    { "title": "Book a 30-Min Call", "url": "https://calendly.com/yourname/30min" }
  ]
}

Pre-Fill Customer Info

Append query parameters to pre-fill the booking form:

https://calendly.com/yourname/30min?name=John+Doe&email=john@example.com

In your webhook receiver:

const name = encodeURIComponent(data.response_variables?.full_name || '');
const email = encodeURIComponent(data.response_variables?.email || '');
const calendlyUrl = `https://calendly.com/yourname/30min?name=${name}&email=${email}`;

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Method 2: Get Notified When a Lead Books

Via Calendly Webhooks

1. In Calendly, go to Integrations → Webhooks (requires Calendly Professional plan).
2. Create a webhook subscription for invitee.created events.
3. Point it at your server.

Webhook Receiver

app.post('/calendly-webhook', async (req, res) => {
  const { event, payload } = req.body;
  
  if (event !== 'invitee.created') {
    return res.status(200).json({ status: 'skipped' });
  }
  
  const invitee = payload.invitee;
  const eventDetails = payload.event;
  
  // Check if this came from an Instagram lead (by email match)
  // Look up the Instagram user ID from your database
  const instagramUserId = await lookupInstagramUser(invitee.email);
  
  if (instagramUserId) {
    await fetch('https://api.instantdm.com/api-webhook', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.INSTANTDM_API_KEY}`,
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        action: 'send_message',
        type: 'text',
        recipient_id: instagramUserId,
        message: `✅ Your call is booked for ${new Date(eventDetails.start_time).toLocaleString()}! Looking forward to chatting with you.`,
      }),
    });
  }
  
  res.status(200).json({ status: 'processed' });
});

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Via Make.com

1. Set up an InstantDM webhook scenario per the Make.com guide.
2. After the flow_completed filter, add an HTTP Request module to send the Calendly link via InstantDM API.
3. For booking notifications: create a separate scenario with a Calendly → Watch Events trigger, then send a DM via InstantDM API.

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Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Calendly link not opening in DM	Ensure the URL is a full HTTPS link. Instagram opens URLs in an in-app browser.
Pre-fill not working	Check URL encoding. Spaces should be + or %20.
Webhook not firing	Calendly webhooks require a Professional plan. Verify the subscription is active.
Can't match booking to Instagram lead	Store the email-to-Instagram mapping when the lead is captured, then look it up when the booking webhook fires.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Calendly Pro for this?

The basic integration (sending booking links in DMs) works with Calendly's free plan. Webhooks for booking notifications require Calendly Professional ($10/month).

Can I use Calendly with Make.com or Zapier?

Yes. Both platforms have native Calendly integrations. Use them to trigger actions when bookings are created, cancelled, or rescheduled.

Can I embed Calendly in the DM?

No - Instagram DMs don't support embedded web content. You send a link that opens in the browser. Using a button makes it feel seamless.

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What's Next

• Set up Cal.com for an open-source alternative.
• Connect to Google Calendar for direct calendar integration.
• Read the HubSpot guide to track bookings in your CRM.
• Explore the full API docs at instantdm.com/instagram-api-docs.