Quick DM

Build multi-step DM automations with sequences, delays, lead capture, images, PDFs, and more — in a simple step-by-step interface.

What Is Quick DM?

Quick DM is InstantDM's streamlined automation builder. It lets you create multi-step DM sequences with timed delays, lead capture forms, rich media (images, videos, PDFs, audio), and button cards — all without opening the visual Flow Editor canvas.

Think of Quick DM as the middle ground between the simple per-post automation (one message) and the full Flow Editor (visual canvas with branching). Quick DM gives you multi-step power with a simple form interface.

What Quick DM Can Do

Creating a Quick DM Automation

1. Navigate to Quick DM in the sidebar (or click New Quick DM from the automation list).
2. Choose your trigger type:
   • DM Keyword — Fires when someone sends a DM containing your trigger word.
   • Comment Keyword — Fires when someone comments a trigger word on your post.
   • Automate All — Fires on every incoming DM or comment regardless of keywords.
3. Enter your trigger words separated by commas (e.g., link, info, price).
4. Start adding message steps (see below).

Adding Message Steps

Each step in your Quick DM sequence is a message or action. Add them in the order you want them delivered:

Text Message

Type your message text. Supports emoji, links, and line breaks. This is the most common step type.

Image

Upload an image or paste a publicly accessible URL. The image is sent as a photo bubble in the DM conversation. Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP.

Video

Upload a video or paste a URL. Sent as a playable video in the DM. Supported format: MP4.

Audio / Voice Note

Upload an audio file or paste a URL. Sent as a playable voice note. Supported formats: OGG, WAV, MP3.

PDF / File

Upload a PDF or document file. Sent as a downloadable attachment in the DM. This is perfect for sending ebooks, guides, worksheets, price lists, or any document your audience requests.

Button Card

Create a card with a title, optional description, and up to 3 tappable buttons. Each button can be a web link (opens a URL) or a postback action.

Delay

Add a timed pause between messages. Configure the duration in seconds, minutes, or hours. Use delays to simulate natural conversation pacing or create drip sequences.

Lead Capture (Lead Gen)

Quick DM includes built-in lead capture steps that let you collect information from users directly in the DM conversation. Add a question step and choose the data type:

When a user answers a question, their response is captured and stored. You can also tag contacts automatically during lead capture — useful for segmenting your audience (e.g., tag everyone who downloads your PDF as "lead-magnet" or tag by interest). View collected responses in the automation's response list and export them or send them to external tools via webhooks.

Example: Lead Capture Sequence

Step 1: Text — "Hey! Thanks for your interest 🎉 Let me get a few details."
Step 2: Delay — 3 seconds
Step 3: Question (Email) — "What's your email so I can send the guide?"
Step 4: Question (Phone) — "And your phone number for WhatsApp updates?"
Step 5: Text — "Perfect! Check your email shortly. Here's a preview 👇"
Step 6: PDF — [your-guide.pdf]
Step 7: Button Card — "Want to book a call?" → [Calendly link]

Example: Content Drip Sequence

Step 1: Text — "Here's Part 1 of the free course 📚"
Step 2: Image — [lesson-1-image.jpg]
Step 3: Delay — 24 hours
Step 4: Text — "Ready for Part 2? Here you go 👇"
Step 5: PDF — [lesson-2.pdf]
Step 6: Delay — 24 hours
Step 7: Text — "Final part! Hope you enjoyed the course 🎓"
Step 8: Video — [lesson-3-video.mp4]

AI Reply (Coming Soon)

AI-powered replies are coming to Quick DM in a future update. This will let you add an AI step that generates contextual, conversational responses based on your business description and prompt — similar to the AI Reply node in the Flow Editor.

For now, if you need AI replies, use the Flow Editor which has full AI Reply node support with OpenAI and Claude.

Quick DM vs. Flow Editor

Publishing and Testing

1. After building your sequence, click Save Draft. The draft is saved automatically.
2. Click Publish to make the automation live.
3. To test, send yourself a DM from another account containing your trigger word (or comment on the post if using comment triggers).
4. Verify each message arrives in the correct order with the right delays.
5. Check Dashboard → Recent Automation Log to confirm all steps fired.

Tips & Best Practices

• Use delays to feel natural. A 3–5 second delay between messages simulates typing speed. Longer delays (minutes/hours) work for drip campaigns.
• Mix content types. Alternate text, images, and PDFs to keep the conversation engaging.
• Keep lead capture short. Ask for 2–3 pieces of information max. More questions = more drop-off.
• Send PDFs for lead magnets. Upload your ebook, guide, or worksheet directly — no external links needed.
• Test the full sequence. Always run through the entire sequence from a test account before promoting it.

Plan Requirements

Next: Choosing the Right Automation Tool →