Most automated DMs sound robotic. You get a “Hey, thanks for the following!” message with a generic pitch or a random link. But the real issue isn’t the automation, it’s how those messages are written.
Authentic engagement via DMs can help start real conversations, build better relationships, and encourage people to hang on to your brand. According to a recent survey, 90% of customers care about fast replies to their questions (and most say “fast” means within 10 minutes). If your message feels genuine and prompt, you’re already doing it right.
In this blog, we’ll share tips to help you personalize your automated DMs so your messages reflect your brand’s personality and spark real conversations with your followers.
Let’s dive in:
1. Use Their Name, But Don’t Overdo It
Most automated DM tools can grab someone’s first name, and sending a message with the person’s name on it makes the message feel personal.
But here’s where DM personalization strategies can go wrong: if you use someone’s name more than once in a short message, it feels more like a sales script than a human-written message. Take a look:
Natural and Warm
“Hey, James! Just saw your comment on our latest reel, thanks for showing us some love!”
Trying Way Too Hard
“Hey, James! James, we noticed you liked our post. Let us know if you need anything, James!”
The first one sounds like something you’d say to a friend. The second one sounds like a copy-and-paste error from a DM automation platform that doesn’t understand how humans speak.
A 2024 survey found that 89% of marketing leaders say personalization matters for long-term success, and customers are willing to spend up to 38% more with brands that get it right. It’s more than dropping someone’s name; your messages should sound real, human, and like something you’d actually say out loud.
2. Match Their Energy in the DM
If someone drops a fire emoji or says “This is fire,” your reply shouldn’t sound like it came from a help desk. Match their vibe. When you match someone’s vibe, even in a personalized automated DM, you instantly make the conversation feel more human.
You can also set up a few different DM styles to match your brand. Maybe some replies are fun and playful, others are warm and friendly, and some are bold and cheeky. As a result, your DM personalization strategies always feel personal, but your brand’s voice stays consistent and never boring.
Tools like Stampede Social let you personalize your replies based on what the comment says or the type of post, so your response to a product launch can feel different than your reply to a giveaway entry. That simple tweak helps your DMs sound natural instead of robotic.
3. Don’t Jump Straight to the Pitch
This is where automated DMs mess up. You follow someone or leave a comment, and seconds later, you get a message like:
“Hey! Check Out Our Store!”
No intro, no context, just a sales link for something you didn’t even ask about.
“Want 10% Off? Use This Code Now!”
Discounts are nice, but if that’s the first thing someone says to you, it feels like spam.
Click Here to Buy.
You wouldn’t start a real conversation like this, so don’t do it in a DM.
Instead, think of your automated DMs as a conversation with a friend or an acquaintance. Start with some curiosity, a helpful tip, or even a thank you.
A Better Way To Do It
“Hey! Thanks for your comment on our post. Want a behind-the-scenes look at how we made that product? Just reply ‘YES’ and we’ll send it over.”
With messages like these, you’re offering something helpful, and you let people decide if they’re interested. Use DM automation tools that let you choose from different intros depending on how someone interacts with your posts, so every reply can feel personal.
4. Give People Choices
Nobody likes a one-way conversation, particularly if it’s an automated DM from a bot. Instead of just one call-to-action, give people real options. Let them decide what happens next. Here’s how you do it:
Lead With Options, Not Pressure
Your message should be like an easy-to-understand menu. If you give people clear choices, it’s much easier for them to jump in without feeling confused.
Example:
- “Want our free guide? Reply ‘GUIDE’”
- “Want to see how we made it? Reply ‘BTS’”
- “Not interested? No worries, just ignore this, and we’ll leave you alone.”
Be Clear About What They’ll Get
If they pick “GUIDE,” are they getting a PDF, a link, or a video? When your personalized automated DM spells it out clearly, you’ll get way more replies and fewer confused drop-offs.
Give Them an Easy ‘No Thanks.’
Some people don’t want to chat. Tell them straight up that it’s okay to skip your message. Letting people choose puts them in control. And when someone feels in control, they’re more likely to reply, trust you, and keep hanging around your brand.
Let Automation Work With You
Personalizing automated messages with tools like Stampede Social makes it easy to set up conversation flows based on what your followers like. Its features help you give everyone the information they care about, rather than sending everyone the same message or overloading them with details they don’t need.
Final Thoughts
Automated DMs don’t have to feel distant or robotic. Some tools let you send a personalized automated DM to everyone who comments or interacts, whether you’re replying to 5 people or 500. If you do it right, they can start genuine conversations, add value, and help you stay connected to your community, without overwhelming you.
It all comes down to making your DMs feel personal. Use the person’s name, match their tone, and give real choices. When your message feels like it’s coming from a real person (not a cold script), people are much more likely to respond.
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