Most people ruin their chances of getting a reply before they even hit “Send.”

Instagram DMs are a crowded place. And to be honest — most of what lands there is garbage.

• Crypto scams

• Adult content

• Fake giveaways

• Generic, copy-paste offers that aren’t even relevant

Your DM will land right next to this mess.

So if it doesn’t feel personal, real, and valuable? It gets ignored — fast.

And the bigger the account you message, the more noise they get — meaning you have to work even harder to stand out.

Doing that comes down to a simple combo:

• Picking the right person

• Sending the right message

• At the right moment

💡 It’s always better to send 10 highly targeted, customized DMs per day than 100 generic copy-paste ones.

This post isn’t just a list of lines to copy-paste.

I’m sharing real strategies I’ve tested myself.

Each one focuses either on a specific audience to target or a specific DM to send.

Sometimes both. And of course — the best results usually come from combining them.

I’m Antoine, founder of Wave, a tool built to automate Instagram outreach. I built it because Instagram DMs are a goldmine for leads. But doing it manually? Too painful to be consistent. These strategies are what actually worked.

What Makes a Cold DM Actually Work?

Before we jump into the 10 strategies, it’s worth taking a second to understand why most cold DMs fail — and what actually makes someone want to reply.

Below are a few key principles — and simple questions to ask yourself before hitting “send.”

Trust me, they’ll save you time and dramatically increase your reply rate.

• It’s short, sharp, and feels human → No bullshit. Just something real and easy to read.

  
  

• It brings value → What’s in it for them? Why would they reply — specifically?

  
  

• It has a clear goal → What exactly are you asking or offering?

  
  

• It stands out → Or could it have been written by ChatGPT in 2 seconds?

  
  

• It feels personal → Will they feel like you actually get them?

  
  

• It shows effor → Does it sound like a lazy copy-paste? Or does it feel relevant?

  
  

• It’s clean → No typos. No floods of emojis. Sounds basic — but it matters.

  
  

• You’d reply if you received it → Be honest : would this message catch your attention?

One more thing — I’m assuming your Instagram profile is clean:

Profile pic, short description, and a bit of content to inspire trust. It matters more than you think.

Got a DM that performed well? Message me — I’m collecting real case studies from people testing cold outreach on Instagram.

10 Instagram DM Templates and Strategies That Get Replies

1. Comment Goldmine

This is one of my favorite DM strategies — because it’s not just about writing the perfect message, it’s about targeting the right audience.

And when done right, it consistently brings some of the highest reply rates I’ve seen.

You’ve probably seen those posts where a content creator says something like :

“Comment LEAD and I’ll DM you the full guide.”

This strategy is simple : find those posts in your niche, and DM the people who commented.

They’ve already shown intent. They’re warm. And best of all — they’re expecting a message.

Step one is to find the right content:

Look for viral posts from creators, niche experts, or even competitors, where people are invited to comment in exchange for value (guide, PDF, checklist, etc.).

→ Why it works ? These people already raised their hand.

They’re interested in your topic, problem space, or offer — without you needing to convince them.

The more recent the post, the warmer the lead.

And the message doesn’t feel like cold outreach — it feels like good timing. Like, “this person gets what I need.”

Of course, you still have to send a smart message.

2. Problem + Social Proof

This DM is based on a simple principle: people pay attention when they feel understood.

You describe a problem they’re likely facing — something you can guess based on who they follow or what they commented (like in the Comment Goldmine strategy).

Then, instead of pitching yourself right away, you point out what might be causing that challenge — and briefly mention how you helped someone else solve it.

You're not selling. You're just showing that you could help.

→ Why it works ? Because you're bringing value.

You name their problem, explain it briefly, and offer insight based on real experience.

It feels specific. Helpful. And it usually triggers a reaction like :

“Ok — this person gets me.”

→ DM Example

Hello,
Saw you [followed/commented xyz] — I might be wrong, but that’s often related to [challenge].
I’ve worked with others in [niche] to solve that and reach [goal] using [method].
Think it could help in your case too. Want me to share how ?

3. Group Chat + FOMO

This one’s a bit more advanced, unconventional — and probably underused. Definitely worth testing.

You create a group DM with 4–5 targeted people and present an exclusive opportunity. But here’s the twist: 1 or 2 of them are people you’ve planned this with — they’ll reply first to show interest.

Those “planted” replies create momentum in the group.

Now the others see people engaging — and it no longer feels like spam.

It feels like something’s happening, and they don’t want to miss out.

It’s the Instagram version of the street vendor trick :

You create movement, attention, demand — and people follow the crowd.

Why it works ? FOMO is one of the strongest psychological triggers.

When people see others jumping in, their hesitation drops.

And when you frame it as something exclusive or limited — like “Only 3 spots left” or “Testing this with 5 founders” — it adds urgency without pressure.

This strategy works best when you want to get early traction for a product, call, beta, or offer.

There’s no DM template for this one — it’s all about the setup and dynamics.

Use it with intention. It can convert like crazy, but only if it feels real.

4. What Would You Do ?

This one’s less about pitching — and more about starting a real conversation.

You’re reaching out to someone whose opinion you respect (a content creator, founder, expert, or niche influencer) to ask for honest advice.

No gimmicks, no hooks — just a direct, human question: “What would you do if you were me?”

You’re not trying to sell anything here. You’re expanding your network.

And the truth is: real conversations often lead to unexpected opportunities — advice, intros, partnerships, even future clients.

Think long term.

→ Why it works ? People love giving advice — especially when they feel like their experience is respected.

You’re not asking for time or money — just a quick perspective.

It’s flattering. It’s different. It’s genuine.

And it stands out — because while everyone else is pitching, almost no one is asking smart questions.

→ DM Example

Hey,
I’m building [XYZ product or offer] to solve [XYZ pain point].
Right now, I’m facing [main challenges].
Curious — if you were in my shoes, what would you do?

5. Mistakes Ask

This is another “no-pitch” strategy — ideal when you want to connect with someone more experienced than you.

Instead of selling anything, you flip the approach and ask a smart, humble question:

What mistakes should I avoid if I want to get where you are?

It works especially well with founders, creators, or marketers who have grown something visible (audience, company, content machine…). You reference what they’ve done, then share a bit about your own progress to show you're not starting from zero.

Why it works

It shows respect for their experience — without asking for a call, free coaching, or too much attention.

And most people love to talk about what not to do.

It’s a soft ask that builds connection — and often earns replies even from busy people.

→ DM Example

Hey,
Saw you achieved [milestone/personalized success] — really inspiring.
We recently hit [your milestone] doing mostly [action], and now I’m working on [next step you're trying to figure out].
If you had to start over today, what would be the 3 biggest mistakes to avoid?
I know you probably get a ton of DMs — but I’ll apply your advice for real and keep you posted on what happens :)

6. Dilemma Message

This strategy is all about getting a quick reply by asking a real, simple question.

You present a small dilemma you’re facing in your business or journey, and ask for their take.

It’s low pressure, feels personal, and can lead to unexpected conversations.

Why it works

People like giving opinions — especially on choices they’ve faced themselves.

It feels real, not scripted. No pitch, no CTA — just a smart conversation starter.

→ DM Example

Hey! I’m building something for [target audience + explanations], and testing two ways to pitch it :
“I help X do Y without Z” vs “Want to get Y result, without doing Z.”
Which one would you click?

7. I Stole This From a Competitor

This strategy is all about using insight — not urgency — to get attention.

You spot something smart that your prospect’s competitor is doing (a new tactic, funnel, content angle, offer…) and bring it to them, casually.

You’re not pitching. You’re just showing them what’s happening in their space — and hinting at what they’re missing.

Think of it as ethical spying, or “hey, did you see what [X] is doing?”

→ Why it works ? People are always curious about what their competitors are up to — especially if it looks like it’s working.

And by being the one who brings that insight, you instantly position yourself as helpful, observant, and relevant for their business. You simply bring value.

→ DM Example

Hey,
I noticed [Competitor] started doing [specific thing] — looks like it’s picking up some traction.
I’m curious, is there a reason you’re not testing something similar yet?

8. Friendly Nudge

This strategy works best when you notice someone who could clearly improve something — but isn’t doing it yet.

You give them a friendly, respectful nudge. Not a critique — just a small heads-up that could genuinely help.

It works especially well when you’ve taken 30 seconds to check their business — and you spot something they could easily test (especially if it’s something you help with).

→ Why it works ? It feels like someone pulling you aside to give you a tip — not a pitch.

It positions you as someone observant, helpful, and proactive.

→ DM Example

Hello,
Just noticed [thing they’re not doing]. Not sure if it’s intentional, but could be an easy win.
Want me to explain what I’d test there ?

9. Sharp Observation

This one is super simple: you make a sharp, specific comment about something they’re doing in their business.

No fluff. No generic compliments. Just one real, thoughtful observation — ideally something most people wouldn’t even notice.

It could be a shift in their content strategy (posting more or less), a new format they’re testing, or a feature they just launched.

Something subtle, but intentional.

It’s a great way to start a conversation without asking for anything — and it instantly sets you apart.

→ Why it works ? You’re showing that you paid attention — and that already puts you ahead of 90% of DMs.

Even better if your observation naturally ties into what you do.

→ DM Example

Hey,
Just saw you [action they did]. Really smart move — especially how you [specific detail].
Curious — is it getting the kind of results you expected?

10. Struggled Hook

Instead of talking about your wins, you lead with a problem you had — and how you solved it.

You share a quick version of your struggle, the mistake you made, and what worked instead. Then ask if they’ve dealt with the same thing.

It flips the usual cold DM dynamic — and makes you feel like a peer, not a seller.

Why it works

It’s relatable. Honest. And opens a natural conversation around a shared problem.

No ego, no pitch — just a real story and a smart question.

→ DM Example

Hey,
I used to waste hours doing [thing you stopped doing] — tried [solution] and finally got [result].
Curious — did you ever face that too?

Cold DMs don’t have to feel cold. When done right, they’re just smart conversations — and these 10 strategies prove it.

If you want to automate them while keeping it human, that’s why I build Wave.

👉 Try Wave free for 7 days — no risk, just results.