---
title: "Collect emails from Instagram DMs"
description: "Ask for an email inside the DM, check it's valid automatically and save it on the contact, with no landing page or form needed."
canonical: "https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms"
---

# Collect emails from Instagram DMs


Forms lose people. Asking for an email inside the conversation doesn't. Here's how to swap a freebie for an email address.

## Steps

### Pick Grow your email list

Choose an offer first: a lookbook, a guide or a price list works best. Then in **Automations**, click **Browse templates**, filter by **Capture leads** and click **Grow your email list**. On a Facebook Page, use **Collect emails in Messenger**.

![The template gallery filtered to Capture leads](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/1-template.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### See the flow

A comment gets your offer. When they tap the button, they're asked for their email, tagged `lead` and thanked.

![The flow: comment, message, Ask a question, Add tag and a thank-you message](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/2-flow.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### Set the keyword

Click the trigger and set the word people comment, like `guide`.

![The trigger with guide, free and send as keywords](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/3-keywords.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### Write the offer

Click the first **Send message** step and describe what they get. The **Get it** button moves them on to the question.

![The first message offering the Dashain lookbook](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/4-offer.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### Check the question

Click **Ask a question**. **Save answer to** is **Email** and **Check the answer** is **Email address**, so only real addresses are saved. The **Retry prompt** is what they see after a typo.

![The Ask a question step saving to Email with the Email address check](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/5-question.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### Keep the lead tag

The **Add tag** step tags everyone who gives an email as `lead`, so you can find them in Contacts.

![The Add tag step tagging the contact lead](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/6-tag.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

### Go live

Click **Go live**. New emails appear on each contact under **Contacts**.

![The builder with Go live highlighted](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-emails-from-instagram-dms/7-go-live.webp "app.awwtomation.com/automations")

## What happens with a typo

If someone types `name@gmail`, they get the retry prompt and another go, up to the number of tries you set. Only valid emails are saved.

## Getting the list out

Filter **Contacts** by the `lead` tag and choose **Export these contacts** from the **…** menu to get a CSV for your email tool.

## Q: Can I collect phone numbers instead?

A: Yes. Set **Save answer to** to **Phone** and the check becomes **Phone number**. See [collecting phone numbers for cash on delivery](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/collect-phone-numbers-for-cash-on-delivery).

## Q: Does Awwtomation sync emails to my email platform?

A: Not automatically. Export to CSV and import the file into your email or CRM tool.