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How to Collect emails from Instagram DMs

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.

Instagram7 steps2 min read

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

Steps

  1. 1

    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.

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The template gallery filtered to Capture leads
  2. 2

    See the flow

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

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The flow: comment, message, Ask a question, Add tag and a thank-you message
  3. 3

    Set the keyword

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

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The trigger with guide, free and send as keywords
  4. 4

    Write the offer

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

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The first message offering the Dashain lookbook
  5. 5

    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.

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The Ask a question step saving to Email with the Email address check
  6. 6

    Keep the lead tag

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

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The Add tag step tagging the contact lead
  7. 7

    Go live

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

    app.awwtomation.com/automations
    The builder with Go live highlighted

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.

Questions

Can I collect phone numbers instead?

Yes. Set Save answer to to Phone and the check becomes Phone number . See collecting phone numbers for cash on delivery.

Does Awwtomation sync emails to my email platform?

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

Try it on your account

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