# Instagram DM Templates

**YOUR NICHE:**
Fitness Creator / Personal Trainer

**ACCOUNT SIZE:**
15,000 followers

**GOAL:**
Brand collaborations and networking

---

## BRAND COLLABORATION OUTREACH

### Template 1: Cold Outreach to Brand (First Contact)

**When to Use:** Reaching out to a brand you have never worked with

```
Hey [Brand Name] team!

I have been using your [specific product] for [timeframe] and genuinely love it - especially [specific detail about why].

I am a fitness creator with 15K engaged followers, mostly women 25-35 interested in home workouts. My last 10 Reels averaged 50K views.

Would you be open to exploring a collab? I have a few ideas that could work well for your audience.

Happy to share my media kit if helpful!

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 456

**Why This Works:**
- Opens with genuine product experience (not generic praise)
- Specific detail proves you actually use it
- Key stats upfront (followers, demographics, performance)
- Soft ask, not demanding
- Offers next step (media kit)
- Short enough to read in preview

**What to Customize:**
- Product name and specific detail
- Your stats and audience demographics
- Recent performance metrics

---

### Template 2: Warm Outreach (After Engaging With Their Content)

**When to Use:** After you have liked, commented, and engaged with their posts for 1-2 weeks

```
Hey [Name]!

Loved your recent post about [specific post topic] - especially the point about [specific detail]. I actually shared it with my audience last week.

I am [Your Name], a fitness creator focused on [your specialty]. I have been a fan of [Brand] for a while and would love to explore working together.

I have some content ideas that I think would resonate with both our audiences. Worth a quick chat?

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 412

**Why This Works:**
- References specific content (proves you pay attention)
- Mentions you already shared their content (added value)
- Positions as mutual benefit
- Casual tone matches warm relationship
- Clear but soft CTA

---

### Template 3: Follow-Up DM (No Response After 5-7 Days)

**When to Use:** They have not responded to your first message

```
Hey [Name]! Just floating this back up in case it got buried.

Totally understand if the timing is not right - just wanted to make sure it did not get lost in the inbox chaos.

Either way, keep up the great work with [something specific about their brand]!

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 276

**Why This Works:**
- Acknowledges they are busy (no guilt trip)
- Gives them an easy out
- Ends on positive note regardless
- Short and low-pressure
- One follow-up only (do not be pushy)

---

## CREATOR NETWORKING

### Template 4: Reaching Out to Peer Creator

**When to Use:** Connecting with creators at similar level in your niche

```
Hey [Name]!

Been following your content for a while - your [specific content type] is so good. The one about [specific post] was fire.

I create similar content in the [your niche] space and thought it would be cool to connect. Maybe swap ideas or even collab on something down the road?

No pressure either way - just wanted to say hey and that I appreciate your work!

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 398

**Why This Works:**
- Genuine compliment with specifics
- Positions as peer, not fan
- Low-pressure connection
- Plants seed for future collab
- Graceful if they do not respond

---

### Template 5: Collab Proposal to Another Creator

**When to Use:** Proposing specific collaboration idea

```
Hey [Name]!

I have an idea that could be fun for both our audiences.

What if we did a [specific collab idea - e.g., workout challenge, Q&A swap, joint Live]? Your audience would get [benefit for them] and mine would get [benefit for you].

I am thinking something like:
- [Specific detail 1]
- [Specific detail 2]
- [Timeline if relevant]

Would you be down to try it? Happy to handle [specific task you will do].

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 445

**Why This Works:**
- Leads with the idea, not small talk
- Clearly explains mutual benefit
- Specific enough to visualize
- Offers to do the work
- Easy to say yes to

---

## SALES AND LEAD GENERATION

### Template 6: Response to Product Inquiry

**When to Use:** Someone DMs asking about your product or service

```
Hey [Name]! Thanks for reaching out.

Yes, I would love to help! To make sure I point you in the right direction, quick question:

Are you looking for [option A] or [option B]?

Once I know, I can share exactly what would work best for you.

Talk soon!
[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 281

**Why This Works:**
- Thanks them immediately
- Does not overwhelm with info
- Asks qualifying question
- Shows personalized approach
- Keeps conversation going

---

### Template 7: Soft Pitch After Value Interaction

**When to Use:** After someone engages heavily with your content (saves, multiple comments)

```
Hey [Name]!

Noticed you have been engaging with my [content type] posts - thanks for the love!

Out of curiosity, are you currently working on [related goal]? I ask because I have helped a lot of people with exactly that.

No pitch, just curious if there is anything I can help with!

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 312

**Why This Works:**
- Acknowledges their engagement (makes them feel seen)
- Asks about their situation
- Explicitly says no pitch (lowers guard)
- Opens door without pressure
- Feels like genuine conversation

---

### Template 8: Following Up on Sales Conversation

**When to Use:** They expressed interest but went quiet

```
Hey [Name]!

Just checking in on our chat about [topic]. No rush at all - I know life gets busy.

If you have any questions or want to pick up where we left off, I am here.

Either way, hope you are having a great week!

[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 247

**Why This Works:**
- Casual, not salesy
- Acknowledges they are busy
- Offers to help, not pushing
- Leaves door open
- Short and respectful

---

## RESPONDING TO INCOMING DMS

### Template 9: Response to Collab Request

**When to Use:** A brand or creator DMs you about collaboration

```
Hey [Name]! Thanks so much for reaching out.

I am definitely open to collabs with brands that fit my audience. To see if we are a good match, could you share:

1. What kind of content you are thinking?
2. Timeline?
3. Budget range (if applicable)?

Once I know more, I can let you know if it is a fit and share some ideas!

Looking forward to hearing more.
[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 389

**Why This Works:**
- Expresses openness immediately
- Asks qualifying questions
- Professional but friendly
- Mentions budget (filters serious inquiries)
- Shows you have a process

---

### Template 10: Polite Decline

**When to Use:** Turning down a collab or offer that is not a fit

```
Hey [Name]! Thanks so much for thinking of me.

I really appreciate the offer, but I do not think this one is quite the right fit for my audience right now.

I hope you find someone great for it though! Feel free to reach out again in the future if something else comes up.

All the best,
[Your Name]
```

**Character Count:** 307

**Why This Works:**
- Thanks them genuinely
- Clear but kind decline
- Does not over-explain or apologize
- Leaves door open for future
- Professional and respectful

---

## DM BEST PRACTICES

### The First Line Rule

Your first line appears in their notification preview. Make it count.

| Bad First Line | Good First Line |
|----------------|----------------|
| Hey! Hope you are doing well... | Loved your post about [specific topic] |
| Hi, my name is... | Quick idea for a collab if you are open |
| I am reaching out because... | Been using your [product] for 6 months and... |
| Hope this finds you well... | Your [specific content] inspired me to... |

---

### Message Length Guidelines

| DM Type | Ideal Length | Why |
|---------|--------------|-----|
| Cold outreach | 300-500 characters | Enough to prove value, short enough to read |
| Warm outreach | 250-400 characters | Relationship exists, less proving needed |
| Follow-up | Under 300 characters | Respect their time |
| Response to inquiry | 200-350 characters | Answer and ask one question |
| Networking | 300-450 characters | Show genuine interest |

---

### What to Include vs Avoid

| Include | Avoid |
|---------|-------|
| Specific compliment with proof | Generic praise (love your content!) |
| Your relevant stats | Your life story |
| Clear ask or next step | Vague intentions |
| Mutual benefit | Only what you want |
| One follow-up max | Multiple follow-ups |
| Easy out if not interested | Pressure or guilt |

---

### Response Rate Boosters

| Tactic | Why It Works |
|--------|-------------|
| Engage with their content first | Warms them up, name recognition |
| Reference something specific | Proves you did research |
| Keep it under 500 characters | Respects their time |
| Ask one clear question | Makes responding easy |
| Send at optimal times (Tue-Thu, 9-11am) | Less inbox competition |
| Add value before asking | Reciprocity principle |

---

### When to DM vs Comment

| Use DM For | Use Comments For |
|------------|------------------|
| Specific proposals | General compliments |
| Private conversations | Public engagement |
| Business discussions | Building visibility |
| Follow-up after comment | Starting a relationship |
| Sensitive topics | Questions others might have |

**Pro Tip:** Comment on 3-5 posts before DMing. They will recognize your name.

---

## COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

| Mistake | Why It Fails | Fix |
|---------|-------------|-----|
| Too long | Gets skipped, feels like work | Keep under 500 characters |
| No personalization | Feels like spam | Reference specific content |
| Leading with ask | Feels transactional | Lead with compliment or value |
| No clear CTA | Confusing, easy to ignore | One clear question or next step |
| Over-following up | Annoying, damages relationship | One follow-up max, then move on |
| All about you | They do not care yet | Focus on mutual benefit |
| Vague pitch | Hard to say yes to | Be specific about what you want |
| Apologizing | Undermines confidence | Be direct and confident |