108. Automate Your Welcome Message for Instagram Followers & Grow Faster in 2026
- Mar 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 22
When someone hits follow, that moment is warm and full of possibility. Sending a welcome message for Instagram followers captures that curiosity and turns casual interest into conversation, email sign-ups, and eventually paid clients. I’ve been waiting for ManyChat to create this type of automation that makes this process simple (and human) — and now that the tools finally exist, I want to show you exactly how to use an Instagram welcome message strategically so it feels personal, not robotic, and still supports your business goals.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why a welcome message for Instagram followers matters right now
How the Instagram welcome message feature works (step-by-step)
What to say in your Instagram welcome message (templates that convert)
How I measure success for my welcome message for Instagram followers
Quick setup checklist for your first Instagram welcome message
Frequently asked questions about ManyChat's new welcome message for Instagram followers
Why a welcome message for Instagram followers matters right now
Instagram followers are time-sensitive. The second someone follows you, they’re likely on your profile, paying attention. If you don’t make a quick, helpful connection, the algorithm often buries your content the moment their initial interest fades. A welcome message for Instagram followers lets you skip that limbo: you move the person from passive follower to active lead — ideally into your email list where you control the conversation.
From my experience running both a business account and an influencer account, the difference between following and converting is often one thoughtful DM. A simple welcome message for Instagram followers can:
Start a real conversation and build rapport.
Deliver lead magnets at the point of highest interest.
Reduce dependency on Instagram’s algorithm to stay visible.
Answer common questions quickly so potential clients can buy sooner.
what I use and why (ManyChat + Instagram DMs)
I use ManyChat for DM automation because it integrates with Instagram and lets you trigger automations (like a welcome message for Instagram followers) the second someone follows you. ManyChat isn't about replacing human connection; it’s about capturing warm moments and routing them into meaningful next steps: freebies, articles, or an email sign-up without having to be online all the time.
If you’ve ever manually copied and pasted a “thanks for following” message a few times a week (guilty ✋), automation frees that time while keeping the authenticity. I set automations to ask permission, offer helpful choices, and invite people into a small next step — and then I step in personally when there's a conversation that needs attention.
I share more about why all small businesses should be using ManyChat in this blog post, check it out 👇
How the Instagram welcome message feature works (step-by-step)
The new welcome message for Instagram followers workflow is delightfully simple. Here’s a practical setup you can implement in under 20 minutes.
Trigger: New follower — Set the automation to fire when somebody follows your account.
Message 1: Permission + intro — Send a short, friendly message thanking them for the follow and include a required button the user must tap to continue. This opt-in button is essential to allow the second message.
Message 2: Offer options — After they tap, you can send a second message with up to three buttons linking to lead magnets, blog posts, your online storefront, or FAQ resources.
Human follow-up — If a button indicates interest, you can review the chat later and continue the conversation personally. For higher volume accounts, this might be more occasional; for boutique businesses, it’s where conversions often happen.
Important technical note: the welcome message for Instagram followers generally allows only two automated messages in that initial flow, and only the second message can include up to three buttons. That limitation means you should be strategic with what you ask and where you link. I explain this in more details in the full episode of the Go Get Great podcast here:
What to say in your Instagram welcome message (templates that convert)
Tone matters more than length. Keep your welcome message for Instagram followers friendly, human, and helpful. Here are a few templates I use and adapt depending on whether the account is business-focused or influencer-style.
Business account template
Message 1: “Thanks so much for the follow — I’m Brittany, I help busy business owners get seen online. Would you like a quick free resource to get started?”
Buttons: “Yes, I want a freebie” or “Tell me more”
Message 2 (after button): “Amazing! Pick the one you need the most or download all of them.
Buttons: Social media checklist / Email welcome sequence template / Marketing audit quiz.
Influencer account template
Message 1: “Thanks for the follow — welcome! Want to see my most-loved posts on motherhood, home reno, or easy family meals?"
Button: Yes please!
Message 2: “Perfect — here’s a link to my top posts on that topic. If you have questions or want more links I'm just a DM away :)
Buttons: “Motherhood” / “Reno” / “Family meals”
Additional Options
Feel free to copy and tweak these for your brand voice. They’re short, human-first, and designed to get a click.
“Hey — love that you followed! Want a quick free checklist to improve your [topic]? Tap yes and I’ll send it right over.” (Buttons: Yes / Not now / Tell me more)
“Hi there! Welcome to my page. Do you want top blog posts about [topic] or my free weekly round-up?” (Buttons: Top posts / Weekly round-up / Just browsing)
How to structure the CTA inside your welcome message
Think of your welcome message for Instagram followers as a tiny, two-step funnel: permission first; value second. The CTA in the first message should be about permission and clarity (“Yes, send me freebies” rather than “Buy my course”).
The second message is where you give a choice: three targeted links that match common follower intentions.
Keep the first message short and friendly.
Ask a question that invites a click (curiosity converts).
Offer up to three clear next steps in the second message (bonus points if it gets them on your email list!)
Link to something trackable so you can measure clicks and conversions.
Best practices: sounding human without losing scale
Automation doesn’t mean cold. The trick is to use language you’d actually say and to give people choices that matter. Here’s what I recommend when you use a welcome message for Instagram followers:
Use first-person voice and casual phrasing — you want to sound like a real person. I often write like I’m talking to a neighbour over the fence and include personalization's (first names).
Give immediate value. People follow because they’re curious; satisfy that curiosity quickly with a link to a relevant freebie or helpful content.
Track engagement. Check what percent of new followers click the buttons — I’ve had flows convert in the 70–80% range on certain posts.
Expect a few people to type a reply instead of tapping a button. When that happens, either nudge them to tap or respond manually if it’s feasible.
I like to include emojis and gifs as well to make my automations more engaging
ManyChat Welcome Message Limitations
There are practical limits to the current welcome message for Instagram followers flows:
Two-message flow only — you can’t build a long multi-step form inside the initial automation. If you want to collect an email, link to a landing page.
Button-only progression — followers must tap the button in the first message to receive the second. If they type a reply instead, the automation won’t proceed unless you manually intervene and get them to hit the button.
Limited button count — the second message supports up to three buttons, so plan options accordingly.
The welcome message for Instagram followers works for both business owners and influencers — it’s about what you choose to link to and the next step you want the follower to take.
For service-based businesses
Link to a free consultation scheduler or a downloadable checklist.
Use buttons relevant to your business like: “Audit my profile,” “Email marketing tips,” or “Pricing info.”
Follow up personally with users who click high-intent resources.
For creators and influencers
Link to best-of blog posts, affiliate roundups, or signature collections.
Use the flow to help clarify product fit — “Which age group are your kids?”
Invite the follower to a niche newsletter or freebies list that deepens the relationship.
How I measure success for my welcome message for Instagram followers
I look at a few numbers to see if the welcome message is doing its job:
Click-through rate on the second message buttons.
Percentage of new followers who convert to an email sign-up or download. I monitor my email list growth in my email platform compared to my IG follower growth
Number of conversations that require personal follow-up (and how many become clients).
Long-term engagement: do these followers stick around and engage with later posts? Note: ManyChat doesn't track this but I keep an eye on it using my engagement numbers
If your CTAs are trackable, you’ll quickly see which resources attract the right people. For me, the goal is always email collection because it gives me direct, reliable access to people outside of Instagram’s whims.
Quick setup checklist for your first Instagram welcome message
Create a short, friendly first message that asks for permission to send one more message.
Write a helpful second message with three clear options (lead magnet, blog post, FAQ).
Link each option to a trackable URL (landing page, link-in-bio page, or resource page).
Test the flow yourself by having someone follow your account or by following a test account.
Monitor analytics for click-through rates and follow up manually where the conversation needs a human touch.
Real talk: why I started automating welcomes
Full disclosure: I used to send welcome DMs manually. I had a copy-paste saved message and would message new followers once or twice a week. It worked — people loved it — but it was time-consuming. When the automated welcome message for Instagram followers feature rolled out, I was thrilled because it captures that warm moment without me needing to be glued to Instagram all day (hello, five kids, renovations, and maternity leave chaos).
Automation gave me the best of both worlds: consistent, timely outreach plus the ability to jump into conversations personally when I want to. That mix improved conversions and kept my inbox sane.
Frequently Asked Questions About ManyChat's New Welcome Message for Instagram Followers
What is a welcome message for Instagram followers and why should I use one?
A welcome message for Instagram followers is an automated DM that sends to new followers right after they follow you. Use it to start a conversation, offer a relevant freebie, or direct followers to content that helps them decide whether to stay connected. It captures the moment of interest and reduces reliance on the algorithm to maintain visibility.
Can I collect email addresses directly in Instagram DMs?
The initial automated flow is limited, so it’s usually best to link to a landing page or a lead capture form where followers can input their email. That said, you can always manually ask for an email in follow-up DMs if the conversation becomes personal.
What should I do if followers type a reply instead of tapping a button?
If they type instead of tapping, the automation may not continue. You have two options: nudge them to tap the button (“Hey! If you tap the button I’ll send you the free checklist.”) or respond manually with the link they need. Either is fine depending on your time and volume.
How many choices should I include in the welcome message?
Keep it tight: three options max in the second message. Too many choices overwhelm people. Pick three high-value resources that reflect the most common reasons people follow you.
Final thoughts — start small and iterate
A welcome message for Instagram followers is one of the highest ROI automations you can add to your marketing. It’s short to build, it meets followers where they are, and it helps you control the conversation by moving people into an email list or resource page you own. Start with a simple two-message flow: ask permission first, then offer a few helpful options to keep them engaged. After a few weeks, check your metrics, tweak the language, and expand the follow-up where it earns conversions.
If you want help writing the exact messages for your brand or building a flow in ManyChat, I’ve created a course for small businesses and influencers teaching you how to set up these automations in a day, learn more about it here. For support with a full ManyChat setup, connect with me for a complimentary clarity call.
You don’t have to be online 24/7 to make followers feel welcome — you just need the right welcome message for Instagram followers.
Go Get Great Episode 108 References
Introduction to ManyChat https://www.brittanymillersocials.ca/post/why-i-use-manychat-for-instagram-dm-automation
The Organic Engagement Playbook https://brittanymiller.thrivecart.com/organic-engagement-playbook/
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
If we haven't met yet, hi, I'm Brittany, a mom, mystery buff, bookworm, and DIY home decor enthusiast. I help business owners get seen, loved and paid. If you're looking for support with your social media, email marketing to podcast, click here to learn how I can help.
0:00 Intro
0:49 Episode start
1:20 What is Manychat overview
2:10 New feature: Instagram welcome message
5:30 How to send a welcome message for Instagram followers
8:40 Why use Manychat
16:00 Wrap up
