Stop Saying “Link in Bio”: Why I Use Manychat for Instagram DM Automation
- Brittany Miller
- 12 minutes ago
- 9 min read
Why “Link in Bio” is Dead—and What I Use Instead
If you're still relying on “link in bio” to share information, drive traffic, make sales or grow your email list… I hate to break it to you—but that strategy is barely breathing. With Instagram pushing for in-app engagement and followers increasingly ignoring bio links, it’s becoming harder (and more frustrating) to get results from your content.
As someone who juggles multiple platforms, projects, and a business, I don’t have the luxury of living in my DMs 24/7. And honestly? I don’t want to. I needed a way to serve my audience, grow my list, and drive conversions—without constantly being “on.”
That’s where Manychat comes in.
I’ve been using Manychat for over a year now, and it’s become my secret weapon. From sending freebies instantly to qualifying leads in the background, it’s the tool that makes my business feel like it’s working—even when I’m offline.
And now that I’ve joined their affiliate program, I’m finally sharing it with you too. Use my link to try Manychat and see how it transforms your DMs into your most powerful funnel.
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
The Problem: Instagram is Killing Your Conversions
Let’s be real: Instagram wants your audience to stay on-platform. So when you direct people to a “link in bio,” it’s no surprise the algorithm shrugs and your click-through rate flatlines. And don’t even get me started on how many people actually take the time to navigate to your bio to click it. Spoiler: not many.
On average, the click-through rate for 'link-in-bio' stands at 1%, whereas the rate for links in DMs is substantial at approximately 46%.
If you’re a creator or business owner trying to grow, that hurts. You pour hours into crafting great content… only to watch your links go ignored.
So what do we do instead? We hustle in the DMs. Manually replying to every comment. Copy-pasting links. Trying to be everywhere at once. It’s draining and honestly, not sustainable. You didn’t start your business to become a full-time inbox assistant, right?
And here’s something most people don’t talk about: You don’t actually own your Instagram following. If your account ever gets hacked, suspended, or disabled (and it happens more often than you think), your entire audience could vanish overnight.
So now you’re fighting for engagement and walking on eggshells, hoping your content stays visible and your account stays safe. But what if there was a smarter way to grow your list, engage your audience, and even qualify leads—without being online 24/7?
There is. It’s called Manychat, and it’s the automation tool that changed everything for me.
What Is Manychat & Why I Love It
So what is Manychat, and why am I borderline obsessed with it?
In simple terms, Manychat is an Instagram DM automation tool that lets you respond automatically when someone comments a specific word on your Instagram post, story, or Reel.
Think: someone types “FREEBIE” under your post, and boom—they instantly get a DM with the link. It’s seamless, instant, and totally Meta-approved (yes, it’s an official Meta Business Partner). But that’s just the surface. You can also use it to:
Collect email addresses right inside the DMs and sync them to your list
Send personalized podcast or blog links when people engage with your content
Qualify leads automatically before they ever get to your inbox
And the best part? It runs in the background—even when I’m off the app, asleep, or taking a break. No more frantic late-night replies or forgetting to send someone a link. I’ve been using Manychat for over a year now, and it’s helped me grow my email list, save hours of manual work, and actually convert Instagram engagement into something tangible.
This isn’t just a “me” thing, either. Industry leaders like Amy Porterfield collected over 18,000 emails with Manychat. Jenna Kutcher generated $900,000 in sales most of it from organic content using the same comment-to-DM strategy.
So yeah… I’m not the only one shouting about this.
If you’re still trying to do everything manually or relying on “link in bio” to move the needle, it might be time to upgrade how you show up.
5 Ways I Use Manychat to Grow My Business (Without Being Glued to My Phone)
Now that we’ve covered the what and why, let’s talk about the how—because this is where Manychat really shines.
Here are 5 real ways I use Manychat every single week to grow my brand, boost engagement, and convert more leads—without being constantly online.
1. Build My Email List While I Sleep
I say this with full honesty: Manychat is the #1 reason my email list keeps growing on autopilot. I’ve set up keyword triggers like “freebie” or “guide” under my posts. When someone comments, they get an automated DM asking for their email. Once they type it in, it’s added straight to my email platform—zero manual input needed.
It’s one of the easiest, most effective ways to turn your followers into subscribers—and make sure you own your audience, no matter what happens to your social account.
2. Deliver High-Converting Lead Magnets Without Missing a Beat
You know how frustrating it is when someone asks for your freebie... and then it totally slips your mind? Or when a warm lead comments with interest, but life happens and you don’t get back to them for 3 days?
With Manychat, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. I’ve set up simple automations so that whenever someone comments a keyword like “CHECKLIST” or “SEO,” the lead magnet is automatically delivered to their inbox. It feels instant, personal, and seamless—just the kind of user experience that keeps your audience engaged and boosts conversions because they want the solutions to their problems ASAP, not in 3 days when you return from your long weekend getaway.
It’s not just about saving time—it’s about never missing an opportunity to follow up with someone who's interested right now.
3. Share My Podcast and Blog Links on Autopilot
Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in captions—which is a nightmare if you’re trying to promote content. Manychat fixes that.
I use it to share new blog posts and podcast episodes. If I’m promoting a new piece of content, I ask my audience to comment a keyword. From there, Manychat slides into their DMs with a direct link, driving traffic without relying on the link in bio (which we all know most people don’t click).
Here's an example of a keyword trigger in action ↓
4. Qualify Leads for My Services
This one’s a gold mine for service providers: I’ve built a simple flow that helps qualify leads right inside the DMs. If someone’s interested in working with me, say for a Manychat setup as part of a VIP Day—they get a series of prompts asking about their business goals, platforms, and budget.
By the time we hop on a call (if needed at all), I already know if they’re a good fit. It saves everyone time—and makes the process feel super seamless and pro.
5. Boost Engagement on My Reels and Posts
Let’s not forget the Instagram algorithm loves engagement. By encouraging comments with strategic keywords, I naturally increase interaction on my posts—which tells the algorithm, “hey, this content matters.”
The result? Better reach, higher visibility, and more DMs = more potential sales.
And all of it? Powered by automation.
Whether you’re looking to grow, engage, or convert your audience—Manychat takes the heavy lifting off your plate. And if you want help setting it up the smart way, I offer VIP Day setups for that too 😉
Try Manychat for yourself here and start turning your followers into qualified leads—automatically.
Why It Works: The Psychology Behind Instagram DM Automation
There’s a reason DM automation isn’t just convenient—it’s wildly effective. It taps into a few key psychological triggers that turn casual scrollers into engaged subscribers (and even buyers).
1. Instant Gratification Converts Better
We live in a world of now. If someone asks for a link and has to wait hours (or worse, never gets it), chances are… they’ll lose interest. But when they comment and receive an immediate DM with exactly what they wanted? That’s dopamine. It feels responsive, thoughtful, and effortless—so they’re more likely to take the next step.
2. DMs Feel Personal—Even If They’re Automated
DMs create a sense of exclusivity that comments and links in bio just don’t. When something drops into your inbox, it feels like a 1:1 interaction—even if it’s automated behind the scenes. That intimacy makes people feel seen, which builds trust. And trust leads to conversions.
3. Instagram’s Algorithm Loves Engagement
Let’s not forget that every comment is a signal to Instagram that your content is worth showing. So when you prompt your audience to comment specific keywords—and they do—it spikes your engagement and helps your content reach more eyes organically. More reach = more leads = more conversions.
It’s smart, scalable, and strategic. That’s why I use Manychat—and why it works.
How You Can Get Started with Manychat Today
Getting started with Manychat is way easier than you might think—and you don’t need to be “techy” to set it up.
Here’s how it works:
Create a post, Reel, or story as you normally would.
In your caption or video, ask people to comment a keyword (like “FREEBIE” or “PODCAST”).
Head into your Manychat dashboard and use the Comment Automation tool to set up that keyword.
Build a quick automation: someone comments → they get a DM with a link or message.
Hit publish and watch it work behind the scenes!
That’s it. Now you’ve got an engagement boost and an automated lead funnel—all without checking your DMs every hour.
Ready to try it yourself? Click here to start using Manychat—you can even try it for free with up to 1,000 contacts.
And if you want to skip the setup and have it done for you the right way? I offer VIP Day setups for Manychat automations. Just DM me or check out my services page for details.
Pro Tip: Make Your DM Automations Work For You
Setting up DM automations is more than just choosing a keyword—it’s about creating a seamless, on-brand experience that feels personal and drives conversions. Here are a few quick tips to get the most out of your setup:
Keep keywords simple and intuitive.
Choose words that are easy to spell and directly tied to your content (like “CHECKLIST” on a post about your lead magnet or “PODCAST” for an episode drop).
Use the delay feature strategically.
Set up a follow-up message 12–24 hours later reminding them to download the freebie or take action. These gentle nudges can dramatically increase your conversion rates.
Make it feel personal.
Customize your automations with emojis, GIFs, or casual phrasing that reflects your brand voice. It should feel like a real message from you.
Use conversation starters.
These are pre-set buttons that pop up in someone’s inbox before they message you the first time—perfect for prompting engagement or offering quick access to your most popular resources.
Think beyond Instagram.
ManyChat also works with Facebook, Messenger, and even WhatsApp. So if you’re building an audience across platforms, it’s a powerful way to keep your messaging consistent and automated.
DM automations shouldn’t feel robotic—they should feel like an extension of the conversations you already have with your community.
ManyChats is a Meta Partner
Some business owners worry that using a 3rd party software like ManyChats will hurt their engagement and reach but ManyChats is a Meta Business partner and is fully approved for use by Instagram!
Final Thoughts on Instagram DM Automations
Manychat has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business. It’s saved me hours of replying manually, helped me grow my email list on autopilot, and turned my DMs into an actual lead-generating machine.
If you’re tired of the “link in bio” struggle or constantly chasing replies, this is your sign to try something smarter.
Start using Manychat here and see how effortless engagement and automation can really be.
And if you’d rather not DIY it? DM me or book a VIP day—I’ll set up your Manychat flow so you can start converting followers while you sleep.
