The Simple Trick to Get People DMing You Right Now (No Paid Ads Required)
You’ve been posting consistently for months. Your content gets likes, maybe even some shares. People comment with fire emojis and “Yes, queen!” But here’s what’s driving you crazy: nobody’s actually sliding into your DMs asking about your services.
You’re probably doing everything they told you to do. Posting valuable content, showing up in stories, being “authentic” (whatever that means anymore). Yet your inbox stays crickets while other coaches seem to have people lining up to work with them.
Here’s the thing everyone’s missing: Getting views and getting clients are two completely different games.
Most business coaches are still stuck in 2022, telling you to “just create great content and they’ll come.” That’s garbage advice in 2025. You need a system that actually converts passive scrollers into people who want to talk business.
I’m about to share the stupidly simple trick that’s been quietly working for smart entrepreneurs while everyone else is still chasing vanity metrics.
The Real Problem With Your Current Strategy
Let me paint a picture. You spend two hours crafting the perfect carousel about “5 Ways to Scale Your Business.” It gets 150 likes, 12 comments saying “Great tips!” and exactly zero inquiries about working with you.
Sound familiar?
The problem isn’t your content. It’s that you’re not creating clear entry points for conversation.
Most people want to reach out but don’t know how. They see your content, think “This person seems smart,” but then… what? Comment “Great post” and hope you notice them? Send a random DM that feels awkward?
You’re making it way too hard for potential clients to start a conversation with you.
The Comment-to-DM Strategy That Changes Everything
Here’s the trick that’s been hiding in plain sight: Ask people to comment with a specific keyword, then automatically DM them something valuable in return.
That’s it. Seriously.
You create a post with a call-to-action like: “Drop the word ‘GROWTH’ below and I’ll send you my client-getting system that landed me 3 new clients last month.”
When someone comments “GROWTH,” your automation tool (like ManyChat) instantly sends them a DM with your lead magnet, free resource, or whatever you promised.
Why this works when everything else doesn’t:
- It gives people a clear, non-awkward reason to engage
- It immediately moves the conversation to DMs where real business happens
- It delivers instant value, positioning you as someone who follows through
- It creates a warm lead who’s already interested in your specific offer
Setting Up Your First Comment-to-DM Campaign
Step 1: Choose Your Keyword
Pick something relevant to your niche. “CLIENTS,” “SYSTEMS,” “REVENUE,” “SCALE” – whatever matches your audience’s biggest desire. Make it simple and obvious.
Step 2: Create Your Valuable DM Content
This isn’t the time to hold back. Your DM needs to deliver real value. A 5-page PDF, a video training, a template they can use immediately. Remember: first impression matters.
Step 3: Craft Your Caption
Don’t bury the call-to-action. Make it the main event:
“I’ve been getting DMs asking about my client attraction system, so here’s the deal: Comment ‘CLIENTS’ below and I’ll send you the exact 3-step process I use to book 5-figure months consistently. This isn’t theory – it’s what’s working right now.”
Step 4: Set Up the Automation
Tools like ManyChat, Chatfuel, or even Instagram’s native automation (if you have a business account) can handle this. You literally just enter your keyword and upload your response content.
Step 5: Post and Watch the Magic
Here’s what happens next: People comment your keyword. They get an instant DM. Some will respond with questions. Others will book discovery calls. A few will become clients within days.
Why This Destroys Every Other Lead Generation Strategy
It’s immediate. No waiting for people to “warm up” to you over months of content. They’re getting value and starting conversations today.
It’s organic. Zero ad spend. You’re leveraging content you were already going to create anyway.
It’s scalable. One post with this strategy can generate leads for weeks as it continues circulating.
It feels natural. People aren’t being sold to – they’re asking for information and receiving it.
I’ve seen this single strategy generate 40+ qualified leads from one post. Compare that to hoping someone will eventually DM you after seeing your content enough times.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Results
Mistake #1: Making weak offers
“DM me for tips” is not compelling. “Comment ‘REVENUE’ for my 7-figure client’s exact marketing funnel” – now we’re talking.
Mistake #2: Burying the call-to-action
Your keyword request should be the main point of your post, not an afterthought at the end.
Mistake #3: Delivering garbage in the DM
If someone comments your keyword and gets a one-paragraph response, you’ve wasted an opportunity. Over-deliver here.
Mistake #4: Not following up
The DM is the beginning, not the end. Have a conversation. Ask questions. Book calls.
Advanced Strategies for Maximum Impact
Use Reels for 10x reach. Reels with comment-to-DM calls get significantly more engagement than feed posts. Plus, they keep circulating for weeks, giving your keyword more opportunities to work.
Create urgency. “First 50 people who comment ‘SCALE’ get my…” creates FOMO and drives immediate action.
Segment by keyword. Use different keywords for different lead magnets. “CLIENTS” gets your client attraction guide. “SYSTEMS” gets your operations template. Now you know exactly what each lead is interested in.
Stack the value. Don’t just send one thing. “Comment ‘GROWTH’ and I’ll send you three things: my client onboarding template, pricing guide, and a 15-minute video walking through both.”
What This Actually Looks Like in Practice
Sarah, a business coach in my network, posted a reel about scaling to multiple six figures. Her caption ended with: “Comment ‘SCALE’ and I’ll send you the exact revenue framework my client used to go from $50K to $300K in 8 months.”
Results: 127 people commented “SCALE.” 89 opened her DM. 23 replied with questions. 8 booked discovery calls. 3 became paying clients.
From one post. No ads. No complex funnels.
The content delivered real value, the call-to-action was clear, and the follow-up was strategic.
That’s $45K in new business from a 60-second reel and smart automation.
Your Next Steps (Do This Today)
Right now, before you get distracted by another strategy:
- Pick one valuable resource you can deliver via DM
- Choose a relevant keyword
- Set up basic automation (ManyChat has free options)
- Create content with your keyword call-to-action
- Post it and watch what happens
Don’t overcomplicate this. You don’t need perfect graphics or a professional setup. You need clear value and a clear ask.
The coaches making serious money in 2025 aren’t the ones with the prettiest feeds. They’re the ones who understand that business happens in conversations, and they’ve mastered the art of starting them.
Your audience is already there, scrolling through your content. Stop hoping they’ll eventually DM you and start giving them a reason to do it today.
The difference between coaches who struggle to fill their programs and those who have waiting lists? They’ve figured out how to turn content viewers into conversation starters.
This comment-to-DM strategy is your shortcut to joining them.
Now stop reading and go set up your first keyword campaign. Your next client is probably scrolling Instagram right now, waiting for you to give them a reason to reach out.
Ready to Simplify Your Workflow?
If you’re done with chaos and ready for clarity, here’s what’s next:
Book a Clarity Call with Lisa Benson. Let’s map out your next 90 days with tactical strategy, not theory. We’ll look at where you are, where you want to go, and exactly what needs to happen to get there.
Start with the 9-Line Business Roadmap. Get the framework that helps women service providers scale to consistent $5K-$15K months without burning out or sacrificing boundaries.
Learn About Operation Six-Figure. Our signature coaching system installs repeatable systems for growth—so you can lead like a CEO instead of a scrappy solopreneur barely keeping up.
