If you’re looking for a faster, easier, and higher-converting way to grow your email list from Instagram, this tutorial is for you. In the video below, I walk you through how to collect emails directly in your DMs using ManyChat — so your followers never have to click a link or leave the app to join your list.
Links Mentioned:
• Manychat Email Collection Flow Template: https://stephaniekase.com/manychatemailcollectiontemplate
• Free Email Marketing Class: https://stephaniekase.com/emailclass
• My #1 recommended beginner email service provider is Flocks, which also directly integrates with Manychat. Check it out here: https://stephaniekase.com/flodesk
Why This Instagram Email Strategy Works So Well
Traditional lead magnets usually require someone to click over to a landing page, fill out a form, and then check their inbox to get access to your freebie. But let’s be real — the drop-off is HUGE.
When I switched to collecting emails directly in the DMs using ManyChat, my conversion rate skyrocketed. I went from 10–20% of people completing the opt-in… to 70–80%! That’s because the process is seamless — your followers never have to leave Instagram.
With this strategy, when someone comments on a post or replies to a story using a trigger word, you can send them a message right in the DMs, collect their email address, and automatically deliver your freebie or opt-in offer. It’s frictionless and fast — exactly what we want.
There are a few reasons why this strategy is a game-changer:
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High opt-in rates – People are way more likely to reply to a DM than fill out a form on a website.
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No tech overwhelm – You don’t need a landing page or website to make this work.
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Seamless user experience – Your followers stay on Instagram, get instant access, and don’t have to check their inbox right away.
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Automatic follow-up – The automation will check in after 6 hours if they haven’t submitted their email yet, giving them a second chance to opt in.
Setting Up Your ManyChat Automation
Once you’ve imported my ManyChat template (linked here), here’s how the automation works step-by-step:
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Trigger the automation – You can set it up to fire when someone comments a specific word on a reel, post, or replies to your story.
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First message – It lets them know you’re about to send them the freebie and asks them to tap a button to confirm they want to receive it. This is key for compliance — they’re explicitly opting in to hear from you.
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Request their email – After they tap the button, you ask them to type their email address directly in the DM. You’ll also want to include a quick disclaimer letting them know they’ll be added to your list and might receive future emails.
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Integrate with your email provider – I show you how to connect ManyChat to Flodesk directly (or use Zapier for other providers) so that the email gets automatically passed to your ESP.
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Deliver your freebie – Once they type in their email, you can send a follow-up message with a direct link to the freebie (no extra landing page needed).
How to Customize the Automation for Your Own Business
This setup is flexible and works for any kind of freebie, whether it’s a PDF guide, a YouTube video, a checklist, or anything else.
Here are a few customization ideas:
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Change the opt-in message to reflect your brand tone and the value of your freebie.
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Choose your segment in Flodesk (or your ESP) so new subscribers are tagged appropriately.
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Adjust the delay on the follow-up message if you want to give them more or less time before checking in.
You can also duplicate this flow for different offers — just update the trigger word, freebie link, and segmentation.
Why Email > Social Media for Sales
This automation is more than just a cool tech hack — it’s a strategy shift.
Social media is not where you sell. It’s where you generate leads. Your email list is where you nurture, build trust, and convert those leads into paying customers. The goal is to move as many people as possible from your social channels into your owned platforms, like your email list.
And this ManyChat strategy helps you do exactly that — while making it feel effortless for your audience.
Final Thoughts: Use Instagram as a Lead Generator
If you’re serious about growing your list, selling more of your digital products, and creating a funnel that works for you, you need to be collecting email addresses in the DMs.
Not only does it simplify the user experience, but it increases your conversions, builds your list faster, and helps turn your content into real business growth.
Whether you’re using Flodesk, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, or another email service provider, this strategy works — and it can be completely automated using what I’ve shown you here.
What’s Next?
Want to set this up in your own business? Go grab the free ManyChat template I walk through in the video and start implementing it today. And if you’re not using Flodesk yet, check it out with my link to get 50% off your first year.
I can’t wait to see how this strategy helps you grow your list and turn more of your Instagram followers into leads — all without needing a landing page.
You’ve got this!
