How to Make Custom Instagram Messages Online

Custom Instagram messages are one of the quickest ways to stand out in a crowded feed. Instead of sending the same message to everyone, a good direct message (DM) feels personal and relevant. That’s how you start real conversations, not just add to the noise.

This guide helps you create custom Instagram messages online. It covers planning your tone and goals. You will learn to write, organize, and improve your DMs over time.

Why Custom Instagram Messages Matter

Most people’s inboxes are full of short, forgettable messages: “Hey,” “Collab?” or “Check my page.” They are easy to send and even easier to ignore.

Custom messages work differently because they:

• Show effort – When a message mentions a post, a Story, or something personal, it proves you took time to look.
• Build trust – Personal DMs feel more like a conversation and less like an ad.
• Increase replies – People respond more often when they feel seen and understood.
• Support goals – If you want more profile visits, sales, bookings, or content collaborations, a custom message can help you reach your goal.

Think of your DMs as an extension of your brand: every message is a small piece of your reputation.

What Counts as a “Custom” Instagram Message?

A custom message is more than just using someone’s name. It is any message that feels:

• Relevant to the person receiving it
• Connected to what they post, like, or comment on
• Purposeful, with a clear reason for reaching out

On Instagram, customization can appear in a few forms:

One-to-one DMs vs. broadcast-style messages

• One-to-one DMs are written directly for a specific person.
• Broadcast-style messages are made for a specific group. That includes new followers, people who watched a Story, or users who answered a poll.

Even when you send a message to many people, you can still make it feel personal. You can do this by mentioning how that group interacted with you. For example, say, “You responded to my Story question about…” or “You liked my post on…”

Saved replies and message systems

Custom does not mean typing everything from scratch each time. You can still use:

• Saved replies for common answers
• Organized message collections for outreach
• Short scripts you adapt on the spot

The key is to blend structure with personalization, so messages stay efficient but never feel robotic.

What You Need Before Creating Custom DMs

Before you start writing, it helps to set a solid base. That way, every message feels consistent and intentional.

A clear Instagram profile

People often check your profile right after reading your DM. Make sure your:

• Bio explains who you are and what you offer
• Profile picture is clean and recognizable
• Link in bio leads to something useful (website, portfolio, booking page, or landing page)

When your profile already answers basic questions, your messages can stay short and focused.

A defined brand voice and audience

Ask yourself:

• Are you speaking as a person, a team, or a company?
• Is your tone friendly, professional, playful, or a mix?
• Who is your ideal follower or client?

For example, a real estate company talking to big landlords or firms will use a formal tone. It is different from a lifestyle creator chatting with followers about outfits. The company focuses more on numbers, while the creator is more casual.

Basic tools for writing

You can create custom messages entirely online using:

• A browser note tool or a simple document
• Instagram’s web interface or app
• Any social media management platform you already use

The goal is to have a place where you can store, refine, and update your message drafts.

Ways to Create Custom Instagram Messages Online

You can create and manage customized messages in several ways, depending on how you like to work.

Use Instagram’s built-in tools.

On Instagram, you can:

• Use saved replies for quick answers to common questions
• Pin messages to keep important conversations visible
• Label chats (in some business inboxes) to keep outreach organized

It works well if you handle a moderate volume of messages and want everything inside the app.

Use online message draft tools and planners.

A simple online document can act as your message library. You can:

• Keep different sections for welcome messages, outreach, and follow-ups
• Store several versions of similar intros
• Add notes about what works best for each audience type

That is especially useful if your team shares message responsibilities and needs the same material.

Use visual chat mockups for creative planning.

When planning content, some creators also like to visualize how conversations look in a mobile-style layout. They might make a fake Instagram chat. This chat can show a real message flow. It can be used in a Reel, carousel, or tutorial. Seeing the chat layout helps you refine message length, pacing, and clarity before using similar wording in real DMs.

Build Your First Custom DM System

Instead of writing random messages whenever you remember, build a simple system. It keeps your communication consistent and easier to improve over time.

Define a single goal.

Decide what this specific message is for:

• Welcoming new followers
• Reaching out for potential collaborations
• Warming up leads for calls, demos, or bookings
• Re-engaging older followers or past buyers

A clear goal prevents your message from feeling vague.

Plan one strong call to action.

Each message should lead to one main action, for example:

• “Reply if you’d like more details.”
• “Send me your email so I can share the guide.”
• “Pick a time from my calendar in the link.”

Avoid stacking many requests in one DM: one message, one main step.

Write a short, human opening line.e

Start with something that proves you know who they are or what they did:

• Mention a recent post or Story
• Mention how they discovered you (a hashtag, a comment, a recommendation)
• Mention a problem they talk about frequently

Example:

“I saw your Story about launching your first rental property and loved your breakdown of costs.”

It feels respectful, not random.

Add a concise context sentence.

Next, explain why you’re reaching out:

• Who you are
• What do you help with
• Why this matters to them

Example:

“I help property owners fill units faster with short-form video tours and neighborhood highlight content.”

One sentence is enough. Clarity beats clever wording here.

Lead into your invitation or offer.

Now add your call to action, connected to a benefit:

• “If you’d like, I can share a quick outline for your next property tour video.”
• “Happy to send a simple guide you can reuse for every new listing.”

The more concrete the benefit, the better.

Keep the closet light and open.

Finish with something that makes replying easy:

• “If this feels useful, send me a quick ‘yes’ and I’ll send the details.”
• “No rush—write when you’re ready and we’ll plan something simple.”

You want the other person to feel zero pressure but clear direction.

Personalization Tactics That Boost Replies

Once you have a base structure, personalization is what makes messages stand out.

Refer to specific content.

Mention:

• A recent post topic
• A caption line
• A Story poll result
• A Reel they commented on

That proves you looked beyond the profile picture.

Use questions to start a conversation.

Instead of sending a monologue, include one focused question:

• “What kind of content brings you the most inquiries right now?”
• “Are you more focused on growing followers or getting direct leads at the moment?”

Good questions invite replies and give you insight for future messages.

Match their energy, not their slang.

You do not need to copy their exact wording, but you can mirror:

• How formal or casual they sound
• Whether they use emojis or keep things plain
• How long do they tend to write

That keeps the conversation comfortable and natural for them.

Practical Message Ideas You Can Adapt

Here are some message structures you can adjust for your niche and audience. Keep them short, specific, and aligned with your goals.

Welcome message for new followers

“Thanks for connecting here. I share quick tips on [topic] and behind-the-scenes of [your work]. “If you are working on something specific, let me know. I will send you a helpful post or resource.”

Message after someone engages with your content

“I noticed you liked my Reel about [topic]. Are you working on something similar at the moment, or was it just interesting to you?”

Collaboration outreach

“I’ve been following your posts on [topic] and really like how you explain [specific detail]. I think our audiences would enjoy a short joint Reel or live session around [idea]. If that sounds interesting, I can outline a simple format that respects your schedule.”

Promotion or offer message

“You mentioned you’re trying to [goal]. I’ve put together a short, focused offer that helps with exactly that. If you’d like a summary, send me a quick message and I’ll walk you through the key points in under a minute.”

Re-engagement message

“It has been a while since we last spoke about [topic]. Has anything changed with your goals, or are you still focused on [previous goal]?”

All of these can be saved, refined, and lightly customized each time.

Automating Custom Messages Without Feeling Spammy

Automation can support your efforts, but the message needs to stay human.

Choose the right moments for automation.

Better suited for automation:

• Welcome sequences for new followers or leads
• Thank-you messages for Story interactions
• Quick “got your message” replies when you’re offline

Better suited for manual typing:

• High-value outreach to partners, clients, or buyers
• Sensitive topics that require empathy
• Long-term relationships and negotiations

Keep flexibility in every message.

Even if a system sends the first line, always leave room to:

• Edit names and details
• Reference a specific post or Story
• Add a personal note before you hit send

This small step keeps your automated system from feeling cold or generic.

How to Measure and Improve Your Custom DMs

Once your custom messages are live, you can improve them by watching how people react.

Watch reply and response patterns.

Look at:

• How many people respond
• How quickly they reply
• Which type of opening line gets the most engagement

Over time, you will notice that certain phrases or tones work better with your audience.

Refine one piece at a time.

Instead of rewriting everything at once, adjust:

• The opening sentence
• The question you ask
• The call to action

Test small changes, then keep what clearly performs better. It keeps your system stable while still improving.

Keep your message library updated.

Schedule regular reviews of your saved messages. Remove:

• Outdated offers
• Messages that rarely convert
• Wording that no longer matches your brand voice

Add new messages based on successful conversations, new services, or new content themes.

Conclusion

Custom Instagram messages are not about sending more DMs—they’re about sending the right ones.

By:

• Clarifying your goals
• Building a simple, flexible message system
• Personalizing each DM with context and thoughtful questions
• Organizing and refining your message library over time

You transform your inbox into a steady source of relationships, leads, and collaborations.

Whether you are a solo creator, a growing brand, or part of a larger organization, a smart DM strategy can quietly become one of your most powerful assets on the platform.