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Add an opening message before your DM

Turn on Opening Message so people tap a button before your link arrives, and unlock follow-ups and the follow check.

Someone comments "link" on your reel. Instead of dropping the link straight into their inbox, you can send a quick "Want it? Tap below" first. That one tap is a small commitment, and it matters: Instagram treats it as the person opting in to chat with you.

What Opening Message does

Opening Message is the first DM your instant automation sends. It contains a short text and one reply button. Your main DM (the link, the PDF, the offer) only goes out after the person taps that button.

Because the tap counts as consent, it also unlocks two other advanced options:

  • Ask to follow before sending DM needs Opening Message on. Zorcha uses the tap to run the follow check.

  • Follow Up to Re-Engage needs Opening Message on. The tap refreshes the 24-hour window Zorcha uses for the reminder.

If you switch either of those on without an opening message, the editor stops you with An opening message is needed.

Turn it on

  1. Open your instant automation: DM from Comments, DM from Stories or Respond to all DMs.

  2. Scroll to Advanced Automations and switch on Opening Message.

  3. Write the text. Keep it short and say what the button gets them, for example Want the guide? Tap below and I will send it to you.

  4. Edit the button label. The default is Send me the link; something like Yes, send it works too.

  5. Use Variations if you want Zorcha to rotate a few versions of the text so replies do not look copy-pasted.

Opening Message with a clear invitation and reply button

Things to know

  • The button is a reply button, not a website link. The person taps it inside Instagram and your main DM follows. Your links belong in the main DM.

  • People who never tap the button never get the main DM. That is the point: you only send the link to people who asked for it. If you would rather everyone gets the link immediately, leave Opening Message off.

  • If the person has messaged you in the last 24 hours, Instagram already treats the conversation as open. Zorcha skips the opening message for them and sends the main DM directly.

  • For the rest of the Comment to DM setup, including keywords and public replies, see Setting up Comment to DM.

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