Imagine a tool that effortlessly and instantly connects you with your audience on Instagram.
That’s where ManyChat comes into play! ManyChat gives you the ability to set up auto DMs. When someone drops a trigger word in a comment or DM, ManyChat springs into action, instantly sending your followers a DM.
ManyChat is a Meta partner—which means it is closely linked with Facebook and Instagram. It’s a safe tool to use so you never need to worry about your account being restricted or shadowbanned.
A Shift in Engagement
In my personal experience, I’ve noticed a significant decline in the number of link clicks within my Instagram Stories. It’s worth noting that Instagram tends to favor content that keeps users engaged within their own platform rather than directing them to external links. To combat the decline in my story engagement, I turned to ManyChat. And let me tell you- It’s been a game-changer!
I’ve witnessed a shift in how my audience engages with my content. It’s no longer solely about link clicks; I can truly foster more genuine connections with my followers through DMs, and connect with them instantly!
Now, let’s explore three practical ways real estate agents can incorporate ManyChat to generate more leads.
#1 – Comment Automation
Let’s say you’re looking to send out a buyer guide to your followers. Instead of the usual approach of instructing your audience to “click the link in my bio to grab my buyer guide,” you can take a more effective route.
In your caption, tell your followers to comment with a specific word, such as “Guide,” in order to gain immediate access to your buyer guide. When your audience drops that “trigger word” in the comments, your guide is sent to them automatically in their DMs.
To put this into action, follow these steps:
From the ManyChat home page, select the “Convert Your Instagram Comments into Sales” template.
Then click on “Set Up Template.”
Click on the Trigger, “When User comments on your Post or Reel.”
Then, select “next Post or Reel” and “comment contains specific words.” This is what will allow you to create your “Trigger word.”
You can see below that I used the word “guide.” So when a follower comments the word “guide” on my post or reel, a DM will automatically send it to them.
Next, choose the “Public auto-response in Feed” option. This way, whenever a follower leaves a comment on your post with a trigger word, an instant comment response pops up from you. This will ramp up your Instagram engagement. And remember, the more comments we get, the wider our reach!
To add in your buyer guide, simply click on the “Get the Checklist” button. Then you can rename that button based on your lead magnet/freebie. I renamed it “Get the Buyer Guide.”
Next, select “Open Website.” This will allow you to insert the link for your buyer guide.
If your buyer guide isn’t on your website, don’t worry! You can create your buyer guide in Canva, and then copy the “view only” link. Then paste that link in the ManyChat website URL box!
If you don’t know where to start with a buyer guide, Coffee & Contracts has beautiful templates. You could also purchase one off of Etsy!
Once everything looks good, go ahead and click on “Preview” to give your flow a test run. After confirming all is well, hit “Set Live” to make it active!
#2 – Redirect followers to your YouTube Channel
Let’s say you want to promote a new YouTube episode you created titled “The Worst Condo Buildings in Dallas.”
Instead of simply sharing the link in your story, here’s where ManyChat steps in. Upload a story that says, “DM me the word ‘WORST’ to watch my latest YouTube episode on the worst condo buildings in Dallas.” Then, ManyChat will automatically send a DM to that follower, with your YouTube episode.
To put this into action, follow these steps:
Select the “Redirect Customers to YouTube” template from the ManyChat template options.
Click on “Set Up Template.”
Set up your “Trigger keyword” – in this case, it’s “WORST.”
Click on the “Watch Tutorial” button.
From there, you can easily change the wording to reference your YouTube episode, and input your YouTube episode link! Just copy and paste your episode link into the website URL.
Once everything looks good, go ahead and click on “Preview” to give your flow a test run. After confirming all is well, hit “Set Live” to make it active!
#3 – Capture Customer Data With Lead Magnet
Moving on to the final method of using ManyChat to generate more leads. This happens to be my favorite, but it is the most complicated.
This template allows you to collect email addresses in exchange for a lead magnet/freebie. Remember, your email list is the lifeblood of your business! We always want to make a conscious effort to grow that list daily.
To put this into action, follow these steps:
Select the “Capture customer data with Lead Magnet” template.
Click on “Set Up Template.”
This template might seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, but don’t worry – I’ll guide you through it step by step!
First, pick your “Trigger word.” I used “Guide.”
Click on the “Greeting Message” and customize the message based on your lead magnet.
When your follower clicks on the “Click Here” button, Manychat sends an auto “Email Collection” message to collect their info.
Once they enter their email, the email confirmation prompt will pop up.
Now, you’ve got their information – just what we wanted!
But I like to take this a step further! I always want to deliver the lead magnet/freebie instantly. To do that, click on “Next Step” and then “Instagram Send Message.” Then click on the “Click Here” button.
You can then customize the message text!
Then, click on the “Click Here” button and “Open Website” URL.
Head back to Canva where your freebie/lead magnet is. Click on “Share” and “View-only link.” Click “Copy Link.”
Take that link and head back to ManyChat. Paste it into the website URL box.
Once everything looks good, go ahead and click on “Preview” to give your flow a test run. After confirming all is well, hit “Set Live” to make it active!
ManyChat is such a valuable asset in your Instagram strategy. By using its features like automated responses and lead collection, you can elevate engagement and gather customer information.
I understand that chatbots may sometimes come across as impersonal, but utilizing these features in a strategic approach can enhance both your engagement and sales.
For more marketing insights, be sure to sign up for BAMx where you can gain access to exclusive live streams and courses — including a ManyChat course launching in September 2023!
