How to DM a brand on Instagram and get a reply
By Kushagra Kumar, founder of Shre. Updated 1 July 2026.
Messaging a brand on Instagram is easy, but getting a reply takes a clear, well written DM that respects the person reading it.
This guide covers how to send the message and how to make it worth answering.
To DM a brand on Instagram, open their profile, tap Message, and send a short, specific message stating who you are, what you want, and a clear question or request. Being concise and polite makes a reply far more likely.
Send the message
Reaching a brand is the same as messaging anyone else.
- Open the brand's Instagram profile
- Tap the Message button below the bio
- Type your message and tap Send
Remember that if you do not follow them or they do not follow you, your message may land in their requests folder, so it can take time to be seen.
Write a DM worth answering
Brands get a lot of messages, so clarity wins. Open by saying who you are in one line, then get to the point. State exactly what you want, whether it is a collaboration, a product question, or support. End with one clear question. A short, specific message is far more likely to get a reply than a vague "hey."
Match your message to your goal
Tailor the DM to why you are reaching out. For a collaboration, briefly mention who your audience is and what you propose. For support, include your order or account details so they can help fast. For a general question, keep it to a single, easy to answer point. Making it easy to respond respects their time.
Be patient and follow up once
Brands do not always reply instantly, especially in a busy requests folder. Give it a few days before following up, and keep the follow up polite and short. One gentle nudge is fine. Repeated messages can come across as pushy and hurt your chances rather than help them.
How brands handle their side
From the other side, brands often struggle to answer every DM. Many use automation to reply instantly to common questions. Shre is an Instagram AutoDM platform that sends a DM when someone comments a keyword on a post, and supports auto reply so no inquiry sits unanswered. If you run a brand account, this is how you keep response times fast.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't a brand reply to my DM?
Your message may be sitting in their requests folder, or they may receive too many messages to answer all. A short, specific, polite DM improves your chances of a reply.
How do I DM a brand about a collaboration?
Open with who you are and your audience in one line, then clearly propose the collaboration and end with a single question. Keep it short and easy to respond to.
Should I follow up if a brand doesn't respond?
Yes, one polite follow up after a few days is reasonable. Avoid sending repeated messages, which can come across as pushy.
Do brands use automation to answer DMs?
Many do. Tools like Shre let brands auto-send DMs when someone comments a keyword and set up auto replies to common questions, so responses are fast.
Related
Source and reference: Instagram Platform, Meta for Developers. Shre sends messages through the official Instagram Graph API within Instagram's rules.