How to automate Instagram DM replies and bookings
Most Instagram DMs to a small business are the same few questions: price, location, hours and whether there is a time free. This guide shows how to let the Kadaleo agent answer those and book the time, while you stay in control. It builds on the AI customer agent and online booking and payments. For one message followed from first reply to payment, see the Instagram booking guide.
Step by step
Pick what to automate
Look at your last DMs and list the questions that repeat. Those are the ones to hand to the agent. Anything that needs your judgement stays with you.
Write the facts and a few example replies
Give the agent your business facts, services and prices, hours, FAQ and a few example replies in your own tone. Facts are what it answers from, and examples teach it your style.
Connect Instagram Direct and switch AI replies on
Connect your Instagram account as a messaging channel and switch AI replies on for it. Each channel has its own switch.
Make sure a question can end in a slot
Set up your services and available times. The agent offers open slots and books the one the customer picks, so a DM can become a booking.
Decide what happens with comments
Replies to comments are separate from DMs. They work only when you switch the rule on, and a comment can also be turned into an inquiry on Instagram and Facebook, again only when you switch the rule on.
Read the Inbox and correct it
Every agent reply is visible and marked. When you see a wrong or missing answer, fix the fact. Kadaleo can also suggest FAQ answers and example replies from your past conversations, and nothing reaches the agent until you approve it.
Take over when you want to
The agent hands the conversation to you when it cannot answer, when the customer asks for a person, or when it is unsure. You can take over any conversation yourself.
Before you start
A Kadaleo account
Create your account and build your site. Your trial starts with the first build and needs no card: publishing, online booking, AI replies and automation are all on. Without a plan, your site and online booking stay online on the free plan, up to 100 bookings over the life of the account, cancelled ones included; you can add or import customers by hand until you have 100, and customers who write to you or book online are always added.
Your Instagram account
Instagram Direct is one of the messaging channels the agent answers in. Availability depends on the provider's account and permissions.
Your business facts
Services and prices, hours, FAQ and a few example replies. The agent answers from them.
What it connects to
Instagram Direct is the channel in this guide. The same agent also answers in WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and email. Payments use Stripe, and bookings can use Google Calendar.
Good to know
- Each channel has its own on/off switch for AI replies. Availability depends on each provider's account and permissions.
- Suggestions from past conversations read your WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and Telegram conversations from the last 180 days, never email. You accept, edit or reject each one, and a quick look at up to 30 recent conversations is included once a month.
- The agent answers from the facts you give it. Like any AI it can still make mistakes, so keep your facts up to date and look at the conversations it hands over.
- Your website has no AI chat. The agent answers in your messaging channels.
How it fits the rest of Kadaleo
- How to turn Instagram messages into bookings: One Instagram message followed from the first reply to a paid booking.
- AI customer agent for WhatsApp and Instagram: What the agent knows, which channels it answers in and how handover works.
- AI social media planner for your business: Plan the posts that bring the DMs, each one approved by you.
- ManyChat alternative with booking, CRM and website: Using a flow tool for Instagram today? Here is Kadaleo next to ManyChat.
Pricing
Kadaleo plans start from €49 per month + VAT. The trial needs no card, and your site and online booking stay online on the free plan after it. See pricing
Common questions
Can it reply to comments as well as DMs?
Yes, on Instagram, Facebook and Threads, and on TikTok, only when you switch the rule on. Comment replies are separate from DM replies.
Will it make up prices?
It is instructed not to invent prices or availability, and a reply with a price that does not follow from your price list or your facts is not sent. The conversation comes to you instead.
Does it work with voice messages?
It understands voice messages in many languages and replies in writing.
How do I get more direct bookings from Instagram?
Make it easy to book where people already message you: connect Instagram Direct, let the agent offer your open times, and keep the booking page on your website for people who prefer to book themselves.