Instagram DM Automation Setup
Budget: $30 – $50 USD
Need an automations specialist to setup my Instagram DM automation with my GHL conversational AI so it automatically responds to any person who replies in the attempt to book as many calls as possible. I will be hosting my IG account outreach through ColdDMs.com to automate my outreach so I need this integrated seamlessly. The ColdDMs outreach will handle the first message but when someone replies, I need the custom GHL conversational AI to reply and nurture/qualify the lead to get the call booked.
This is the workflow ChatGPT came up with just for a rough idea of what the process is (I will handle the training of the AI and other basic things)
Phase 1: Setup ColdDMs for Mass Outbound
1. Create/Import IG Accounts in ColdDMs
Use IG-safe proxies (mobile/residential).
Warm up each account slowly using ColdDMs’ built-in scheduler.
Assign DM templates + targeting filters.
2. Create DM Sequences in ColdDMs
Use multi-step campaigns:
Step 1: Icebreaker
Step 2: Value pitch (after 24 hrs or reply)
Step 3: CTA to reply/book call
Enable webhook on reply trigger.
3. Enable Webhook on ‘REPLY’ Trigger
Go to ColdDMs > Campaign > Automations
Choose “When user replies”
Create a webhook and copy the URL from GoHighLevel’s webhook listener
Phase 2: Build GHL Unibox + Inbound Automation
4. Create a GHL Subaccount for DMs
Set up a specific subaccount just for managing Instagram DM flows.
Enable the Conversation AI on this subaccount.
5. Create a Webhook Listener in GHL
Go to:
Settings > Triggers > Add Trigger
Set Trigger: “Webhook Received”
Paste the ColdDMs webhook here (or use custom Webhook capture URL)
Add an action: “Create/Update Contact” + “Add to Workflow” (DM Auto-Reply Workflow)
6. Build a GHL Workflow for Incoming Replies
Go to Automations > Create New Workflow
Workflow Trigger: “Webhook Received” or “Customer Replied”
Steps:
AI Response (using Conversational AI or OpenAI integration)
If using GHL AI:
Add “AI Reply to Message”
Feed context like: “Respond like a friendly fitness coach offering help.”
If using custom OpenAI prompt:
Use “Webhook → Make API Call” to OpenAI GPT-4
Return response → GHL replies in thread
Tag Contact Based on Response
e.g., “Interested,” “Not a Fit,” “Need More Info”
Assign to Human Rep (optional)
Create custom rule: if AI detects appointment intent → assign rep or notify.
Phase 3: Training the AI to Respond Intelligently
7. Enable Conversational AI in GHL
Settings > Labs > Enable Conversational AI
Fine-tune with prompt:
“You are a fitness business expert. Respond to any fitness-related DM reply warmly, guide them toward booking a call or learning more about our program. Be short, direct, and helpful.”
8. Add AI Override Rules
For example:
“If user says ‘how much’, respond with: ‘We have different tiers based on goals. Can I ask what you're looking to achieve right now?’”
“If user says ‘not interested,’ tag as ‘cold lead’ and pause automation.”
9. Store Lead Status, Stage, and Tags
In the GHL workflow, set fields based on user’s reply intent.
This allows CRM tracking, follow-ups, and pipeline stage tracking.
Phase 4: Optional — Loop Back to ColdDMs or Scale Further
10. Feed GHL-Collected Data Back to ColdDMs (Optional)
Export leads from GHL that didn’t convert
Reupload to ColdDMs for retargeting or re-engagement campaigns
Or trigger an API/webhook loop if you have dev resources
11. Set Up Notifications or Round-Robin Assignment
If the AI detects booking intent or complex objection:
Add trigger in GHL to notify human rep via Slack, SMS, or email
Use Round Robin for a sales team
Phase 5: Testing and Scaling
12. Test Everything
Use test Instagram accounts and simulate replies
Make sure ColdDMs webhook > GHL capture > AI reply fires correctly
Debug AI logic if replies are awkward or off-brand
13. Clone the System Across Accounts
Clone ColdDMs sequences
Clone GHL workflows and change source account tag if needed
Use consistent naming: IG01, IG02, etc.
14. Monitor and Optimize
Use GHL’s analytics to track:
Reply rates
Lead conversion
Booking intent tagging
Regularly retrain or adjust AI prompts and reply logic
This is the workflow ChatGPT came up with just for a rough idea of what the process is (I will handle the training of the AI and other basic things)
Phase 1: Setup ColdDMs for Mass Outbound
1. Create/Import IG Accounts in ColdDMs
Use IG-safe proxies (mobile/residential).
Warm up each account slowly using ColdDMs’ built-in scheduler.
Assign DM templates + targeting filters.
2. Create DM Sequences in ColdDMs
Use multi-step campaigns:
Step 1: Icebreaker
Step 2: Value pitch (after 24 hrs or reply)
Step 3: CTA to reply/book call
Enable webhook on reply trigger.
3. Enable Webhook on ‘REPLY’ Trigger
Go to ColdDMs > Campaign > Automations
Choose “When user replies”
Create a webhook and copy the URL from GoHighLevel’s webhook listener
Phase 2: Build GHL Unibox + Inbound Automation
4. Create a GHL Subaccount for DMs
Set up a specific subaccount just for managing Instagram DM flows.
Enable the Conversation AI on this subaccount.
5. Create a Webhook Listener in GHL
Go to:
Settings > Triggers > Add Trigger
Set Trigger: “Webhook Received”
Paste the ColdDMs webhook here (or use custom Webhook capture URL)
Add an action: “Create/Update Contact” + “Add to Workflow” (DM Auto-Reply Workflow)
6. Build a GHL Workflow for Incoming Replies
Go to Automations > Create New Workflow
Workflow Trigger: “Webhook Received” or “Customer Replied”
Steps:
AI Response (using Conversational AI or OpenAI integration)
If using GHL AI:
Add “AI Reply to Message”
Feed context like: “Respond like a friendly fitness coach offering help.”
If using custom OpenAI prompt:
Use “Webhook → Make API Call” to OpenAI GPT-4
Return response → GHL replies in thread
Tag Contact Based on Response
e.g., “Interested,” “Not a Fit,” “Need More Info”
Assign to Human Rep (optional)
Create custom rule: if AI detects appointment intent → assign rep or notify.
Phase 3: Training the AI to Respond Intelligently
7. Enable Conversational AI in GHL
Settings > Labs > Enable Conversational AI
Fine-tune with prompt:
“You are a fitness business expert. Respond to any fitness-related DM reply warmly, guide them toward booking a call or learning more about our program. Be short, direct, and helpful.”
8. Add AI Override Rules
For example:
“If user says ‘how much’, respond with: ‘We have different tiers based on goals. Can I ask what you're looking to achieve right now?’”
“If user says ‘not interested,’ tag as ‘cold lead’ and pause automation.”
9. Store Lead Status, Stage, and Tags
In the GHL workflow, set fields based on user’s reply intent.
This allows CRM tracking, follow-ups, and pipeline stage tracking.
Phase 4: Optional — Loop Back to ColdDMs or Scale Further
10. Feed GHL-Collected Data Back to ColdDMs (Optional)
Export leads from GHL that didn’t convert
Reupload to ColdDMs for retargeting or re-engagement campaigns
Or trigger an API/webhook loop if you have dev resources
11. Set Up Notifications or Round-Robin Assignment
If the AI detects booking intent or complex objection:
Add trigger in GHL to notify human rep via Slack, SMS, or email
Use Round Robin for a sales team
Phase 5: Testing and Scaling
12. Test Everything
Use test Instagram accounts and simulate replies
Make sure ColdDMs webhook > GHL capture > AI reply fires correctly
Debug AI logic if replies are awkward or off-brand
13. Clone the System Across Accounts
Clone ColdDMs sequences
Clone GHL workflows and change source account tag if needed
Use consistent naming: IG01, IG02, etc.
14. Monitor and Optimize
Use GHL’s analytics to track:
Reply rates
Lead conversion
Booking intent tagging
Regularly retrain or adjust AI prompts and reply logic