What makes a follow gate DM work?
A follow gate adds one step before the link. The message has to make that step feel fair: they get something good, you get a follower who will see the next post. With Follow-Gated DMs, ReplyRep checks the follow, then sends the link.
- Warm, not demanding. "Tap follow and it's yours" beats "You must follow to receive this."
- Say why following is worth it: more of the same, early access, weekly tips.
- Deliver immediately once the follow is checked.
- Do not gate everything. Gate evergreen freebies and early access, not urgent customer questions.
Follow gate DM templates for creators
Public reply
Check your DMs
DM
Love that you want the guide, {first_name}. Tap follow and it's yours. I post one of these every Sunday.
Follow up
Thanks for the follow. Here it is: {link}
DM
Presets are for the crew, {first_name}. Hit follow and they're on their way.
Follow up
Welcome in. Your presets: {link} Golden is the one to try first.
Follow gate DM templates for shops and brands
Public reply
Sent you the next step
DM
Early access is for followers, {first_name}. Follow us and you'll get the link an hour before the drop.
Follow up
You're in. Here's your early link: {link}
DM
We keep our best codes for followers, {first_name}. Tap follow and it's yours.
Follow up
Thanks for following. Here's 15% off: {code} {link}
Follow gate DM templates for coaches and course creators
Public reply
On its way
DM
Happy to send it, {first_name}. Follow first so you catch part two next week, and the link comes straight through.
Follow up
Here's the training: {link} It's 18 minutes. Watch it with a notebook.
DM
Follow and the template is yours, {first_name}.
Follow up
Here you go: {link} Duplicate it before you edit.
Follow gate DM templates for local businesses
Public reply
Psst, check your DMs
DM
The secret menu is for followers only, {first_name}. Follow us and we'll send it over.
Follow up
Welcome. Here's the secret menu: {link} Ask for the off-menu burger by name.
DM
Your first class is on us, {first_name}. Follow us so you see the weekly timetable, and the booking link comes straight through.
Follow up
Here's your free class link: {link} Bring water and a towel.
Follow gate DM templates for agencies and client accounts
Public reply
Sent you the details
DM
Launch details are for followers, {first_name}. Tap follow and you'll get them right away.
Follow up
Here's everything about the launch: {link}
DM
Our swipe file of 50 hooks is for followers, {first_name}. Follow and it's on its way.
Follow up
Here's the swipe file: {link} The top 10 are starred.
Turn link requests into followers
Follow-Gated DMs check the follow, then send the link. Set one up on your next post.
How do you adapt these templates?
- Write the gate in one or two lines. Every extra line makes it feel like a hurdle.
- Add the reason to follow that is true for your account: weekly tips, drops, recipes.
- Keep the delivery message useful, with one tip on using the thing.
- Leave urgent topics ungated: orders, bookings, complaints.
- Test it from an account that does not follow you yet. Test every template from a second account before the post goes live. Setup takes about four minutes, and a test comment shows you exactly what a follower will see.
Read how to grow followers with follow-gated DMs for when gating helps and when it costs you clicks.
Which caption call to action goes with these DMs?
- "Comment GUIDE and I'll send it over. Followers get it first."
- "Comment EARLY for an early link. Followers only."
- "Follow and comment SECRET for the off-menu menu."
Being upfront in the caption that it is for followers avoids people feeling caught out in the DM. Running a giveaway? The giveaway DM templates include follow-gated entries.