Instagram giveaway DM templates for every kind of account

An Instagram giveaway DM template confirms the entry, links the full terms and states when the winner will be announced. Good ones also say the giveaway is not associated with Instagram, as Instagram's promotion guidelines expect. Below are 10 templates for entries, follow-gated entries and closing thank-yous, written for creators, shops, coaches, local businesses and agencies.

Updated · 4 min read · By the ReplyRep team

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What makes a giveaway DM work?

Entrants want to know one thing: did it work? A confirmation DM answers that, and it is the best place to put the terms, because the person is paying attention. The full setup is in the Instagram giveaways use case.

  • Confirm clearly: "You're entered."
  • Give the date the winner is announced and where.
  • Link the terms, which should include the Instagram disclaimer.
  • Close it properly. After the draw, swap the DM for a thank-you so late commenters are not told they entered.

Gating the entry on a follow uses follow-to-get-the-link: the follow is checked before the confirmation goes out.

Giveaway DM templates for creators

Entry confirmationComment: WIN

Public reply

You're in, check your DMs

DM

You're entered, {first_name}. Winner announced Friday 8pm on my story. Full terms: {link}

Follow-gated entryComment: ENTER

Public reply

Sent you the next step

DM

Almost there, {first_name}. Tap follow and your entry is confirmed.

Follow up

You're in. Draw is Sunday. Terms here: {link}

Giveaway DM templates for shops and brands

Product bundle giveawayComment: GIVEAWAY

Public reply

Entry received

DM

You're in the draw for the full skincare set, {first_name}. We pick a winner at random on 30 October. Terms: {link}

After the draw: thank-you codeComment: GIVEAWAY

DM

Thanks for entering, {first_name}. The draw has closed, but here's 15% off as a thank-you: {code} {link}

Giveaway DM templates for coaches and course creators

Free session giveawayComment: SESSION

DM

You're entered for a free 1:1 session, {first_name}. Three winners, picked Monday. While you wait, here's my free planning template: {link}

Program seat with emailComment: SEAT

Public reply

Entry received

DM

Thanks {first_name}. To confirm your entry for a free seat, what's the best email to reach you if you win?

Follow up

Entry confirmed. Winner announced Friday. Terms: {link}

Giveaway DM templates for local businesses

Cafe: free coffee for a monthComment: COFFEE

Public reply

You're in

DM

You're in the draw, {first_name}. Winner gets a free coffee every day for a month. We'll announce it Saturday morning. Terms: {link}

Salon: makeover giveawayComment: GLOW

DM

Entry confirmed, {first_name}. The winner gets a cut, colour and blow-dry. We'll DM you here if it's you. Terms: {link}

Follow up

Didn't win this time, but here's 20% off your first visit: {code}

Giveaway DM templates for agencies and client accounts

Two-brand collab giveawayComment: COLLAB

Public reply

Entry received, check your DMs

DM

You're entered, {first_name}. This one is with our friends at the studio next door, so you could win from both of us. Terms: {link}

Client giveaway with email for the resultComment: PRIZE

DM

Thanks for entering, {first_name}. Reply with your email and we'll tell you the result, win or lose, plus a small thank-you.

Follow up

You're confirmed. Terms and draw date: {link}

Confirm every giveaway entry automatically

Set the entry keyword up free and test it on your own post.

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How do you adapt these templates?

  1. Put your real dates in. Announcement date, time and where.
  2. Link terms that include the disclaimer and the release of Instagram.
  3. Choose a prize that fits your audience, so entrants stay after the draw.
  4. Plan the closing message now and switch to it the moment entries close.
  5. Add a public reply with Comment Auto Reply so the thread shows entries are landing.
  6. Test it. 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.

Follow-gated giveaways are the fastest way to turn entries into followers. Read how to grow followers with follow-gated DMs before you rely on one.

Which caption call to action goes with these DMs?

  • "Comment WIN to enter. You'll get a DM confirming your entry."
  • "To enter: follow us and comment GLOW. Closes Sunday 8pm."
  • "This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. Full terms in the DM."

Sources

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Confirmation that they are entered, the date and place the winner will be announced, and a link to the full terms. The terms should include the statement that Instagram does not sponsor or administer the giveaway.

Many giveaways do. A follow gate checks the follow before sending the confirmation, so only followers are entered. Keep entry simple and avoid asking people to tag content inaccurately, which Instagram's promotion guidelines prohibit.

The confirmation DM already opened a conversation, so you can message the winner in the same thread. Collecting an email on entry gives you a second way to reach them if they do not reply.

A thank-you instead of a confirmation. Tell them entries have closed and, if it suits you, give them a small code. It stops people believing they entered a draw that already ended.

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