Podcast Summary: Creator Science Episode #229 – Natasha Willis: $70M from Automated Instagram DMs

Introduction In Episode #229 of Creator Science, host Jay Clouse delves deep into the transformative power of automated direct messages (DMs) on Instagram with special guest Natasha Willis. Titled "$70M from Automated Instagram DMs," the episode uncovers how Natasha leveraged conversational marketing to revolutionize content creation and drive substantial revenue. Released on December 3, 2024, this episode is a must-listen for creators aiming to break through the noise and achieve significant growth.

Meet Natasha Willis Natasha Willis is the mastermind behind the conversational marketing agency, School of Bots. Her expertise has propelled clients like Tori Dunlap, Jenna Kutcher, and even Facebook to extraordinary financial success, collectively generating over $70 million. Her strategies emphasize the power of automated DMs to convert followers into loyal customers seamlessly.

Understanding Conversational Marketing At its core, conversational marketing is the art and science of transforming content viewers or followers into customers through direct, personalized interactions in social media DMs.

Tori Dunlap [03:25]: "Conversational marketing is simply the process, the art and the science of taking people from a content viewer or a follower all the way to becoming a customer. And the way that we do that is through the DMs on social media."

Natasha explains that while the concept is theoretically platform-agnostic, the practicality currently favors Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram due to their robust automation tools.

Case Study: Tori Dunlap’s Success Tori Dunlap shares her remarkable journey, attributing her growth of 1.4 million followers and $700,000 in revenue to Natasha’s automated DM strategies.

Tori Dunlap [01:14]: "In the first four months of working together, I grew by 1.4 million followers and made over $700,000 with this strategy for my own products."

Prerequisites for Effective Conversational Marketing Before diving into automated DMs, Natasha outlines two critical prerequisites for success:

1. Proven Offer: Ensure the product or service being promoted has a proven track record. For instance, at least 30 sales from a single launch campaign indicates market readiness.

2. Sufficient Engagement: Maintain an average of at least five genuine comments per post over the last 30 days. This engagement signals a responsive and interested audience.

Tori Dunlap [22:10]: "The first thing is to make sure whatever you're promoting is proven to sell. The second is ensuring you have enough traffic and engagement, like at least five comments per post over the last 30 days."

Overcoming Fake Followers and Low Engagement Natasha and Tori discuss the pitfalls of inflated follower counts, often resulting from purchased followers or engagement pods. These fake or inactive followers dilute genuine engagement, making it harder to reach real potential customers.

Tori Dunlap [28:40]: "The most common way is that people buy followers from bot farms. These fake accounts won’t engage meaningfully, reducing the overall effectiveness of your content."

Best Practices: Simplify to Amplify A recurring theme is the importance of simplicity in marketing strategies. By focusing on one core call to action (CTA) and one primary offer per week, creators can maximize the impact without overwhelming their audience.

Tori Dunlap [48:55]: "Simplify to amplify. Focus on one call to action and one offer each week to see better results right off the bat."

Content Strategy Framework Tori introduces a robust content strategy divided into three types of posts:

1. Top-of-Funnel: Broad, relatable content aimed at reaching the largest possible audience. These posts often contain a high-engagement hook to draw in new followers.

2. Middle-of-Funnel: Content tailored to the specific target audience, building on the initial engagement to deepen interest.

3. Bottom-of-Funnel: Highly specific posts with direct CTAs, such as product launches or webinar promotions, aimed at converting engaged followers into customers.

Tori Dunlap [37:36]: "We rotate through top, middle, and bottom-of-funnel posts to ensure a balanced and effective content strategy."

Use Cases for Automated DMs Natasha outlines numerous applications for conversational marketing, including:

• Lead Magnets: Offering freebies like guides or videos to capture emails.
• Brand Sponsorships and Affiliates: Seamlessly integrating sponsor promotions while collecting valuable customer data.
• Own Products and High-Ticket Coaching: From free webinars to $100,000 masterminds, automated DMs can handle transactions efficiently.
• Giveaways and Contests: Boosting engagement and lead generation through automated interactions.

Tori Dunlap [51:22]: "Use cases range from lead magnets and brand partnerships to high-ticket coaching programs and giveaways."

Tools and Implementation ManyChat emerges as the primary tool for enabling these complex DM automations. Tori emphasizes its role as a hub, connecting various platforms and facilitating seamless automated conversations.

Tori Dunlap [12:36]: "ManyChat is one of the best tools to use. It acts like your email marketing platform but for DMs."

Actionable Steps to Start For creators eager to implement conversational marketing, Tori offers practical advice:

1. Set Up ManyChat: Ensure proper configuration to avoid common pitfalls.
2. Start Simple: Implement basic automations that deliver value, such as linking to a lead magnet.
3. Gradually Expand: As comfort with the system grows, add more complex funnels and multiple offers.
4. Engage Authentically: Maintain a human-like interaction to foster trust and avoid the pitfalls of overt automation.

Tori Dunlap [59:24]: "Message me the word 'JAY' on Instagram, and I'll provide my internal SOP and a resource outlining successful DM funnels."

Conclusion Natasha Willis’ insights in this episode of Creator Science reveal the immense potential of automated DMs on Instagram. By adhering to proven strategies, focusing on authentic engagement, and utilizing the right tools, creators can significantly amplify their reach and revenue. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting, the actionable advice shared provides a clear roadmap to harnessing conversational marketing’s full potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Conversational Marketing effectively turns followers into customers via personalized DMs.
• Prerequisites include having a proven offer and sufficient audience engagement.
• Avoid Fake Followers to maintain genuine interactions and reach.
• Simplify Strategies by focusing on one CTA and one offer per week.
• Utilize Tools like ManyChat to streamline and enhance your automated DM efforts.
• Start Small and gradually scale your conversational marketing tactics for sustained growth.

For creators looking to elevate their Instagram strategy and drive substantial revenue, Episode #229 with Natasha Willis offers invaluable guidance and proven methods to achieve remarkable success.