Instagram Auto DM for Online Course Creators: Keywords, DM Scripts and What to Sell

A course launch on Instagram has three phases: waitlist, cart open, cart close. Each phase has a different comment, a different DM and a different link, and the timing matters. An Instagram auto DM for online course creator accounts lets you set all three in advance, with a start date and an auto-pause date, so the right message goes out on the right day. Viralyze also hosts the course checkout, so the DM link is yours, not a third party's.

This guide covers what a course creator sells by DM at each phase, launch keywords, a waitlist DM script, scheduling, and what the numbers tell you.

What does a course creator sell through DMs?

In the waitlist phase, a free lesson or a mini-workbook as a lead magnet that collects an email. During cart open, the course itself, with its checkout page. After close, a lower-ticket product such as a template pack or a recorded workshop, to serve people who missed the window.

Viralyze lets you create the course as a product with its own checkout at 0% platform fee, accept UPI, cards and net banking, and pay out weekly. Promo codes work for early-bird pricing.

Which keywords fit a course launch?

• WAITLIST on teaser reels two weeks before launch, sending the free lesson and collecting emails
• ENROL on launch reels while cart is open, sending the course checkout
• MISSED on the post-close reel, sending the template pack checkout

Keywords are not case-sensitive and handle typos, so "enroll", "ENROL" and "enrol pls" all match. Set each as a separate automation with its own dates.

A DM script for the WAITLIST keyword

"Hey! You are on the list for Reels That Sell, the 6-week course. Here is lesson 2 from the course, free, so you can see how I teach: it is on hooks and it is 11 minutes. Drop your email to get it. Doors open on the 10th at 10 AM for 5 days, and waitlist members get ₹1,000 off with code EARLY. Reply with the one thing you want the course to fix and I will tell you which week covers it."

Replies arrive in the Viralyze Inbox with the original comment attached, inside the 24-hour window, which is where the real launch conversations happen.

How should I schedule the launch automations?

1. Create WAITLIST now, start immediately, auto-pause on launch morning. 2. Create ENROL, start on the 10th at 10 AM, auto-pause on the 15th at 11:59 PM. 3. Create MISSED, start on the 16th, auto-pause after 7 days.

Each shows as Scheduled, then Live, then Paused. If a reel gets flagged "Needs attention", you see it in the list and fix it before the launch window is lost. Use the any-post trigger for ENROL so every reel you post during cart open is covered.

Should I use a follow-gate during a launch?

On WAITLIST, yes, because follower growth before launch widens the reach of launch reels. On ENROL, no; a buyer should see the checkout immediately. Existing followers always receive the link straight away, and the follow-gate nudges non-followers politely up to three times.

What do the launch numbers show?

The per-automation funnel shows comments, matched, delivered, clicked and signed up for each keyword, so you can compare WAITLIST sign-ups against ENROL purchases. The home screen tracks revenue over 7, 30 or 90 days and top reels by DMs, which tells you which launch reel to re-run next time. Every lead is in one contacts list with source tags and exports to CSV for your email tool.

Frequently asked questions

**Can I give the waitlist a promo code?** Yes. Promo codes are supported on the checkout page.

**Can I sell the course and a 1:1 upgrade from the same link?** Yes. The course is a product and the 1:1 session is a booking, both sendable by DM or placed on your link-in-bio page.

**Does Viralyze charge a commission on course sales?** No. The platform fee is 0%; you pay a flat monthly subscription.

Start the 7-day free trial of Viralyze, no card needed, and schedule your next launch before the teaser reel goes up.