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Build your first flow

Build a comment-to-DM flow that asks for a reply, then delivers your guide or resource.

Updated Sep 19, 2026
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The play

You post something useful and say “comment GUIDE and I’ll send it to you.” A matching comment starts your flow. Its first DM asks whether they want the guide; after they respond, the next step sends it.

Two pieces make it happen: a flow (the conversation Ravela sends) and a trigger (the event that starts it). You’ll build the flow first, then point a trigger at it.

Start with a reply

A comment alone does not open Instagram’s normal DM window. For someone who has not recently messaged you, Ravela can send one opening text reply to the comment. The person must respond before the flow sends another message, a URL button, or a file.

For example: “Want the guide? Tap below and I’ll send it over.” Add a quick reply labeled “Send me the guide” and connect that Message to your delivery step. The flow waits for the quick-reply tap before continuing. A URL button opens a website and does not do the same job.

You can also open with Ask for Input. That step sends one question and waits for the answer. If you ask for an email address, explain what you will send and complete the required consent acknowledgement before publishing.

Understand comment-to-DM replies

Create the flow

Start with a blank flow for the quick-reply example above, or adapt the Lead Magnet Delivery template, which asks for an email before delivering a file. Review every message and choose your own resource before testing.

  1. 1Go to Flows and create a new flow.
  2. 2Add an opening Message with a quick reply, or use an Ask for Input question. Connect it to Start.
  3. 3Connect the response path to a second Message with your link, or to Send Asset with your chosen file. Use the delivery options included in your plan.
  4. 4Connect the final step to End. If a step has a timeout or a separate reply path, connect those paths too.
  5. 5Save. The flow stays a draft — nothing is live yet.
  • Collecting an email does not send an email. To send an emailed copy, configure a Send Email step. Email automation is included on Growth and above.
  • If nobody responds to the opening DM, the flow cannot send a reminder DM to that new commenter. A delay does not open the messaging window.

Wire the trigger

The trigger watches for a comment containing your keyword. Test and publish the flow before activating the trigger. If you configure the trigger earlier, keep it paused until you are ready.

  1. 1Go to Automations → Triggers and create a new trigger.
  2. 2Choose the connected account it should watch.
  3. 3Pick “Post or Reel Comment” as the event.
  4. 4Scope it: a specific post or reel, all posts, or “next post” to arm your upcoming one automatically.
  5. 5Enter your keyword (like GUIDE) and choose Contains or Exact match.
  6. 6Optional: turn on “Reply publicly too.” Ravela attempts the public reply after Instagram accepts the flow’s outbound message. Keep “once per post per person” on to avoid repeated starts.
  7. 7Pick your published flow, review the account, post, and keyword settings, and activate the trigger when you are ready to receive real comments.

Make it yours

Before going live, check the conversation from the recipient’s side:

  • Keep the opening quick reply separate from the delivery message. URL buttons belong after the person’s response.
  • Rotate a few public-reply variations so your comment section doesn’t read like a robot wrote it.
  • Preview the resource and check its delivery settings. Native files and tracked viewer links have different format and plan requirements.
  • Keep messages short. The builder shows the limits for the message format you choose.