The DM script that gets 60% response from micro-influencers

Yesterday you picked your 8 creators. Today we reach out. The script we cover gets a 55-65% response rate when used correctly. The wrong approach gets 5-10%. The difference is small wording changes that signal "I'm a real business owner, not a spam template."

The 7-part DM script:

Part 1: Personal greeting (use their first name if visible). Part 2: Compliment that proves you actually looked at their account. Part 3: Intro — who you are and your business in one sentence. Part 4: Why them specifically. Part 5: The offer. Part 6: Low-pressure close. Part 7: Sign-off.

The script:

"Hey [first name] — I just spent 10 minutes scrolling your feed and your [specific post or theme] is exactly the vibe. I'm [your first name], owner of [Business Name] in [neighborhood]. We're a [one-line description].

I'd love to invite you in for a [meal/service/experience] on us, no strings attached. If you happen to love it and want to share something with your followers, I'd compensate you for the post. If not, you still got a free [thing].

Could I send you a free [thing] to come try us this week? No commitment beyond that.

Thanks for considering, [Your first name]"

Why this works:

- "Just spent 10 minutes scrolling" — proves you actually looked, not a template - "[Specific post or theme]" — must be real. Reference a specific recent post or recurring theme. Don't say "your photos" — that's generic. Say "your sourdough series" or "your barre studio reviews." - "Owner of" — establishes legitimacy, you're not an intern or agency - "On us, no strings attached" — removes the "you're trying to use me" friction - "If you happen to love it" — gives them an out, makes them feel respected - "If not, you still got a free [thing]" — they win either way, easy yes

What never to write in the first DM: - "I'd love to send you our product for a post" (immediate transaction, not a relationship) - "We pay $X per post" (negotiation before relationship) - "Brand collaboration opportunity!!" (sounds like template spam) - Long paragraphs of company history (they don't care yet) - Multiple asks in one message (just one ask: come try us)

The medium matters. DM > email > comment > public reply, in that order. DMs convert best because they feel personal. Emails feel formal. Comments are too public.

The follow-up. If they don't respond in 5 days, send one polite follow-up:

"Hey [first name] — just bumping this up in case it got buried. Totally fine if it's not a fit. Either way, would love to have you in as a regular customer sometime. — [Your first name]"

Send a follow-up to every non-response. Conversion rate on follow-ups: 25-30%. Many DMs just get buried.

Handling responses:

Response type 1: "I'd love to!" (~40% of responses) Your reply: "Awesome — would [day] or [day] work for you to come in? I'll have [thing] ready."

Response type 2: "I usually charge $X for posts." (~30% of responses) Your reply: "Totally understand. For this first one, my budget is $[your number, e.g., $75] plus the [thing] on the house. If that works, happy to proceed. If your rate is higher, I get it — would love to have you in as a regular anyway."

You're not negotiating hard, but you're also not auto-accepting the first number. About 60% will say yes to your number. 30% will counter (meet in the middle). 10% are out of budget.

Response type 3: "Tell me more about the partnership." (~20% of responses) Your reply: Send the brief (we'll cover tomorrow).

Response type 4: "Not a fit right now." (~10% of responses) Your reply: "All good. Thanks for considering. Open invite if you ever want to come in." Then move on — don't push.

The "I want trade only" creator. About 25-30% of creators in the 1-5K range will accept a meal/service in exchange for a post, no cash. Take this deal when offered. It stretches your $500 budget significantly.

Disclosure expectations. From the first DM, make it clear that any post must include FTC disclosure (#ad or "Paid partnership with [you]" label). This isn't optional — it's federal law and protects both of you. Reputable creators expect this; if they push back, that's a red flag.

Timing the outreach. Best results: Tuesday or Wednesday, 10 AM-noon. Worst: Friday afternoon or Monday morning. Avoid weekends — creators tune out their DMs.

Send all 8 today. Track responses in your spreadsheet. Expect 3-5 yeses, 1-2 counters, 1-3 non-responses (some of whom will respond after a follow-up).

Tomorrow: the brief. Once a creator agrees, you send them a one-page brief that tells them exactly what to post — without micromanaging.