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Where to find high-intent holiday shoppers

Let’s be real: most brands are targeting the same people this holiday season. “Shoppers 25–54 interested in gifts.” Sound familiar? That's why CPMs spike and conversion rates tank.

Speedeon’s Holiday Audience Guide breaks down the specific digital audience segments that actually perform—from early-bird deal hunters actively comparing prices to last-minute panic buyers with high purchase intent. These aren't demographic guesses.

And our behavioral audiences are built on actual shopping signals and real-world data —the same approach we use for clients like FanDuel and HelloFresh."

You'll get the exact audiences, when to deploy them, which platforms work best, and what kind of performance to expect.

Download the guide and get smarter about your holiday targeting before the holiday rush hits.

See the Holiday Audience Guide

Instagram DM Funnels That Actually Work (and Don’t Feel Gross)

Build trust. Sell quietly.

Here’s the truth about Instagram DMs:
Most people use them wrong.

They spam links.
They cold-pitch strangers.
They blast the same “Hey 👋” script to everyone and wonder why nothing converts.

But when you do it right?

No landing page.
No funnel.
Just real conversations that lead to revenue.

Let’s break it down. I’ll show you exactly how to get people to DM you, what to say back, and when it makes sense to drop your offer.

First: What a DM Funnel Isn’t

It’s not:

• You sitting in your inbox 12 hours a day

• Sending 100 cold messages to people who never asked

• Pretending to be someone’s friend, then baiting them into a pitch

That’s not a funnel.
That’s desperate.
And it burns trust instantly.

Instead, a proper DM funnel feels like a warm invite.
The kind that says:

How to Get People to DM You First

Let’s get this straight:
You don’t wait around and hope.
You create the trigger.

Here’s how to get people to start the convo — without begging, pitching, or sounding desperate.

1. Use “Trigger Words” in Stories or Reels

Example:

Why it works:

• Specific word = easy action

• Clear promise = no confusion

• Feels like value, not a trap

You can also use:

• “DM me ‘blueprint’ for the PDF”

• “DM ‘start’ to get the setup doc”

• “Reply ‘YES’ and I’ll send you the guide”

This works even better when paired with a short Reel or a visual Story slide with a poll.

2. Tease Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love getting access. Use Stories to show what’s coming.

Example:

Or:

Make it feel like they’re raising their hand — not joining a mailing list.

3. Run Polls or Question Stickers That Lead to DMs

Polls build micro-commitments.
Question boxes let you segment your audience before they enter the funnel.

Example:

• Story poll: “Do you sell a digital product yet? Yes / Not yet”

• Follow-up: Manually or automatically message those who said "Not yet" with:

People expect a reply. That’s your open door.

The Funnel Structure (In Plain English)

Now that they’ve messaged you, what next?

A good DM funnel has only three parts:

1. The Trigger

We just covered it — a story, post, or video that invites someone to DM you with a specific word or response.

Make it low-friction.
Make the value clear.
Don’t ask for too much upfront.

2. The Conversation (Semi-Automated)

Start simple:

This keeps it personal.
And if you're using a tool like Manychat or ChatGPT-generated reply templates, you can still guide the flow without sounding robotic.

The real goal here?
Earn context before you pitch.

3. The Offer (Only If It’s Right)

Not everyone needs your link.
But when it feels right, and the convo’s warm, say:

That line alone has done more selling than most sales pages.

Automate the Boring. Personalize the Sale.

Here’s what I automate:

• First reply after a trigger word

• Sending checklists, PDFs, bonuses

• Following up 24 hours later with: “Was that helpful?”

Here’s what I keep human:

• Discovery questions

• Custom recommendations

• Voice notes

It’s not about being everywhere.
It’s about being intentional where it counts.

Real-World Example

Story post:
“Want the 5-part funnel I use to sell $27 products quietly?”
👉 “DM me ‘quiet’ and I’ll send it.”

They reply.
Automation sends the asset.
Next day, you follow up manually with:

That’s the funnel.
No pushy CTA.
No weird bro-marketing energy.

Just clarity → value → conversation → sale (if it fits).

Final Lesson

You don’t need to “sell harder.”
You need to design a path that invites conversation — and lets the offer show up when it makes sense.

That’s how you sell in the DMs.
Quietly. Confidently. Consistently.

Proverb to Remember:

“Don’t chase customers — create conversations.”

Talk soon,
— Gaurab
🧠 Creator, AI Breakout Tips
🚀 Freedom-First Strategist