How To Book Calls Through DMs

Author

Dipen Gautam
May 28, 2025

Hey everyone! Today, I'm diving into how to turn those initial "yes, I'm interested" replies in your DMs into booked sales calls. I've noticed a lot of folks are hitting a wall after that first positive response, unsure of the next steps to get someone on their calendar.

So, I'm going to share the framework I use. I call it a framework because it's more flexible than a rigid script. This approach has helped me and my clients skyrocket from just a few sales calls a week to over 50 monthly calls.

Just this week, I booked three calls using this method, and as you can see, most originated from Facebook. I primarily focus on Facebook outbound, with only one inbound lead this week. The results have been fantastic: most calls show up, the leads are qualified and interested.

Ready to see how it's done?

ACED: My Framework for Booking Calls

I call my framework ACED, which stands for:

  • Always Be Human and Act Normal: Be yourself! I'm 23, so I act like it. Forget trying to be overly professional or "brand worthy." Real conversations don't sound like formal email sign-offs. Talk like you're chatting with a friend. Use casual language, maybe even a typo here and there – just be authentic. While being human might not directly book more calls, it definitely helps build connection.

  • Control the Conversation: You should be guiding the flow. After you share something, always pose a question that requires a simple response. Don't let them carry the conversation; you keep it moving forward with your questions. For example, after explaining your offer, ask if they're interested. If they say yes, provide a brief overview and then ask a qualifying question. Continue this pattern until you're ready to offer a call.

  • Every Combo Is Different and Scripts Don't Work: I use "framework" intentionally because while I do some copy-pasting of initial messages, most conversations evolve uniquely. Don't expect a linear progression like a script. People will deviate, so you need to be able to think on your feet. Don't get thrown off if someone doesn't follow a pre-planned sequence.

  • Don't Feed Into Negativity: When doing outbound, you'll encounter negative responses. Some people might be rude or have a bad day. Don't engage or let it get to you. It's not worth your time or energy. Just move on. We're here for positive interactions.

What Happens After the First "Yes"?

When someone replies positively to your initial message (e.g., "Yes, I'm interested"), you'll typically see one of three responses:

  1. No: If the very first reply is a "no," I usually don't engage further. Sometimes, down the line, there might be strategies to re-engage, but initially, it's best to move on.

  2. Who are you? / What do you do?: In this case, briefly introduce yourself, your company, and what you offer.

  3. Sure / Okay: This is a great response! If they say "sure" (or after you've explained who you are if they asked), you'll then explain in a little more detail what you do and immediately ask a qualifying question.

    For example:

    Me: "Hey, just wanted to see if you're interested in getting 10 new power washing jobs this month?"

    Them: "Sure."

    Me: "Awesome! I help power washing companies get consistent deals through direct mail, targeting affluent neighborhoods in your city to ensure high-quality leads. Where are you located?"

    See how I provided a bit more detail about my method and then asked a question to keep the conversation flowing and qualify them?

After your follow-up and qualifying question, you'll generally get one of three responses:

  1. I'm not interested: At this point, you can either not reply or try a gentle re-engagement. Since they initially expressed interest, their "no" might be a reflex. You could say something like, "All good! I just noticed [something specific about their business/website] and thought this might be relevant because [explain potential benefit]." This can sometimes turn a "no" into a "yes." However, most of the time, I simply don't reply to avoid wasting time.

  2. What's the price?: This is a key moment. While some advocate for delaying the price until the call, I usually provide it. My reasoning is simple: why invest time in a call if they can't afford it?

    When giving the price, I also include the key benefits and any guarantees. For example:

    "It would be $3K to build out a website for you. This includes a high-quality design with seven psychological triggers to boost your power washing service bookings. I also guarantee at least a 10% increase in your website conversions."

    After giving the price and value, I'll ask, "Are you free for a call this week to discuss this further?"

  3. An answer to your question: If they answer your qualifying question, your next step is to either ask more qualifying questions or, if you have enough information, offer some advice related to their situation and then ask for the call. Remember to make the "ask" for the call a small, easy "yes." Something like, "Are you free to chat briefly this week?"

    Here's an example:

    Them: "I'm located in the Columbus market."

    Me: "Great! Columbus has some excellent neighborhoods for power washing. Have you focused on areas like Upper Arlington or Bexley?" (More qualifying)

    or

    Me: "Okay, that's a strong market. Based on that, you might see great results by [briefly mentioning a strategy]. Would you be open to a quick call this week to explore how this could work for you?" (Advice leading to a call)

    In another example, after a few exchanges:

    Them: "...record labels are a big one for you."

    Me: "So record labels are a big one for you. I think LinkedIn, SMS, and email would work well for targeting that audience. You'll likely get a lot of conversations going."

    Me (immediately after): [My booking link]

Handling Other Scenarios

  • Testimonials: If someone asks for testimonials, send them! The more, the better. If you're just starting and don't have many, you can be creative (without lying!). If you use a white-label partner, you might be able to share their results, for instance. While I rarely get asked for these in DMs, be ready if it happens.

  • Website: If someone asks if you have a website, make sure the link you send is highly relevant to the offer you've been discussing. This is about congruence. If your initial message was about getting 40 power washing jobs a month, the website should clearly reflect that offer with a video explanation, booking link, and ideally, testimonials related to that specific outcome. Avoid sending a generic homepage. Send a dedicated sales page if possible.

  • Booking Links: I personally prefer using dynamic landing pages, which personalize the booking experience (e.g., "Hey [Name], click to book"). I use a tool called YouClick for this, which I found on AppSumo. While I haven't rigorously A/B tested it against generic booking links, the personalized touch seems to improve click-through rates.

    Instead of asking for availability and then manually scheduling, I find it more efficient to send my booking link directly. While some argue that this adds a step for the prospect, I've found that if they've engaged this far, they're usually willing to book themselves. Plus, it avoids the back-and-forth of finding a mutually convenient time, especially since my schedule can fill up quickly.

Final Thoughts

That's the framework in a nutshell! To recap:

  1. Send your initial message.

  2. They respond positively.

  3. Acknowledge, briefly explain your process/offer, and ask a qualifying question.

  4. They answer.

  5. Provide relevant advice (if appropriate) and ask if they're free for a call, often including your booking link.

It really can be that simple – sometimes just three messages from you to a booked call, or even less!

Thanks for tuning in. 

Hope that was valuable.

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Talk soon,

Dipen