By: Amy Pearson with Amy Gould & Company, CEO & Systems Strategist

Let’s be honest—running your business from your Instagram or Facebook DMs can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. Sure, it’s fun at first, but eventually, you’re going to drop something important (like that hot lead who ghosted you after a promising convo). If you’re a social media manager who’s tired of losing track of prospects, missing follow-ups, or simply feeling scattered, it’s time to graduate from the DMs and step into the world of CRM magic.

In this playbook, I’ll walk you through how to

move your leads seamlessly from DMs into a CRM like HoneyBook or Dubsado
keep tabs on every opportunity
follow up like a pro all while keeping your unique personality front and center.

Ready to stop DM chaos and start closing with confidence? Let’s dive in!

The Problem with Running Your Business in the DMs

If you’re anything like most creative entrepreneurs, your DMs are a wild west of inquiries, half-finished conversations, and “I’ll get back to you!” promises. While social media DMs are great for making connections, they’re not designed for managing leads, tracking client progress, or automating your follow-ups. Important messages get buried, you lose track of who you’ve responded to, and—let’s be real—sometimes you just forget to follow up altogether. This can mean lost opportunities, missed revenue, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress.

Why a CRM is Your New Best Friend

Enter the CRM (Customer Relationship Management system)—your new business BFF. Tools like HoneyBook and Dubsado are designed to help you collect, organize, and nurture leads all in one place. Imagine being able to see every potential client, where they are in your process, and what you need to do next—all at a glance. No more scrolling through endless DMs or sticky notes with cryptic reminders. With a CRM, you can finally run your business like the seasoned pro you are. Before we get into my plan. Let me introduce myself.

About Me—Amy Gould & Company

I’m Amy, the founder of Amy Gould & Company, based in Grand Haven, Michigan. My jam? Helping creative entrepreneurs—like photographers, home stagers, jewelry designers, and, of course, social media managers—streamline their business processes with systems strategy and automation. I specialize in Dubsado and HoneyBook setups, workflow templates, and courses that save you time, reduce overwhelm, and make your client experience shine. If you’re ready to ditch the chaos and experience the magic of automation, check out my services here

Moving Leads from DMs to CRM—Step by Step

So, how do you get those leads out of your DMs and into your CRM? Here’s a simple workflow:

1. Create a Lead Capture Form:

Set up a form in HoneyBook or Dubsado. This form can live on your website, your link-in-bio, or even be sent directly to a prospect with a quick message.

2. Share the Link with Personality:

When someone slides into your DMs, respond with a friendly, on-brand message and your lead capture link. Example: “I’m so excited to chat more! To make sure I don’t miss any details, could you fill out this quick form? It helps me keep everything organized and serve you better!”

3. Automate the Next Steps:

Once the form is submitted, your CRM can automatically create a new project, assign a status (like “New Lead” or “Discovery Call Scheduled”), and even send a personalized follow-up email.

4. Track Progress at a Glance:

Use your CRM’s project status pipeline to see exactly where each lead is in your process—from inquiry to booked client.

The Power of Project Statuses

One of the most underrated features of a CRM is the ability to use project statuses. Think of these as digital sticky notes that tell you exactly where each lead stands. For example, you might have statuses like “Inquiry Received,” “Discovery Call Booked,” “Proposal Sent,” and “Contract Signed.” With a quick glance, you’ll know who needs a follow-up, who’s ready to sign, and who’s already in your client roster. No more guessing games or missed opportunities!

Automated Follow-Ups—Your Secret Weapon

We all know that life gets busy, and sometimes leads need a little nudge. That’s where automated follow-ups come in. With HoneyBook or Dubsado, you can set up workflows that automatically send a friendly reminder if someone hasn’t taken the next step—like scheduling a call or signing a contract. The best part? You can infuse these emails with your unique voice and personality, so they feel like a helpful nudge, not a robotic nag.

Crafting the Perfect Fast Follow-Up Email

The “fast follow-up” is a total game-changer. It keeps the momentum going and shows your lead that you’re organized, attentive, and genuinely excited to work with them. Here’s what to include:

A Warm Greeting: Start with a friendly hello and a thank you for their interest.

Tell them when you’ll follow up with them: (e.g., I’ll be back in touch with you within the next business day.

Recap the Next Step: Clearly outline what you need from them (e.g., “Schedule your discovery call!”).

Share Content to Keep Them Interested: Share a piece of long-form content that you know your leads are interested in at this point in their journey. (e.g., a blog post with things to consider before hiring a social media manager, a case study on a past client, an intro video on you, your business, how you work, and other FAQs.

Make It Easy: Include direct links to your scheduler, proposal, or questionnaire if they’re the next step that an interested lead should take.

Keep It Short and Sweet: Value their time—no need for a novel.

Example:

“Hey [Name]!

Thanks so much for reaching out on Instagram. To keep things moving, just tap the link below to schedule our discovery call. I’ll follow up with you within one business day to answer any questions you asked in our form.

In the meantime, check out this video I recorded for you. Watch it HERE.

Can’t wait to chat more!”

Personality Matters—Keeping Your Brand Voice Consistent

Just because you’re automating doesn’t mean you have to sound like a robot. Use your CRM’s email templates and canned responses to inject your signature style—whether that’s quirky, sassy, or super-sweet. Consistency in your voice builds trust and makes your client experience memorable (in the best way).

Real-Life Results—What Happens When You Make the Switch

When you move your lead management from DMs to a CRM, you’ll notice the difference almost immediately. You’ll save time, reduce overwhelm, and never lose track of a hot lead again. Plus, your clients will love the smooth, professional experience—no more waiting days for a reply or wondering what happens next. For social media managers, this means more booked clients, less stress, and a business that truly feels in control.

To Recap

It’s time to stop letting your DMs run the show. By moving your lead management to a CRM like HoneyBook or Dubsado, you’ll gain clarity, consistency, and a whole lot more confidence in your business. With automated workflows, project statuses, and fast follow-ups (all sprinkled with your unique personality), you can finally say goodbye to chaos and hello to a streamlined, client-loving process.

Ready to make the switch? Your future self—and your clients—will thank you!

If you’d like my help setting up your entire client management system, book a free discovery call.