ClipFunnelHow a comment-keyword funnel turns short videos into leads
The four parts of the funnel
- The clip. One useful idea, ending with a clear prompt: comment “PLAN” for the 5-step plan.
- The trigger. A messaging tool watches comments for the keyword and replies.
- The message. It sends the guide or asks for an email first, depending on how much you value the list.
- The follow-up. A short email sequence that leads to a call or an offer.
Writing the keyword prompt
Use one short word that is easy to type on a phone and has nothing to do with spam: GUIDE, PLAN, LIST. Say it out loud in the clip and put it on screen in the last three seconds. Manychat's own guides suggest keeping the keyword short and telling viewers which word to comment in the caption and on screen as well.
Match the promise to the clip. A clip about pricing your coaching packages should offer a pricing worksheet, not a generic ebook.
Tools and what they cost
Manychat is a widely used tool for Instagram comment automation, and several alternatives target coaches. A competitor comparison lists Manychat's Essential plan at $14 a month billed yearly for 250 active contacts. Check the vendor's own pricing page before you budget, because plans change often.
| Piece | What you need | Typical tool |
|---|---|---|
| Comment trigger | Keyword detection and auto-reply | Manychat or a similar tool |
| Lead magnet | A one-page PDF or a short video | Canva, Google Docs |
| Email capture | A field in the message flow or a landing page | The same tool or your email platform |
| Follow-up | 3–5 emails over a week | Flodesk, Kit, Mailchimp |
Platform rules to check
Use tools that work through Meta's official messaging API rather than unofficial bots, and read Instagram's current rules on automated messages before you start. One coaching article claims comment-to-DM automation breaks Instagram's terms. Meta does provide an official API for this, so the safe path is an approved tool and replies only to people who commented.
What to measure
- Keyword comments per 1,000 views, by clip. This tells you which topics pull.
- Share of people who leave an email after the message.
- Calls booked from the email sequence in the first two weeks.
See it on your own video
Send one long video. You'll get two clips with a keyword prompt and a funnel outline for your offer.
Get 2 free clipsFrequently asked questions
Should I ask for the email before sending the guide?
Asking first builds the list faster. Sending first builds more goodwill. Test both for a month each.
How many clips need a keyword?
Not all of them. Put the prompt on clips that teach something the guide continues. Pure entertainment clips can go without.