How Reflys WhatsApp and Instagram Automation Boosted Admissions by 42%?
- February 12, 2026
- Case Study
Background
A growing private education institute offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs was actively marketing admissions through Instagram and WhatsApp. The institute was receiving multiple inquiries every day through comments, direct messages, and page messages.
Although interest was strong, the admissions team faced a common problem. Messages were coming in faster than they could respond. During peak admission months, replies were delayed, follow-ups were missed, and many students simply stopped responding.
The institute needed a better way to manage conversations, qualify students early, and guide serious prospects toward applying. They wanted to improve response time without increasing staff.
To solve this, the institute partnered with Reflys to set up Instagram-based automation using Instagram DMs, supported by WhatsApp for follow-ups.
Within one admission cycle, this approach led to a 42% increase in confirmed admissions.
Starting conversations with new Instagram visitors
The main goal was to create a simple and student-friendly conversation process. When reviewing their social media inbox, the institute noticed two main challenges students faced.
- Many students did not know which program suited them
- Others did not know where to start or what to ask
To solve this, Reflys helped the institute launch automated Instagram conversations that began the moment a student commented on a post or sent a direct message to the Instagram inbox. The conversation is followed up through WhatsApp automation that converts conversations into admissions.
Instead of waiting for a manual reply, students received an instant response through Instagram.
The opening message was written in a natural tone, such as
Thanks for reaching out
Would you like to check if you meet the eligibility requirements for the program you are interested in?
This single question increased engagement and developed interest. Students were more likely to respond when they felt guided instead of getting robotic chatbot responses.
Creating an Instagram-based admission funnel
Using Reflys, the institute designed a four-step Instagram flow builder to qualify and guide students.
Step 1: Ask a simple question
Every conversation started with one clear question.
Which program are you interested in?
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate
- Short courses
This helped the system understand student intent and ensured that the right information was shared next.
Just like a real conversation, the focus was on listening first.
Step 2: Share valuable information early
Once a student selected a program type, the Instagram flow shared useful and relevant details right away.
- Available programs
- Basic eligibility criteria
- Admission status
Instead of sending brochures or long messages, the information was broken into small and easy messages. Students could choose to continue or ask for more details.
At this stage, the Instagram automation offered a helpful option.
Would you like the complete admission guide?
This guide worked as a lead magnet. Students who requested it showed higher interest and were more likely to apply later.
Following up through Instagram
Not every student took action immediately. Some downloaded the admission guide but did not continue the conversation.
Reflys helped the institute set up a friendly follow-up message inside the Instagram app.
- Did you find the admission guide helpful?
- Would you like help with the next step?
This follow-up brought many students back into the conversation without pressure.
Step 3: Collect important details later
The Instagram flow is designed to start with basic and light questions before moving on to more sensitive inquiries.
Once students interact with the content, automation asks for details about information like:
- Name
- Preferred program
- Education background
Contact information was only asked for when students previously showed interest in the admission process. This made the process simple and natural, which builds trust between the university and students.
By the time a student shared their details, they were already thinking seriously about applying.
Step 4: Human support to finalise admissions
While Instagram automation handled the early stages, human counselors played an essential role in guiding customers regarding admission purposes and final conversions.
When a student asks about fees, deadlines, or application steps, Reflys directs the conversation to a human agent with high intent. The admissions team was notified and took over the chat manually.
This allowed counselors to focus on interested students and answer questions with care and clarity.
Using WhatsApp for deeper conversations
For students who preferred to continue the conversation via WhatsApp, Reflys deftly switched the conversation from Instagram to WhatsApp.
Counselors can share application links, documents and deadlines on WhatsApp. This combination of Instagram and WhatsApp follow-up was made to ensure a seamless experience for students.
The results
The results were noticeable within a single admission cycle.
- Confirmed admissions increased by 42 percent
- Reply time dropped from hours to seconds
- Admissions staff handled fewer repetitive questions
- More students completed the full application process
Students felt supported from the first message. The admissions team felt more organized and less stressed.
How did this strategy work?
This case study highlights two important lessons.
- First, simple Instagram automation can create powerful results. The flows were not complex. They focused on asking the right questions and sharing helpful information.
- Second, human interaction still mattered. Instagram automation built trust. Human counselors finalized decisions.
Final Thoughts
Many institutions lose students not because of a lack of interest, but because of slow responses and unclear communication.
By using Instagram automation and following up on WhatsApp with Reflys, this institute turned everyday social media messages into a structured admission journey.
The result was not just about handling conversations effectively. It was about 40% more boosted admissions.
