Guide
How to stop answering DMs at 11pm
SolvePoint · 21 October 2026
When your inbox is your booking system, it’s tempting to reply whenever a message lands, including on your day off. That’s how a small business becomes a second job. You can set limits without losing clients.
1. Decide your reply hours
Pick the times you’ll answer, for example 8am to 8pm, and keep to them. Clients accept a boundary when it’s predictable.
2. Say it in your bio and highlights
“I reply to DMs between 9 and 6, Monday to Saturday.” Once it’s written down, a late message doesn’t feel like it’s being ignored.
3. Use saved replies for the common questions
Most messages are one of five questions. Save an answer to each so a reply takes seconds, not minutes.
4. Check in batches
Answering in short bursts between clients is quicker than dipping in and out all day. Turn off notifications outside your reply hours.
5. Handle the 11pm enquiry
A message at night is usually someone planning, not an emergency. A reply first thing in the morning is fine for most. For ones that matter, an automatic reply helps.
6. Think about what to hand off
If the same questions take up your evenings, an assistant that answers for you can take them, so the replies still go out quickly and you get your time back.
Questions
Will I lose clients if I don’t reply at night?
Some, if a competitor answers first. That’s why a fast first reply matters, whether it’s a saved reply, an automatic one or an assistant.
Can I set an away message?
Facebook and Instagram offer instant and away replies for professional accounts in some places. Check the settings in your own account for what’s available.
Is it rude to leave a message unread?
No. Clients understand you’re working. A clear note on your reply hours sets the expectation.
Work out what slow replies cost you with the no-show and slow-reply calculator.