Putting Your Automated DMs On Blast
...let me start with a confession. I use Social Oomph to automate my welcome message.
In other words, if you follow me on Twitter you will receive this DM (Direct Message in Twitter parlance)
For me, the alternative would be NOT to send a DM since I'm too busy (and lazy) to greet everyone with a personalized message at the "door".
So I send an automated DM because it’s better than nothing. But wait…there is more.
The circle of Twitter
Many of my Twitter friends reply with a personalized message telling me little bit about themselves.
Restricting someone to 7 words creates psychic tension that demands slack
And what do I do with that information?
I place them in the appropriate Twitter List.
Side note: Need I point out that you are unlikely to receive a personalized response from a bot or a spammer?
Tweeple with thousands of followers MUST create lists to effectively manage and keep an eye on their followers.
Another aside: Those with few hundred followers may not realize this, but unless you are on somebody’s list, chances are you are not being “watched”
Back to DMs
Many tweeps you follow use these automated DMs, however, not all DMs are created equal.
My DM is:
- Sincere (I really AM looking fwd 2 getting 2 know u).
- It’s useful in case you’d like to classify me as a “blogging biking doggy training & songwriting” tweep. I’m comfortable in all those categories and tweet about most of that shit.
- My DM is kinda funny (the “festival of awesome” bit). If it made you laugh it has achieved its purpose.
- And MOST importantly, the DM ends with “Who r u?” It shows interest in the other person. It hopefully prompts a response thereby cycling back to the tweep being placed in the appropriate Twitter list.
Hint: You want to know what people think of you? Check to see what lists you’re on.
What does my DM not do?
- It’s not self-serving.
- I’m not asking you to check out my blog, or my website, or my ass.
- It doesnt have a link to something else...
Bad DMs all seem to have a link taking you someplace else
I get those types of DMs ALL THE TIME. As Im sure you do as well.
So I decided to place these terrible DMs right here. Feel free to share yours as well.
What do I hope to accomplish?
I hope that if you are using these DMs that you change it to something that is not so self-serving but rather something that might be somehow useful to someone else. (and no, letting everyone know about your blog is NOT useful to somebody else).
Also, I want to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Perhaps these DMers dont know how their DMs are being perceived. So I will explain how at least these specific DMs are perceived by me. Enjoy.
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For crying out loud people. Please DONT use this type of DM, it gives DMs a bad name. Is it even effective? I dont know...I dont think it is, but I could be wrong. Let me know.
I showed you mine, now you show me yours.
Related Links:
How to Use twitter Lists via Social Media Examiner
What Would Bernays Do? Social Media Lessons From Edward Bernays
Comments 8 Comments
I could not agree with you more about DMs that send me to someone's website or ask me to comment on their blog, etc. I usually choose not to follow them because it looks like they are not interested in following me, but just interested in growing their twitterbase.
I have not thought about creating more lists, but I think it's an excellent idea! I'll have to get right on that... in my spare time.
I use Tweetdeck but there are few others that perform quite remarkably as well.
I have an article coming out on Monday on socialmediaexaminer.com that talks about my fav twitter apps and the overall strategy for expanding my twitterbase. Stay tuned :-)
yeah...I hate those DMs too, oh and by the by...I dont appreciate having to look up "Blunderbuss" :) very funny, made me pee my pants a little :)
@arklady says: Do you have a burning question? If so send it now...and while you are at it be sure to send me your URL so I can check it out.
@edgegirl says: What! Are you kidding me? Send me a PM & share your URL right this second! ;-) Really, I'd like to get to know you so do it now.
I've made stupid mistakes in the past (let's network on...etc.,) but find that very seldom do people answer--which I think is odd.
I use lists more and more...and have plans to schedule a tip series soon but usually do live tweets, although I like the scheduling idea for RTs of those favs I find.