The hottest thing in Twitter seems to be sending automated DMs to new Twitter followers. A DM is a direct message sent via Twitter which can only be seen by the receiver and sender, not by the entire Twitterverse.
How do they do this? By using a service like TweetLater to automatically follow anyone who follows them. They then create a message that TweetLater sends to all new followers.
When people first started doing this, it was kind of cool. You’d start following someone and suddenly you’d get a DM thanking you for following. If you didn’t have a lot of followers, it was nice to actually have something in your DM box.
But after a while it began to lose its cool factor. After all, if Twitter is really about building relationships, how are you getting to know someone by having an automated reply? In fact, now that I’ve reached a critical mass of followers I’m getting so many DMs I’ve started to delete them without really paying attention.
And yet, there was one guy I started following who did this really well. His Twitter bio says he has a free gift to all new Twitter followers. After following him, he sent a DM containing a link to get a whole lot of free tools.
So, should we be sending the DMs?
I attended a Twitter workshop at Podcamp Toronto last weekend when this topic came up. It sparked a heated debate about automatic DMs. One woman was extremely vocal about the subject. In particular, she hated DMs that contain links: links to your blog, website, podcast, free download, whatever. She commented, “I don’t even know you yet. We don’t have a relationship and you’re already asking me to take some action?!?”
That particular comment struck home. I’ve been telling people that Twitter – and all social media – is about building relationships one person at a time. You shouldn’t do anything online that you wouldn’t do in person. Sending an automated DM with a link is like trying to sell at a networking meeting before you’ve even had a single conversation with someone.
And I’ve been guilty of it too.
And not only is it annoying, several people in the session stated they unfollow anyone who sends them one of these automated DMs.
As soon as the session was over I logged into TweetLater and cancelled the automatic DM. I’m still automatically following anyone who follows me. After all, how better to get to know someone than by reading what they have to say.
So how do you build relationships with people on Twitter without the automated DM? I’m sorry to say, you do it the old fashioned way. Sending messages one person at a time. Read people’s Tweets and send @replies or DMs that comment on what they wrote. Start an actual conversation. Once you’re talking, once you have a relationship, then you can send that link.
Andrea J. Stenberg
What’s your opinion about automated DMs in Twitter? Love ‘em, hate ‘em, didn’t know you could do them? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.
PS: You might also enjoy reading Using Twitter: Another Look at Sending Automated Direct Messages
Thanks for this post. You’ve confirmed my own feelings about automated DMs and saved me from setting one up…
Programming today is really a contest among computer software engineers determined to create greater and better idiot-proof applications, and the World trying to create bigger and much better dummies. Up to now, the Universe is succeeding
Hey great post. I feel the same way about DM’s on Twitter and I cancelled my TweetLater as well!
Hi Andrea!
That was insightful. Was looking on information regarding auto DMs and you’re right, it does seem impersonal when you get a bunch of DMs that seem generic in nature.
Cool tip!
-Rich Polanco
Hi Andrea..
Ditto what Chris wrote Dec, 21 2010. I’m new to twitter and as you said it’s kind of cool when you get those DM’s after you follow someone. But I can see now how later this can become annoying. I have to agree with you, Andrea.. Sometimes the old fashioned way is the right way.
Bret
I just found out that tweetlater has become socialoomph and the automatic DM for new followers costs $3.97 a month!
I think the automated response is a nice way to close the time zone gap for people like me since most of my followers are in the US. I usually just say Grazie! to new followers and don’t offer any kind of linkage nor do I necessarily follow them back. Sometimes I lose followers this way, but that means they weren’t interested in my tweets anyway, but were just looking for a follow-back.
I agree with you in the case when you’re following a person, but I have a media outlet, so when people follow me, I need to tell them where they can find more about me. They probably followed me because they read one of my news, but they don’t know where I am based, what am I, a radio, a magazine, a newspaper, etc.
Thanks for the post. I was just about to set up an automated DM … but you’ve advised me not to … and I totally accept your explanation why not. Great advise!
I was glad to find this post, because I was on the fence about whether or not to finally set up an automatic DM. I already tweet with links to my blog posts, so once someone is following me, they can find me that way.
I agree, DMs can be overdone.
Thanks for the tips!
and find me on twitter at evelynbrooks if you want tips on stress relief
[...] http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/380/should-you-send-an-automated-dm-to-new-twitter-followers/ [...]
Not saying thank you for a follow is rude. It is like refusing to shake hands. But no links and veiled offers and other crap to sell something.
I’m glad I found this post. I was about to set-up my auto-DMs.
Great Post… Thanks!
Ditto to all — and great SEO’ing on your title of this blog.
I was just about to set up my DM (I blame peer pressure!) as my follower count is getting a little high to self-manage…but I think I’ll wait and try to engage in a more meaningful way.
Thanks for your post. I also was about setting an automated DM but now, i think i won´t.
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A very insightful post. Thank you. I agree that building relationships is the most important thing when building a brand.
Thanks for the post and comments. I just got savvy with Twitter and received 8 DM’s right away. Boy was I saddened that they were all generic and definitely automated. Per a friend’s advice, I have an email filter & folder dedicated to receive my follow notifications, and then once a day I open a separate browser window to send the thank you tweets based on the new emails.
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. personal notes are best. Use their name, make a joke. don’t send a link. That’s rude!
I have been using an app called AutoTweeterPro for sometime. It’s a small & very easy-to-use software, which tweets from my computer. I am using unlimited trial version,which is as good as free. Hope you will find this tip useful –http://bit.ly/autotweeterPro1
Sorry James but i am not agree with what you are saying, I think when you follow someone and if you are a real twitter user, you analyze your interest with the person profile you are following. And if you think that the person can be good for you, you obviously follow him and want to receive messages, tweets and other thing that actually benefits you. So there is no harm in sending direct message but you should change it after regular interval.
Great text. But I think that automatic messages could be used to send a welcome message to new followers without trying to selling things. I only send the facebook page link ’cause this should be relevant for people that follow you, and my result is more “Like”s. I follow them back too to make communication easier
this helped me solve my problem…thank you for sharing
From my side,
A tool is just a tool, worth or not is depend on the user it self.
If the auto DM just for saying hello to appreciate their action to following us, I think it’s not a problems since, with our tight schedule, we don’t have much time to get in touch with everyone who following us.
and it’s will wasted our time if the followers are comes from something like an auto follower engine.
So, it’s all depend on us.
Anyway, thanks for the post and I appreciate it, and give me another point of view.
Thanks and Good Luck,
May all the best comes from every directions
Building a relationship with followers ?? Are you nuts? How do you want to build a relationship with 200-300-10000 or even more followers. Thats just utter bull.
I am on the fence about an automated DM because I hate the ones that try to get you to sign up or spend money. But a link to a blog or photo page, whats the harm in that? You decided to follow me on twitter, so you might want to know about my other activities on the net as well.
@Semmick,
I’m laughing so hard at the shock in your tone, I almost feel compelled to agree with you. But I think “relationship” can be more loosely defined.
Even if you have 10000 followers, they are following you because they like your posts, or they would ‘unfollow’ you (tweeps are quite unforgiving that way). That’s technically a ‘relationship’, no?
P.S. Did GennickP’s cat sit on his keyboard?
[...] Stenberg I’ve written a few times about automated direct messages on Twitter (Should You Send an Automated DM to New Twitter Followers? and Using Twitter: Another Look at Sending Automated Direct [...]
I’m actually contemplating of doing some DMs for our recent followers and after reading this, I finally decided not to anymore.
I remember some twitter users I followed before sending me messages that has given me excitement to open. After a while, I realized it’s just an automated message which I find a bit off. So why should I do the same thing? I’m glad that I read your post and validated my thoughts about DMs. Kudos!
[...] The contradictions were rife in his speech. How can you refute e-newsletters for their lack of engagement and then promote automated social media feeds? [...]
[...] Either way, I explained that additional web apps would need to be brought in to handle the auto respond. So “thank you” could be said. Stripping away this fundamental human aspect and leaving a cold digital interaction. In time, I suppose that the follow base will remain as it is or will ultimately show that people see right through that type of thing. [...]
I actually don’t mind the ones that link me to their site or FB or whatever. Let’s not kid, you often dont know anything about the person you are following so I would never know ‘MrPaleo’ has an awesome site unless she sends me the link. Most people don’t even know how to use Twitter anyhow and just crank out sales pitches and links all day long…a genuine, nicely worded ‘Thanks for the follow, let’s get to know each other message’ is ok in my books -especially if you have a family, are running a business and don’t sit there tweeting or dm’ing all day long!
I stopped doing this a while back after realizing that its actually an allowed piece of spam. Those who wrote above are correct – we need to be more social before you can start giving away freebies – cheers and kudos
I, too, was wondering how to autotweet a welcome to a new follower. I don’t mind such messages, or links or Facebook connections. But I see I would need to use a service. So skipping it. Anyone who has followed me, thanks for the follow but you won’t be getting a message.
oh, I was looking a way to make my twitter automated DM people who follow me and this is the first site I am stumbled in. I read word by word you typed here carefully. And I ended up with “Damn, this man is so true!”. Social media is about interactivity. Thanks for the good insight Andrea!!!
Dee
I was searching for how to set up these automatic DM’s and I am so glad that the first thing I came across was this post. You really have to look at the bigger picture don’t you, rather than just trying to throw links at people however you can. Thanks for the advice!
[...] appreciate automated DMs that say “Thanks for the follow! Check out my website HERE” because they’re a [...]
I was just searching for information regarding automated DMs because I thought, “Oh, cool, that’ll make things soo much easier.” Then, I stumbled on this and changed my mind. Thanks for the share of information!
Whatever, this is a bunch of crap. Toyota, McDonalds and Walmart don’t call me to see how I’m doing but I still buy there products, you don’t have to be my buddy for me to purchase something from you. When was the last time you bought something from a friend? When you follow someone you are giving them the right to send you direct messages, plain and simple. Some will like it, some won’t. Truthfully it’s one of the only ways to get exposure on twitter. Small businesses can’t afford to advertise on twitter to raise awareness because it’s costly. It just shuts the small businesses out so the rich companies can get richer. Sending auto dms is fine, it just depends on who’s sending them. I’ve gotten auto dms from many major companies yet you want to tell the small time guy that he shouldn’t do the same? Pure nonsense.
A funny thing happened the other day. I went on YouTube looking for a song. When I found the song and clicked play, it was another song by a small time artist. I was highly irritated and as I went to hit the spam/report button I actually started listening to the song…and it was actually good. I was reading the comments under the video and many people were commenting about how they were angry at first but then winded up liking the song. Someone told the artist to change the name of the song to his own(he had the title of a major song by a major artist) and he said something that was very true. He said “If I titled it as my own song it wouldn’t have gotten any views, probably less than 100″ and when I watched it had over 25,000 views. I would not have clicked it if it wasn’t the major artists title.
Send the DMs if you want, its your business. Sometimes people don’t know what they’d be interested in until they’re exposed to it.
Terrific post. Like some mentioned on here, I was actually googling how to set up the automatic DM. Now I think I’ll stick to the way I’ve been doing it. Thank you!
@Twitter Guy.
Nice post and well-argued. I’m not sure I like the YouTube example outside of the harmless arena of YouTube, though. I has a little bit of unethical in it (Imagine telling someone you’re selling them a hamburger but them not finding out until they bite into it that it’s actually ground dog meat. They wouldn’t have tried it if you’d told them that before time but, hey, they liked it so what’s the harm?).
Otherwise, thanks for providing the other side.
I disagree – the accounts that I warm to are the ones that send me an auto-dm saying “check out my blog” or “link up with me on Linked in” etc.
Not spam, just a web link.
I think that’s a good thing, saves me going into all my new followers, then reading bio, then seeing if they have a web link.
So you say you automatically follow whoever follows you? Well, there are some genuine followers but I also get a lot of crap-fake followers I’d rather block them lol.
Like many here, I was searching for a tool to send automated DM to thank my new followers, when I stumbled upon this post and had a second thought.
But then, upon re-looking at my second thought, I have received DM thanking me for following and offering me to get in touch in case I would need any relevant help. And to be honest, I kinda liked it. There were no links of course, but coming to think of it, I wouldn’t mind getting one as well, as long at its relevant. Which I guess is linked to reason why you’ve actually followed that account.
So, I guess the crux of the whole DM issue at hand revolves around the factor of relevance.
Not quite sure about following my followers though.
To go onto twitter ,with a business or book, and play social network footsie with what amounts to complete strangers, and act as -if you dont want them to listen to or even purchase your work is so FAKE! If you are tweeting for the hell of it, i can understand how you feel getting a thank you and please go here, cause you’re just sitting around tweeting,but many are trying to grow brands or what other earthly good is social networking, it’s networking without having to make a lot of fake chit chat. If you like me would you mind helping me, what could be truer? Honesty. Most celebs have only one use for social networking-I have a new movie, I have a new book, I have a concert coming up-never have I seen so would you 20,million followers like to come and get to know me, BEFOR you come to my concert. The most successful blogger, internet business etc, beg hard , beg often-
I just started a twitter account, followed a few people and got these automatic messages. Really annoying I’m going to unfollow them immediately.
I have a different view. I don’t mind DMs as long as it’s something relevant and engages with me. DMs that only thank me or tell me to click on a link or check them out on Facebook get deleted pronto. I respond to the DMs that seek to connect with me.
As for automated DMs I’m a busy business owner and choose to use socialoomph to leverage my time. You will get an automated DM from me when you follow me on Twitter and it includes an engaging question which many new followers answer. And yes, I then respond to those answers and seek to build the relationship.
Scott D
https://twitter.com/scottlewis
DM when someone follows you is elegant if done the correct way.
- Personal response to each follower. Spend 3 minutes looking at what they tweet and DM something relevant
- Dont sell anything in the DM, dont pitch
- Address personally
my 2 cents
Great advice! Personal responses are always best. So few people take the time to do it, if you do, you’ll stand out!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to seek out someone with some authentic thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is something that is wanted on the net, somebody with a little originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!
[...] The contradictions were rife in his speech. How can you refute e-newsletters for their lack of engagement and then promote automated social media feeds? [...]
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