Process & Etiquette of Twitter's Direct Message Service
Social Media's Twitter platform attracts every kind of user, each of whom develops a unique style of communication to fit an objective into a
Tweet allowance of just a few characters. Another option for messaging on Twitter is the
Direct Message (DM). This is the most private option for messaging other Twitter users on the platform. It's also the option that's not limited to just 140 characters!
Receiving Direct Messages (DMs) on Twitter
Where a user has chosen the option to "Receive
Direct Messages from anyone", then anyone with a Twitter account can send that user a DM at any time . . .
even if they're not following their target of contact.
If you want any Twitter user to be able to send you a Direct Message at any time, then you may find and select this setting under
Security & Privacy options. Find Security & Privacy on the left sidebar of the Twitter
account settings page.
How to find the account settings page:
- Hover/click on your Twitter profile image in the upper-right corner
- Find & click "Settings" on the drop-down menu that appears
- Now find & click "Security & Privacy" on the left sidebar area
- Scroll down until you see the "Direct Messages" heading for settings
It'll look something like this:
Simply click the box to add a check-mark indication that you want any Twitter user to be able to DM you. When the box is unchecked, a user #1 may not receive Direct Messages from other users until that user #1 follows them.
*There is rumor that some users still don't have access to the setting feature that allows Direct Messages from "any user". All we can imagine about this is that it's all part of some Twitter experiment that's either been forgotten or is being undertaken long-term. The image above is recent, taken 10/14/2016.
We'd like to know if some users still don't have this option in your settings panel, so please inform us in comments whether or not you have this feature and if you use it or not.
*When this feature is turned on, beware that incoming messages could be group chats.
The usefulness of accepting Direct Messages from
anyone depends on a user. Celebrity Twitter users might prefer not to accept DMs from just anyone. To do so could mean an endless stream of messages, most of which could never be seen. Yet, a service provider or business owner might want to consider the potential added value of DMs from users who don't follow their account.
When you receive a Direct Message on Twitter, it could be a good idea to respond in some way. Except, avoid response in cases where you've received a harassing or otherwise inappropriate message. If this happens, you want to consider blocking the user that sent such a message. Also, users with a very large number of followers-- especially fans-- can see exorbitant numbers of DMs, which of course wouldn't be possible to address in total.
Sending DMs (Direct Messages) on Twitter
The moment one Twitter user follows another, the followed user is then able to send a
Direct Message to their new follower. Doing so is a great way for a followed account to offer a personable greeting to new followers. . . something to consider doing, especially when the new follower's Twitter Bio indicates a common interest.
It's certainly not necessary at this point to reach out to every new follower. In fact, it could be near impossible under some circumstances. We'll add that it's not always desirable to send Direct Messages to every new follower.
It may be preferable to reserve
Direct Messaging for the kind of private, personalized conversation that is sometimes needed when we're dealing with others. For example, this kind of private social contact is a method, like email, that some companies like to offer their customers in addition to traditional methods. Such an extension of customer service isn't always available, but works well under some circumstances.
In any case, Twitter users can elect to set up an auto-respond (
auto DM) tool that sends an automated greeting each time an account gains a follower.
Learn more about sending auto DMs.
The Etiquette of Direct Message Communication
Some Twitter users will use an automation service, as suggested above, to send immediate Direct Messages when followed. Other times, users just want to be connected; a new
follow doesn't necessarily mean a DM will be sent (right away, or ever). Be patient: it'll happen if it's meant to be.
As in life, sometimes it's about getting to know one another to ensure a good fit. Or, maybe someone seriously just wants to follow you for occasional great information (or to be followed by relevant and interested account holders and managers).
A
Direct Message can be a simple greeting to offer an
hello (but possibly shouldn't be, as we can do this by way of using our Twitter Handles within Tweets). Some users may send a friendly "thanks for following" with some relevant piece of information, perhaps with another avenue of contact provided, while other user DMs serve as links to sales pitches (sometime strong ones) or blog posts, etc. The latter can be a fun, optional way to get to know someone . . .the former, an example of questionable etiquette, though not always out of place. It depends on a number of extenuating factors that will have varied outcomes according to
target contact values.
As far as sending a link via Direct Message: unless it's a private link, a better use of Twitter (for marketing) would be to use a Tweet. We can send links to other users via their Twitter Handle! Using Tweets this way, one may target a user in public or
private less-public mode. Sending links this way broadcasts your invite to many
more users than one! Read about how to use this method to shout out public information to other users
here.
Suggestions for Keeping up Appearances on Twitter via Direct Messaging
As always with etiquette, it's important to remember that everyone doesn't necessarily hold the same values at all times. Any common etiquette suggestions, especially in social media communications, are observational best practices combined with traditional principles of etiquette in communication and behavior.
We can offer some basic suggestions for consideration. Suggestions below may indicate a needed change to an aspect of one's total social media management and communications strategy.
- If you send a DM that includes a question, reply to any return message you receive, especially when it attempts to answer your question
- When you receive a DM, always respond. Don't just leave them hanging (there are exceptions, sometimes a consequence of etiquette . . .comment an example)
- Ensure that responses to DMs are timely
- If you auto-DM respond to new followers, they can usually tell! Be sure it's as sincere a blanket message as possible
- Ensure that your auto DM isn't merely a prompt to follow you in another space
- Know when to quit
- Unless you're friends, DM contacts are usually for succinct messaging. Take the conversation to higher levels (other spaces)
- First DMs should include a short self-introduction and reason for contact with target
Do any of these etiquette suggestions resonate with your experience on Twitter? Let us know in comments!
Learn more about what you can do with
Twitter Direct Messages.
Let us know what you think: Do you have other suggestions? Under which circumstances do you think a Twitter user would want to receive Direct Messages from anyone? How do you feel about the new extended DM feature?
REF:
Agrawal, Harsh. "2 Free Twitter Tools to Send Automated Direct Messages". Shout Me Loud. 10/13/2016. http://www.shoutmeloud.com/free-twitter-tools-send-auto-dm-mass-dm.html. 10/14/2016.
Poe, Janita. "How to Auto DM in Twitter". Ehow. [?] http://www.ehow.com/how_6810662_auto-dm-twitter.html. Retrieved 10/14/2016.
Acunzo, Jay. "The One Mistake Almost Everybody Makes on Twitter". Hubspot. 10/18/2013. http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/one-mistake-everybody-makes-on-twitter-ht. 10/14/2016.
Twitter authors. "Direct Messages". Twitter, Basics. Retrieved 10/14/2016.
