No DMs Please

Just when I thought it was bad - it got worse.

We all know how annoying all the Twitter 'Thanks for following' DMs are, right?  Mine have become downright out of control these days.  I miss my friends DMs thanks to all the SPAM in my DM column. Sigh. It's worse than email because I can't block Tweets.

I wouldn't mind the DMs so much if they really were thanking me and/or offering something valuable. But we know that's not true either.  It's a rare DM that offers anything other than 'Follow me on FB', 'Get 1,000 followers in under 60 seconds', 'Use my MLM and you'll be a millionaire tomorrow'. Blah Blah.

Recently I've been paying a bit more attention to those pesky DMs. I wanted to see if anyone had a clue about an effective use of Direct Messages in response to Follows.  I'm sad to say - I haven't found a single one yet that made me jump up and scream "Yes!!"

I did find one yesterday that made me scream "NO!" more loudly than usual.  The Tweep has over 32,000 Followers so you'd think he'd know better.  Obviously not.

Here's the DM...with a few changes to protect the guilty.

I'm honored for the follow! I create sustainable business systems. Can I help? See my site: http://XXX.com   (NO DM's pls)

No DMs Please? Excuse me Mr. Tweep, I must be confused. Didn't you just DM me to sell your services?  Didn't you just take my time, invade my space, without asking permission?  And now you're telling me you're too busy to accept a DM back from me? 

You gotta be kidding me. 

I am amazed at the Power of Twitter and other Social Media platforms to network with like-minded folks.  ISM is a fabulous tool when used appropriately.

I'm also continuously shocked at the seeming lack of just plain common sense (or maybe in this case it's common courtesy) from folks on social media - especially Twitter.

So, here are a few little clues for anyone  using Twitter.  Forget the DMs, stop annoying people and just be yourself. Let your voice shine through your Tweets, share your value freely and let people see why they want to be a Follower of you and your  thoughts. That's the key to creating a loyal SM following - on any of the platforms.

• Don't send blind, pointless DMs.
• Stop Spamming with your promises of thousands of followers.
• Forget the millionaire overnight promo and most of all...

Don't insult people by telling them your time is more valuable than theirs.

Comments

[HooverPauline23]

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[Ian Brodie]

A number of months ago I removed my "thank you for following" auto-DM. I had thought it was useful as it clarified what my tweets would be about. But when I found I couldn't read my DMs because of other people's "helpful" messages I decided to can it.

Ian

[Rebel Brown]

HI everybody

Just wanted to report that I have been using http://bit.ly/11DQRE to block AutoDMs since Monday and its working GREAT.

YES - I may miss some good info - but I DON'T miss those obnoxious AutoSPAMS, AT ALL.

All my personal DMs from friends and Tweeps still come right through - even the ones with links.

Try it!

[Jenngbob]

Hey Reb! I'm using TrueTwit (dot com), trying out the 30-day free Premium service. Currently the percentage of questionable tweeps in my stream is low enough that I feel pretty comfortable trusting my instincts in future. It'll be interesting to see the collection in a month, and I will report back!
jen.

[Rebel Brown]

Hey Mark

I posted a repsonse to you but it seems to have gone with the wind:)

THANKS for the comment. I agree - I miss great info because of all the SPAM. But like you -I dont have a great solution.

Colin Lewis just gave me a blocker to try. http://bit.ly/11DQRE Socialoomph. Says it blocks 90% of auto DMs.

Im heading over there right now to try it. Will let you know what happens!

Any other ideas from my social media magician friend Mark?

reb

[Rebel Brown]

HI Jenn

Let us know what happens with your trial. Which software is it?

I did everything by hand until I went over 3000 followers and then it just got too unwieldy. So now I do some automation - and also go thru my followers every week and double check - unfollow etc.

I personally block anyone who sends me an offensive DM - the porn, the obvious MLMers etc. The rest of the Auto Dm thanks for following I just ignore in my stream. Problem is that I sometimes miss my friends DMs because of the deluge.

Thx for the continued conversation!

reb

[Rebel Brown]

Hi Steve and John

This type of behavior has been a problem forever - whether its telemarketing at dinner time, email SPAM or Twitter DMs - there are those among us who feel it's OK to barge right into our personal and professional space.

I do unfollow the obnoxious ones - but if I unfollowed every singe person who sent an auto DM I think that would be unfair - some of them are simple 'tanks for following" and while they clutter my DM stream - Im not willing to be vindictive about it because they are trying to be communicative.

I just posted a link to a blocker that my friend Colin Lewis uses. I'm going to check it out right now!

THANKS SO MUCH for the comments. Really appreciate your time to read and post!

reb

[Jon Buscall]

You nailed it! I hate DMs that spam and generally unfollow people immediately the second they do this.

I particularly enjoyed the DM you quoted from. I think I've had that one too.

It's important we find a way of reclaiming the DM but I'm not sure it's possible at the moment. It's become so spammy.

[Steve Dodd]

Hi Reb, this has been a hot topic for discussion for a very long time. You are absolutely correct! And, more people need to address this. It is unfortunate that no one has built a "Junk Tweet Filter" yet.

On the other side of this discussion however, should you thank your new followers? I do (and mention their name so they know it's not an auto response). To me, it's the best way to begin the continuing relationship. Although I do get feedback from many, let me ask you as an expert in this area, does this make sense to you or am I wasting my time?

Perhaps though, the best solution to this problem is to instantly unfollow anyone who generated a spam "auto follow reponse". Eventually they'll get the message.

[Mark W Schaefer]

This is the rant we all needed to hear. I agree with you 100%. And I'll add another problem: I have overlooked useful DM's from new people (as well as old friends like you meniton) because I have been conditioned to assume "spam." Sad.

Worse, I don't know a solution. I don;t know anybody who like the auto Dm's. How has it become a "best practice?"

Thanks, Reb