Over in Twitterland, auto DMs often get pegged as the most loathed type of tweet there is. In fact, the evilness of auto DMs has been written about so much that maybe you think blog posts about auto DMs are evil, too. 
Well, let me try to convince you otherwise. Just complaining about auto DMs isn’t all that helpful to ridding the world of them. Instead, I’ll tell why they’re no good and what you can do instead.
First, let’s start with the basics.
What’s an Auto DM?
It’s when you set up Twitter to automatically send a direct message (aka private message) to each new follower you have. An auto DM may look something like this:
- The innocent welcome: “Thanks for following me! We look forward to reading your tweets.”
This clutters up direct message boxes everywhere so people can’t see their true one-on-one direct messages. Could you imagine if EVERYONE did this?
- The following-me-on-twitter-isn’t-enough message: “Thanks for following! Have you seen our Facebook page? [link] What about my blog? [another link]
I just followed you on Twitter. Can I just get to know you here first? No need to be pushy. Sheesh.
- The if-it’s-free-how-can-you-resist message: “Free videos show you how you can profit with Social Media & Video Marketing. [link]”
I know you THINK you’re trying to be helpful but I know you’re just trying to sell me something.
- The disingenuous it-looks-personal-but-it’s-not message: “Wow- I like you already! Find awesome stuff here [link]”
I actually unfollowed and re-followed someone who wrote this just to see if they meant it. No, it goes to everyone. For the love of God, don’t tell me you like me if you’ve never even looked at one of my tweets.
These are all types of auto DMs I’ve received. And they all suck. Twitter isn’t email. So if you know 98% of Twitter folk don’t like it, why are you doing it?
Why You Send Auto DMs
Let’s say you are one of the auto DMers. If one of these is your reason for sending them, let me tell you why you shouldn’t.
You don’t know any better:
Maybe you’re new to Twitter and thought auto DMs were something everyone did. Or maybe you’ve never seen anyone complain so you figured it was okay.
Don’t fret. Don’t run away from Twitter because you’re embarrassed you’ve been auto DMing and had no idea people hated them. It’s okay. I rarely unfollow people JUST because they send me an auto DM (although some people do, which I find a bit extreme).
Just disable it now before anyone else is the wiser.
You say that auto DMs work.
I’ve heard the argument that people click on auto DM links so why should you stop auto DMing if it brings in traffic?
Have you heard of spam? People click on those links too; otherwise, people wouldn’t bother being spammers.
For a real world example, think about the unsolicited sales calls you get at dinner time (especially before the Do Not Call list). Do you think companies would use all that manpower bothering people if they didn’t work? They work for about 1-2% of the population. The rest of the people they just tick off.
You think it’s called “marketing.”
I hate to break it to you but marketing in social media isn’t about shoving messages in your followers’ faces. It’s about GENUINE interactions and building connections. Again, why would you want to annoy most of your potential readers or customers just for a few clicks?
What Should You Do Instead?
Let’s say you’re now convinced that auto DMs ARE, in fact, evil. (If I’ve failed to convince you, jump over to read Stop the DM Madness from Social Dialect and No One Likes Twitter Auto DM’s from Dear Crissy. Then come back!)
So what should you do instead? Engage with your followers. Talk with them. Interact with them.
You can approach this many ways but here’s a solid way to build great connections with your followers.
1. Create a list of new followers.
It’s simple as pie to do with Formulists. Connect it to your Twitter account and you can generate a TON of lists automatically. I use “Track and Focus on People You Just Followed.” You can set it to a private or public list. Formulists has gone the way of the dodo bird. BOO. You’d have to do this by hand now I guess. If I find a good alternative, I’ll let you know.
2. Put that list into a separate column in Hootsuite or Tweetdeck.
If you aren’t using either of these programs, you can keep a separate tab up in your browser with your list open. But these programs make using Twitter tons easier. I have a Hootsuite video tutorial if you need a walk-through (interface is the previous version but works the same).
3. Get to know your followers.
Peek at your new list. Reply to someone. Retweet a post. Be helpful in some way. Respond when they ask their followers a question. You don’t have to spend hours doing this. Just a few minutes a day makes a big difference in showing that you’re interested in what people have to say, not just broadcasting your own message.
Promote Yourself in Small Doses
Finally, don’t be afraid to promote yourself on Twitter. A tweet about joining your Facebook page or downloading your free e-book isn’t wrong; it’s expected… as long as you don’t go overboard. Vary the time of day you promote your links so they reach a wider audience.
As a follower, wouldn’t you be more likely to check out someone’s blog or like their Facebook page if they took a genuine interest in you? Of course!
Just keep it out of the automatic DMs. Use Twitter for good, not evil, okay?
Momcomm gives blogging chicks practical, can-do tips for writing, blogging and using social media (and sometimes a snarky rant).
I'm a mom who loves marketing, photography and all things social media. I have two boys whose claim to fame is that they were born on the same day... three years apart.
Twitter: extremejohn
says:
I’ve been using Formulists for a long time now, excellent advice on working through the problem and still capitalizing on opportunity. Most just whimper about it or name 100 reasons why Twitter DM’s are evil, it’s nice to see someone that offers an option.
Extreme John recently posted..MarketMeSuite Review
Twitter: Lindsay_Blogs
says:
Thanks for this – I’d never heard of Formulists, but I’m going to go check it out now. I’ve always hated DMs but it’s nice to know there are alternatives.
Lindsay recently posted..Thomas and Friends – Sodor Search and Rescue! Giveaway ends 6-10-11
Twitter: EverythingEvie
says:
Dang I haven’t used Formulists, but I’m gonna start now! It’s hard to believe that you actually have to convince people NOT to use auto dm.
Eve recently posted..Wordless Wednesday- My Baby One Year Ago Today
Hummm downloading Hootsuite now. Thanks!
Lindsey recently posted..Why I Support ‘Nature Rocks’
Twitter: PhotoLynda
says:
Great stuff. Auto DMs really don’t bother me at all, but I know how many people hate them so why do it? I rarely click on Auto DM links, though sometimes I do.
Formulists is restricted to two lists for the free account. I have a “Goodbye” and “people like me” list set up, but I am going to ditch the Goodbye one in place of the new follower one! Great idea!
Lynda recently posted..18 Awesome Light Painting Examples
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robertpickstone
says:
Great stuff!
Of course, I agree with the views you have posted about the evil ways of Auto DMs. The vast majority of us agree and think they are hugely impersonal and annoying.
I really like the fact that you have offered some actions too. I’m sure many readers will try these.
“Getting to know your followers” – probably the most fun aspect of Twitter!
Thanks for the great post and I’ll be sharing it soon.
Thanks
Rob
Rob
Robert Pickstone recently posted..POLL- Auto DMs – do they annoy you
We’re totally on the same page! I loved seeing your poll as well– looks like most people simply don’t like them!
I agree. I’ve made some incredible connections thanks to Twitter. Look forward to seeing you over there!
Twitter: eileenludwig
says:
Great post about those annoying tweets. I have done like you and unfollow and refollowed on on that actually looked personal but wasn’t – some I unfollow most i just delete so I can see what I really want – now they have wasted my time because I am also notified by email
I like direct messages to privately talk to someone BUT sometimes they never see it because they get so much junk
I tweeted this and stumbled it too
Eileen
Eileen Ludwig recently posted..Join Forum participate connect communicate
Twitter: jedlangdon
says:
Great post Melissa. After seeing the poll over on Rob’s blog, which highlights how many people dislike auto-DM’s, this is an excellent follow-up read as to why they irritate so many of us. I also really like the practical advice you have offered as to how to achieve better results without using the dreaded auto-DM.
Excellent post!
Cheers,
Jed
Jed Langdon recently posted..When is it OK to call out a company
Thanks for the comment, Jed! My hope is that if I can offer some alternative, maybe just MAYBE these people will stop using Auto-DM. We’ve gotta save the Twitter world from auto DMs one person at a time- haha.
Twitter: osvme
says:
I’ve never understood how people do that auto DM stuff, not that I wanna know so that I can do it myself (cause I hate them as much as the next person) but still. I’ve never seen a way to do it. I guess you use some kind of service outside of twitter?
Jenny recently posted..Blog Guidebook Giveaways
Twitter: enjoybirth
says:
Thanks for this reminder. I had set up an auto DM when I set up twitter. I finally just went in and stopped it.
Sheridan recently posted..Success with 2 Very Different Birth Experiences
Yay! I imagine that a lot of people don’t even remember they have it set up!
Twitter: ellamedia
says:
Wonderful tips. I also dislike the auto DMs. The tip for building a list of new followers is a great idea.
Melanie Edwards – Ella Media & ModernMami.com recently posted..Keeping your Online Personal Brand Consistent
Twitter: loveoffilm
says:
Great post, thanks for your insights. I’m off to check out formulist
Major love of film recently posted..What is a family
Twitter: MensBestGifts
says:
Thanks for the info about Formulists. I’m new to Twitter and finding it a bit overwhelming (although not as much as Facebook, which I’m also new to!). Finding apps like this that organize me are so helpful!
Camden recently posted..First Father’s Day Gifts – Five Fabulous Finds for the New Dad
Can’t agree more, Melissa! Hate DM’s – so impersonal like a WalMart greeter. I find it even more rude when the DM has the ‘like me on my FB page’ – hold on, I just introduced myself and first you refused to shake my hand and then insisted we meet somewhere else and I like you. It’s not happening in my real life it’s not going to happen in Twitter.
The Walmart greeter comment has me rolling! Oh I SO agree about the FB page thing. One social media platform at a time, please.
Twitter: cheeksNsmiles
says:
What you say is very true. I’ve been annoyed a few times by those “spam” tweets I actually thought were something. I’ve got a toddler wanting my every minute so that minute I wasted on that “spam” tweet makes me “twitter twitch”.
Twitter twitch is right. I’m amazed how many people still do auto DMs. Sigh.
I just signed up at Forumulists. How do I add them to my Hootesuite? This looks like a very useful tool. Thanks so much
I saw you got the answer (from your Twitter response to me). Sorry I’m so slow on responding today from the blog!
Don’t worry about it
I was just being a little dense yesterday. It works fabulous, especially with Hootesuite. Thank you again for showing this valuable tool .
tammy @ not just paper and glue recently posted..A Honey Bear of a Dad
All these articles really helped me a lot. My load time for hootsuite is much slower than tweetdeck, but I like that it doesn’t have that annoying noice and the slowness is good for me right now. Thanks so much for all the great advice.
Chloe
Thanks for your detailed review on this subject matter. I have been on the fence about this topic. After reading your post, I will heed the warnings and implement the suggestions. Great site BTW.. Lots of helpful info for your readers. Two thumbs up to you and your team for a fantastic job.
Twitter: 3hatscomm
says:
I’ve said that auto-DMs were of the Devil, so yeah.. totally agree as I got one of those phishing spams today. Nice to see you suggesting alternatives, keeping it real and engaging w/ people before small doses of self-promo. For what it’s worth.
I have been on the fence about this topic. The tip for building a list of new followers is a great idea.
Thanks, some great ways to reach out to followers without the mass corporate blanket tweet approach. That’s definitely not what we’re all about.
BrushBoarding recently posted..BrushBoarding: Check out this archive piece on BBC news with @mikebreakfast http://t.co/qkH3rrmh