Some automated Twitter DMs (direct messages) work better to get clicks than others. I found myself clicking on a link in an automated DM tonight from @winestopperstor, and that was a rare and unusual thing (and my suspicion is that this is true for most people).
What made me take the extra step?
In my observations, the only people using automated Twitter direct messages/auto replies are people using Twitter for business, and there is nothing wrong with it at all (I used to do this also). But it pays then, to do it right.
Photo Credit: Julia says Smile
Right and Wrong Ways to Use Automated Twitter DMs
Right Way: Be short and sweet
Once someone is following 1,000+ people, DMs can get really old. The only reason I even read DMs from people I just started following is on the off-chance that one of them might actually be asking me a real question (rare). So the ones that are short and sweet are greatly appreciated.
winestopperstor: Thank you for following me. Love wine? Check out our site http://twt.tl/6qPiM7Q
And so I did. I love wine, so I checked out his site. Simple as that. I did not need a thank you “gift” or “free” report or even a discount. He just asked a simple question and gave a simple call to action. To me, it’s auto DM perfection.
Wrong Way: Be cheesy
I suppose saying that someone’s direct message is cheesy is completely unhelpful, especially because if the direct message is cheesy, the tweets will probably be cheesy, also. Maybe she or he is just a cheesy person.
Anyway, I am resisting the strong urge to put the cheesiest ones here as examples, even though it is KILLING me to not say anything 
. Just know that if you are cheesy, people will probably ignore your link and gloss over your tweets going forward. The direct message is the first real opportunity to show that you are with it; don’t blow it.
The @winestopperstor message was original and simple. I guess that is why it worked. It was so different from the endless sea of stringed cheese.
Right Way: Ease into it
Rather than sell right away, perhaps you’re better off with just a thank you and simple invitation to check out your Facebook page or visit your blog. This works. The fewer words preceding your link, the less risk of words getting in the way.
Wrong Way: Use spyntax incorrectly
Ugh! Nothing is worse than seeing spyntax messed up in someone’s direct message. It actually sparks a flinching reaction in me. Fortunately I have only seen about 10 of these (but then again, I’m only following a little over 2000 tweeps at this point. Is more of this to come??!!).
What is spyntax? Spyntax is a convention used to alternate text, so that you’re not sending out the same direct message all of the time. When used correctly, it’s a great way to test DMs to see which are getting the best response. SocialOopmh gives you the option to use spyntax in your automated replies.
The problem? People use it incorrectly. Spyntax is exacting, like all code. You must get it right or it won’t work.
The worst example went something like this:
“Hi Tia! Thanks for following. I’m following you, too. | Hi Tia! So glad you became a follower. Check out this link…”
and the link was cut off anyway.
Do you see the issue? That was all ONE message. The person setting it up didn’t get it right. It just looked silly. So, if you use spyntax, pay attention to directions!
Right Way: Responding to a reply
There’s no better way to get off on the right foot with new followers than to respond to them if they reply to your automated message. This means, though, that you must be wiling to follow them back, because your followers can’t reply to you unless you are following them in return.
Wrong Way: Asking questions you don’t intend to answer
Hmm. Why would you ask someone what their favorite this or that is if you really don’t care? Sometimes I will answer people and ask them a question back, just to test them. More often than not, I get no response. Sigh. Don’t ask questions unless you are prepared to read answers.
Why I Don’t Use Automated DMs
I turned off auto-DM when I turned off auto-follow. The reason: I don’t want to be that guy (er, that chick) – the one who DMs you even though you can’t DM them back. So, until I turn auto-follow back on, I’ll keep auto-DM off. But it’s a great feature and if you are auto-following people, it’s a great way to draw some additional people back to your blog.
Thoughts?
Do you use auto DMs? Why or why not?
About Tia Peterson
