For All the Auto-DM Haters…

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After I reached a certain number of followers on Twitter, I started to use SocialOomph‘s Auto-DM tool.  I now send this direct message to all new followers:

“Hi! Thanks for following. Are you as twaddicted as me? You can read my story at <blog link>. What’s your story?#stinkytweet“

There are many reasons to send an auto-DM. Spammers see it as a great way to directly send you their link, that is, until you block them. My particular auto-DM is sent with many reasons:

1. I want to thank you for following:  I am honored by the fact that anyone wants to follow me.
2. I want to engage conversation with you: Twitter is all about conversation. Without it, it would be all links.  And let’s face it, that’s just spam. Lots of tweeps send me a link to their blog in return or ask, what’s #stinkytweet? That’s the whole point of the DM.
3. I want to know more about you: Hence, “What’s your story?” I get to hear more about what you do, like, etc.
4. I want to tell you more about me: All relationships are two-way. You can’t learn everything about me in my tweets. My blog is a way for me to speak in more than 140 characters.

Now, with that said, this morning, I checked my DM stream and received this:

I was a bit baffled by this as I was not trying to sell her something.  I also don’t understand why people have to DM you to TELL you they are unfollowing you.  If you want to unfollow me, than just do it.  No need to alert me.  After I received it, I sent a message out to my followers, (since I couldn’t DM her anymore LOL) here is the conversation that followed:

Twitter Etiquette? Is she for real? She then tweeted the link to Chris Brogan’s blog with a post about his “Twitter Rules”.  I am a big fan of Chris and saw him speak at #140Conf.  He is a one of the best Twitter users and for the most part, I abide by all of his “rules” except for the auto-DMing. The great thing about Twitter is that it is for EVERYONE.  Everyone may use it for a different reason and may have different styles. My style: I tweet a lot.  I mean, A LOT. While some may find this annoying, others love it.  You can’t please everyone all the time and this is the perfect example.

Since I don’t believe I am spamming with my auto-DM, I will continue to send it, and if you don’t like it, feel free to unfollow me.  And you don’t need to let me know, just hit that little button.  Really, I won’t be offended.

P.S. Did you know you can opt out of any auto-DM’s sent to you? Just go here. And stop your complaining already.