Home > Most Recent Post, Network Marketing Tips > Twitter Direct Messages or Direct Spam!

Twitter Direct Messages or Direct Spam!

March 7th, 2010 Dave Cook Leave a comment Go to comments

Does anyone look at their Twitter Direct Messages (DM’s) anymore?  They are pretty much nothing but SPAM!

Once in a great while I’ll take a look at my DM’s to see what’s in there.  After going in and taking a look, I always think, why in the world did I just waste my time looking at those Direct Messages (DM’s) again.  There’s never anything in there but Spam or Auto Responder messages.  I shouldn’t say that 100% of DM’s are all that way, but I would say that over 90% of the one’s I receive are some form of SPAM.

Unfortunately the nice newbie’s to Twitter don’t understand this yet and they send a sincere message that most of us will never see.  Sorry about this New Users to Twitter!  Nothing personal, it’s just the way it is.

Here are a few examples of my Direct Messages:

“Thanks for following me! The Trump Network will be a huge success story in America and those who recognize it early will thrive http://TheTrumpNameNetwork.com” (People, I love Donald Trump but the product doesn’t stand on its own without the business!)

“Thanks for the follow! For great social media tips, visit my blog http://BlogNotEvenWorkingLOL.com” (Website still under construction. Please don’t send others to a site that is not even there. That’s a NO NO!)

“Thanks for following! Get thousands more followers here http://Get1000’sMyAss.com” (I get these all the time.  Almost all of them are telling you how to get 1,000’s followers when they don’t even have 1,000 themselves. Most likely bots.)

“How ya doin? I have found the game-breaking software. Take a look. http://www.CouldntCareLess.com“

“Hi and Thanks for connecting. I sell hot sexy lingerie at http://xxxI’llUsuallyLookAtThese.com check out our specials.”  (Don’t we all look at these? Joking!)

Now if you are going to use Auto DM’s, please stop SPAMMING the people you start to follow. At least be nice enough not to do it right from the get go! It’s like that “USED CAR / FURNITURE SALESMEN APPROACH.” Nobody likes it, nobody wants it and I’ll bet if you’re doing it, you don’t like having it done to you!

Now I’m not saying that I don’t use an Auto DM to new followers because I do. I’m just saying if you are using one, do it right. There are right ways and wrong ways of doing anything. Maybe you think my way is the wrong way, but you know what, I don’t care.  These are just my opinions and do with them what you will.

Here are a few examples of DM’s I don’t mind and I use myself:

Thanks for the follow. This is an Auto-Response but we’d like to connect more. If you’d like that, click http://daveanddawncook.com

Hello! Thanks for the following :)   (Short and Sweet plus didn’t try to sell anything)

Thanks for your follow! We’re Dave and Dawn. We are looking forward to seeing your tweets very soon!

It’s great to have another fantastic follower.  Feel Free to connect with us. Dave and Dawn

I’m not saying that these are the best but it’s better than turning people off before you even get to know them.  Twitter in a lot of ways has basically become a Spam Fest.  I’m not saying that everyone on Twitter is doing it, but there seems to be more and more every day.

Do yourself a favor while separating yourself from 90% of the people on Twitter. Be upfront with people and treat them with respect by not pushing your sale opportunity on them every minute of the day. There’s more room at the top so become a leader in the Social Media circles. If you provide good content and offer them value, they are much more likely to want to work with you!

Reference Sites to get more out of your Twitter experience:

http://www.tweetblocker.com/ (Block the Spammers)

https://www.socialoomph.com/ (Automate your Tweets and Follow-backs)

http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/ (Organize Your Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and more…)

http://hootsuite.com/ (Organize Your Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Ping.fm and more…)

If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to share it. Thanks!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Ping.fm
  • LinkedIn
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • FriendFeed
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • MySpace
  • NewsVine
  • Mixx
  • BlinkList
  • blogmarks
  • Diigo
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Netvouz
  • Fark
  • Live
  • Faves
  • Diggita
  • Tumblr
  • SphereIt
  • Yahoo! Bookmarks
  • email
  • RSS
  • I'm new to twitter, so spam DMs aren't a problem yet. I answer the ones that I receive, at least the ones that aren't obvious spam, just in case there is a real person on the other side. I suppose that the worse thing that could happen is that I become disinterested in the person, in which case I just unfollow.

    The 1,000 follower DMs do crack me up though. A chance to be followed by 1,000 automatons. Who could resist? Ray
  • I guess I'm a REAL newbie because I STILL look at my DM's! LOL! It's so obvious that they are auto responders. I like your response of "this is an auto response, but we'd like to connect with you".
  • Thankfully I don't use direct messages I tell people to email me stuff instead.
  • I just cleaned my cache because I was having an inaccurate count on my DM's (said I had 40 only saw 8) . That hasn't seemed to work. In the past 12 hours I've gone from showing 0 (when I had 8) to showing 46 (only saw 8) and now I'm showing that I have 23 but again I only see 8, what do I need to be doing. How do I file a ticket to report this problem do I just post here or is there a step I'm missing.
  • Did you know that you can automatically direct message people that follow you on Twitter? Read this to find out if you should auto direct message on Twitter when someone follows you.
  • @Stew Shaw
    I totally agree Stew. It can be a blessing and also a curse. For the most part I just look at @friends. I guess it really depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

    One is for keeping a close group and knowing what is going on. Kind of like using a fishing pole e.g.; your approach. While the other approach is gaining the huge numbers and having a lot of Noise! It's like throwing out that big cast net and then you pick and choose by putting your catch in different buckets (lists) e.g; my approach. Don't get me wrong, I get a lot of old used tires (porn, spammers, the good, the bad and the really ugly & etc...)

    Well, it is what it is and everyone has their techniques and we can always hit the "reset button" if we don't like the results.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Dave
    .-= Dave Cook´s last blog ..Twitter Direct Messages or Direct Spam! =-.
  • It's sort of like myspace messages and comments; only you can see your messages but your comments unless you have a private profile are viewable to anyone.
  • Dave, you've just proved that having huge twitter nos can be a blessing and a curse.
    For mine, here's a clue: the very second anyone uses any sort of automation it's all over. I'm not saying that's how you grew your followers.

    When I first joined twitter I made the mistake of agreeing to use one of those auto thingys for a short time but the damage was done. It was the worst thing I did. All sorts of random people showed up as followers, from porn gals to every snake oil salesman on the planet.
    .-= Stew Shaw´s last blog ..Massive Effort and The Flying Pig Syndrome =-.
  • "Twitter in a lot of ways has basically become a Spam Fest."
    Dave - I believe this occurs because of a misleading and immature approach to marketing. Somewhere along the line somebody's teaching that Twitter is a goldmine, just go for it. Resulting in account holders thinking every one following them has somehow done the equivalent of a double-optin to their list! Big FAIL.

    I don't have the problem at all because I now hand select who I follow on my current Twitter account. But previously when I got to something like following 1K and 1.5K followers it was spam central, and not just the DMs. Every tweet was rubbish.
  • I agree Stew! It's more than likely I'm more a where of it because of the 20K+. Well, twitter is what it is. I have to get more involved in Buzz and see where that goes.

    Thanks!
    Dave
  • nancyburkebarr
    Hi Dave and Dawn,

    This is so true! I would expect direct messages to be more personal, but they are worse than my Twitter Feed! I totally relate to being the newbie who writes wonderful messages that never get read! Funny post!
  • Nancy,

    From what I can see you are doing an excellent job.

    Thanks for commenting!
    Dave
  • karatedar
    Hey Dave and Dawn,

    This post should be in Twitter 101 Class that is required prior to opening your Twitter account! DM's have become so spammy I don't check them anymore. Too bad, because it would be another great way to leave nice messages, but as you've said, it has become a waste of time to check.

    Thanks for the perfect reminder ... Little things make such a big difference!
  • Thanks Darlene,

    It's sad but unfortunately it is what it is. I believe the problem is that so many people are so desperate trying to make a living that they will do anything to get their message in front of others. All we can continue to do is spread the word and hopefully people will understand eventually.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
    Dave and Dawn
  • Still getting a lot of phishing DMs, so time for a RT: How Twitter Can Fix Direct Message Spam.
  • Deborah Bartlett
    Hi Dave and Dawn.
    Really liked your blog. I am new to social marketing and wonder how this is beneficial when you are correct in saying that most of it is spam. I have so much to learn and appreciate your truth.
  • Deborah,

    Being new to this I would recommend you put most of your efforts on doing videos. Meaning a Youtube channel and etc... Through videos people will be able to get to know you better and they will relate to your message. As long as most of your videos are not about a business opportunity. If you have additional questions or are looking for guidance, feel free to contact us. We'll be more than happy to share our experience.

    Dave and (Dawn)
blog comments powered by Disqus