The controversy over how to best utilize welcome messages with Twitter Direct Messages (DM's) will likely always continue to rage. For those of you relatively new to Twitterland it's a definite conundrum. How should one best respond to an individual nice enough to follow your tweets? Of course, the best answer is the simplest; a nice, personal message that doesn't attempt to sell or move someone to another list or page. After all, that's why we call it SOCIAL media and SOCIAL networking. It's supposed to be about building relationships and friendship. But, what if you're picking up so many follows that personalization becomes difficult or impossible?
Should you use auto-DM's? Or, Oh my God!...should you not? Are "free gifts" OK? The schools of thought on what's acceptable and what's not or as diverse as Twitter utilizers themselves.
If you're attempting to build relationships with prospective clients and customers do you really want to come off like a used-car salesman? One who jumps on a customer as soon as they walk in the showroom and twists your ear with an immediate pitch?
DM etiquette with a new follower demands the same sort of manners and respect that you'd offer any new acquaintance strolling across your path in person.
Melissa Walters is an Ohio blogger who makes this point very well on her site "The Melissa Mission." Her advice?
Make it from your heart
Make it about them
Bless their life in some way
Be REAL, fakers need not follow back.
Read Melissa's entire Blog post: http://www.melissasmission.com/blog/2009/07/dear-twitters-auto-direct-messages-weak-unfollow/
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