by Miriam Dunn

Created on: May 17, 2010

An automated direct message on twitter is a message that is sent to a new follower's "inbox" that has been automated by a program. People who use this form of introduction to their new followers compose their own message, such as "Thanks for following. Please visit my website at ..."  and the message is sent automatically to new follows. The idea behind this practice is to show appreciation to people who choose to follow you.

Most people detest this practice! 

And little wonder. Nothing says insincerity like an automated bulk message trying to sound personal. Anyone who has spent time on twitter has received these messages, and reads the many complaints about them. Some people, however, have improved upon the practice by acknowledging in the message that it is automated, that they are busy, and that they hope to make authentic contact soon. This eases the pain, a little. At least the message doesn't insult ones intelligence by trying to seem excited to be followed by a person they have not even met yet.

Other users of automated DMs send links to their websites, promotions, and blogs in hopes to drive traffic there. This is not appreciated by most people who will, if they choose to follow you, also choose to visit your site without the auto-message inviting them to do so.

By far, the worse users of these messages are selling something and despite the fact that hardly anyone is naive enough to click a link in the DM (Direct Message) box, they still send them anyway. Twitter has had a history of phishing and virus problems from bad links sent in DMs. No one who has been around twitter for a while would click on a hyperlink in DM.

If you are considering using an automated message service, re-consider. Your followers will not appreciate it. If you feel you do not have time to visit each new follower, and must use a service to greet them, try the new style. "So sorry this is automated but I will pop in to see you soon. I promise".

Personally, I don't feel a need to connect to new followers this way. When I get a new follower, I look at their profile and decide whether I will follow them back. Maybe I will send a hello or comment on one of their posts. People connect to each other in the stream- where messages fly by fast and furious. Here is the real and sincere way to communicate with someone. Leave the auto-mated services to the robots.

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