A lot of people are complaining about "Twitter spam" these days, but to tell you the truth, I really don't mind receiving tweets with links. I like to see what people are interested in (linking out to) and what people think will sell (affiliate links, self promotional links etc).

What bugs me more than links is all those automated Twitter direct messages that tell me how great I am and then promptly try to flog me something...

You know, they go like this:

"Hi, Thank you for following me. I am deeply honored. Get rid of the recession blues with this AFFILIATE LINK."

Well, for one thing I don't believe you even know I have started following you yet, so how can you be honored you phony fellow, or mendacious madam?

And another thing...

I rather resent you trying to sell to me (remember, people HATE to be sold to...) straight after hitting me with one of the most outrageous automated porkers** I have ever heard in all my life...

Sir, Madam, be off with you.

So, now I have got that off my chest, I will hasten to add that I don't find every Twitter direct message offensive.

It all depends on WHAT you say and HOW you say it. (Remember, the automated message you send to new followers is your first DIRECT contact with them, 1 to 1, so it is the equivalent of those first six seconds when two people meet for the first time...)

So what should you say in your automated Twitter direct message?

I was going to list some general guidelines, but I think it is better to learn by example, so instead, I'm going to post some of the Twitter direct messages that I liked, or at least did not mind:

Twitter Direct Messages That I Appreciated Or At Least Did Not Feel Indignant About...

lindawelch Thanks for the follow! Send me a tweet to say Hi! Looking forward to seeing you in Twitterland!

johnenns Thanks for following me! I'm looking forward to sharing tweets with you!

LyndonWright Thank you for Following me I look forward to what you have to say. I like #seo #iphone #wordpress

DianaSchneidman Let's get acquainted. Send me your website, FB or LI profile & I’ll tweet about it Thx for the follow.

rawlus Thanks for the follow! have a great day.

TweeterGreen Thanks for following. I tweet about sustainability, Green Issues and the environment. There is ROI in being Green both at home at in business. If you tweet on these issues I will retweet them.

And here's a couple with links that I found acceptable. Note the restraint in the messages:

jeffschuman Thanks for following me. Good luck to you. Keep in touch. http://www.Team-Schuman.com

igiftabasket Thanks for the following. Look forward to reading your tweets. Rashmi Patel, www.igiftabasket.com

So, what about you? Let us know which direct messages you liked by posting them below. Let's reward those who respect the basic courtesies with a bit of publicity!

David Hurley
Best Internet Marketing Strategies

** Pork pie = lie

Labels: Twitter direct message

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