5 cool ways to use DM on Twitter

Twitter users are growing in number.  Twitter is a micro blogging site that allows a person to share, engage and answer the question – What is happening?

Twitter  is a social networking platform that allows you to give updates 140 characters at a time.  It is really simple to use.  One can send links, engage or converse with each other by sending @replies and Direct Messages.

If you are new on Twitter, you might have noticed the Direct message slot on your interface.  DM or Direct Message is your way to share personal or private messages. Oh you won’t be able to send a DM if the person is not following you.

You can also send direct messages from: (info via Twitter Support)

• the reply icon attached to messages in your direct message inbox
• the drop down box on the direct message inbox page (please note: this is a random selection of people who are following you, not the complete list.  If a follower’s name is not on this list, use the options above or below)
• the status update box using the direct message command: d + username + message

There is always the controversy regarding auto DMs, some say its okay, others don’t like it.  Me personally I would rather see my followers greet me via stream with a simple hello rather than an automated one.

Here are some suggestions on how you can also maximize Direct Messaging:

1.  Engage Your Followers – If you feel intimidated with someone on stream, but would like to say hello and know more about your follower/following, then sending a personal direct message will open up a way for you to send your message across.

2.  Hold Meetings– You wouldn’t believe it but more often than not, the Bit Rebels team hold meetings via DM.  This happens when we need to get quick decisions on urgent matters.  Its fast, easy and real time.

3.  Hold Long Private Conversations–  When you have been on Twitter for the longest time, you would one day be able to form a bond with your Twitter friends.  As friends you want to talk longer, of course you don’t want to clog your stream with long conversations, as most people might not really be able to relate.  The unwritten rule is hold at least only 2 to 4 tweets of conversation with one person on the stream and do the rest on DM.

4.  Interviews – You can invite your Twitter friends to answer questions for a post via DM, I have had a lot of interviews made on DM, again its easy, fast response and real time.  No need to worry because if you miss an answer, you can check it later via email.

5.  Alert for New Posts –  I encourage people that I follow and my followers to send me links or alert me when they have new posts on their blogs.  Let us face it, we can’t really be keeping an eye on every Tweet that come out from each and everyone of our followers.  Getting alert on DM allows me to read the blog and then share it on stream if I find them very interesting.

Maybe you have other ways to use DM creatively, comment and let us know! Always happy to learn new things from our readers.