Is Anyone Using Direct Messages? Other than applications and newbie marketers...

I do not really get it and wonder how many clicks people get from the constant annoying, most times, spamming messages we get everyday in our Twitter accounts..

It is not the TIME TO SEND your link ... before you even have met a new person. If it wouldn't work in real life... "Hey my name is Joe Shameless go to my blog and buy my product", what makes you think it will work on social networks. It is the same here people like to do business with those they know and trust. I do!
Now I try and scroll back to see if I missed a message from a friend in my direct messages and I usually only reply if I see a genuine welcome message.
More as I have time I will browse through the list of direct messages to make sure I haven't missed something from a friend. I will reply to the messages that seem genuine, without a link and or original.
The crazy part is that seems a waste of time as very very rarely do I get a reply from these hand crafted responses. It appears that our Direct message in-box is like a safe-list junk list!
Most people are not reading them and we only use it to communicate stuff that we don't want everyone to know..

OK more direct messages we have all had enough of...

"Join my mafia family...." Grow up! If i wanted to play mafia I would be playing...

" A gave you a gift, give me one back..." A very annoying demanding one...

"see if your iq is higher than mine. take the iq quiz here:" I am fairly confident mine is higher...

I want to encourage others to use direct messages as they were intended. To be real, be original, be personal enough to use them.. and lets keep having fun!
I have met some great people through twitter and look forward to meeting more.

TWITTER still rocks..

Mrkens Thoughts on Automatic Direct Messages to new Twitter Followers..

Hey friends, thought I would add my thoughts on our new poll. Just my thoughts, that and a dollar fifty will get you a cup of coffee!

It seems that there are a ton of Twitter experts today as my good friend Traci Knoppe was saying on our latest Business Builders Workshop call in show. Everywhere you look there is a new "expert" that will teach us the "rules" of Twitter. I make no such claims although I have a little experience...

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I started the poll to your right and hope you will take the poll, leave me a comment with your full thoughts also. I am interested what people really think on this..
I see a lot of tweeps saying how much they dislike the automatic direct messages..and by my observations on new followers less people are using them...
So here are my thoughts..
I use them number one and have not stopped because some "experts" say that automatic direct messages are wrong. For myself and the amount of people that follow me, the times I am not posting on Twitter, ect I use them! I like to give people a greeting using Tweetlater, some people might have just gasped at the air!
Yes I use Tweetlater! For when I am doing things and want to post on Twitter. I have been reluctant to share this but have upgraded to professional and used this since I started on Twitter!
Back to the subject, Automatic Direct messages on Twitter, I also try to greet people personally after I am on and see them following me.
For me it is important to greet someone right after they follow me and connect with them when I can. So of course in my humble opinion this use is good!
Now! You notice in my poll the entry, DM's are ok but leave out your money link!
This is an incorrect use in my opinion and usually I do not respond to those auto direct messages because it is just flat rude! To say hey you followed me here buy my stuff, is rude and it does irk me when I get them. I see some who add a link and is tastefull, but most seem like BOOM heres MY stuff.

I think it boils down to the golden rule my friends.. just treat others as you would want to be treated! I think with that in mind and some common sense, you can determine what works for you on Twitter and all social networking sites.
I will keep reading what the "experts" are saying, taking the valuable stuff and just shine the rest on! It is not likely you will hear me tweeting complaining about those tweeps who do this or that friends. Twitter is opt in! If it really bothers me I will hit the unfollow button! That is the beauty of social networking, if someone or thier behavior bothers us that bad, just quit following them!

It is supposed to be fun! Treat others well, greet and engage them heartily by what ever method you choose and by all means have fun!