It’s a slightly ranty title (I know it is, sorry!), but it’s an important subject. Don’t send the damn DM, today’s podcast, is all about how to use DMs well. Because they are the most amazing tools that can allow us to grow and nurture relationships through our social media. But when they’re abused, they lose their value. And that’s what we’re talking about. When not to send the damn DM!

Don’t send the damn DM!

On this podcast, we chat all about when not to send a brand or person a direct message on social media. DMs provide the most amazing opportunity to connect with people in a different way- and it’s so so important that you don’t abuse it. So, some top tips…

• Don’t approach anyone in their DMs and be unpleasant. Nastiness has no place on social media. And saying ‘no hate’ afterwards when you’ve just assassinated someone’s character or their appearance doesn’t undo it. Just don’t.
• Don’t be unprofessional on social media. Please. There’s no need and all you’ll do is upset the recipient, and give yourself a big black mark against your name.
• Don’t be inconsiderate. Social media and the internet has completely blurred the lines of work and life… and that isn’t just for small businesses and solopreneurs, it’s blurred the lines for so many. Please be aware that if you send a brand a message at 9pm on a Friday night, do not expect an immediate response. It’s not reasonable at all. Please don’t.
• Don’t send unsolicited approaches. Please. The chances of your success are in the minus numbers if you haven’t put in the work or showed respect to the people you’re trying to connect with.
• Don’t spam people and don’t ask for too much from people you don’t know or support. You’re unlikely to get a reaction and if you do, it won’t be nice. If these are people who know you and like you and you’re really supportive of them, asking for their help makes sense, but when someone gets approached out of the blue and they’ve been asked for far too much, it’s not good.

So that’s the end of the podcast. It’s a bit of a feisty one, and the intention is not to offend people, far from it, but to help educate everyone around what people receive, and how to navigate DMs correctly so people feel happier, more valued, and so much else too.