Daniel Gilmour

High Converting Direct Messages for Social Media (DM Strategy)

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What Is Direct Messaging (DM)?

One of the most often used features on many social media networks is direct messaging. Users can have private conversations in the space by sending private messages from their Direct Message inbox thanks to this feature. Even while many users of social networking platforms utilize this chat feature regularly, many businesses use it as a support channel. 

Crafting an Effective Direct Message Strategy

There’s more to send a direct message (DM) on your favorite social media network than just texting someone. If used properly, it may be an active component of your total social media marketing effort and produce excellent results. This is how to create a DM strategy that works for your brand. 

1. Selecting Your Direct Messaging Target Audience

The key to a successful direct message campaign is understanding your target audience before sending a message. Reaching out to the incorrect audience category might have unfavorable effects because each of your audience categories has specific communication preferences. 

For example, adopting older adult chat terminology to deliver your campaign message may not be helpful if young females are your target audience for your direct messaging campaign. You may target the DM recipients in a chat language they can comprehend by thoroughly understanding your audience.

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2. Determining Your Direct Messaging Campaign Goals

Every direct message campaign you launch needs to have certain objectives. Establishing your campaign’s goals will help you craft messages that will produce the desired effects. For example, if the goal of your direct message campaign is to increase website traffic, then the direct message you write should have a link that can be clicked and a call-to-action that takes readers to your website.   

Additional goals for direct messaging could be:

  • Heightened awareness of the brand
  • Introduction and launch of a product
  • Generating of leads 
  • Acquiring prospects
  • A rise in revenue and sales
  • Enhanced customer support, brand image, etc.
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3. Crafting a Tailored and Captivating Direct Message Content

You should write a customized and compelling direct message that persuades the receiver to perform the necessary action based on the goal of your direct messaging campaign. 

You can use the following action items to assist in crafting a direct message that works:  

  • Make your message unique. Consumers are sick of getting messages that are generic and one-size-fits-all. Seek out a connection point between yourself and the recipient and work from there. Gratifying them or offering them great praise will help you get their attention and get the answer you require. Check out the template below, for example. 
  • Make sure it is succinct and direct. Keep your message brief and to the point to help you keep your direct message as short as possible. Be professional and kind, but don’t linger too long in your pitch. 
  • After finishing, proofread. A direct message’s first draft contains a lot of careless mistakes. By proofreading, you may get rid of these mistakes and present a DM campaign that is expertly written. Don’t forget to assess how well your message tone fits the target audience and adjust it as needed. 

An example that works

I’m going to share with you one of the DM’s I use that definitely  works:

“I’m doing [thing] that [benefits list].

Do you know anyone who would be interested in [benefit results]?

[add offer/guarantee]”

You must have the labels clearly defined:

  • [thing] 
  • [benefits list]
  • [benefit results]
  • [add offer/guarantee]


Best Practices for Direct Messaging

Effective use of direct messaging results in improved customer experiences and stronger customer relationships. But to get these outcomes, you must be extremely strategic in your DMing approach. Here are five suggestions to get you started: 


1. Avoid Sending Too Many Promotional Messages

Don’t send too many promotional messages to clients via direct message. Customers generally prefer to be able to “opt-in” to receive marketing messages, such as when they voluntarily sign up for newsletters, therefore it’s not always acceptable to them. 

Excessive promotional messaging may be construed as intrusive and spam. Make sure your communications aren’t overtly promotional when you do send them. They must be timely, valuable, and pertinent. 

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2. Consider When and How Often You Send Direct Messages.

Timing is one of the most crucial factors to take into account while direct texting. Your clients anticipate prompt service. Reacting promptly lets them know you respect their time and are dedicated to giving them the finest possible service. You can win their trust and guarantee client happiness as a result. 

You must not only reply promptly but also set up a mechanism for sending follow-up communications, such as contacting previous clients or giving updates as needed. 

 

3. Automate Direct Messaging Effectively

The questions from customers are never-ending. It can be inconvenient and time-consuming to frequently find yourself answering the same questions repeatedly. Chatbots and other automated messaging systems are required for this. Chatbots are a useful tool for round-the-clock customer service. Additionally, automated chatbots speed up response times and provide you more time to work on other tasks. 

Use social media platforms’ “Saved Replies” functionality to address frequently requested queries if you are unable to finance the installation of automated chatbots as part of your direct message strategy. Some social media management software provides canned response options that are useful as well. 

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4. Utilize Techniques for Customization and Personalization

The majority of people use direct messages (DMs) mainly to stay in touch with friends and family or make new acquaintances. Thus, make sure to employ a polite tone when sending direct messages. If you sound stiff or professional, you cannot attract the attention you require. 

Give your automated responses and direct messages a more human touch. Address the user by name or begin with a kind salutation such as “hi.” Raise the ante by visiting their social media profiles and mentioning a shared passion or cause in the direct message. 

Using personalization strategies will enable you to capture people’s interests and establish strong relationships with them more quickly. 

 

5. Create Trust and Steer Clear of Spam

Use direct messages to establish rapport and trust by posing inquiries that compel recipients to share their experiences, passions, or difficulties. This will assist you in understanding their motives and areas of pain so that you can act appropriately and add value to each of them. 

Remember that one of the easiest ways to turn someone off is to bombard them. Thus, stay away from spamming at all costs. Furthermore, refrain from sending communications to those who have requested that you not do so and refrain from sending bulk “copy and paste” messages.