Remember when Twitter direct messages (DMs) were so full of spam that people were tweeting out #DownWithDMs? Well, it’s been a while since that wave of hatred for direct messages, and nowadays, Twitter users are on DM groups sharing knowledge and getting value. We spoke to podcaster and content strategist, Jennifer Navarrete to understand more about how Twitter DM groups work and why joining one isn’t such a bad idea. Here’s a summary of our chat.
Guest: Jennifer Navarrete
Topic: Getting the most out of Twitter DM groups
Format: Eight questions directed at the guest. Everyone’s welcome to share.
It’s like any messaging group on social media—a Twitter DM group is a conversation between three or more people. While the owner of the group can add more people as they see fit, those who aren’t interested can leave the group at any time. As is the case with any group conversation, you can name the group and add a photo to represent what it’s about.
A1: A Twitter DM group is a private conversation between 3+ people on Twitter. You can add people. People can leave. You can name the group (highly recommend). You can add a photo to represent the group. This makes it easy to identity amongst your DM list. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/PkQLcE4mB1
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
Twitter DM groups are a great way to classify information. You can have private and highly-focused conversations, and also learn something valuable while interacting with those in your group.
A2: Twitter DM groups are a great way to short knowledge. We can't know all the things. But together we can know more. This is especially helpful when everyone is learning something new together.
Another reason is to have private and focused conversations. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/ngbudj0wlj
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
However, it’s also important that you don’t randomly add people into a DM group. As Jeremy pointed out, if you’re starting a DM group, make sure to add only those you know and have engaged with in the past.
A2: I think it's a great way to connect and build deeper relationships with people.
However, I would totally recommend building a beginning relationship before asking them to be in a DM group. #TwitterSmarter
— Jeremy Linaburg (@jeremy_linaburg) July 7, 2022
Think about why you want to create a DM group in the first place. If you’re doing it just because everyone you know is in a group and you want to join the club, think again. DM groups should be useful to every person in the group. If you’re not sure about what you’ll discuss and how that topic will add value to people’s lives, then it’s best not to go through with it.
A3: This is important to get right. If you know folks well and it's a topic you all would like to have deeper conversations, create one & invite. However, the group must provide value or else you are wasting everyone's time and potentially harming your reputation. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/11zyR2FXDv
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
Another important thing to do if you don’t want to come across as spammy is to ask people if they want to be in your group, as Madalyn suggested. If people are genuinely interested, then your messages won’t be unwanted.
A3: If you want to avoid being spammy, consider asking people if they’re interested in joining the group before just adding them. That’s what I do. Let them know what the group is about and show the benefits of being a member. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/Rsnc6w9x0F
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) July 7, 2022
Make sure that you only add people who are relevant to the topic you’re discussing. Or create a group to discuss a topic that you know your community wants to talk about. DM groups can be a great way to learn new things together, and they will evolve over time.
A4: Make sure the DM group is on target or at least on a topic someone has expressed interest in learning more about. DM groups are a great way to learn something new together, brainstorm or connect. I have found they shift and grow to meet the needs of the group. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/fKDwXgf3Ky
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
It’s also worth considering what kind of relationships the group members already have, as our friends from GiveWP said. If everyone already knows each other, then the dynamics of the group will be different from when people don’t know each other well and have a chance to make friends.
A4) This is where community and relationships come into play. Deciding the dynamic of the group is crucial – is everyone already close? Are we creating new friendships here? Is conversation encouraging and honest? #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP 🌻 (@GiveWP) July 7, 2022
Don’t hold on to something that’s clearly slipping away. As our guest reminded us, some groups are seasonal and that’s perfectly ok. When you realize that your group is no longer serving the best interests of everyone in the group, it’s ok to let the group dismantle.
A5: Some groups are for a season and that's okay. Others have longer legs and that's also okay. A Twitter DM Group should have value for all involved. When it doesn't then feel free to execute the "Law of 2 Feet" and leave. No harm. No foul. It's all good. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/6IsMal1LFK
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
On the other hand, as Deb suggested, if you notice engagement waning away, you can always ask people if they’re getting what they want from the group. If not, you can try and rebuild the conversation.
A5 b Also, if you see engagement falling off in a group DM, ask people in there what they want to be talking about and what they'd like to get from being in the group DM. #TwitterSmarter
— Deb Coman #SocialTrust (@DebComanWriting) July 7, 2022
According to Jennifer, some of the best DM group experiences come from sharing knowledge and learning new things. Groups have significantly reduced the learning curve of Twitter Spaces and made it easier for people to have real-time conversations.
A6: Some of my best Twitter DM Group experiences have to so with the AHA! Moments from shared knowledge. Group DMs have shortcut the learning curve when it came to Twitter Spaces and real use case of what does and does not work well. Mine the group think. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/QPguXmMTh5
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
Amna told us about a multicultural group she was part of, where people share photos of their location regularly. Groups like this are a great opportunity for participants to get to know each other and each other’s cultures, traditions, and beliefs.
A6
I was in a multicultural DM group and everyone share pictures of their location.
It was so good to see Bali and Switzerland pics daily.#TwitterSmarter— Amna Aslam (@amnaaslam20) July 7, 2022
Ideal topics are subjective. If you’re already enjoying a conversation with someone and you want to continue that more privately and in a focused manner, that’s when a DM group works best. If you create a group and find that the conversation has stalled or ended, it’s ok to dissolve the group. Not all groups are forever.
A7: Ideal topics is subjective. If you and others are already tweeting about a topic and would like to have a more focused and private conversation, then a DM group would be ideal. Remember not all DM groups are forever. Some are for a season. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/lI78rRR0Ge
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
As Angel reminded us, your conversations can be both professional and personal, as long as everyone’s comfortable with what you’re sharing and what’s expected of them.
A7: I think anything on a professional level is an ideal topic to use in a DM group. But it also can be cool if you talk on a personal level sometimes too! #TwitterSmarter
— Angel Williams-Federick (@angel_federick) July 7, 2022
There’s no one right way to leave a group. Most people will just leave when the conversation is no longer serving them or if they didn’t want to be involved in the first place. If you do this, though, everyone in the group will be notified that you left. Alternatively, you can also let the group owner know that you’re not interested in the conversation anymore and leave with a word of goodbye.
A8: Some people leave without saying a word. Given they were not asked beforehand, that is understandable. I will bow out of a group with a message to the group wishing them well and then leaving. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/c9X2WKmY5O
— 🟣 Jennifer Navarrete (@epodcaster) July 7, 2022
Well folks, that’s all from me this week. Thanks for reading through and for more great insights from our chat with Jennifer have a look at this Twitter Moment that Joana put together for us. If you think this summary is pretty good, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us next Thursday at 1 pm ET for #TwitterSmarter. We also hang out on Twitter Spaces at 5 pm ET to continue our chat. Catch you there!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the things—marketing stuff to pay the bills; haiku and short stories so I feel wholesome. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew, and am always happy to take on writing gigs.
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