How to Use DMs (Direct Messages) to Connect with Your Audience
Reaching out to a potential client directly via the DM (direct message) feature on a social media platform—whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn—can sound scary. But it’s an incredibly important and personal way to connect with people who might be a good fit for your services.
Getting started is easier than you think. With a strategy and a map, you can learn how to use DMs to connect with your audience in a brand-new way.
How to Use DMs to Connect with Your Audience
Respond to a Story
One of the simplest, most authentic ways to kick off a conversation is by shooting a response back to a Story slide. Since Stories contain simple and more raw content by nature, they’re an easy avenue for making a cold connection. Tell them how you relate, ask them a question or respond to one of their prompts. I’ve had many conversations that naturally progress from this kind of interaction. It’s a quick way to learn about what else you have in common, too, beyond the original topic.
Introduce Yourself
If you feel that a relationship could benefit both of you—and there’s no Story to get the conversation going—simply send an introduction telling them a bit about your business and what type of connection you’re seeking. Don’t waste their time. Get right to the point and don’t forget to invite them to engage with you around a specific goal. This is also a great way to mingle with potential collaborators and colleagues.
Have a Chat
As you interact via DM, mention something you specifically admire or like about their page or their work. If their page is active, find a recent post and send them a sentence or two about why you connected with it. Be sure to compliment them sincerely—people can tell if you’re making it up. You can also comment on things you have in common, such as a shared hobby or favorite vacation spot.
Give a Freebie
If this potential client or customer is one that you see yourself potentially converting, offer them a discount off a service or product or send them a free guide to get started. This will develop trust and goodwill. Everyone likes a discount!
Offer Your Product or Service
Once you’ve gotten to know them, offer to help them with an issue (or “pain point”) they’re facing, whether they shared it with you directly in your DMs, posted it in a Story, or mentioned it in a post. Reach out and then be specific about how you think you can help—in a friendly way, of course. To build trust further, offer something tangible, such as an article you found helpful (or one you wrote). You can also offer to make an introduction to another specialist. Going out of your way to offer extra help will leave a great impression.
