I’m relatively new to X, but I’ve been on LinkedIn for decades, so the style of DMs here has been... surprising.
A lot of founders use DMs to ask for information, resources, feedback or help. The courage is admirable. The execution often isn’t.
Some unsolicited advice:
1. Use a spellchecker and write proper sentences.
If someone is giving you their time, the last thing they want is to figure out what the hell you typed.
2. Have a clear intent and ask for something specific.
“I’m XYZ, here’s my app” is not a request. It’s very easy to skip. At most, you’ll get a pat on the shoulder.
Tell people what you actually want from them.
3. Remember that your DM is a business proposition.
Write a little more formally. Nobody is going to take you seriously if it looks like you texted your best friend at 3 AM.
And don’t breadcrumb information. Nobody has time for 10 messages back and forth just to discover why you contacted them.
A DM might technically be a chat message, but it’s not WhatsApp.
Be brief. Don’t rant. Avoid clichés and cheap flattery. You might think flattery makes you stand out. Trust me, it doesn’t.
4. Do some research before writing.
Prepare the questions you want to ask and the answers to obvious questions they might ask you.
Don’t impulsively DM everyone and wing every conversation.
5. If someone responds with a specific question, answer the question.
Don’t ignore it and continue ranting about your product hoping they’ll eventually give in.
Demonstrate that you can have an adult conversation.
Your app might be the best thing in the world, but it’s difficult to take you seriously if you can’t demonstrate the discipline required to write a simple message.