How to Send a Direct Messsage on Twitter

Twitter's direct messages allow private communication with followers.

Direct messages, or DMs, are a way to communicate privately with people who follow you on Twitter. DMs are delivered to an inbox that's accessible from your "Messages" page and viewable only by you. You can also send DMs directly from this inbox page. If you use Twitter on your phone or an alternate desktop client, you can compose a direct message without going to "Messages" by preceding a regular tweet with "d" and the username.

Instructions

1. Ensure the user follows you before trying to send him a direct message. You can send a DM to anyone who follows you; you do not have to be following the user in return. However, if you don't reciprocate the follow, the user will not be able to reply to your direct message. DMs are most easily exchanged between two people who follow each other.

2. Click "Messages" from your Twitter homepage.

3. Click "New Message" and enter the username of the person you want to contact.

4. Compose your message and click "Send."

Tips & Warnings

• You can also send a DM by typing "d username message" into the regular tweet box on your Twitter homepage. Make sure you spell the username correctly, or the message may accidentally get posted as a public tweet or sent to the wrong person.

References

• Twitter: What is a Direct Message? (DM)