How I Use DMs to Get Clients on X (Twitter 2025)

How Can You Effectively Use Direct Messages on X to Acquire Clients?

You can effectively use direct messages on X (formerly Twitter) by focusing on supporting potential clients before selling to them. The key is to begin by engaging with their content—liking posts and leaving meaningful comments—before sending personalized messages that compliment their work instead of promoting your services. This relationship-first approach builds trust organically, making them more likely to reach out when they need your services. Remember, successful DMs make it about them, not you.

Questions People Ask

• How long should I wait before sending a DM after engaging with someone's content?
  After engaging with 4-5 posts and leaving a thoughtful comment, wait at least 1-2 days before sending your first DM. This gives them time to notice your activity and shows you're genuinely interested in their content rather than immediately pushing for a sales conversation.
  
  
• Should I use AI to write my DMs on X?
  Yes, AI tools like Grok can help craft personalized messages by analyzing a prospect's profile and suggesting meaningful compliments. However, always review and personalize the AI suggestions to ensure they sound authentic and specific to the individual you're reaching out to.
  
  
• How many potential clients should I be engaging with at once?
  Aim to consistently engage with 15-20 potential clients at any given time. Since not everyone will respond, this creates a pipeline where 1-2 new prospects may eventually reach out to you each month. Quality engagement with multiple prospects increases your chances of success.
  
  
• What's the biggest mistake people make when sending cold DMs?
  The biggest mistake is making the message about yourself and your services rather than about the recipient. Cold DMs that immediately pitch services or ask for something typically fail because they don't establish trust first. Instead, make your initial messages purely supportive and complimentary.
  
  
• How consistently should I engage with potential clients on X?
  For the best results, engage with each potential client every 1-2 days by liking posts and commenting thoughtfully. This consistent support should continue for at least several weeks before expecting any business discussions. Patience and persistence are essential to this relationship-building approach.
  

Why This Strategy Works for Any Business

• Builds authentic relationships rather than transactional connections, creating stronger client bonds and longer retention
• Leverages the power of reciprocity - when you consistently support others without asking for anything, they naturally want to return the favor
• Creates a sustainable pipeline of interested prospects who reach out when they're actually ready to buy
• Differentiates you from competitors who use aggressive, self-centered outreach tactics

The Right Way to Use DMs on X (Twitter)

Why Most Cold DMs Fail

If you've been sending cold DMs or emails without getting responses, you're likely making a fundamental mistake that's costing you clients. As Brad Smith, owner of Automation Links with over 10 years of marketing experience serving 2,500+ brands explains, most people focus their messages on themselves rather than the recipient.

"The traditional approach to cold outreach is backward,"

"When you immediately pitch your services or talk about your accomplishments, you're essentially asking for something before providing any value."

This self-centered approach is why most cold DMs get ignored or, worse, create a negative impression. The solution isn't to abandon direct messaging but to completely reverse your approach.

The Relationship-First Framework

The most effective way to use DMs isn't to start with them at all. Instead, I recommends following this proven process:

1. Support Before Selling: Begin by liking 4-5 posts from your target prospect
2. Add Meaningful Engagement: Leave thoughtful comments that actually contribute to their content
3. Build Recognition: Allow them to notice your profile picture appearing repeatedly in their notifications
4. Only Then Message: Send a personalized DM that compliments them specifically on their work

This approach creates a fundamental shift in the dynamics of your outreach. Your prospect sees you as someone who has already provided value before asking for anything in return.

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Let's break down exactly how to execute this strategy in practical terms:

Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Prospects

Begin by creating a list of 15-20 ideal clients who are active on X. These should be decision-makers in companies that would benefit from your services. The key is finding people who regularly post content you can genuinely engage with.

Step 2: Create a Systematic Engagement Plan

Open your calendar and schedule regular engagement sessions. For each prospect:

1. Like 4-5 of their recent posts
2. Leave at least one meaningful comment that adds value
3. Set a reminder to return in 2 days to repeat this process

"What you're doing is helping the algorithm push their content while simultaneously getting your profile picture in front of them. This creates familiarity before you've ever directly reached out.

Step 3: Craft a Personalized First Message

After a week of consistent engagement, it's time to send your first direct message. This is where most people get it wrong, but I suggests using AI to help craft something truly personalized.

Using Grok or similar AI tools, prompt the system with: Scan this profile and give me one cool thing they do that I can compliment them on.

The key is making this message 100% about them and 0% about you or your services. For example:

"I've been following your content about sustainable manufacturing processes, and your approach to reducing waste in the supply chain is genuinely innovative. The case study you shared last week was eye-opening."

Notice there's no pitch, no call-to-action, and no mention of your business. This is critical to the success of this approach.

Using Technology to Scale Your Efforts

While this approach requires genuine engagement, you can use tools to help manage your workflow. My  recommendations are:

• Creator Buddy: Helps organize and prioritize your engagement
• High-Level CRM:  Track your outreach and follow-up sequences

Investing in the right tools can help you maintain consistent engagement with multiple prospects without missing opportunities.

 Note:  "But remember, these are tools to enhance genuine interaction, not replace it."

The Follow-Up Strategy That Makes All the Difference

After your initial message, don't immediately shift to selling mode. Instead, continue your support and engagement strategy:

1. Return to their profile every 2 days
2. Continue liking and commenting on new content
3. Occasionally send another complimentary message about their recent content
4. Be patient and consistent for at least 3-4 weeks

Most people give up far too soon. The magic of this approach is in the consistency. You're demonstrating that you're genuinely interested in their success, not just making a quick sale.

This patience pays off because when they eventually do need your services, you'll be the first person they think of. They'll likely reach out to you directly, completely reversing the traditional sales dynamic.

Real Results from the Relationship-First Approach

This strategy has allowed me to sign over 100 clients through cold outreach that doesn't feel cold to the recipient. The key metrics that make this approach successful:

• Engagement rate: 15-20× higher than traditional cold outreach
• Response rate: 5-7× higher than sales-focused messages
• Conversion timeline: Longer but with significantly higher close rates
• Client retention: Substantially higher as relationships are built on genuine connection

Expanding Beyond X: This Works Everywhere

While we've focused on X (Twitter) in this guide, this relationship-first approach works across all platforms:

• LinkedIn: Follow the same engagement strategy before connecting
• Instagram: Comment meaningfully on stories and posts before DMing
• Email: Reference specific content they've created before pitching
• YouTube: Engage with comments before reaching out directly

The platform changes, but the psychology doesn't. People want to work with those who genuinely care about their success, regardless of where the interaction happens.

Learn more about our comprehensive relationship marketing approach in our Social Sales System. Click here!

Final Thoughts: Patience Leads to Profits

The relationship-first approach to DMs requires patience and genuine interest in your prospects, but the results speak for themselves. By focusing first on providing value and support, you establish yourself as someone who cares about the client's success—not just your own profit.

This strategy won't get you clients overnight, but it will build a sustainable pipeline of prospects who come to you pre-sold on your value. You'll spend less time convincing and more time collaborating with clients who already trust you.

Ready to transform your approach to client acquisition? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can help implement this strategy for your specific business. Book Now!

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