So maybe you just recently signed up for your twitter account and started googling about how you should use it. You stumble across one of the way-too-many sites that claim to be run by self-proclaimed "twitter experts." They give you a tip that you should use some of the also-way-too-many twitter services to help you manage your account. Many of these sites offer an auto direct messaging (DM) service that will DM anyone who follows you with a little 140 character welcome message. This is NOT OK!
Here's why: The reason this is taboo is because those of us who hang out in twitterland prefer great relationships, friends and conversations over automated responses, annoying marketing, pushy sales pitches, or just plain impersonal communication.
You were most likely followed because someone mentioned you in a tweet, or you said something worth retweeting, or whatever. The point here is we are interested in YOU much more than what you’re pushing. Don’t get frustrated or annoyed with this message - it’s intended for your own good. Just do us a favor and turn off your impersonal auto DMs. Go ahead and use your unique personality and charming character to respond to your followers, not an auto DM. We like YOU a lot more than your automated responses.