Answering Business DMs

So I agree with this for personal conversations. However I have seen business owners too endorse this line of thought and that's where I disagree.

The way I conceptualise DMs or other online interaction is same with customers walking into a physical store. And typically what happens is that, you even greet the customer first.

So as a business when someone hits you up on DM and says Hi, give a good and welcoming reply. For example

1. Hello, how may we serve you today?

2. Thanks for reaching out, would you like something from us?

This takes less than 5 seconds and you could have it typed so you just do copy and paste. It shows respect, value and genuine care for your customers.

Are some of them time wasters, YES! However you will potentially miss genuine customers and you would have also missed the opportunity to convert some would be time wasters. I have made loads of sales doing this when I used to handle the DM @sofreshng (I still check DMs, cos I love to hear first hand what customers are saying). I will not allow that HELLO or HI go to waste. Sometime it ends in gist and no sales, but guess what you've done, you've made an impression. A good one.

Every opportunity to communicate with potential customers is golden and should be maximised. 

TREAT DMs & other online convo like a physical store.

Be welcoming, caring, playful (it's social media), professional and show empathy.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENT SECTION