How to Send a Direct Message on Twitter

Step 1: What Is A Direct Message

For Twitter users, a direct message is similar to an email. Unlike a traditional "tweet", a direct message does not appear to all of your followers. Instead, it is sent to one follower and is only visible to them. Remember, you can only send a direct message to someone who is following you. There are also other features of a direct message. The sender has the ability to remove or delete the direct message. If they do, the message will be removed from your inbox.²

Step 2: Sending A Direct Message On Twitter

To send a direct message from Twitter using your computer, you can follow the steps outlined below.

1. Login in to your Twitter account at www.twitter.com³
2. Using the options to the right, choose Direct Message
3. This will display all of the direct messages that you have received
4. To reply to a direct message, choose the Reply option located on the lower right hand corner of the direct message you would like to reply to⁴
5. To send a new direct message, use the drop down box located at the top of the page to choose your recipient⁵
6. Compose your direct message and send

Step 3: Sending A Direct Message From A Mobile Device

Although the process is relatively the same, sending a direct message on Twitter from a mobile device will require the Twitter application or Twitter mobile application. There are a variety to choose from that are suitable for many different mobile platforms.
To use Twitter from your mobile phone or device, you will first need to download the application if your phone is not preloaded with Twitter mobile. You can do this by browsing your mobile platform's application store such as App Store for Apple products, the Android Market for Android phones and Blackberry App World for RIM devices.^{6 7 8}Once you have downloaded the application and have logged in, navigate to the menu of the application. This will show you options such as sending a reply,refresh your timeline and of course, direct message. Follow the prompts provided in the application to send your follower a direct message.