Sliding into the DMs to get clients? Think again.

Let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of cold DMing.

If you want to try and get new clients, whether you are a freelance graphic designer, copywriter or marketer, please do NOT slide into direct messages (DMs) with a sleazy response like the one below. 

“Hi there! 

I’m wondering if you need any help with your social media.

I can help you increase your followers and engagement rate with my expertise in content creation. Let’s chat about how we can work together!” 

Or 

“Hi! Need a graphic designer? I am an experienced designer who’s worked on a portfolio of interesting clients. I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Drop me a line and let’s chat!” 

This sort of impersonal cold DMing also goes for LinkedIn, like the example below. 

What’s wrong with this? 

1. It’s icky

Often, these DMs are written in a way that implies the business needs help with social media/graphic design/copywriting as they aren’t doing it very well. This leaves the recipient of the DM feeling irritated and offended. Talk about getting the ick! 

2. These sorts of cold DMs are not successful

If a business wants to take on a freelancer, they’ll do the research to find the right one for their needs. They won’t agree to hire the first person who slides into their DMS.  

3. It shows a lack of knowledge of the company  

It’s clear that the person sending these ‘copy and paste’ DMs has done little to no research on the company. If you can’t directly address the DM to the founder/CEO/boss, it’s clear you haven’t tried to look up their name. 

4. It looks like spam 

There are SO many spam messages coming through on the DMs these days, so if your message looks like an insincere, copy-and-paste job, you’re going to seem like a bot. The recipient might send your message straight to the spam inbox. 

So, what should you do instead? 

We’ve covered that these sorts of cold DMs are disrespectful and insincere. So, what should you do instead? 

1. Research the company and address the head honcho by name. 

Ensure you know exactly who the business is, who they work with, how big the team is, and what the boss’s name is. This can all be found on Google and LinkedIn. 

2. Email your pitch rather than DM  

All companies have an email address on their website or social media – it’s a more professional form of communication than social media DMs. 

3. Provide context to who you are and why you align with that particular company 

Ensure the message seems personal and genuine. You don’t want to seem like you’ve sent off the same email to heaps of other companies 

4. Provide examples of your work 

Link back to your website or portfolio so the business can see what you can do.