Replying to a Direct Message

When working in the website, you might miss receiving a Direct Message or a DM as it is referred to in the Twitterverse. @Mentions are visible in Twitter Searches, your own network’s Timeline, or in your @Mentions Timeline. DMs are different. DMs are seen only by you and are not visible anywhere in Twitter other than in your account.

1.	On your Twitter homepage, single-click on the Direct Messages option. This takes you to your account’s Direct Messages page.
2.	When you want to reply to a DM, you can hover your cursor over it. Similar to making @Mentions, the DM is shaded and offers two icons: an envelope (DM Reply) and a trash can (Delete DM). Single-click the Envelope icon, and you see in the Send drop-down menu that user’s name. Note DMs can be sent from the main interface by typing in a lowercase “d” and a username. After you enter in the tweet field something like “d TeeMonster” or “d ITStudios” Twitter.com lets you know you are sending a DM to someone.
3.	In the message field, type in your response. Figure 3.4. Hovering your cursor over a tweet offers you two options: Reply to a Direct Message and Delete a Direct Message. To reply to a DM, single-click the Envelope icon, type your message, and then click the Send button. [View full size image] Note Unlike @Mentions that can be sent to anyone on Twitter, DMs can be sent only to people following you and that you follow.
4.	Single-click on the Send button. You will be rerouted to previous DMs you have sent with a confirmation that your message has been sent.