Time and attention and energy are utterly precious and fleeting resources.
Following that, there are few things you can do that are more egregiously and flagrantly detrimental to a colleague’s time, attention, and energy than DM-ing them with a simple “Hi” or “Hello” with no context, and expecting a response from that alone, towards something you are seeking to accomplish.
Imagine sending an email that just said “Hi” – that would make absolutely no sense.
This lapse in etiquette, and delay in getting to the point, is extremely wasteful – but don’t just take my word for it, ask the internet.
Hell hath no fury like a person DM’ed without context, which is why I have the following personal policy:
If you DM me with a simple greeting like “Hi Ryan” and nothing else, I will not reply to your message…
… until years from now…
… on my last day of work…
… when I will reply back with:
“Hi”