Love it or hate it, Twitter only allows you to send a direct message if the recipient is following you. I can’t (and don’t want to) follow everyone following me, but I don’t want to keep anyone from reaching me.

So I created a “public DM” tool that allows anyone to send me a direct message. Include your screen name so I can start following you and resume the dialogue on Twitter. Or remain anonymous, if you like.

How does it work? There is nothing illegal or underhanded about this; it’s not a hack or an exploit. You’re actually sending the message by way of @PhelpsBot, my personal robot. Because I’m following my robot, he can send me anything wants. Public DMs are limited to 124 characters to allow room for PhelpsBot to include the screen name of the sender.

Twitter’s API limits PhelpsBot to 250 direct messages per day, which means my public DM tool cannot be used more than 250 times in a 24-hour period. That leaves open the possibility for abuse, since I’m allowing anonymous users to send authenticated DMs by way of a simple PHP form. (Please don’t abuse it.) I will be adding an authentication layer that requires a real Twitter user to log in before using the form (though the user will still be able to remain anonymous, if desired).

Check it out. Send me a public DM.