--- articleType: Tutorial categories: - Memberships - Creator Dashboard last_updated: '2026-05-18' primaryTopic: direct-messages relatedModules: - name: memberships-settings-messages route: /admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages - name: members-list route: /admin/dashboard/memberships/members/ - name: memberships-messages route: /admin/dashboard/memberships/messages/ - name: memberships-welcome-post route: /admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/welcome-posts - name: memberships-mobile-app route: /admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/mobile-app shortDescription: Learn how to use direct messages to personally connect with your members and generate additional income through tips and paid content. tags: - direct-messages - memberships - member-engagement - monetization - tipping - pay-per-view - community-management - locked-messages - member-communication - free-message-limits title: How direct messages work tasks: - enable direct messages - send message to members - configure tip settings - set minimum tip requirement - set free message limits per tier - mark conversation as unread - announce direct message feature terms: - direct messages - DMs - member messages - send message to members - tips - tipping - pay per view message - locked messages - fan engagement - minimum tip - community - free message limit - message allowance - unread conversation labels: - membership - tips - dms - paid-message - direct-messages - ppv - message-limits contextString: Requires Memberships enabled on your Fourthwall account. Available on all Fourthwall plans. breadcrumbPath: "Memberships > Getting started with Memberships > How direct messages work" path: memberships/getting-started-with-memberships/how-direct-messages-work --- # How direct messages work The Messages (direct messages) feature lets you connect with members through personal one-on-one messages. Members can attach optional tips when they message you, or pay to unlock special content. DMs can become a valuable income channel and a unique membership perk. ## Why enable messages? Enabling messages gives you several benefits: - **A new way to engage with members.** Give supporters a more personal way to connect through one-on-one messages. - **An additional income stream.** Let members attach a tip when they message you, or set a minimum tip amount to manage your inbox while earning more. - **A valuable membership perk.** Messaging access adds real value to your membership offering and is a compelling benefit to highlight in tier descriptions. - **A tool to win back former members.** Reach out directly with special offers, like a promo code for their first month, to encourage past supporters to rejoin. ## How to enable Messages Go to **Memberships** > **Settings** > [**Messages**](https://my-site-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages?redirect) and check **Enable messages**. [Image: Memberships settings page with Messages tab selected, Enable messages checked, and Tips options visible] ## How to send a message to your members 1. Go to **Memberships** > [**Messages**](https://my-site-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages?redirect) and click **New message** or the + icon. [Image: Messages inbox with conversation list, plus icon tooltip showing New message, and blue New message button] 2. Select the message recipients and click **Confirm**. [Image: Select message recipients modal with All members selected and options for tiers, expiring, former, and free accounts] You can send to: - **All members** — optionally include expiring members, free accounts, and former members - **Selected tiers** - **Expiring members** (canceled but still have access until the end of their billing period) - **Former members** (canceled or failed payment, no longer have access) - **Free accounts** (free account holders and members who canceled or whose payment failed) 3. Type your message and click **Send**. You can include images to enhance your message. [Image: New message compose window with sample text in the input field and blue Send button] If you select more than one recipient, an individual message is sent to each person, not a group chat. ## Managing tips and minimum tip requirements By default, tips are enabled when you turn on Messages. To disable tips, go to **Memberships** > **Settings** > [**Messages**](https://my-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages?redirect) and uncheck **Allow members to send tips**. To set a minimum tip requirement, check **Set minimum tip requirement for members to send a message**, enter your desired amount, and click **Save**. [Image: Messages settings with minimum tip requirement checked, set to $3, and Save button highlighted] Setting a minimum tip keeps your inbox focused while giving members a more intentional way to connect and support you. Members can tip between $1 and $500 per message. ## Setting free message limits per tier You can control how many free messages each member is allowed to send per month based on their membership tier. Higher tiers can get more messaging access, keeping your inbox manageable. To configure free message limits, go to **Memberships** > **Settings** > [**Messages**](https://my-site-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages?redirect) and find the **Free message limits** section. For each tier, you can: - Set a specific number of free messages per month - Set the limit to **Unlimited** so members in that tier can message you without restrictions Free message limits reset on the first day of each calendar month. Once a member reaches their limit, they need to include a tip to send additional messages that month. Members can see their remaining free messages when composing a new message. Once they've used all their free messages, they're prompted to include a tip to continue the conversation. ## Marking conversations as unread To track conversations that need follow-up, open the conversation in your **Messages** inbox and click **Mark as unread**. The conversation shows an unread indicator so you can return to it later. This is useful when you've read a message but want to respond at a better time. ## Let your members know about DMs After enabling direct messages, send a mass message to announce the feature. This acts as both an announcement and an entry point. Members receive a notification and are taken straight to the message thread. ## How members send you messages When Messages are turned on, members see a message icon in the top right corner of your site (on both desktop and mobile) and a **Messages tab** in their sidebar menu. From either location, they can send you a message anytime, along with an optional tip if enabled. ## Frequently asked questions ## Can I include images in messages? Yes. You can add one or multiple images per message. Support for audio and video files is coming soon. ## Can I turn off messages later? Yes. Go to **Memberships** > **Settings** > [**Messages**](https://my-site-shop.fourthwall.com/admin/dashboard/memberships/settings/messages?redirect) and uncheck **Enable messages**. Members can still see previous messages but cannot send new ones. ## Can former members send me messages? No. Only active members can initiate new messages. Former members can still read previous messages and receive updates, but they're prompted to rejoin if they want to reply. ## Can I send an automatic welcome message? Automatic welcome messages are NOT yet available. You can set a welcome post instead. Learn more in [Launching Memberships](/memberships/getting-started-with-memberships/launching-memberships). ## Can I edit or delete a message I sent? Edit and delete functionality is NOT currently available. ## What's the minimum and maximum tip amount? Members can tip between $1 and $500 per message. ## When do free message limits reset? Free message limits reset on the first day of each calendar month. If a member used all their free messages in March, they get a fresh allowance on April 1. ## Can I set different message limits for different tiers? Yes. Each tier can have its own free message limit, including an unlimited option. This lets you use messaging access as a perk to differentiate your tiers. ## Can my team reply to messages on my behalf? Yes. [Super Admins and Managers](/manage-my-shop/shop-settings/manage-team-roles-and-permissions-in-fourthwall) on your team can send messages, and they appear as coming from you. ## Can I charge for messages? Yes. You can send pay-per-view messages called [Locked Messages](/memberships/getting-started-with-memberships/locked-messages).