Hot tip for people using direct messages:
Never make your first DM to someone you never DM'd before a casual "Hi, how are you?" message. Instead, give a proper introduction and state your intentions or the question you want to ask. Just come right out with it! You'll be more respected for this.
People aren't TCP/IP connections to ping. Deciding to DM has already punched through the social anxiety barrier! Even a "Hey it's Boom, I loved the thing you did earlier and I thought I'd say how cool it was" or "Hi, I saw your foo and I didn't want to ask in public, but I was wondering..."
Exactly this. If I just see something like "hello" with no other context to the message I'm going to assume you're a bot and either ignore you or block you.
My experience usually ends up they're a scam of trying to get me to commission them (with next to no art on their fairly new account) or they want to sex RP. Neither of which I hold interest in with complete strangers.