Getting Started with Slack
In the most basic terms, Slack is an instant messenger and collaboration system (on a very big scale).
Most businesses would benefit from a communication channel where they can discuss internal affairs, manage projects or simply engage with colleagues.
Enter Slack!
“Be less busy”
Even by their motto you can see Slack encourages users to improve their productivity for a better work-life balance.
If you work in a team, this app was designed for you. The app was designed to cater towards groups of people, with excellent features to keep your colleagues in sync and organised!
You don’t need to wade through endless irrelevant emails to find record of a conversation with a colleague because Slack removes the need for emailing back – and – forth!
You don’t need daily meetings, that eat away at your valuable time, to discuss small tasks; just converse over Slack!
Slack is casual, professional and efficient; give it a try!
Communication Via Slack
Messaging
For an app, Slack actually has a lot of features. We’ll start with the basics.
1. Channels
There’s a selection of channels which help you to separate your activity by purpose, department and topic; for example, separate messages, discussions and notifications.
Perhaps make a channel for a project you and a few colleagues are working on?
Note; everyone will have a clear view of what’s going on, these channels aren’t private …
2. Private Channels
Moving on, if you require privacy, you can open invite-only channels.
No one can see or join them, so use private channels for sensitive information.
3. Direct Messages
If you want to send a message to only one person, you can just send a private message.
Take Advantage Of …
Sharing Files
Just ‘drag, drop and share your files’. This can be any type of files, even those stored outside of Slack.
Images, PDFs, documents and spreadsheets from any service like Google Drive or Dropbox can have their link pasted in to Slack and that document will immediately by synced and searchable!
Searching
This feature isn’t particularly special since most apps have a search box, but you can find exact information quickly even if it’s inside a document that you have shared.
You can search for anything in Slack, which obviously has it’s benefits if you can’t remember where you placed a file, a document or a message.
Customising Notifications
Alerts can get extremely annoying, especially if we’re busy and the notifications we often get we aren’t interested in. Like Instagram’s notifications for a live video – more often than not, we aren’t interested and wish the notification could be personalised.
One of Slack’s greatest features is notifications can be personally managed! Refine your notifications by channel, keywords and much more, so you can focus on what’s most important.
Use Slack Wherever you go …
No matter where you are, Slack can tag along.
Bring Slack through their mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows.
If you prefer larger screens, download Slack via your Mac, Windows or Linux.
Pricing
For small business, the free version may be all you need. However, if you want to take advantage of Slack in its entirety then check out their per-user pricing, with monthly and annual rates.
Benefiting Your Colleagues
Slack has everything you need to ensure your team are working together with easy access to communication with colleagues.
Just imagine how easy it would be for your Marketing tram to get an alert by Slack when your company has been mentioned on Social Media? Or how simple it is for colleagues to run a support group for those looking for extra resources or time?
How much time will your staff save then they can run a Zoom web meeting for face-to-face meetings?
Why is Slack So Important?
Here’s a few of the benefits you can expect to enjoy once signing up
- – Team communication will be all one place
- – Integration with popular services you already use, like Dropbox, Google Drive, Google + Hangouts
- – Find any content through one search box
- – File sharing
Get Started Now
Slack is more than your standard instant messaging / collaboration system. I could discuss all the benefits and features; but I’d still be here 10,000 words later.
The best way to understand an app is through trying it! It may be a bit confusing to start with, but don’t dismiss it until you know how and why it would improve your internal communication.
About the author:
Marie Harwood is a Digital Marketing Assistant at Different Gravy Digital, Hale, Cheshire.
Different Gravy Digital are a full service Digital Marketing Agency operating in the Hospitality & Leisure, Financial Services, Legal & Property sectors. Products and services range from; 3D & 360° Tours, Website Design & Build, Social Media, Video Production, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Content Creation, Email Marketing, Online Feedback / Review Systems and Paid Advertising (Google, Bing and Social Media).
Contact Details:
marie@differentgravydigital.co.uk
0161 706 0004
120a Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2UN