Slack has become an essential tool for team communication and collaboration in many workplaces. While its basic functionalities are well-known, there are several advanced features and hacks that can significantly improve productivity and save you time. Here are six best practices to make the most out of Slack.
1. Organize Channels Effectively
Creating Channel Categories
Organizing your channels into categories can help streamline communication and ensure that messages reach the right audience. Use a consistent naming convention to categorize channels by project, team, or function. For example:
- #proj-marketing-campaign
- #team-sales
- #fun-random
Archiving Inactive Channels
Regularly review and archive channels that are no longer active. This keeps your workspace clutter-free and makes it easier to find relevant channels.
Using Channel Descriptions
Make sure each channel has a clear description and purpose. This helps new members understand the channel’s focus and keeps conversations on track.
2. Utilize Slack Shortcuts and Commands
Common Shortcuts
Slack offers numerous keyboard shortcuts that can save you time. Some of the most useful include:
- Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on Mac): Quickly switch between channels or direct messages.
- Ctrl+Shift+Y (or Cmd+Shift+Y on Mac): Open the Quick Switcher to jump to any conversation.
- Ctrl+Shift+A (or Cmd+Shift+A on Mac): Mark all messages as read.
Slash Commands
Slack’s slash commands are powerful tools for performing actions quickly. Some popular commands include:
- /remind: Set reminders for yourself or your team.
- /away: Set your status to away.
- /dnd: Enable Do Not Disturb mode.
3. Set Up Notifications Wisely
Custom Notification Settings
To avoid being overwhelmed by notifications, customize your settings to only receive alerts for important messages. You can adjust notifications per channel by:
- Clicking the channel name.
- Selecting “Notification preferences.”
- Choosing between All messages, Mentions, or Nothing.
Using Keywords for Notifications
Set up keyword notifications to alert you when specific words or phrases are mentioned. This ensures you don’t miss critical updates relevant to your work.
4. Integrate Useful Apps and Bots
Essential Integrations
Slack integrates with many apps that can enhance your productivity. Some essential integrations include:
- Google Drive: Share and collaborate on documents directly within Slack.
- Trello: Manage your projects and tasks without leaving Slack.
- Zoom: Quickly start or join video meetings.
Using Bots for Automation
Bots can automate routine tasks and save you time. For example:
- Standuply: Automate daily stand-ups and team check-ins.
- Polly: Create polls and surveys to gather feedback.
5. Master Slack’s Advanced Features
Pinning Important Messages
Pin important messages to channels to keep critical information easily accessible. To pin a message:
- Hover over the message.
- Click on the “More actions” icon (three dots).
- Select “Pin to channel.”
Using Starred Items
Star messages or files to quickly find them later. Simply click the star icon next to a message or file, and access all starred items from the left sidebar.
6. Optimize Your Workflow with Slack
Setting Reminders
Use the /remind command to set personal or team reminders. For example:
- /remind me to submit the report at 3 PM
- /remind @channel about the meeting tomorrow at 9 AM
Creating To-Do Lists
Leverage Slack’s integration with task management apps like Todoist or Asana to create and manage to-do lists directly within Slack.
Scheduling Messages
Use Slack’s message scheduling feature to send messages at a later time. This is useful for reaching team members in different time zones or ensuring messages are sent at optimal times.
Conclusion
By implementing these best practices and hacks, you can significantly improve your efficiency and productivity on Slack. Meg is committed to helping teams work smarter and more effectively, and these tips are just a starting point. Explore and experiment with Slack’s features to find what works best for you and your team.