Workspace Name
fpomarketingworkspace.slack.com
Tips on Slack Blog: https://slack.com/slack-tips
Finding and Joining Channels
By default, you should be in the #general and #random channels. To join new channels, click the word “Channels” on your sidebar in the desktop app.
You will be taken to a list of all available channels.
From here you can find channels you need to be in. Select the channel and you will be taken to a preview of the channel’s conversations. Click “Join Channel” to become a member.
Sending a Direct Message
On the desktop app, navigate to the word “Direct Messages” and select it. You will get a list of all members of the workspace. You can select up to 8 members to join a direct message conversation.
These chats are private to the members only. You can not add new members once you start a chat. Direct messages are best for one-on-one communication or short term conversations. If you need to discuss a longer-term project with a team, you should create a private channel instead.
Setting Your Status
https://slack.com/slack-tips/let-your-team-know-your-working-hours
On the desktop app, click the workspace name in the top left corner. On the menu, select “set a status.”
On the pop-up, you can select either a pre-set status or set your own custom status.
You can use your status to let people quickly know your availability, i.e. you’re working remotely, in a meeting, heads down on a project or taking your lunch break.
Notifications
In the menu, navigate to “Preferences.” The first page that should come up are your Notification settings.
Here you can select what you get notified about. (I recommend keeping it at “All new messages” or “Direct messages, mentions and keywords”)
You also have the option to set your “Do Not Disturb” settings for notifications. I have mine set to 10 PM to 8 AM, but you can set to whatever works for your schedule. You will not get notifications during this time period.
Reducing Clutter in the Sidebar
If you find that you have a lot of channels and clutter in your sidebar, you can reduce the amount that is showing at all times.
Under your “Preferences” menu, navigate to “Sidebar.” Set the “Appearance” to “Unreads and Starred Conversations.”
To make sure a channel or direct message is easily accessible from your sidebar now, you need to favorite it. When in the channel, there is a star icon on the top left under the channel name. Make sure you have selected the star (it will be highlighted yellow) to favorite the channel. It will now show up in your sidebar when you have your preferences set to “Unreads and Starred Conversations.”
I recommend doing this for channels you frequently access, like active client channels or team chats. This can help reduce noise in your sidebar and keep channels you don’t need frequently from distracting you.