7 Tips for Effective Communication on Slack

How to Collaborate Effectively with Your Team

Anshuman Bhardwaj
3 min readDec 26, 2022
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Effective communication is crucial for the success of any team, and Slack is a popular platform that allows teams to communicate and collaborate remotely. While Slack can be a convenient and efficient communication method, it can also be overwhelming if not used correctly. Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively through Slack:

Use clear and concise language

When writing a message on Slack, be sure to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to all team members. Consider using bullet points or numbered lists to organize your thoughts and make them easier to read.

Use mentions sparingly

@mentions are a useful way to get someone’s attention, but if used excessively, they can become annoying and disruptive. Only use @mentions when it is necessary to involve someone in a conversation or to alert them to something important. If you need to send a message to multiple people, you can use a private group instead of @mentioning each person individually.

Use threading to keep conversations organized

Threading is a feature that allows you to reply to a specific message in a conversation. This helps to keep conversations organized and easier to follow, especially when multiple people are involved in a conversation. To start a thread, simply click the “Start a thread” button next to the message you want to reply to.

Use emojis and reactions to add context

Emojis and reactions can add context and personality to your messages. For example, you can use the “thumbs up” emoji to indicate approval or the “question mark” emoji to ask for clarification. Just be sure not to overuse emojis, as they can become distracting.

Use direct messages for private conversations

If you need to have a private conversation with someone, use a direct message (DM) instead of a public channel. This helps to keep sensitive information confidential and allows you to have a more focused conversation without distractions.

Use the “remind” feature to stay on track

Slack has a “remind” feature that allows you to set reminders for yourself or for others. This can be useful for keeping track of tasks, deadlines, or important conversations. Simply type “/remind” followed by the message and the time you want the reminder to be sent.

Use the “search” feature to find information

Slack has a powerful search feature that allows you to find messages and files quickly. You can use keywords or filters to narrow down your search results. This can be especially useful when you need to refer back to an old conversation or find a specific file.

Following these tips can improve your communication skills on Slack and help your team work more effectively.

If you’re looking for a tool to help improve communication and collaboration within your team, consider using Glossary — a Slack bot that expands acronyms and abbreviations for clear communication. No more waiting for explanations or repeating explanations — just check the thread with Glossary!

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Anshuman Bhardwaj
Anshuman Bhardwaj

Written by Anshuman Bhardwaj

Developer Advocate at @commercetools | My monthly newsletter 👉 https://newsletter.theanshuman.dev

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