{"id":5142,"date":"2003-03-19T13:58:37","date_gmt":"2003-03-19T13:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absolute.digital\/?p=5142"},"modified":"2026-10-27T12:56:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T12:56:39","slug":"a-guide-to-slack-the-messaging-app-for-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absolute.digital\/ae\/insights\/a-guide-to-slack-the-messaging-app-for-business\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide To Slack: The Messaging App For Business!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Slack transforms the way that organisations communicate by bringing people together to work as one unified team. In this guide, we\u2019re breaking down the key features of Slack and how we will be using it with all of our clients as the main contact channel alongside our calls.<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/span><\/h2>\n

To fully utilise Slack and make the most out of your experience, we have put together some essential tips to help you get started with the platform and ensure that no questions are left unanswered:<\/p>\n

Searching previous conversations<\/h3>\n

If you need to find a previous conversation, simply use the search bar located at the top of your Slack account. By searching for a specific keyword or phrase, you can easily access the relevant conversations and select the appropriate thread.<\/p>\n

Utilising Slack threads<\/h3>\n

Please ensure all messages are responded to within threads not individual messages within the main channel. To do this, simply select \u2018reply to thread\u2019 when responding. This helps to ensure that all responses to that subject are within one thread.<\/p>\n

Mentions<\/h3>\n

Kindly make sure to respond to all messages within the appropriate thread and not as individual messages in the main channel. You can easily achieve this by selecting the \u201creply to thread\u201d option when responding. This approach helps to keep all responses related to a specific topic in one consolidated thread. To ensure that everyone receives notifications, it is crucial to use the @name feature when mentioning all clients and Absolute staff in messages. Each message should specifically mention the relevant individuals, even if it\u2019s within the same thread.<\/p>\n

Notifications<\/h3>\n

Configure notifications to ensure that emails are sent to all members within the channel, which helps to prevent any missed mentions.<\/p>\n

To discover more helpful tips and tricks, please keep reading.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Book A Meeting Today<\/span><\/h2>\n

Book My Meeting Now!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sidebar<\/h2>\n

From the sidebar, you can access your conversations in Slack. You\u2019ll see a list of channels that you\u2019ve joined and your direct messages, notifications for specific conversations and the option to compose new messages.<\/b><\/p>\n

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You can use the compose button to write and send a message to any conversation. Messages automatically save as drafts in the Drafts section of your sidebar until you\u2019re ready to send them.<\/p>\n

In Slack, work comes together in dedicated spaces called channels. Channels bring the right people and information together for any project, topic or team. Unlike email, discussions in channels are focused around specific topics, so you can join and leave them as needed.<\/p>\n

Notifications in Slack are different from email or other tools that you may be used to \u2013 they\u2019re designed to make it clear where you\u2019re needed by showing you a badge if a teammate \u2018mentions\u2019 you. When there\u2019s new activity, conversation names appear bold in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

Direct messages (DMs) allow for focused, one-off conversations that don\u2019t require an entire channel to weigh in. Use DMs for ad-hoc messages or tasks, such as asking your manager a question or coordinating a call with a teammate.<\/p>\n

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Channels<\/h2>\n

Channels are fundamental to working in Slack \u2013 they bring the right people and information together in one place, and make it possible to organise work around a common purpose.<\/b><\/p>\n

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From the channel header, you can access details about the channel that you\u2019re in. Click on the channel name to see details such as the channel topic and description, plus any added files. Use the other tabs to see who\u2019s in the channel and view other conversation settings.<\/p>\n

Channels provide a dedicated space to write messages and add files. With everything related to a particular topic, project or team in channels, you can scroll up to see the conversation history any time you open or join one.<\/p>\n

Emoji reactions are a quick way to respond to any message in Slack. They\u2019re both fun and helpful for getting work done \u2013 a simple reaction can often replace the need for a follow-up message.<\/p>\n

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Message Field<\/h2>\n

When working in Slack, you have a variety of messaging options available from the message field to help you communicate and connect with your team.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Add files to your messages to share important information alongside your team\u2019s discussions.<\/p>\n

Use mentions to get the attention of specific people in a conversation, whether you need to ask for feedback or follow up on action items.<\/p>\n

Format your messages to add a little clarity or pizzazz \u2013 bold the most important items, break out thoughts with bullet points and more.<\/p>\n

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Navigation Bar<\/h2>\n

Use the navigation icons to go back and forth in your history (just like you would in a web browser) or view recent conversations, search for information or get help with Slack.<\/b><\/p>\n

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The history icons provide quick access to recently viewed items. Use the left and right arrows to go backwards and forwards in your history, or click on the clock icon for a list of your recent channels, DMs, search results, threads and more.<\/p>\n

Search your team\u2019s conversation history in Slack to find the relevant messages, files, channels and people that you need to get work done.<\/p>\n

Click on the question mark icon to the right of the search bar to access help and learning resources, or visit the Slack Help Centre from your browser.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Press Cmd K (Mac) or Ctrl K (Windows\/Linux) and type the name of any channel or person to quickly jump to a conversation.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Find & Start Conversations<\/h2>\n

It can be difficult to stay up to date and reach the right people when your email inbox is a jumble of conversations and reply-all threads.<\/b><\/p>\n

In Slack, conversations happen in channels and direct messages (DMs). Channels are spaces where you can work with your co-workers on specific topics. DMs work well for one-off conversations that don\u2019t require an entire channel to weigh in. At Absolute Digital Media, we recommend ensuring all communications are in the main channel so that anyone involved in the campaign can be aware of the work being completed.<\/p>\n

Conversations in channels are transparent and accessible to people in your company. If you want to stay up to date with a specific team, you can find and join their channel and scroll up to see past messages.<\/p>\n

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Start A Conversation<\/h2>\n

Say that you have a question about a project. Send a message to the dedicated project channel to get an answer from the right people.<\/b><\/p>\n

On Desktop:<\/b> <\/b><\/p>\n

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  1. Open the channel or DM that you\u2019d like to send a message to.<\/li>\n
  2. Click on the message field.<\/li>\n
  3. Type your message and add any attachments, emoji, mentions or formatting that you want.<\/li>\n
  4. Press Enter to send it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    On Mobile:<\/b> <\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open the channel or DM that you\u2019d like to send a message to.<\/li>\n
    2. Tap the message field.<\/li>\n
    3. Type your message and add any attachments, emoji, mentions or formatting that you want.<\/li>\n
    4. Tap the paper plane icon to send it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      To keep the channel organised, we recommend using threads for each topic that is being discussed.<\/p>\n

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      Threads<\/h2>\n

      Threads help you to create organised discussions around specific messages. They let you discuss a topic in more detail without adding clutter to a channel. <\/b><\/p>\n

      To start a thread on a particular topic:<\/h3>\n

      Desktop<\/b><\/p>\n

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        \n
      1. Hover over the message that you\u2019d like to reply to.<\/li>\n
      2. Click the\u00a0 <\/span>Reply in thread icon.<\/li>\n
      3. Type your reply.<\/li>\n
      4. If you\u2019d like to send your reply back to the channel or DM\u2019s main view, tick the box below your message.<\/li>\n
      5. Send your message.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Mobile <\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Tap the message you want to reply to.<\/li>\n
        2. Tap\u00a0 <\/span>Reply in thread, or tap the Add a reply field to add to an existing thread.<\/li>\n
        3. Type your reply.<\/li>\n
        4. If you\u2019d like to send your reply back to the channel or DM\u2019s main view, tick the box below your message.<\/li>\n
        5. Tap the\u00a0 <\/span>paper plane icon to send your message.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Thread notifications<\/h3>\n

          You\u2019ll be notified of new replies to a thread if you started the thread, replied to it or were mentioned.<\/p>\n

          Desktop<\/b><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Hover over the thread.<\/li>\n
          2. Click the three dots icon.<\/li>\n
          3. Select Get notified about new replies or Turn off notifications for replies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Mobile<\/b><\/p>\n

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            1. Tap the thread.<\/li>\n
            2. Tap the three dots icon below the original message.<\/li>\n
            3. Select Get notified about new replies to receive notifications for all new thread replies, or Turn off notifications for replies to stop receiving notifications.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              View All Threads<\/h3>\n

              Desktop<\/b><\/p>\n

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              From your Threads view, you can do the following:<\/p>\n