Ideally, you’ll already be discovering a lot about Slack after you first begin to use the application. Hopefully, your head is spinning — in a good way. That is, you are thinking about innovative and interesting ways to use Slack at work and maybe even at home.
Still, it’s difficult to learn every feature of a robust and dynamic collaboration and communication tool — especially one like Slack that consistently releases exciting new features. To that end, this article offers resources for you to expand your knowledge of Slack, stay abreast of new developments, and deal with issues as they arise. It’s folly to think that they never will.
Slack online support
From time to time, you’ll need to open a case with Slack support. Perhaps you’re experiencing a technical issue, or you’re not sure about how something works. There aren’t too many people who enjoy the back-and-forth with tech support folks, but at least Slack makes getting help easy.Contacting Slack
This is where you start if you want to report a bug or chat with a Slack support rep.Browsing the Slack support site
The Slack support site is clean, intelligently laid out, and remarkably robust.Opening cases or making suggestions within the Slack app
Start a message to anyone or in any channel by typing the following in Slack/feedback
This invokes special functionality designed to quickly contact Slack support within the app.
You can submit feedback to Slack by sending a message in a channel or group message as well. Your message goes to Slack, not the others in your channel or user group. Just remember to start your message with /feedback.
Only members of the Enterprise Grid plan qualify for real-time phone support.
If you’d like to learn some more ways to save time and do cool things, head to Slack’s tutorial page. Here’s also ten great Slack tips to get you started.Submitting Slack feature requests
You can certainly use /feedback to report bugs or ask questions in Slack. This feedback ultimately makes Slack better. Perhaps the defining characteristic of contemporary technology platforms is that the number of people using it improves its utility for everyone else. Slack is no exception here.If you thought of a way to make Slack better in some way, then the company wants to hear it. Simply start a message with /feedback and detail your suggestion.
Other online Slack resources
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for additional help with Slack, you’re confined to the limited resources that have already been covered. It turns out that there’s really nowhere else to go.Just kidding.
Official Slack resources
Each of the resources you find here falls under Slack’s corporate umbrella. That is, Slack sanctions them.- Slack App Directory: To be sure, Slack’s native functionality by itself helps employees be more productive. Power users understand, though, that you can do a great deal more by taking advantage of others’ complementary creations. The Slack App Directory lists the most popular and newest ways to extend Slack.
- Slack webinars: Slack offers many live and on-demand webinars. Each delves deeper into topics such as security, shared channels, and administrative controls.
- Slack’s official blog: Several People Are Typing is the name of Slack’s blog. Here you can read articles, case studies, product announcements, and other goodies designed to help you get the most out of Slack.
- Slack’s official YouTube channel: Slack publishes a slew of informative videos, customer-success stories, and conference highlights here.
- Slack on Twitter: Follow this account for product announcements, blog posts, and general news.
- Slack Status on Twitter: Slack uses this account to appraise customers of network outages and other technical problems. Note that tweeting at @slackstatus does not open a support ticket. You’ll need to use an alternate method described in this article.
- Slack Platform Community: If you like to build things and are interested in the future of work, then this is the place for you. Chapters are popping up all over the world.
Unofficial Slack resources
The following independent resources lie outside Slack’s corporate umbrella. This doesn’t mean that they’re not helpful. Far from it. It just means that they operate independent of Slack.- Online training: You can find a variety of Slack-specific courses on sites such as Udemy, Lynda, Coursera, and YouTube.
- Reddit for Slack: If you’re looking for vibrant discussions, you could do much worse than going to r/Slack.
Note that redditors can be a feisty bunch if you violate a Reddit norms. Make sure to read the rules for each subreddit.
- Existing Slack workspaces: Depending on your interests, you can find many existing private social networks and collaboration spaces. You may want to connect and interact with fellow marketers, HR folks, entrepreneurs, musicians, fathers, or even Star Wars
Slack developer resources
Here are a few technical resources if you’d like to learn more about building your own Slack apps:- Head over to slack.com to find oodles of developer documentation looking to build your own apps. You’ll find information on all of Slack’s APIs.
- Slack runs a rich blog specifically for developers. Find technical announcements, tips, discussions, and more.
- Slack’s newly enhanced Block Kit allows developers to expedite the process of creating Slack powerful apps. It offers app templates, a message builder, and other neat features.
In-person resources for Slack
The world of work has significantly changed since the Mad Men days. People perform plenty of tasks electronically that used to require a physical presence. Although you can learn just about anything you like over the Internet these days, sometimes you benefit going old school. Yes, this actually means attending an event in a physical building. Thankfully, Slack and its community offer plenty of options here.Slack conferences
Slack holds its own conferences and makes its presence felt at industry-wide galas. The following describes how to meet Slack folks in person.Frontiers
Slack’s annual Frontiers conferences feature oodles of breakout sessions from everyday users and proper developers. You can learn how employees in different industries are using Slack. If you’re technically inclined, you can learn how to build your own Slack apps.Spec
Spec brings together Slack’s global community of developers, partners, and customers. The conference features sessions tailored for people who- Already create custom integrations for their organizations.
- Want to know more about extending what Slack can do.
- Build their entire businesses on Slack.
Miscellaneous tech conferences
Like many software vendors, Slack often rents booths at popular tech events. These conferences typically take place in large cities, such as Tokyo and London.Check out a current list of the Slack's official events.
Slack Meetups
Over the years, millions of people have attended Meetups all across the globe. Meetups are informal get-togethers for just about every conceivable interest: politics, tennis, book clubs, hiking — you name it.If you want to meet fellow Slack users in Paris, New York, or wherever, then this is just the ticket for you.
