If you’re a workspace owner, what will be your first priority? For me, it’s to establish an engaging environment with my employees to make sure that everything’s in line.
Slack has taken the lead in providing a centralized communication medium for businesses, where @here and @channel are ways to alert people in a channel about a notification.
@here is used to alert active people in the channel whereas @channel alerts everyone in the channel, whether they are inactive or not.
In this article, we will explore the differences between @here and @channel as well as the etiquette for using them in your Slack workspace to ensure effective communication.
We’ll also discuss why understanding Slack etiquette is important for successful collaboration.
The Importance Of Proper Communication In Slack
Effective teamwork and collaboration in Slack depend on clear communication. Making use of Slack properly will assist in guaranteeing that everyone on the team is informed of the project’s status and that everyone is on the same page.
It may also contribute to the development of a productive workplace. To make sure that everyone is included and may engage in the chat, use @here or @channel according to good Slack etiquette.
Messages should also be formatted correctly, issued sparingly, and with consideration for other team members.
The workplace becomes more effective and efficient when everyone understands the value of excellent communication on Slack.
Understanding @here And @channel
When you’re on Slack, here people communicate with @whatever to make an announcement or simply notify everyone. Cool isn’t it?
When communicating in a Slack workspace, it’s important to understand the distinction between two popular features: @here and @channel.
@here allows you to notify everyone in the channel who is currently online. @channel allows you to notify everyone in the channel regardless of whether they’re online or not.
The key difference between the two is the ability to notify everyone, including those not currently present.
Using @here can be an effective way to alert the group to something important, while @channel can be used to ensure everyone gets the message.
It’s important to use these features judiciously, as overuse can become annoying and counterproductive.
Ensure you only use @here and @channel when necessary and use other communication channels for less important information.
By understanding the difference between @here and @channel and using them responsibly, you can ensure effective communication in Slack.
When to use @here
@here is a simple and effective way to grab the attention of your coworkers in a Slack channel.
Unlike @channel, which notifies everyone in a channel, @here only notifies those who are currently active in the channel.
Sure enough, you don’t wanna get disturbed by notifications when you’re inactive, right?
When should @here be used?
Generally, it’s best to reserve @here for urgent or important announcements that need immediate attention.
It’s like a red alert for everyone to get on their feet and start working on your instruction, making you feel powerful like never before.
When to use @channel
Yet another way to alert everyone, @channel can be an effective way of getting everyone’s attention in a Slack channel, but it’s important to use it sparingly.
@channel should only be used for messages that are important for everyone in the channel to see, such as announcements about upcoming events, changes to policy, or important deadlines.
Using @channel too often can become overwhelming and make it difficult for team members to focus on the important messages.
To ensure that @channel is used effectively, it’s important to be mindful of the message’s urgency and importance.
Before using @channel, ask yourself: “Is this message something that everyone in the channel should be aware of?” If the answer is “yes”, then @channel may be the right choice.
Consequences Of Misusing @here And @channel
Misusing @here and @channel can lead to negative consequences. One scenario can be, the inappropriate use of annoying team members, leading to them unsubscribing from a channel, impacting communication and collaboration.
Additionally, overusing @mention to get someone’s attention can lead to frustration, as their notifications may become cluttered.
This can in turn lead to them feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, reducing productivity and engagement in the team.
If you abuse the privilege of @here and @channel for unimportant notifications, you may find that your teammates become less attentive and less likely to respond when it is important.
Tips For Effective Communication In Slack
Now, I’ll be sharing my two cents to ensure effective Slack communication:
- @here is a way to alert members of a specific channel who are currently active and online. It is a less intrusive way to get someone’s attention as it only notifies people that are currently active and online.
- @channel, on the other hand, notifies everyone in the channel, regardless of their activity status. It should be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary, as it can be disruptive and irritating to those who are not active.
- When using either @here or @channel, always include a brief, meaningful message that is relevant to the channel. Be sure to include the necessary context to help members understand why they are being notified. Additionally, use reactions and emojis sparingly to avoid clutter.
Best Practices For Using @here And @channel
@here and @channel functionalities are two crucial components for fostering productive teamwork and communication.
The recommended use of @here is to reserve it for urgent messages that must be responded to right away. When you want a particular person to act or respond, it’s better to include the @here symbol in your messages.
When sending a message or reminder to the entire team, @channel is an ideal option. However, remember to refrain from using @channel excessively as it may result in a deluge of notifications.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Look at the table to study the common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs when working on Slack:
| Not using the correct command for the desired result | @here is used to alert multiple people, while @channel is used to broadcast a message to everyone in a channel. |
| Sending too many messages | @here and @channel should not be abused and should only be used when absolutely necessary. |
| Not adding context | Some users may have notifications turned off, so it’s important to check before sending a @here or @channel message. |
| Not making the messages clear and concise | messages should be clear and concise so that everyone understands what is being asked. |
| Not setting expectations | messages should be followed up with what the expected response should be. |
| Not checking user preferences | some users may have notifications turned off, so it’s important to check before sending a @here or @channel message. |
FAQs:
What does a communication channel mean?
The audience’s perception of a message depends on the channel or medium utilised to convey it.
Both the means of communication and the specific tools employed can be referred to as communication channels.
Is there a way to mute @channel on Slack?
Click open the channel that you want to mute. Now, click on the notifications bar and choose the ‘Mute’ channel.
Conclusion
- Slack has taken the lead in providing a centralized communication medium for businesses but understanding the difference between @here and @channel can be confusing and can lead to communication breakdown.
- Learn about Slack etiquette like it’s important to properly format messages, be mindful of how often messages are sent, and be respectful to other members of the team.
- @here is a simple and effective way to grab the attention of your coworkers in a Slack channel. It should be used for urgent or important announcements that need immediate attention, such as company-wide reminders, urgent tasks, or important updates.
- @channel, it should only be used for messages that are important for everyone in the channel to see, such as announcements about upcoming events, changes to policy, or important deadlines.
- Additionally, overusing @mention to get someone’s attention can lead to frustration and reduce their productivity and engagement in the team.