Supercharge your Slack productivity : discover hacks and tips for managing and automating your workflow with Slack and Slack bots

Build Slack bots to automate your work and enhance your team's productivity with Salesforce-powered Slack in a faster, better organized, and more secure way Key Features Get to grips with setting up and creating Slack bots for your organization Integrate Slack with tools such as nTask and Tettra to manage all your applications in one place Understand when to buy and when to build bots Book Description Slack is an online communication tool that allows workplace teams to collaborate efficiently, effectively, and securely. It's the leading channel-based messaging platform used by millions to align their teams, unify their systems, and drive their businesses forward. As a developer, you can use Slack to create tools such as bots that handle and maintain routine and time-consuming tasks. If you're looking to set up a Slack workplace or build a Slack bot or app, this is the book for you. In this book, you'll explore scenarios that show you how to set up a Slack workplace, build a Slack bot, or integrate your favorite tools. You'll also learn how Slack can help you create a more collaborative, efficient, and coordinated work environment from any location. As you advance through the chapters, you'll find out how to manage your tasks and boost your business productivity by automating the trivial tasks. You'll also cover more advanced features such as using a Slack bot to complete tasks, including automating message responses and accessing personal reminders. By the end of this Slack book, you'll have learned how to use Slack effectively to communicate with your team and build bots and have gained a solid understanding of how the platform can help you to progress in your industry. What you will learn Understand how to set up a Slack workspace Migrate existing workspaces to your organization Explore expert tips and techniques for using Slack effectively Improve collaboration within your team by integrating multiple apps with Slack Find the right bots and apps to use for your workspace Discover how to build your own Slack bot Explore the right channels on Slack to improve your presence in professional communities Find the best solutions for automating your work directly through Slack Who this book is for Supercharge your Slack Productivity is for professionals in organizations, businesses, or communities who are already using Slack or looking to use it for improving communication. With this book, you'll understand how Slack can make your work life simpler by automating routine tasks and managing all the tools you need in one place for working with or managing remote teams efficiently. Table of Contents Getting started with Slack Setting up your Slack workspace Slack features, tips and tricks Onboarding your team to Slack Using Slack externally with live chat, guests, and partners Your workplace Slack bot Integrating your favorite tools Automate your workflow with Zapier Slack API, Webhooks, Block Kits & SandBox Building Your Own Bot Buying, Building, and Outsourcing Your Bot Distributing your App to the Slack App Directory Cover Title Page Copyright and Credits Dedication Contributors Table of Contents Preface Section 1: Slack Overview Chapter 1: Getting Started with Slack What is Slack? Why communication spells success The digital communication tool you need Understanding the platform The founding story The anatomy of a Slack workspace Workspaces Channels Topics and descriptions Direct messages Calls Threads Reactions Mentions Notifications Search Apps File sharing Main menu Sidebar Statuses Slack versus other tools Slack versus email Perfect examples of when to use Slack Perfect examples of when to use email The pros and cons of utilizing Slack The pros of Slack The cons of Slack Slack versus Microsoft Teams Summary Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Slack Workspace What is a workspace? Slack's many features for collaboration A Slack workspace as a digital office Workspaces and Slack plans Downloading Slack applications Different options for use Downloading your application choice Logging in to Slack Signing in with your email account Signing in with Google Signing in with multiple workspaces Setting up your profile What is a workspace primary owner? Creating a Slack workspace Creating your profile Growing your workspace Inviting and tracking team members Team member notifications Joining a Slack workspace as a new member or guest Understanding roles and permissions Owner Admin Members Multi-channel and single-channel guests Migrating existing workspaces to your organization Slack for remote teams Summary Chapter 3: Slack Features, Tips, and Tricks A simple versus powerful Slack application The importance of intentional communication Paid versus free Slack features The free option The paid options Effective communication in Slack Stylistic choices for adding urgency or excitement Listicles for any occasion The power of @ Sharing your screen through Slack Using reactions for polls Referencing a past Slack message Types of channels Public versus private Slack channels External Slack channels Joining Slack channels Slack channel prioritization Slack features that increase productivity File features Message features Search features Channel features Personal Slack features Learning how to maintain a published Slack app Muting notifications Cleaning up Slack channels Using reminders Admin and account maintenance Most useful Slack shortcuts and customization Customizing your workspace Notification tricks Default Do Not Disturb hours Keyword notifications Summary Chapter 4: Onboarding Your Team to Slack Setting up 2FA How 2FA works Signing up with an authentication app Signing up with an SMS message Slack etiquette and team knowledge Minimal messages are key Utilizing the proper channel Threads, threads, threads Direct messaging for individual conversations Keeping conversations brief and succinct An emoji is worth 1,000 words Respecting the Do Not Disturb sign Customizing Slack to suit your team Aesthetic Creating your own emojis Functionality Departmentalizing Slack Organizing channels Improving company culture with Slack Why Slack is an optimal cultural tool Setting the tone Hosting a Slack meeting Storage on Slack Slack Stats and Analytics Analytics dashboard Summary Chapter 5: Using Slack Externally with Live Chats, Guests, and Partners Inviting guests to your workspace Multi-channel guests versus single-channel guests Slack Connect Sharing a channel with external organizations Integrating workflows with shared channels Working with outside partners and freelancers Single-member teams Sharing Slack etiquette and the team knowledge base Setting rules and expectations Why not email? Slack communication with clients and customers Tips for how to manage your clients in Slack Interactive live Q&A in Slack Prep an Ask me Anything session Video conferencing Utilizing Slack for support teams File sharing Summary Section 2: How to Use Third-Party Applications and Bots Chapter 6: Your Workspace Slackbot What’s Slackbot? Getting the most out of Slackbot How to get the most out of Slackbot Responding to mentions Setting personalized reminders and tasks Adding automatic responses Bringing Slackbot to your threads Building FAQs with Slackbot Utilizing Slackbot for your clients Customizing your Slackbot responses Workspace language Creating fun interactions Summary Chapter 7: Integrating Your Favorite Tools What is the Slack App Directory? Getting apps into your Slack workspace The Slack app approval process Using apps in Slack Using Slack apps to improve your work culture and onboarding process Simple Poll Donut Giphy Zoom Troops The most common Slack apps and integrations Google Drive Dropbox Outlook Calendar GitHub Twitter Summary Chapter 8: Automate Your Workflow with Zapier What is Zapier? Zapier's communication tools Choosing the right plan How to integrate Slack and Zapier Connecting Zapier with Slack Utilizing Zapier's tools in Slack Triggers Actions Automating your workflows with Zapier Zaps How to create a Zap Using Zapier for teams Popular Zaps Exploring Push by Zapier Setting up Push by Zapier Zapier based on your business Project management Customer support Social media E-commerce Summary Chapter 9: Slack API, Webhooks, Block Kit, and Sandboxes What is a Slack API? Types of APIs The RTM API What is the Webhook API? Setting up and creating incoming Webhooks Sending messages using Webhooks Interacting with your Webhooks How to use Block Kit Building blocks Block elements Button elements Checkbox groups Date picker elements Image element Time pickers Types of blocks Configuring a Slack API sandbox Enter sandbox Setting up your sandbox Installing Simple IdP Summary Section 3: How to Build Your Own Bots Chapter 10: Building Your Own Bot Slackbot versus regular bots Creating a bot user Building your bot user Setting up Events API access Bringing the bot to your workspace Creating an app Building and hosting your bot Setting up bot tokens Finding the right scope(s) Authorizing OAuth permissions Putting your bot into action Scheduled messages Slash commands Using existing frameworks Block Kit The Bolt framework Testing and pushing your bot live Testing Updating Summary Chapter 11: Buying, Building, and Outsourcing Your Bot Benefits of building your own Slack bot Using external and paid frameworks Botkit Microsoft Bot Framework Amazon Lex Benefits of buying your own Slack bot Brilliant bots for your workspace Understanding the cost and time to outsource a bot Finding freelancers Using Upwork to hire Slack professionals Cost for hiring a Slack professional Summary Chapter 12: Distributing Your App in the Slack App Directory Preparing your Slack app for submission Apps unsuitable for the App Directory App submission checklist Submitting your Slack app for review Maintaining, updating, or discontinuing your published app Expectations for your published app Updating your published app Removing or discontinuing your app from the directory Summary About Packt Other Books You May Enjoy Index **Build Slack bots to automate your work and enhance your team's productivity with Salesforce-powered Slack in a faster, better organized, and more secure way** * Get to grips with setting up and creating Slack bots for your organization * Integrate Slack with tools such as nTask and Tettra to manage all your applications in one place * Understand when to buy and when to build bots Slack is an online communication tool that allows workplace teams to collaborate efficiently, effectively, and securely. It's the leading channel-based messaging platform used by millions to align their teams, unify their systems, and drive their businesses forward. As a developer, you can use Slack to create tools such as bots that handle and maintain routine and time-consuming tasks. If you're looking to set up a Slack workplace or build a Slack bot or app, this is the book for you. In this book, you'll explore scenarios that show you how to set up a Slack workplace, build a Slack bot, or integrate your favorite tools. You'll also learn how Slack can help you create a more collaborative, efficient, and coordinated work environment from any location. As you advance through the chapters, you'll find out how to manage your tasks and boost your business productivity by automating the trivial tasks. You'll also cover more advanced features such as using a Slack bot to complete tasks, including automating message responses and accessing personal reminders. By the end of this Slack book, you'll have learned how to use Slack effectively to communicate with your team and build bots and have gained a solid understanding of how the platform can help you to progress in your industry. * Understand how to set up a Slack workspace * Migrate existing workspaces to your organization * Explore expert tips and techniques for using Slack effectively * Improve collaboration within your team by integrating multiple apps with Slack * Find the right bots and apps to use for your workspace * Discover how to build your own Slack bot * Explore the right channels on Slack to improve your presence in professional communities * Find the best solutions for automating your work directly through Slack Supercharge your Slack Productivity is for professionals in organizations, businesses, or communities who are already using Slack or looking to use it for improving communication. With this book, you'll understand how Slack can make your work life simpler by automating routine tasks and managing all the tools you need in one place for working with or managing remote teams efficiently. 1. Getting started with Slack 2. Setting up your Slack workspace 3. Slack features, tips and tricks 4. Onboarding your team to Slack 5. Using Slack externally with live chat, guests, and partners 6. Your workplace Slack bot 7. Integrating your favorite tools 8. Automate your workflow with Zapier 9. Slack API, Webhooks, Block Kits & SandBox 10. Building Your Own Bot 11. Buying, Building, and Outsourcing Your Bot 12. Distributing your App to the Slack App Directory Find out how Slack enables workplace teams to collaborate not only effectively but also securely. This Slack book will guide you through the process of everything from setting up a Slack workplace to building bots, equipping you with the skills you need to make the most of Slack to.