---
title: Team Messaging 101
description: Using messenger for your team can be a learning curve. Here's how to make it easier.
---

[Learn to Flock | Everything you need to know about using Flock ](https://blog.flock.com/usingflock)

# [Team Messaging 101](https://blog.flock.com/usingflock/team-messaging-101-99e0ec9a9a66)

 Written by [Flock Editorial Team](https://blog.flock.com/usingflock/author/flock-editorial-team) | May 20, 2016 6:30:00 AM

## Handy tips to help you communicate better

 

It’s always the small things that make the biggest impact — even when it comes to [messaging](https://blog.flock.com/10-reasons-why-team-messenger-can-be-a-game-changer-for-you-37739a35054). But more often than not, we end up overlooking the tiny details.

So here’s what we thought: Wouldn’t it be handy to have a curated list of good messaging etiquette? Yup, you’re welcome!

- **Take private conversations out of channels**. The whole office does not need to know about your dinner plans.
- **‘Hi’** and** ‘Sup’** are salutations, not conversations in themselves. Don’t leave a colleague hanging at just that.
- **Update your status and profile picture.** After all, your friends at work would love to know a little about what’s going on with you.
- Signing off for a bit? Set your status to** ‘DND’.** Or risk causing a panic attack among your team, when they can’t find you.
- **Introduce yourself** before you start a discussion. Especially if you’re new to a group.
- Use **@mentions** to direct the attention of a person in channel conversations.

 

- Brevity is the soul of wit. **Keep. Conversations. Short.** And to the point.
- Use [**video calling**](https://blog.flock.com/best-business-video-conferencing) for long discussions, instead of messaging. It’s much more effective, and gets the job done, pronto!

 

- **Excuse yourself**, if you need to leave a conversation midway. Don’t disappear without a trace, never to return.
- **Use private channels to create task or project specific channels. **Add only relevant members to this channel to avoid disturbing the rest of the team with your ramblings.

 

- **DON’T YELL.** THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO PUT YOUR POINT ACROSS THAN LEANING ON THE CAPS LOCK KEY.
- To cut the clutter, **pin conversations** that are most important or **mute conversations** that are just banter.
- Use **smileys, stickers, or better off, GIFs.** Heaven knows the office could do with some cheer.

 

- **Abbreviations are acceptable.** We know how busy you are. Just don’t *LOL* at everything I say.
- **Avoid sharing large files in public channels.** You don’t want to be the reason for the abuse of the company’s bandwidth.

*Remember: Your messaging app is your ally at work to get the job done. Always make the most of it.*

 

 

[View full post](https://blog.flock.com/usingflock/team-messaging-101-99e0ec9a9a66)

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