4 Slack time-saving automation hacks to boost your productivity
We're living in an age of 'hyper-distraction'. Being bombarded by so much information every day can be overwhelming at times. Especially when it stops you achieving what you need to achieve.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
Brilliant communication tools like Slack should be used for what they were intended; to help you "be less busy." And, by putting our four automation hacks into action, you can stay one step ahead and reclaim some valuable time in your working day.
#1 - Automatically create and manage Slack channels
Save time keeping track of what's going on in the other apps you use every day with Slack's API. Using the API you can create a new channel automatically and archive/unarchive existing channels. For example, if you use a CRM tool like SalesForce, you could spin up a new Slack channel every time a new customer is added. Alternatively, if you already have a workflow to track customer activity, you could set it to archive the Slack channel when the customer is inactive, and revive it when the customer becomes active again.
*Screenshots from SalesForce
#2 - Automate your reminders
Every Friday, you have to remind your team to submit their timesheets. But, what happens when you decide to take a long weekend? Or you forget (ironically) to remind everyone? With a simple slash command, you can set up regular reminders in channels or direct messages. You can even set them up so only you can see them!
/remind #team-adaptavist to Submit your timesheets! every Friday at 3pm
Reminder to self: maybe if I used Slack better, I'd remember to water my plants so they wouldn't keep dying. 
#3 - Automate keyword notifications
Save time getting up to speed with all the discussions relevant to what you're working on using Slack's custom keyword notification feature. Select keywords you are interested in or relevant to what you're working on and you'll receive an alert anytime they come up in a discussion. You're probably wondering how this helps you save time as surely it means more Slack notifications flooding your way? But, if managed well you should only receive updates that are relevant to you and finding ways to keep up to date so you don't find out a vital piece of information when it's too late, has got to save you time in the long run?
Simply open the Notifications section under your Slack’s preferences and select the “My Keywords” section to set up your list.
#4 - Have all the latest news at your fingertips
Keeping up to date with all the news stories and current events going on across the world can be a full-time job. Set up RSS news feeds to go straight to specific channels in your Slack workspace, and never miss a beat again. If you are in marketing for example and want to track all the twitter or LinkedIn posts that mention your company name, you could integrate a tool like https://queryfeed.net to create an RSS feed to do just that. Your marketing team will always stay one step ahead knowing exactly what people are saying about your company.
https://queryfeed.net/tw?q=adaptavist
Did you know Slack can also help manage your commute?! It turns out the Chicago Transit Authority use RSS feeds for all of their train lines and bus services, so commuters have an easy Slack channel they can check on to see if trains are delayed or cancelled.
Or heck, maybe you just need a channel where your team can de-stress from a day's work with photos of cute animals. Who wouldn't love that? You could have an RSS feed from a site like this https://www.instagram.com/queenshebaserfinn/ delivered right to your workplace. Shameless plug, I know, but couldn't resist.. 
Take your Slack to the next level
