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Upscaling content creation with Workflow Steps for Jira
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Calling all content creators: say goodbye to task-switching and hello to creativity with Workflow Steps for Jira

Charlie Courtney
Charlie Courtney
23rd June, 2023
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Charlie Courtney
Charlie Courtney
23rd June, 2023
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Steps to install Workflow Steps for Jira
Steps to link your Jira instance with Slack
Steps to set up a workflow between Jira and Slack
Steps to add emoji reactions to your workflow
Take your content production to the next level

Learn how to take your content creation to the next level with Workflow Steps for Jira. Read the latest step-by-step guide from Upscale.

One of the biggest challenges businesses face today is creating content that attracts and engages the right customers. Whether it's an eBook, blog or social media post, the right content delivered in the right way can really help to set your brand apart from the competition. But success doesn't happen overnight. To make a real impact, you need to be able to produce high-quality and engaging content on a consistent basis.

Start with the right tools

For content creators, investing in the right tools can make or break their content workflow. So it's not surprising that a growing number are turning to Jira and Slack to keep their content machines running like clockwork.

There is, however, one not-so-little snag. Switching between Jira and Slack constantly will not only drive you crazy, but it will also slow down the whole process and, over time, grind your content production to a halt.

The good news is there's a way content creators can have their cake and eat it, i.e. get what they need out of Jira and Slack without endlessly switching between them.

Meet Workflow Steps for Jira, your key to connecting Jira and Slack.

Say goodbye to task-switching and hello to creativity

In this blog, we'll show you how you can use Workflow Steps for Jira to speed up your content creation process and eliminate the need to switch endlessly between Jira and Slack.

Ready?

Let's get started.

First up, make sure you've installed the app in your Slack workspace and have admin access to your Jira instance. Simple instructions are provided in the app to guide you through the process.

Steps to install Workflow Steps for Jira

Select 'browse apps' by clicking on the + sign to the right of 'Apps' (bottom left of your Slack screen).
Screenshot of the apps tab in Slack.
From there, you can select ‘Workflow Steps for Jira' if it's already on the list or search for it in the top bar.
Screenshot showing Workflow Steps for Jira in the Slack Apps section.
Next, you will arrive at the Workflow Steps for Jira app home tab.
Screenshot showing the Workflow Steps for Jira app home tab.

Steps to link your Jira instance with Slack

To connect Jira and Slack, you must choose the appropriate Jira platform and authenticate with your Jira instance, e.g. Jira Cloud or Jira Server/DC. Just click on the 'Need help choosing' link for help if you don't know which platform to use.

In this example, we've selected Cloud, and once you click the "Jira Cloud" button, a modal opens for authentication. Click 'authenticate'.
Screenshot showing how to authenticate a Jira instance in Slack.
Next, your default browser will open, and you need to either log into your Atlassian account first or the following screen will open immediately.
Select accept to allow Workflow Steps for Jira access to your Atlassian account.
Screenshot authenticating Workflow Steps for Jira with Jira cloud.
Once you see a success message, you can return to Slack to create your first workflow.
Screenshot showing successful instillation of Workflow Steps for Jira.

Steps to set up a workflow between Jira and Slack

First, create a new channel you can use for all content requests. Click on the + sign to the left of the Channels button and select ‘create a channel.’

As an example, I have named the channel #content-requests, added a description (this is an optional field, but can be helpful to channel users), and clicked 'create.'
Screenshot showing how to create a Jira issue from Slack.
You can invite the people you want to the channel, as shown below. You can skip this step if you want to return to it later.
Screenshot showing how you can add people to a channel as part of your workflow.
Now that your channel is ready, it's time for your content workflow.
Screenshot showing how to access the Slack Workflow Builder.
Click the down arrow beside the name of your workspace (on the top left of your Slack screen) and select 'Tools' and 'Workflow builder'.
Screenshot showing how to access the Slack Workflow Builder.
Select 'create' on the workflow builder page, then type in your workflow's name as shown below. Click 'next'.
Screenshot showing the Slack Workflow Builder.
Screenshot showing how to name your workflow in the Slack Workflow Builder.

Steps to add emoji reactions to your workflow

You can use emoji reactions to initiate requests by selecting the option below.
Screenshot showing how to choose your workflow trigger in the Slack Workflow Builder.
Screenshot showing how to choose an emoji reaction as your workflow trigger.
Select the emoji reaction(s) you'd like to add to your workflow as the trigger.
Screenshot showing how to choose your emoji reaction in the Workflow Builder.
Click next.
Screenshot showing the emoji reaction step.
Then click ‘add step’ as below.
Screenshot showing how to add a step to the Workflow Builder.
The next step is to add the Extract Slack Message Content step, which will automatically extract the content from the Slack message when users select the appropriate emoji with their content request. See below.
Screenshot showing how to access the Extract a Message step.
Screenshot showing the Extract Message Step.
Screenshot showing the Extract Message Step.
Select save.

Then click ‘add step’.
Screenshot showing how to add a step to the workflow.
Next, add the ‘Create Jira issue’ option, which will be triggered automatically when the user adds one of your chosen emojis.
Screenshot of the available Workflow Steps.
Select the Jira instance you want to connect to the workflow, as below.
Screenshot showing how to select your Jira instance.
As the next step, add the relevant Jira project and issue type.
Screenshot showing how to select your Jira project and type.
Using the 'insert a variable' drop-down menu, complete the summary box and description, as shown below.
Screenshot showing the workflow step fields.
Then select the reporter for the issue; in this case, I selected the admin, but you can set it up to select other options if you wish. Select save.
Screenshot showing how to select the issue reporter.
If you want your Slack users to get a confirmation that the Slack workflow was executed all the way through, you will need to add another step.
Screenshot showing how to add another step to your workflow.
Click, send a message.
Screenshot showing available workflow steps.
If you would like to add details from previous steps to the content message, you can use the ‘Insert a variable’ drop-down menu, as shown below.
Screenshot showing send a message step.
You can preview the message on the preview screen and then select save.
Screenshot showing message preview.
As a result, your workflow should look like this:
Screenshot showing finished workflow.
The notification below should appear once you click publish (top right corner).
Screenshot showing the 'Your workflow is ready to use' notification.
Before using your workflow, you must follow the instructions in the Extract Slack Message Content step.

Ensure that the Link to a message reacted on variable is selected in the text box above, then add Workflow Steps for Jira to the desired Slack channel by typing @Workflow Steps for Jira and pressing 'Enter'.
Screenshot showing the live workflow.
Now for the exciting part. When a user posts a request in the channel, and you respond with an emoji (I used a book emoji above), the Jira ticket details will appear as if by magic.
Screenshot showing the content creation workflow in Slack.

Take your content production to the next level

As a content marketer, you have a lot of spinning plates to manage. While Workflow Steps for Jira won't solve all your challenges, it will give you greater control over your day-to-day processes, so you can focus on creating engaging content that drives new opportunities for your business.

Want to get started quickly?

One of the many great things about the app is that anyone in your organisation can use it to save time and boost efficiency. Tapping into our ready-made templates is a great way to help your colleagues get started. 

Download the template for the exact workflow we've been discussing in this post, and start capturing content requests directly from Slack! Remember, you'll need to edit the template before running, so it has your Jira instance details in the configuration.

We'd love to hear what you think

If you are keen to try out Workflow Steps for Jira for a specific use case but not sure how to go about it, feel free to reach out to us for a chat. We're always on the lookout for creative ways to help make work smoother and groovier for you and your teams!

Not tried the app yet? Start you free trial today!
Written by
Charlie Courtney
Charlie Courtney
Senior Content Marketing Manager
Charlie is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Upscale, and has worked in B2B/B2C marketing for nearly a decade. Charlie is responsible for crafting integrated content marketing campaigns that elevate our products, champion our brand, and create memorable experiences for our customers.
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