Cosy for Slack: Features & Setup Guide

Getting Started with Cosy

Follow these steps to set up Cosy in your Slack workspace:

1. Install the App: Add Cosy to your Slack workspace through the Slack App Directory
2. Authenticate: Complete the authentication process for all team members who will use Cosy
3. Configure Your Settings: Set up your preferences in the Cosy dashboard
4. Set Up Onboarding: Create your first welcome sequence for new members
5. Activate Features: Enable the specific tools that align with your community goals

Remember: The most successful communities use automation to enhance human connection, not replace it. Cosy is designed to free up your time so you can focus on what matters most - building meaningful relationships with your members.

Onboarding

Transform your member onboarding experience with automated yet personalized message sequences.

Key Features:

• Customisable DM Flows: Create up to 10 different automated message sequences.
• Personalised Messaging: Craft custom welcome messages, check-ins, and ongoing engagement touchpoints. Add emojis, including custom emojis. Tag their user name with {{membername}}
• Flexible Sender Options: Choose whether messages appear from the Cosy bot or from a team member for a more personal touch
• Authenticate New Senders: Due to the Slack API limitations, the Cosy installer will be authenticated for the app to send DMs on their behalf via the onboarding feature. Additional team members sending these messages will need to authenticate – you can find the button to do this at the top of the Cosy app homepage in Slack.
• Intelligent Timing: Schedule messages with precise delays (minutes, days, or months). Or just send as soon as the member joins the Slack.

Best Practices:

• Create an onboarding sequence that introduces new members to your community's purpose, channels, and guidelines.
• For example, directing users to take specific actions to get setup works well e.g. reading a #start-here channel, or posting in an #introductions channel.
• Use a human sender for personal welcomes and the bot for routine updates.
• Consider a sequence as follows:
  • Sent immediately (from bot): onboarding message on main actions to get setup
  • Sent after 5 mins (from human): short, personal welcome message from a person, encouraging a reply
  • Sent after 7 days (from human): check-in message on how they're doing
  • Sent after 30 days (from human): check-in and ask for feedback
  • Sent after 60 days (from human): check-in and ask for a testimonial

Onboarding Example:

Member Connections

Foster meaningful relationships within your community by automatically facilitating 1:1 connections between members.

Key Features:

• Automated Introductions: Set up 1:1 member connections via direct messages
• Customizable Introduction Messages: Craft the perfect message to facilitate new connections
• Flexible Scheduling: Set the frequency, day, and time introductions are sent
• Smart Onboarding: Automatically asks new members to opt-in 24 hours after joining
• Broad Rollout: Sends notifications to all existing workspace members inviting them to participate (rather than just for specific channels)
• Member Control: Easy opt-out option for members who decide they want to stop participating

Best Practices:

• Mention the connection program in your welcome message, and that they'll receive an opt-in message after 24 hours (only if you have set up Member Connections)
• Highlight the value of networking in your community
• Schedule connections during workdays/times when most members are most active
• Keep introduction messages concise but provide conversation starters

Member Directory

Create a searchable database of your community members without requiring them to leave Slack.

Key Features:

• In-Slack Directory: Members can search and find each other without leaving the platform
• Customizable Fields: Set up to 10 different profile fields to capture relevant information
• Flexible Field Types: Choose from Text, Multiple Choice (Single-Select), or Multiple Choice (Multi-Select)
• Adaptable Structure: Edit fields later as your community evolves

Best Practices:

• Include basic information like name, role, and company
• Add fields that facilitate connections (skills, interests, location)
• Keep required fields minimal to encourage completion
• Consider adding fields that support your community's unique purpose

Moderation

Maintain a healthy community environment with proactive moderation tools.

Key Features:

• Customizable Notifications: Select which team members receive moderation alerts
• Abuse Detection: Receive notifications when abusive language is used in public channels
• Spam Prevention: Get alerts when duplicate posts are sent across channels (common spam technique)
• Privacy Focused: Moderation only monitors public messages, never DMs

Best Practices:

• Assign at least two team members to receive moderation notifications
• Create a private channel for discussing moderation issues
• Establish clear community guidelines that explain your moderation approach
• Use moderation alerts as opportunities for education rather than punishment

Productivity

Work smarter with tools that help you focus on high-impact community management.

Key Features:

• Engagement Insights: Find your top 10 most engaged messages with /most-engaged-messages-all or /most-engaged-messages
• Response Tracking: Discover unreplied messages with /unreplied-messages-all or /unreplied-messages
• Flexible Timeframes: Select whether commands analyze the past 1, 7, 30, or 90 days
• Channel Specific: Use commands in specific channels or across your entire workspace
• Automated Reporting: Set up recurring automations to surface your most engaged or unreplied messages

Best Practices:

• Check unreplied messages daily to ensure no member feels ignored
• Review your most engaging content weekly to inform your content strategy
• Set up automated weekly reports to maintain consistent awareness
• Use channel-specific commands to focus on priority areas of your community

Governance

Manage access to Cosy features while maintaining security.

Key Features:

• Role-Based Access: All Slack Workspace Owners and Admins can use Cosy
• Unlimited Team Access: No limitation on the number of users with admin roles
• Authentication Requirements: Users sending automated DMs must authenticate due to Slack API limitations

Best Practices:

• Limit Workspace Admin roles to trusted team members
• Create a shared document outlining how your team uses Cosy features
• Regularly review who has admin access to maintain security
• Ensure all team members complete authentication for consistent functionality