Slack communities for remote workers are virtual chat rooms where you can learn, network, and chat with like-minded people. They’re great for a quick distraction, support, or making friends while embracing this unique lifestyle we cherish.
Do you ever feel like you don’t quite click with your virtual coworkers? Making friends in the office is hard enough, but online is a whole different ballgame.
Most companies that use a business messaging app, such as Slack or Teams, create a few conversational channels to allow employees from the same organization to chat and connect over non-work-related topics. However, if you want to broaden your horizons, learn how other remote workers stay active, happy, and healthy, have casual water cooler conversations, or get advice from someone unrelated to your organization, Slack communities for remote workers are what you’re looking for.
You can find channels dedicated to coding, biotech, human resources, gaming, crypto-currency, geographical locations, and, of course, remote work.
What Are Slack Communities?
Slack communities are virtual groups run by volunteers dedicated to connecting like-minded people who want to share their knowledge with others. Unlike a Slack channel, community members typically don’t work for the same company. You can interact from your desktop, browser app, or mobile app. Creating a community is available to those on the free or paid version of Slack.
From a company standpoint, you can create a community to engage with consumers and get feedback from people who use your product or service. From a remote worker’s perspective, you can enjoy friendly chats, make friends, network, and improve your WFH routine.
Since approximately 20 million people are already using Slack daily, many people are comfortable navigating the app. Customizing channels is simple, and the real-time communication can not be beat.
Benefits of Slack Communities For Remote Workers
Slack communities for remote workers are a great place to connect and chat. They offer many benefits, including the following.
Slack communities:
- Help you meet like-minded people.
- Help keep feelings of isolation and loneliness at bay.
- Offer support and encouragement.
- Are great for networking.
- Can help you find recommended co-working or third spaces.
- Can help you plan upcoming trips as a digital nomad.
Where to Find Slack Communities for Remote Workers
There are many ways to discover open Slack communities. You can:
- Search on Slack’s website.
- Search on Reddit.
- Search on Standuply.
- Search on Slofile.
- Ask for recommendations on social media.
- Post a question on niche sites.
- Read the comments of an article that interested you (some community leaders will advertise there).
- Google ‘Slack communities for remote workers’.
How to Join Slack Communities
Once you’ve found a community you’re interested in, it’s time to join it. Some are more straightforward than others.
Typically, you can visit the community through a link and request an invitation by providing your email. Other communities will ask you to fill out an application. The application may ask how you found the community, why you want to join it, and basic information about you and your career.
While this information may feel intrusive for joining a casual Slack community, moderators want to ensure that you’ll be able to contribute to conversations properly.
Some Slack communities have an admission fee. The admission fee may be one-time, monthly, or annual. These communities typically offer more insight and higher-value information, possibly with Q+A’s or conferences with field professionals.
Bonus: My Top Picks of Slack Communities for Remote Workers
- Remotely One – After being approved to join this group, you’ll have invaluable access to conversations with location-independent professionals. Common topics include useful products, destination guides, and productivity hacks. They even host an occasional remote work challenge.
- Productivity Hackers – Aside from multiple channels about tips and tools to help you be more productive while working from home, this community also provides a space for casual conversations.
- Nomads Talk – This free community is geared towards digital nomads. It offers advice about places to visit and on-the-ground advice, such as the best places to eat, tour, and work remotely.
- Remote Together – Remote Together is an excellent mix of water cooler chats and productivity chats. You can discuss your daily routines, favorite apps for co-working, and general conversations about remote working.
