Top Slack Groups for Makers and Founders
They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. My problem is I'm a member of too many Slack communities. There. I said it.
In all seriousness, I'm finding these groups particularly helpful right now. I wouldn't describe myself as an extrovert by any means. However, I am missing a bit of human connection. I find Slack communities to be an excellent substitute.
Why Slack groups? Well, I have a love/hate relationship with Slack. As a tool for communicating and collaborating in real-time in a team, it's great. For staying focused while trying to get work done, Slack has room to improve.
Where I think Slack shines is as a platform for online communities. Old school forums and message boards are silos. You often don't get engagement on your post. It feels slow and old. Communities built on Slack, on the other hand, are much more engaging. It feels more like networking or being at a roundtable where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback, talk with whomever you want, and have back and forth.
It's certainly not a perfect tool for the job. Most communities use the free plan, so you can't view old content. The number of channels often gets unruly. Moderators have a tough time stopping spam and crossposting. It would great if Slack would add more forum-specific features to address these issues.
Moving past the medium, here are my favorite Slack communities right now. I hope they help you connect with the outside world, get feedback, and share best practices as much as they've helped me.
Delocate - For building remote companies
delocate.co
This one is relatively new, and I get to say I've been a member since day one. The purpose of the community is to help remote founders and managers build their teams in a fully remote environment.
Why I Like It
The community is supportive, and the content is highly relevant for a remote founder like me, particularly right now.
Top Channels
- #monthly_ standup - Monthly check-in, where members are encouraged to post their goals and initiatives and comment and offer advice on others. It's great for accountability.
- #remote_tools - I love talking about products and tools, so naturally, this is going to be one of my favorite channels in any forum.
- #help_and_advice - Get feedback on blog posts, or find beta testers.
Tech London Slack - For anyone interested in the London/UK tech scene
Tech London is the first community built on Slack that I joined. It was intimidating at first over there, but the feedback and support you get are among the best I've experienced. Avoid spamming and posting in the wrong channels, and you'll be all right.
Why I Like It
The focus is London, so in the before times it was easy to grab a coffee with people you meet there. The forum spans a wide range of topics. There are channels for everything from food and drink to code. The content and advice on marketing is among the best I've ever come across.
Top Channels
- #marketing - If you are looking for tips and best practices on marketing and growth, spend time here.
- #feedback - Need impartial feedback on your new landing page? Have a survey you want to get in front of people? The feedback I've received from the community in this channel is consistently excellent.
- #shameless-plug - Sometimes, you need to plug something. Nothing wrong with that. Launching on Product Hunt? Need some beta testers? Do it here (and not in #feedback, everyone can see right through you).
Launch - For founders to share and get feedback
launch.chat
Founders, developer, and designers congregate here to share ideas and connect. It's a great place to get feedback and share what you are working on, as well as provide your expertise.
Why I Like It
Launch has over 20k members. Still, it is well organized into just a few channels, and not too noisy.
Top Channels
- #marketing - Lots of great resources shared here, and a great place to get insights on growth and marketing strategies.
- #chat - A place to chat with like-minded people and introduce yourself. No promotions or feedback.
Mind the Product - For product managers
slack.mindtheproduct.com
Picking my favorite PM group is a tough one. There are lots of great ones. I have also spent time in Product School and The Product Group. But I find myself coming back to MtP the most.
Why I Like It
As someone relatively new to product management, I've found the resources and community here to be extraordinarily helpful and eager to support one another. I've even managed to have coffees and get some mentorship and advice from a few people.
Top Channels
- #pmmentoring - If you are new to product management like me, or just looking for someone with a bit more experience to help you on your way, find them here.
- #data-driven-pm - For PMs looking to become more data-driven, look no further. Resources and advice on making more data-driven product decisions.
We Work Remotely - For navigating being a remote worker
If you are building a remote team, check out Delocate. If you are a remote worker, then WWR is the place for you. Find tools and resources for working remotely, share your favorite work from home (WFH) gear, and even get feedback on your resume.
Why I Like It
I've been remote for the last nine months. It was great to find a community to connect with and share headaches, but also get advice on how best to navigate being remote. I struggled with how to stay productive and connected when I first started working remotely, and having a community to reach out to is helpful.
Top Channels
- #wfh-parenting-tips - When one role stops and the other begins in your day might be blurred, so this is a great place to get some tips on how to manage and be better at both.
- #workspaces-and-gear - I love seeing how everyone else manages their home office, and what tools and gear they use.
Share yours!
I'm always on the lookout for a new Slack community. Shout out your favorite. Please send us an email or tweet at us.
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