You spend your whole day chatting with your coworkers on Slack, but these are the times that it’s actually better to email.
WHEN IS BEST FOR SLACK?
Quick questions. Slack is best used for quick questions that need a fast answer. The reason it works so well, especially in the face of email, is that it’s in front of everyone’s faces, and all the people in an organization are on it.
Group brainstorms. Slack helps eliminate inbox clutter. If you’re working on a brainstorm, the chatroom environment is perfect for spitballing ideas. Conversely, when working with a large group of people, there is nothing worse than a reply-all avalanche. “People hate getting emails that they don’t want to receive,” says Pachter. “It clutters up everybody’s inbox.”
WHEN SHOULD YOU EMAIL?
Long messages. There are a few instances when it’s best to avoid Slack. For one, email is a bit more formal than Slack, so it may be helpful when beginning to foster a business relationship. Additionally, if you’re looking to talk about things more at length, email may be best.
When you want more privacy. Ultimately, email is best when trying to maintain the most privacy. Though information feels like it is protected when using chatlike interfaces, that may not be the case. For one, administrators likely have access to whatever people are sending on a platform. Not only that, but the information you share on a chat platform has the chance of being subpoenaed by the authorities if such action is warranted. While email can be subpoenaed too, by using a product like Slack, you forfeit control over your data in those circumstances.
WHEN EITHER COULD WORK
For one-to-one conversations, it could seem like a toss-up about which is best. For Pachter, the answer lies in the context. If you’re working with a colleague who seems inclined to Slack, it’s best to stay that way to avoid changing channels and getting lines crossed. Similarly, if someone initiates communication via email, it doesn’t make sense to go to Slack when the current system is working just fine.
Equally important is realizing that what you say carries weight. Read what you say to make sure it’s being sent on the right medium and in the right tone. Pachter recommends that people say out loud what they’re writing as well as put the address of the person they’re sending the information to last. This way, you make sure you’ve proofed everything before unintentionally hitting send.
Read more: Here’s When You Should Use Email Instead Of Slack
