Managing Slack Connect Channels vs Internal Org Channels: Impact on Community Building Efforts

June 24, 2026

Are any of you dealing with your teams wanting to create Slack connect channels within your internal orgs VS channels directly in your Slack communities? I understand the argument that it makes things easier on the end user not having to roggle orgs but it's honestly annoying me because I feel like it keeps taking away from my community building efforts because it's a one-off channel/initiative. Have any of you dealt with this? I know Tightknit has a Slack Connect option but it's less about that and more about the broader participation in the community 😓

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11 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Joel P.
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Employees or members?
Patrick M.
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I think she means “bringing customers into select company channels” vs “getting staff into the community”
Zach H.
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We use Slack Connect pretty extensively but I'd argue they are used for different reasons. We use our Slack Connect for procurement and messaging teams/departments that aren't in the community. Usually, I prefer sales stuff outside of the community which is where Slack Connect comes in handy
Joel P.
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Either way, I have a strong POV on it
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Zach H.
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hit us with the POV Joel P.! We need the wisdom in the chat
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Beth S.
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Patrick is right. Bringing customers into an internal Slack channel. The ask is around the early access program and creating it as a Slack connect channel VS a community channel. There have also been one-off cohort-based learning initiatives with tips/tricks, activities, gamification, etc. where the team has tested both but opted to continue testing in Slack connect because it got higher engagement. I agree with you Zach that they serve a purpose. We use them with external partners, collab events, account-team channels with customers, etc. But when it's basically a community-like initiative, I'm just getting annoyed with the direction the team keeps taking them and feel like it's taking away from my efforts/broader strategy.
Joel P.
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As long as your platforms — Tightknit and others — would work the same in a Slack Connect channel as they do as a regular public/private channel, then I'd recommend a connect channel. Reasons:
Communication and access is a key part of an early access program.
Remove barriers for your internal teams to collaborate with customers in the program, as well as make it easy for them to use their existing internal tools for logging issues, feedback, etc. + easy to add folks to the Slack Connect, if needed.
Deliver your employees a badge for the close and/or GA of the pilot along with members to bring the two groups together in the moment to celebrate the launch.
Beth S.
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Valid points! Appreciate the insight
Joel P.
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And they're private anyway, so they wouldn't be public to benefit the entire community.
Beth S.
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No, you're right. But they'd at least be in the community to see the other channels available to them which could encourage broader participation
Joel P.
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Yes, but those could also become connect channels, too. It's harder to go the other way.
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Joel P.
·
·
Employees or members?
Patrick M.
·
·
I think she means “bringing customers into select company channels” vs “getting staff into the community”
Zach H.
·
·
We use Slack Connect pretty extensively but I'd argue they are used for different reasons. We use our Slack Connect for procurement and messaging teams/departments that aren't in the community. Usually, I prefer sales stuff outside of the community which is where Slack Connect comes in handy
Joel P.
·
·
Either way, I have a strong POV on it
1
Zach H.
·
·
hit us with the POV Joel P.! We need the wisdom in the chat
1
1
Beth S.
·
·
Patrick is right. Bringing customers into an internal Slack channel. The ask is around the early access program and creating it as a Slack connect channel VS a community channel. There have also been one-off cohort-based learning initiatives with tips/tricks, activities, gamification, etc. where the team has tested both but opted to continue testing in Slack connect because it got higher engagement. I agree with you Zach that they serve a purpose. We use them with external partners, collab events, account-team channels with customers, etc. But when it's basically a community-like initiative, I'm just getting annoyed with the direction the team keeps taking them and feel like it's taking away from my efforts/broader strategy.
Joel P.
·
·
As long as your platforms — Tightknit and others — would work the same in a Slack Connect channel as they do as a regular public/private channel, then I'd recommend a connect channel. Reasons:
Communication and access is a key part of an early access program.
Remove barriers for your internal teams to collaborate with customers in the program, as well as make it easy for them to use their existing internal tools for logging issues, feedback, etc. + easy to add folks to the Slack Connect, if needed.
Deliver your employees a badge for the close and/or GA of the pilot along with members to bring the two groups together in the moment to celebrate the launch.
Beth S.
·
·
Valid points! Appreciate the insight
Joel P.
·
·
And they're private anyway, so they wouldn't be public to benefit the entire community.
Beth S.
·
·
No, you're right. But they'd at least be in the community to see the other channels available to them which could encourage broader participation
Joel P.
·
·
Yes, but those could also become connect channels, too. It's harder to go the other way.
👀1