Messaging

Messaging is our upgrade to the legacy Inbox. With Messaging, you get access to a host of modern features for 1-1 and group communication. Messaging is an excellent way for admins to communicate directly with members and for members to create connections with other members. Whether sharing advice, sending fun gifs, or uploading and downloading files, Messaging has everything you need to take networking to the next level in your programs.

Any member can now start a conversation with an admin, a fellow member, or a group of their choosing. This new method allows members to search the program for each other and initiate conversations. Chatting in a group offers lots of great networking opportunities. It's easy to start a group and just as easy to leave a group once the discussion ends.

Only Group Owners can rename groups, but anyone can add new members

You can also start new chats, as shown below:

You will receive an email notification like this for any new 1:1 Messages you receive. 

Messaging supports easy-to-use emojis, gifs, and reactions! With these features, it's easier to express yourself with fellow members and add flair to conversations. We also support Slash Commands. Try typing “/giphy hello” and see what pops up!

In addition to emojis, gifs, and reactions, members and admins can now easily upload and share files. This is a fantastic way to share a variety of items:

• Documents, PDFs, and Presentations 
• Images and Videos 
• And even Datasets and Code 

Group messages can get very busy quickly, so we knew we had to have Threading. Creating a Thread is as easy as clicking a button. Threads can be initiated by members or admins and are a great way to dive deep into subtopics that come up in conversations between multiple people.

We designed this feature keeping your communication needs in mind, especially for times when you may not be readily available to respond to messages from program members. It allows you to:

1. Personalize Your Message: You can set a custom message to inform your members about your unavailability and when you're expected to return.
2. Toggle On or Off: You have the flexibility to activate the Out-of-Office Autoresponder when you're unavailable and easily deactivate it once you're ready to respond to messages again.
3. Send Automated Responses: When the autoresponder is active, your contacts will automatically receive your Out-of-Office message for any new incoming messages.

Be sure to set one or more of your administrative users as the Primary Admin(s) so members can easily contact you.

To message the administrators of a program, a member must click the new message button. Once they've done that, this quick action will appear.

Admin options are maintained. Admins can still configure welcome messages, give feedback, send bulk messages with merge fields (Note that this won’t create a group message), etc. Permissions are maintained for admins who are allowed to access chat.

We’ve also added the ability to toggle read receipts on/off, customize notifications, and archive Messages. Your message history will not be carried over. We will add a link that takes you to the old inbox to view your messaging history. This will remain active for 6-12 months. If you wish to view old Messages in your legacy Inbox, click “Legacy Inbox History” in the dropdown above the left-hand search bar. 

This feature also includes a responsive design for all devices, allowing content to render differently depending on the device or screen size to give users an optimal experience.

In addition to the common use cases for Messaging like getting Challenge feedback, sending messages to members in bulk, etc. Customers can find new ways to take advantage by:

• Using Group Messages to start conversations between like-minded members based on Location, Use Case, or area of interest
• Organize break out chat-rooms for live events.
• Facilitate customer references and schedule discussions between members.
• Create Channels with exclusive groups of members like an Advisory Board, Reference Group, or Beta Customers.
• … tell us your ideas!

A walkthrough of the chat feature and how to seamlessly use it is demonstrated in below video;https://share.vidyard.com/watch/rDmrwpcsDcxKVNXBE1UjRn