# Launch communications plan and key messaging

*Slack Consultant Study Guide · Learning and Enablement · Last updated October 21, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-consultant/learning-and-enablement/launch-communications-plan-and-key-messaging*

How to recommend a Slack launch communications plan (executive sponsor announcement, then department and manager welcomes), run the launch-day announcement with @channel, email and Notify pending members, and hand the client a key messaging document tailored to each audience.

- Certification: Salesforce Slack Consultant
- Exam section: Learning and Enablement
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Recommend a Slack rollout communication plan and enable the client to execute the plan.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a communications plan whose messages answer why the company chose Slack, what employees gain and how they get started.
- Sequence the plan: executive sponsor first, the Slack announcement, then a team welcome from department leaders echoed by people managers.
- Run the launch-day announcement: the companywide announcements channel, @channel, email for people not yet in Slack, and Notify pending members.
- Build a key messaging document whose entries state objective, audience, timing, delivery method, senders and a message template.
- Tailor messaging for audiences with different Slack maturity or a bigger change to their processes.
- Key terms: **executive sponsor** (usually a CEO or CIO who holds the vision and sends launch communications); **team welcome** (department and manager follow-up); **pending members** (invited people who haven't joined yet); **key messaging document** (the message templates behind each line of the plan).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Three questions | Why Slack, the benefit for employees, how to get started | [Slack launch communications](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launch-communications) |
| Plan stages | Executive sponsor, Slack announcement, team welcome | [5 steps to launch Slack](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launching-slack) |
| Executive sponsor | Usually a CEO or CIO; delivers the initial announcement | [5 steps to launch Slack](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launching-slack) |
| Team welcome | Department leaders, echoed by people managers | [Slack launch communications](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launch-communications) |
| Announcement channel | #announcements-company, starting with @channel, plus email | [5 steps to launch Slack](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launching-slack) |
| @channel reach | All channel members, active or away | [Notify a channel or workspace](https://slack.com/help/articles/202009646-Notify-a-channel-or-workspace) |
| Notify pending members | Owners and admins; More message shortcuts in a public channel; email preview | [5 steps to support adoption](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/5-steps-to-support-your-teams-adoption-of-slack) |
| Key messaging elements | Event name, objective, time, audience, delivery method, senders, template | [Develop Key Messaging](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/slack-training-experience-preparation/develop-key-messaging) |
| Custom messaging triggers | Slack maturity, change management impact, operational function | [Develop Key Messaging](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/slack-training-experience-preparation/develop-key-messaging) |

## Check yourself

- Why should the executive sponsor, not the Slack admin, send the first announcement?
- When should the sponsor also send the announcement by email?
- Which three questions should launch communications answer?
- What does each key messaging entry include besides the template?

## Sources

- [Slack launch communications](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launch-communications)
- [5 steps to launch Slack](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/launching-slack)
- [Craft Effective Messaging Strategies for Client Communication](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/slack-training-experience-preparation/develop-key-messaging)
- [5 steps to support your team's adoption of Slack](https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/5-steps-to-support-your-teams-adoption-of-slack)
- [Notify a channel or workspace](https://slack.com/help/articles/202009646-Notify-a-channel-or-workspace)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 6 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Slack Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams