Creating Chat Channels

Owners can create custom chat channels within their District to facilitate communication and engagement. These channels can be used for general discussions, seller collaboration, and more.

How to Create a Chat Channel

Owners can create and edit chat channels from the website (not the app).

1. Navigate to Your District Homepage

   • On your District's homepage, locate "Channels" which is in the left-hand menu beneath "Home," "Listings," and other tabs. Find the "Channels" section.

2. Create a New Channel

   • Click the “+” (plus sign) next to “Channels.”

   • A pop-up modal will appear for setting up your new channel.

3. Customize Your Channel

   • Name: Enter a name for the channel.

   • Description: Provide a brief description of the channel’s purpose.

   • Select Who Can View This Channel?

     • Everyone (all members), Sellers (option to restrict to live sellers only), Moderators, Admins (including owner)

   • Select Who Can Send Messages?

     • Members, Sellers, Moderators, Admins

4. Managing & Organizing Channels

   • Owners can edit a channel’s details after creation by hovering over the chat channel and tapping the 'Edit' icon.

   • To reorder channels, click and hold a channel, then drag it up or down the list.

Understanding Channel Visibility & Roles

• Viewing and messaging permissions are tied to user roles within your District. See examples below:

  • If a channel is set to Admins only, it will not be visible to members, sellers, or moderators.

  • If a channel is for Sellers, general members will not see it.

  • If a channel is set to Live Sellers can view / message, only live sellers will see it, but members or general sellers who are not approved to go live will not.

• Admins (including owners) can see all channels regardless of settings. Moderators can see all channels besides those set to Admins only view.

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How to Use Chat Channels Effectively

For Community Engagement:

• Public chat channels can spark conversations and increase engagement.

• Example: A popular channel type is "In Search Of" (ISO), where members can request specific items.

• Example: in a sports District, a "Live Game Chat" channel can be popular for community engagement.

• Example: in a hobby District, a "Show Off Your Collection" channel can be popular for community engagement

For Seller Collaboration & Support:

• If you have a marketplace (multiple sellers), seller-only chats can help them support each other, ask questions, plan events, and share tips. Set the settings to Seller View / Seller Message.

For Important Guidelines & Announcements:

• Example: You can create a Seller Guidelines channel:

  • Viewable by: Sellers only / Messages sent by: Admins only

  • This ensures important seller info remains visible and organized without getting lost in conversation.

For Moderator Coordination:

• Private moderator channels can be used for reporting issues, planning moderation efforts, and discussing marketplace policies.

There are endless ways to use chat channels to build community and improve communication within your District. Customize them to best fit your needs!