Send messages and collaborate in Team Connect
Learn how Team Connect helps your team stay aligned with direct messaging, group conversations, and shared updates, all in one place.
In this article
About Team Connect
Team Connect is one of the powerful features included in Fresha Connect, bringing team messaging and collaboration directly into Fresha. Send direct messages, start group conversations, share updates, and keep your team connected without switching between apps.
Whether you’re coordinating schedules, sharing important updates, or managing day-to-day conversations, everything stays connected alongside your appointments, calendars, clients, and bookings, so your team can always find the information they need.
Team Connect is a paid add-on. To activate it for your workspace, see Set up Team Connect for your workspace.
Send direct messages to your team
Direct messages are private one-to-one chats. Use them for quick questions, handovers, or anything you don't need to share with the wider team.
- From the toolbar at the top right of your screen, click on the Messages icon to open your inbox.

- Select the Team Connect icon from the menu on the left.

- Click on the New message button (plus icon) in the left menu panel.

- Use the search bar to find the team member you want to message, then select them from the results.

- Type your message in the text box.
- Click on the Send button (arrow icon).

The conversation appears in your Messages list, and the team member receives an app and email notification that they have a new message.
Start group chat with your team
Group chats let you have conversations with two or more team members at once. They're useful for short-term coordination that doesn't need a dedicated channel.
- In Fresha Connect, open Team Connect.
- Click on the New message button (plus icon) in the left menu panel.

- Use the search bar to find each team member you want to add, then select them from the results.

- Type your message in the text box.
- Click on the Send button (arrow icon) to start the conversation.

The conversation appears in your Messages list, and each team member in the group receives an app and email notification that they have a new message. Everyone in the group can see and reply, and you can dismiss the group from your inbox at any time using the “x” button in your Messages list.
Reply to messages in a thread
Use threads to keep replies connected to the original message, making related conversations in chats and channels easier to follow, and track.
- In Team Connect, open the chat or channel containing the message you want to reply to.

- Type your response in the text box provided in the thread panel on the right.

- Click on the Send button (arrow icon) to post your reply.
- To exit the chat, click on the Close button in the top right of your screen.

The thread shows a reply count under the original message. Anyone in the conversation can open the thread to read or add to it.
Share files, photos, and emoji in team chats
Share photos, documents, and emojis to add more to your conversations. You can attach more than one image at a time, whether it's a handover, product pic, or quick visual update.
- In Team Connect, open the conversation you want to share something in.

- Select the Plus or Emoji icon in the text box to add a file, photo, or emoji.

- Click on the Send button (arrow icon) to send your message.
- To exit the chat, click on the Close button in the top right of your screen.

To open a photo full screen, click or tap it in the conversation. Use the Download button in the image viewer to save a copy to your device.
Mention team members in conversations
Tag a team member in a channel or group conversation so they get notified, even if they don't have the chat open.
- In Team Connect, open the conversation or channel you want to message.
- In the text box, type "@" followed by the team member's name.
- Select the team member from the suggestions that appear.
- Finish your message, then click on the Send button (arrow icon).
- To exit the chat, click on the Close button in the top right of your screen.
The mentioned team member receives a notification, and an unread message count will appear for the channel they were mentioned in.
FAQs
Direct messages in Team Connect are private and only visible to the people in the chat. Workspace admins and owners are unable to read your direct messages, even with full team permissions.
Team Connect is designed for messaging team members within your workspace. To message a client, use Client Connect instead.
Once a message is sent, it stays in the conversation. To correct a message, you can send a follow-up.
Messages and replies from a deactivated team member in Team Connect stay in the conversation, with a label showing they are no longer active. Past messages remain readable, but new direct messages are unavailable to a deactivated user.
When someone is typing in Team Connect, a typing indicator appears at the bottom of the conversation, so anyone viewing the chat knows a reply is on its way.
The Messages icon may not appear if Team Connect has not yet been activated for your workspace, or if your team permissions do not include access. Speak to a workspace admin or owner to get this set up.