If your team is still passing updates around in endless one-on-one texts, you’re not just behind—you’re making things harder than they need to be. This guide is for anyone who wants to set up group messaging in Textus and actually make it work for real team collaboration, not just more noise. Whether you manage a small team or run ops for a growing company, this will help you cut through the confusion and get your people working together—without the headaches.
Why Group Messaging in Textus Is (Usually) Worth It
Let’s be honest: most group chats start out with good intentions and end up buried under GIFs, off-topic threads, and lost information. But when set up right, group messaging in Textus can:
- Keep everyone in the loop—fast
- Cut down on duplicated questions and lost info
- Let you actually see what’s going on, not guess
- Get quick answers without a dozen emails
But it’s not magic. If you don’t set some ground rules and use Textus’ features wisely, you’ll just move your chaos into another window. So, let’s get it right from the start.
Step 1: Decide If Group Messaging Is the Right Tool
First, ask: Does your team actually need a group chat for this? Not every conversation is better in a group.
When group messaging works: - Project updates where everyone needs to know the latest - Quick decisions that don’t need a meeting - Sharing files, links, or reminders everyone needs
When to avoid it: - Sensitive or private conversations (stick to one-on-one) - Anything you want to keep for the long-term (Textus isn’t a knowledge base)
Pro tip: If you’re already on email or another tool for this, don’t double up. Pick one—otherwise, you’ll spend all your time checking apps.
Step 2: Get Your Team (Actually) Ready
Before you create your first group, make sure your team knows:
- Why you’re setting up group messaging
- Which conversations should go in which groups
- What the expectations are (quick replies? No memes during work hours?)
Don’t skip this. If you don’t set expectations, you’ll end up with a dozen silent groups—or worse, a flood of off-topic threads.
What works: - A short kickoff note explaining the group’s purpose - Pinning group guidelines or a welcome message in the chat
Step 3: Create a Group in Textus
Here’s how to set up your first group chat in Textus without getting lost:
- Log in to Textus.
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Use your web browser or the Textus mobile app—same process.
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Find the “Groups” or “New Group” button.
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This is usually in the main sidebar or chat menu. If you don’t see it, check your permissions—some roles can’t create groups.
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Name your group.
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Be specific. “Sales Team – Q3 Pipeline” is better than “Sales.” Avoid inside jokes or cryptic acronyms.
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Add members.
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Select people by name or number. Only add those who need to be there—don’t invite your whole address book.
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Set group permissions.
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Decide who can post, add members, or change settings. For most teams, everyone can post, but control who can invite others.
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Send an intro message.
- Welcome the team and restate the group’s purpose. This helps avoid confusion (and silent lurking).
What doesn’t work: Blank groups with no intro, or tossing everyone in and hoping they’ll figure it out.
Step 4: Use Textus Features to Keep Chats Useful
Textus isn’t as flashy as Slack or Teams, but it’s got the basics covered—and that’s a good thing. Here’s what actually helps:
- Mentions: Tag someone with @ to get their attention (but don’t overuse it).
- Pinned messages: Keep key info (like schedules or links) easy to find.
- Search: Use search to find old messages, not just scroll endlessly.
- Notifications: Set these up so you’re not getting pinged for every meme, but don’t miss urgent stuff.
Ignore: Fancy integrations or bots you don’t need. Focus on simple, reliable messaging.
Step 5: Set Some Ground Rules (and Stick to Them)
A good group chat needs boundaries. Otherwise, it becomes a dumping ground.
- Keep it on topic. Create new groups for new projects or topics if things get off-track.
- No spamming. One “FYI” is enough—don’t repeat yourself.
- Respect work hours. Unless you’re in a crisis, don’t expect replies at 10pm.
- Archive old groups. When a project wraps up, close the group to avoid confusion.
Pro tip: Model the behavior you want—don’t just post the rules once and ignore them.
Step 6: Troubleshoot Common Pitfalls
Even with the best setup, things can go sideways. Here’s what to watch for (and how to fix it):
- Too many groups: If people are ignoring messages, you probably have group overload. Consolidate or prune.
- Off-topic chatter: Remind folks (gently) to keep it focused, or set up a “random” group for side talk.
- Notifications out of control: Show your team how to adjust their settings—don’t just tell them to “check the chat.”
- Missed messages: Use pinned messages for anything critical, and recap important info in meetings or emails if needed.
What doesn’t work: Hoping problems will solve themselves. Nip issues in the bud before your team tunes out.
Step 7: Review and Adjust as You Go
No group chat stays perfect. Take a few minutes every couple weeks to ask:
- Is this group still useful?
- Are people participating, or just lurking?
- Are important messages getting lost?
If something’s not working, change it. Archive unused groups, clarify the purpose, or split big chats into smaller, focused ones.
What to Ignore (for Now)
- Integrations you don’t need: If your team just needs messaging, don’t overcomplicate things with plug-ins and automation—get the basics right first.
- Tracking every message: If you need an audit trail, use project management or email. Textus group chats are for quick, working communication.
- Trying to make it “fun”: Don’t force culture with gifs or themes. Let the group chat develop naturally.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Useful
Group messaging in Textus is only as good as the habits you build. Start with a clear purpose, keep groups focused, and don’t be afraid to kill what isn’t working. Most teams don’t need dozens of groups or fancy features—they just need a place to talk, share, and get things done without getting buried.
Try it out, keep it simple, and tweak as you go. The goal isn’t to have the most group chats—it’s to have the few that actually help your team get work done.