You can optionally enable Direct Messages to chat and engage your members! This is a great way to foster long-term, meaningful, authentic connections with your members.
Notes:
Currently an early release beta feature
Available on web and mobile apps
Requires mobile apps version 3.20+ available Sept 2024
Please contact Uscreen to request this feature in your community
Community Direct Messages Beta
This means it is an early release feature, and Uscreen is still actively working on it. Expect that there may be issues. There are known limitations with the feature's current capabilities, and existing capabilities are subject to change in future iterations. Uscreen plans to improve it further. But we also want to give you early access, as soon as possible, since we know you will benefit.
Beta also means we want your feedback! So please share your feedback in a feature suggestion or with your friendly Customer Success Manager.
Direct Messages Settings
You are in control. Enable (or disable) direct messages at your discretion.
Before enabling, you should be ready to explain direct messages to you members, and be ready to engage with them. Direct Messages will require your time and attention to respond, and moderate. So only enable if when you are ready.
Direct Messages are disabled by default. When you enable, you may select:
Members can message other members.
Members can message admins
Which plans can message admins
Keep these options in mind for your subscriptions and overall strategy. For example, maybe only the top "premium" paying subscription members can message you, as the admin. Members messaging admins is a great upsell opportunity.
Note: Regardless of these settings, admins will always have the ability to send messages to members if direct messages are enabled. In the instance that an admin messages a member first, the member will be able to respond, even if members messaging admins is disabled, or the user does not have the right subscription plan for this privilege.
How Direct Messages Works
Search for members
Admins are listed at the top
Messages include text and emoji today. Uscreen might expands to links, images, videos in the future
Members can block other users
Members can report content. So be sure to monitor your admin moderation section for potential abuse
Red dots indicate new message activity
Notes and Limitations
Direct messages are part of community. Much of our direct message functionality is shared with community, such as notifications and moderation, so community must be enabled to access direct messages. It is not possible to have direct messages only.
Disabling direct messages does not delete content - It simply hides the content until you choose to enable it again.
Disabling community will likely make your members sad, so be mindful if you choose to do so.
Direct messages are 1-to-1 only. There are no group messages. Community channels can be used as a suitable alternative, as private channels can allow for smaller group settings within your overall community.
Users who are not signed in will see a prompt to sign up / in when trying to DM. This is same behavior used for video comments and community.
Trial accounts can not use direct messages. This limitation is placed to prevent abuse and spam.
Direct Messages and Privacy
Direct messages are encrypted, at rest, and at work, but are not end-to-end encrypted.
Direct messages are private, but may be reviewed for support and moderation.
You, as a community admin, will see direct messages, if reported as part of the moderation feature.
Uscreen may review direct messages for support, tuning, and forensics. This access happens only if absolutely necessary, like to fix a bug. In case of access, Uscreen treats your data with a high level of confidentiality.