diff --git a/app.js b/app.js
index 76f25f8..be6cc71 100644
--- a/app.js
+++ b/app.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 var SlackBot = require('slackbots');
 var request = require('request');
+var fs = require('fs');
+var path = require('path');
 
 ['SLACK_TOKEN', 'RPCUSER', 'RPCPASSWORD', 'IMGUR_CLIENT_ID'].forEach(function(envVar) {
   if (!process.env[envVar]) {
@@ -14,10 +16,10 @@ var slackbot = new SlackBot({
 
 
 
-function sendWelcomeMessage(usertowelcome) {
-  request('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lbryio/lbry.io/master/posts/other/slack-greeting.md', function (error, response, body) {
-    if (!error && response.statusCode == 200) {
-      slackbot.postMessage(usertowelcome, body);
+function sendWelcomeMessage(user) {
+  fs.readFile(path.join(path.dirname(require.main.filename), 'slack-greeting.md'), {encoding: 'utf-8'}, function (error, data) {
+    if (!error) {
+      slackbot.postMessage(user, data);
     }
   });
 };
diff --git a/slack-greeting.md b/slack-greeting.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b9a8f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slack-greeting.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+Welcome to LBRY Slack! A few things for new users to know:
+
+- LBRY is currently invite only. To get access ASAP, get on the list here: https://lbry.io/get
+- We will not give you an invite unless you demonstrate an ability to contribute or are a badass in some other way
+- Outside of the #help channel, do not ask basic or beginner questions
+- If you're a developer, we encourage you to join #dev. Warning: competent people only
+- Keep it on topic (LBRY), outside of #random_nsfw, which is a 4chan level of NSFW
+- Read the FAQ: http://lbry.io/faq
+- Be courteous, kind, and generous