Само собой, будем на связи.

It means something like of course, naturally, or that goes without saying.

Literally, it is closer to by itself or self-evidently, but in real speech it often works as a set phrase meaning:

• obviously
• sure
• naturally

In this sentence, Само собой signals that the speaker sees the next statement as expected or completely natural.

It is fairly common and natural in everyday speech. It is not slang, but it is a bit more conversational than very neutral words like конечно or more bookish words like разумеется.

So:

• конечно = very common, neutral, everyday
• разумеется = more formal or polished
• само собой = natural, conversational, slightly idiomatic

In this sentence, it sounds friendly and normal.

Because Russian often drops subject pronouns when the verb already makes the subject clear.

Будем is the 1st person plural future form, so it already means we will.

So:

• будем = we will be
• мы будем = also possible, but usually unnecessary unless you want emphasis or contrast

In this sentence, мы is understood automatically.

Because the idea is about the future: we’ll stay in touch or we’ll be in contact from now on.

Russian uses будем as the future form of быть.

So:

• будем на связи = we will be/stay in touch
• мы на связи = we are in touch / we’re available now

The future is the natural choice if the speaker is ending a conversation or talking about continued contact later.

Literally, it means on the connection / in contact.

The noun is связь = connection, communication, contact.
After на, it appears in the prepositional case:

• связь
• на связи

As a phrase, быть на связи means:

• to be reachable
• to be available for contact
• to be in touch

Depending on context, it can mean either I’m available/contactable or we’ll keep in touch.

Yes, very much so. It is a common modern expression, especially in conversation, texting, work communication, and phone/internet contexts.

Common uses include:

• Будем на связи. = We’ll stay in touch.
• Я на связи. = I’m available / reachable.
• Оставайтесь на связи. = Stay tuned / stay in touch.

So even though you can understand it word by word, learners should also remember it as a whole phrase.

Because само собой is being used as a parenthetical introductory expression, similar to of course or naturally in English.

So the sentence is structured like:

• Само собой, = Of course,
• будем на связи. = we’ll stay in touch.

In writing, that introductory phrase is typically separated by a comma.

Yes. Конечно, будем на связи. is perfectly natural and probably the most straightforward alternative.

The difference is mostly in tone:

• Конечно = plain, neutral of course
• Само собой = that goes without saying / naturally
• Разумеется = more formal or polished

All three can work, but само собой has a slightly more idiomatic, conversational feel.

It often means we’ll keep in touch, but the exact shade depends on context.

Possible meanings include:

• we’ll stay in touch
• we’ll be in contact
• we’ll remain reachable
• we’ll coordinate later

For example:

• after a friendly conversation: we’ll keep in touch
• in work/business communication: we’ll stay in contact
• in a logistical situation: we’ll be reachable / available

So the core idea is continued contact, but the tone can range from personal to professional.

Yes. Some common alternatives are:

• Будем на связи. = We’ll stay in touch.
• Останемся на связи. = Let’s stay in touch / We’ll stay in touch.
• Будем держать связь. = We’ll keep in contact.
• Спишемся. = We’ll text / write to each other.
• Созвонимся. = We’ll call each other.

These are not always identical:

• на связи focuses on being in contact or reachable
• спишемся specifically suggests messaging/writing
• созвонимся specifically suggests a phone call

So будем на связи is broad and very useful.