5 methods to construct a clubhouse following
The Clubhouse App is the latest social media network to take the internet by storm, one exclusive invitation after another.
Since the beta version on iOS and the support of some of the biggest celebrities in the world, people have been trying hard to get into the app.
Even Silicon Valley joined the hype, valued the social media app at $ 100 million and received a $ 12 million investment from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
In this post, I'm going to break down everything you need to know about the platform, including what it is, how to use it for your business, some things to be aware of, and alternative options.
What is the clubhouse app?
Clubhouse is a social media app – with a twist. Imagine live streaming meets podcasting and Snapchat. Chats disappear forever once they're done. Users can join or create chat rooms that focus on a variety of topics. Conversations are only possible with audio.
Created by Paul Davison and Rohan Seth in May 2020, the app caught the attention of venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz and celebrities. Oprah, Chris Rock, and Ashton Kutcher have been spotted hosting or listening to conversations on the app.
The glitterati factor and the exciting chat room themes have made the clubhouse app one of the most discussed emerging social media networks.
There is a catch, however: the clubhouse is not available to everyone. At the moment it is an app that is only available by invitation. However, you can download it from the Apple Store, reserve your username, and join the waiting list.
Note: There is an Android app called Clubhouse, but it's a project management program. This app is also available on Apple. If you are looking for the clubhouse that we talk about in this article, make sure Alpha Exploration Co manages it.
How does the clubhouse app work?
After receiving your exclusive invitation to the Clubhouse app, you have immediate access to all ongoing calls.
When you select a room, you will hear the chat. If you want to jump in, raise your hand so the speaker invites you to join the “panel” to join the discussion.
Otherwise, you can sit back and immerse yourself in what everyone is saying. And unlike text or video based social media, you can listen while driving, cleaning or doing other tasks on your to-do list.
When you join the chat, you may become a moderator and be able to call others onto the stage. If none of the current topics of conversation suits you, you can open your own room.
The content that is available to you depends on who you are following. For example, like the TikTok algorithm, you will likely discover a lot of digital marketing content if you follow me.
If you want to diversify your feed, find the keywords you are interested in and follow the people who show up in the results.
Another way to find interesting content is to adjust your settings:
- Go to your profile
- Tap on "Settings".
- Tap Interests.
- Select the categories you want to appear on your timeline
How do you get an invitation to the clubhouse?
The easiest way to get an invite is to contact your network. Hop on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram and let people know you want.
If you show up empty handed, some users are selling their clubhouse invites. There are even websites dedicated to selling access to the app. But beware of scammers.
The Rise of Audio Social Media Apps
What's up with audio social media apps? Why is there a trend away from visual platforms?
At first glance, it may seem regressive. After all, we can now record 8K videos, and apps like Instagram and TikTok have tons of monthly users.
Audio social media apps like Clubhouse bring users a digital experience that feels like hanging out with friends while removing the barriers associated with visual media. It works because:
- There is less pressure. No video means you don't have to put on makeup, choose an outfit, or worry about the pimples on your nose. All you have to do is show yourself.
- It's interactive. While podcasts have risen 37.5% in popularity over the past three years, they are typically pre-recorded with no real-time response. Audio social media apps are live and don't require podcasting software or editing.
Five ways brands and influencers can use the clubhouse app
This allows you to use the app's community and thus increase your brand and influence.
1. Build an engaged clubhouse community
What interests me about the Clubhouse app is the potential to build an engaged community and expand your sphere of influence.
By creating spaces on topics you are passionate about and having valuable conversations, you can quickly establish yourself as an industry expert.
Users can review your profile and follow you. The next time you go live, your audience will receive a push notification so they can tune in.
In addition to building a community of potential customers, you can also grow your business through networking in the app. Work with fellow entrepreneurs and influencers to build valuable business relationships in a new format.
2. Receive customer and business feedback from clubhouse users
If you've hung around the clubhouse long enough, one of the founders may stop by for feedback on a new role.
Take a page from your playbook and do the same to your audience.
Create a space and ask for feedback on your latest business idea. You may want to let other business owners consider right away if they think your idea is a failure or the next big thing.
Or what if you have a business problem that you are struggling with? Start a conversation and see which solutions your colleagues recommend.
3. Stay up to date with the latest news and trends in your industry
Clubhouse is social listening. You can follow influential people in your industry, keep an eye on your competitors, and keep track of the categories related to your niche.
You will shortly receive your own timeline with information on trends, industry news and the mood of the audience.
All you have to do is join relevant chats and listen to what people are saying.
4th Announcements through the clubhouse
Once you start attracting an audience in the clubhouse, you can use the app to announce company news.
Let's say you've made the decision to switch to more sustainable, environmentally friendly suppliers. You can create a chat about your business decision and let people know why you met them. You have the opportunity to bring your brand values to the fore and have meaningful discussions with your audience.
Do you have a start ahead of you? Create a space and announce your new product or new features. This can be a great way to build excitement in your community and get instant feedback.
In addition, someone can recommend an optimization or feature that they would like to see. You can use the clubhouse format for crowdsourcing ideas.
5. Connect with investors in the clubhouse
Venture Capitalists (VCs) are a big part of the exclusive crowd that mingles in the clubhouse.
This is an exciting opportunity for startups to face investors and build valuable business relationships.
How can you get VC's attention?
- Start a space to talk about your business. You could get instant feedback from investors and use it to improve your product and pitch.
- Added value in other rooms. Talk about what you do, whom you help, and what problems you are passionate about solving.
All it takes is the right person to listen at the right time – and that person could be a VC if you play your cards right.
Advantages and disadvantages of the clubhouse app
As with any social media network, there are a few pros and cons that you need to consider before deciding whether the platform is right for you.
Here are some of the pros and cons of clubhouse:
Pros: Clubhouse reduces screen fatigue
The key feature that sets Clubhouse apart from sites like Facebook and Instagram is that you don't have to stare at your screen to participate. We consume audio passively, which means you can still be busy and take part in meaningful discussions while commuting to work.
Pro: Clubhouse increases mobility
As more people work from home and use Zoom for meetings, the video has got us stuck in our seats. Audio apps like Clubhouse give you the ability to remove the friction of video, prepare for a Zoom call, and be flexible about appearing at the gym or from your couch.
In addition, no meeting requests are required!
For or against: Conversations disappear in the clubhouse
Once a clubhouse conversation is over, the conversations are over forever. This can be considered a pro as it encourages you to spend time with the app to avoid missing out and the app feels like a personal preservation.
It can also be difficult to get in touch with others if you don't connect fast enough or check out the resources provided in chat.
Con: lack of moderation
One of the biggest setbacks the app has seen is harassment. Taylor Lorenz, writer for the New York Times, took part in a conversation at the clubhouse – about herself. She was accused of playing "the women's card" by complaining about the harassment she receives on Twitter.
Lorenz could not mark the conversation because the app did not have a reporting function. As the clubhouse expands, verbal abuse and harassment of users, as well as a lack of accountability, can become a bigger problem.
Con: Lack of accessibility for deaf or hard of hearing users
Since Clubhouse is an audio app, it naturally excludes the hearing impaired and prevents them from participating in conversations. The introduction of automatic transcriptions could help solve this problem and create a more inclusive community, although these types of transcriptions are far from perfect.
Alternatives to the clubhouse app
Clubhouse isn't the only audio social media app vying for your attention. Here are some emerging alternatives.
- Twitter Audio Spaces: The concept of Audio Spaces is to allow users to collect live conversations on Twitter. Some of the beta features include transcriptions, reactions, the ability to report rooms, and the room creator's control over who can speak. Like the clubhouse, it is initially open to an exclusive group. However, they made the unique decision not to focus on celebrities but on those who "have been disproportionately affected by abuse and harm on the platform: women and those with marginalized backgrounds". Twitter also posted voice tweets.
- discord:: Since its launch in 2015, Discord has gained 140 million users. It started out as an audio platform for gamers but opened the platform to everyone in 2020 and positioned itself as a rival for Clubhouse.
- spoon:: Spoon is a live audio streaming platform that anyone can use. You have the option to create live or recorded audio and monetize your content.
- Ref:: Riffr describes itself as a social micro podcasting app. Users can publish short audio content on various topics. Unlike Clubhouse, it's not live – it's mini podcast sessions. However, there is a community aspect and you can follow users.
Conclusion
The clubhouse may be a welcome addition to the social media ecosystem with its unique twist on the traditional format: audio only. Due to its currently exclusive nature, you could rub your virtual elbows with not only your target audience but also celebrities and potential investors.
If you use your time on the platform wisely, have conversations, and reach the right people, your brand's community can grow and strengthen.
How do you see audio social media apps like Clubhouse changing the way we connect online?