Haven’t Heard of Clubhouse?
As a creator you’re always trying to expand your social media audience, right? OK, then, time to tune up your vocal cords and join Clubhouse, a new social media app oriented on the audio conversation. Wait a minute, we assume you’re thinking, isn’t this kind of old school—kind of like trading in Facebook for AOL Chat Room?
Think Live-Stream-Podcast-Snapchat Combo
Well, yes and no. The Clubhouse app is primarily audio-oriented, but it’s still a digital experience that allows you to socially interact with others in real-time. Clubhouse provides an interactive live-streaming-podcasting combo with conversations disappearing—poof!—ala Snapchat-style as soon as they are over. In tune with the fast-growing popularity of podcasting, the audio-oriented app Clubhouse makes it easy to engage with people while carrying out other important tasks. That is, you can listen and/or converse while you are driving, painting your nails, making dinner, or just about anything that doesn’t overwhelm the audio feed. Clubhouse also eliminates any concerns about what may be exposed through visual media. You know, like your messy bedroom or that piece of spinach caught in your teeth.
Clubhouse is Growing Fast!
Founded just over a year ago, Clubhouse now has over 10 million weekly active users, a big jump from the 600,000 reported in December. These active users include some big-name celebrities, Silicon Valley thought leaders, and a growing cadre of creators and influencers. Little doubt that you might want to join in so that that you can engage your expanding audience in a conversation about your creator niche.
Hold on, though, as Clubhouse is exclusive. No entry for you until you receive a Clubhouse Invite Code.
Clubhouse is a Members-Only App
You can go ahead and download the Clubhouse app with ease through the App Store or Google Play, but making your way into the actual clubhouse requires an invite. Of course, as a creator, you are already a VIP, so that invite might come quicker than you think.
That’s because once you’ve signed up for Clubhouse, the app’s algorithms can search your contacts and social media for Clubhouse members, who in turn are notified that you need an invite. If that doesn’t produce an invite, inform your network that you are interested in getting an invite. If you don’t get any bites from that, well, perhaps your creator status hasn’t quite reached VIP level yet. In that case, you can resort to buying an invite from members pawning them on the Web, but be wary of potential scammers.
Start Building Your Clubhouse Presence with your Bio
Once you’ve cleared the velvet ropes and are in the Clubhouse it’s time to build your following. You should start with your bio, as Clubhouse asks for this information at the get-go. Make your bio engaging, use SEO (your bio is searchable), and clearly exhibit your creator strengths. Use a professional-looking image for your profile pic and add links to your other social media. At some point, you may want to add your customized CheckYa link to your Clubhouse bio. Once you start gaining a following, make sure you keep it updated.
For bio ideas, examine those of creators who have amassed large numbers of followers. Josh Constine’s bio, for example, quickly establishes his creds by letting people know that he’s an @SignalFire venture capitalist and former editor of TechCrunch. He then follows with the hook “Let’s talk about the future!” Those opening lines alone are enough to capture some attention from techies and reel in new followers. But the bio further notes when he hosts his weekly Clubhouse meetings describes which top thought leaders join in and provides other information relevant to his expertise and creator status. All-in-all a solid bio for Clubhouse.
Boost your Clubhouse Presence by Making Connections
You can initiate a conversation on Clubhouse anytime by opening a new room. However, if you don’t have any Clubhouse followers you’re likely going to be conversing with yourself. While anyone can see that you’re hosting a conversation by scrolling through the list of open rooms, few will join in unless your proclaimed topic is perceived as a “must hear/talk about this” one. Even with a fascinating topic, though, a noticeable lack of followers might suggest that your words aren’t worth hearing. Thus, focus on making connections first and then turn your attention towards messaging.
You gain connections by following other Clubhouse members and getting them to follow you. Make sure you follow anyone you already know on the platform, anyone else of interest, and those involved in the same creator sector as you. Join relevant conversations and, when you can make a salient point that adds to the conversation, ask to speak with the “raise your hand” icon. Just adding value to the conversation can gain you new followers, so add such value whenever you can. Given some time, effort, and ability to wax poetic about the subject matter, this can help establish you as a thought leader. This, in turn, will help draw followers into your own conversations when you open a room. It can also earn you invites to moderate other speaker’s rooms, which further boosts your Clubhouse creds.
Start Moderating your Own Rooms
Once you’ve secured a decent following and are prepared to initiate engaging conversations related to your creator specialty, it’s time to open your own room. To draw in a crowd, promote your discussion by scheduling it in advance. After all, few “live” events generate crowds organically and most rely on promotion to generate crowds.
The clubhouse makes this easy. Simply click on the calendar icon and add all pertinent details about your conversational event. Hit the publish button and Clubhouse puts it on the master “upcoming events” calendar. To further your promotional reach, don’t forget to share event details on your other social media feeds. In fact, to boost Clubhouse effectiveness you should always promote your impending conversations on your other social media feeds.
You’ve Now Got the Basics, So Here are Some Other Tips
OK, so you’ve downloaded the Clubhouse app, passed the velvet rope, gained followers, opened a room, and wowed attendees with your keen insight and ability to stimulate conversation—now what?
Well, if you keep doing what you’re doing, and do it well, Clubhouse will allow you to create your own Clubhouse Club. Similar to Facebook Group, this allows you to hold regular conversations and build a community oriented around your specific creator focus.
Whether opening a new room or launching your own Clubhouse Club, other tips for maximizing Clubhouse include:
- Make sure the conversation flows.
- Consider having a co-host to help you moderate your own events.
- Invite other moderators and engaging speakers into your rooms and events.
- If your conversation keeps drawing in new people, make sure you refresh the topic of discussion as numbers grow.
- Learn and utilize Clubhouse etiquette in your discussion rooms.
- Refer to audience members by name when inviting them to speak or welcoming them to the room.
Join Clubhouse and See for Yourself
All of the above points will become more clear as soon as you’re in the Clubhouse and initially navigate the site. It’s intuitively easy to figure out the Clubhouse basics, especially when you’ve already successfully navigated your entry onto other social media platforms. Once you are in tune with the Clubhouse platform, make sure that it meshes with all of your other social media and creator initiatives, including CheckYa, if warranted.
Happy Clubhousing!
