When you think about social media, what comes to mind first? It’s likely that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn are your first thoughts. Perhaps you also thought about TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube or Reddit. It’s hard to keep up with the many new social media apps sprouting up on a regular basis and can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. In this article, we’ll look at one of the newer social media apps, Clubhouse, and explore why entrepreneurs should make time for exploring and engaging within the platform.
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What is Clubhouse?
Created by Paul Davidson and Rohan Seth, Clubhouse was released in April 2020. The invitation-only social media app facilitates audio-only communication that doesn’t require you to look at your phone. Think of it like listening to a podcast or being on a conference call. All you have to do is listen, but you’re highly encouraged to join in the conversation.
However, unlike other platforms, there’s no record of activity. Conversations happen and then they’re done. There’s no recording or option to go back and listen again. So, while you can be listening while doing other things, keep a notebook handy so you can write down points and tidbits that you really want to remember.
How does Clubhouse work?
Clubhouse is invitation only, and once you’re in the door, you need to set up a profile and begin following others.
Similar to other forms of social media, the platform uses an algorithm to determine which rooms it will recommend to you in your “hallway” — the “newsfeed” of Clubhouse. To get going, you’ll start following others just like you would on other social platforms like Instagram or Twitter. Once you’re following others, you’ll begin to see recommended rooms for you to join based on your activity.
The topics discussed on Clubhouse are vast. You can catch up on reality TV, talk cryptocurrency or debate politics. The options are endless. By following other entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals, you’ll start to see topics that are relevant to starting and operating a business.
For example, you may be shown rooms about:
- Marketing
- Sales
- Demand generation
- Entrepreneurs and startups
Once you begin engaging within the app, recommendations based on your user history will begin to appear. If you’re interested in seeing all the different rooms that will be active each day, there’s also a handy calendar you can peruse.
In each room, you’ll find a moderator, speakers and listeners. The moderator has the power to control who is speaking in the room. As a newbie to Clubhouse, you’ll most likely want to be an attentive listener for a few weeks before leading the conversation. As a listener, you have the opportunity to step up to the mic, which signals to the moderator that you’re ready to join the conversation. When it’s your turn, the stage is yours and you can use your time at the mic as you see fit — to comment, share insights, ask questions, etc.
The best part about Clubhouse is that you’re not stuck in one room. As a listener, you have the opportunity to float from one room to the next at your leisure in order to find the conversation that intrigues you. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re in line to take the stage, you’ll lose your spot if you exit the room.
Given its growing popularity, it’s not surprising that Clubhouse continues to evolve: In April 2021, the app creators announced that they are slowly rolling out a payments option for content creators, allowing fans and supporters to send money directly to others on the platform.
Related: How Startups and Entrepreneurs Can Use TikTok to Grow Their Businesses
Joining the club
The name says it all: Clubhouse. The reality is, Clubhouse is just that — an exclusive club. And until yesterday, Clubhouse was only available to iPhone users; but on May 9, 2021, the social network launched its Android app to U.S. users.
Here are four reasons you should find yourself an invite and get on Clubhouse as soon as possible:
- Expand your network
Clubhouse is buzzing with entrepreneurs and business-minded folks just like you. Being on the app affords you the opportunity to connect with others who you may not have had previous access to. Check out the profiles of individuals you’re interested in getting to know to find their Twitter and Instagram handles, too. Some participants even share their phone numbers and email addresses!
- Learn from prominent business leaders, investors and experts
Generally speaking, the chance that you get to hear one of your role models speak to a live audience — or better yet, get to ask a direct question — is typically slim. With Clubhouse, there’s actually a chance that this could happen! Clubhouse is quite popular among notable business leaders, including Mark Cuban, Mark Zuckerberg, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ben Horowitz and more.
Not to mention, there’s a slew of investors and industry experts using the platform, as well. Here’s a list of the most influential people on Clubhouse to give you an idea of who is using the app. Best of all, these individuals are not soapboxing on the platform; they are having meaningful and engaging dialogues and are open to answering questions.
- Tell your startup story and share what you know
Being an entrepreneur takes guts and a whole lot of moxie. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned as a business owner, there’s plenty of opportunity to do so on Clubhouse.
Here are three rooms to join if you’re interested in hearing from, and speaking up in front of, other entrepreneurs, including:
- SoloEntrepreneurs. Listen to others and share your own experiences and challenges of being an entrepreneur.
- Entrepreneurs, Start & Scale Up Business. This room is all about talking about taking risks and making change.
- Entrepreneurs Business & Tech Lounge. Entrepreneurs from across the globe come into this room for support and motivation, taking anything and everything about growing a business.
- Startup Club. Dive deep on startup issues, venture capital, entrepreneurship.
Even as a Clubhouse newbie, you can still add value to the conversation, so be sure to speak up when you have resources or tools that can help the Clubhouse rooms you’re in.
- Find what you need to grow your business
Clubhouse has it all, providing a wealth of topics and delivering something for everyone. No matter what you’re searching for — a laugh, a cry, a push of motivation or inspiration, or simply a friendly reminder that you’re not the only one facing certain challenges — you’ll find it on Clubhouse.
As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly seeking inspiration and motivation to help drive our businesses to the next level, and by logging onto Clubhouse for just a few minutes a day, you may find yourself stumbling upon a conversation that speaks to you.
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Finding a Clubhouse invite
Now that you have a better understanding of what Clubhouse is and how entrepreneurs like you can benefit from joining and engaging on the platform, there’s only one thing left to do — secure yourself an invite.
Initial Clubhouse users receive only two invites, so ask around within your existing network to see if anyone has an invite to share. Your next best chance of securing an invite to Clubhouse is to join the Waitlist or leverage your existing network and put out a request on your personal social media channels. In your messaging, be sure to include the hashtags #Clubhouse and #Clubhouseinvite.
Be warned, there are currently several invitations for sale on eBay, averaging around $20. However, we do not recommend going this route.
It may require some sleuthing, but regardless of how you get your invite, once you’re in the Clubhouse, you’ll be on your way to expanding your network, learning from industry insiders and boosting your business.
