If your Facebook feed has been buzzing with posts or news about Clubhouse and its invitations recently but you’re not sure what’s going on, I am here to clear things up for you. Clubhouse is a new social networking app currently available for iOS only but is expected to be available for android users soon. The kind-of-an-invention, which was founded in March of 2020, lets you join and initiate audio-only conversations on a massive list of impressive categories and subcategories. These include arts, business, tech, marketing, religion, lifestyle, and a lot more.
Right now in order to join the Clubhouse, you need to be invited by an existing user, because the app’s founders decided they want to take its growth slowly. That’s partly what has been creating engagement over the app on other social media platforms like Facebook. Everyone is looking for invitations to experience it! You still, however, can reserve a username and basically wait in line to be onboarded.
The other reason for its wild fame is that it’s used by Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, among other notable CEOs!
Besides open rooms, there are also more private options like rooms exclusive to your social circles and closed ones that are accessible only by invitations.
Here are a quick guide and mini-review on what it’s like from the inside…
The Steps
First I couldn’t get in because I wasn’t invited, but I reserved a username to join in.
Then, one of my friends invited me and I got in with my phone number.
I added a photo.
I allowed Clubhouse to access my contact list. Bye Bye privacy!
I followed people on my contact list, which was only one out of two.
I chose topics that I am interested in. There were many and they were written in a very catchy way.
The app suggested I follow people like comedian Tiffany Haddish. I didn’t.
I got one invitation that I used to get a friend in. If I wanted to get other invitations I would have to start a room and participate in conversations.
Finding a Conversation
You can browse conversations by topics, like writing or music. You can get in if it’s an open one. The moderators choose if you can raise your hands and speak. You can also leave quietly. If it’s a private room, you’ll need to be followed by the host. If it’s a closed one, you’ll need an invitation from the host.
You can follow people or clubs (heads up, content creators!). On their pages, they have scheduled conversations announced. And you get reminders before the conversation starts to automatically make sure you don’t miss it.
Starting a Room
You can start a room, open for everybody to join.
You can choose a social room for people you follow only.
For a more private option, you can choose a closed room for those you choose to invite to the room.
Once you’re inside the conversation, it’s pretty much like a regular Zoom meeting, but minus the video option because it’s audio-only.
Rules
Every room has rules and can be strictly controlled by the moderators of the room. You could raise your hand, but the host decides whether or not you’ll be muted.
Bottom Line
It’s a bit too early to judge whether it’ll be a success, but it definitely has potential. I expect brands and content creators — and advise them — to see it as a novel communication tool or content creation channel. It’s like a podcast with the option to interact, or like a more user-friendly and engaging discussion on a conference call.
One of the opinions I stumbled upon on Facebook was Mustafa Sharara’s. The creative entrepreneur thinks joining global rooms about important topics like entrepreneurship and marketing is the proper way to use Clubhouse right now.
I wonder how massive it could become if Oprah Winfrey decided to host her book club on this app!
It’s an awesome chance for you to be in contact with people across the world, get a chance to network and learn, especially if you’re stuck in lockdown. However, If you are not into virtual meetings and talks in general, if you don’t want to give them a chance, then don’t get your hopes up.
