What I've Learned Being On Clubhouse For A Week
There’s a new social media platform that you may have heard of and it’s called Clubhouse.
Clubhouse is much different than other social media apps for one simple reason-it’s meant to allow connections between users on an audio-only basis. While some rooms (clubs) use Twitter as a chatroom here and there, your vocals are the primary way to connect with others.
As much as I would love to issue a link to get as many people on board with this new wave as possible- I can’t. The app is invite-only and I’ve already extended the one that I’ve been allotted thus far to my homegirl. The sense of “exclusivity” that the app offers is a huge part of the hype surrounding it and has been an excellent way of building an interest in the general social media population.
I’m in no way an expert, nor have I been on for very long but I figured there’s no harm in sharing a few things I’ve learned this past week that may help anyone new to the platform.
OG CLUBHOUSE MEMBERS HATE YOU
Haha- while this is an exaggeration it’s still important to note that a part of people’s experiences who have been members for a few months is shifting. More people are joining the app, changing the culture and vibe of things and you’ll occasionally come across people who have no problem letting you know they aren’t interested in your opinions or participation solely because you’re new to the platform.
How do they know? Well, at the bottom of your profile the date that you were invited to the platform is listed in combination with a celebration emoji that lives in the corner of your profile picture whenever you’re in a room speaking or listening.
With that said I have had an incredible experience and connection with quite a few OG’s who had no problem showing me the ropes and getting me accustomed to the app and comfortable participating in the evolving culture. Just thought it was worth the slight warning that there are quite a few “we were here first” kind of peeps!
PICK THE ROOMS YOU JOIN WISELY
Being selective about the rooms that you join and speak in is important for a few reasons. The main feed of clubhouse is called the “hallway”. Your hallway is full of rooms that you can join but the rooms you see are based on the clubs that you have joined and the people you follow. This is why it’s important to be mindful of the rooms that you’re in if you’re using this for professional networking.
If at 9 AM you made an awesome connection with a company executive in one room and they follow you the likelihood of them seeing you participate in a “Demon Time” room a few hours later is higher since it will most likely be in their hallway.
Being selective with who you follow will also allow you control over the curating of your hallway. If you see that there are people you follow consistently speaking in rooms that don’t interest you- unfollow them.
THE SMALLER THE ROOM THE DEEPER THE CONNECTION
As the app has grown over the past week or so I have watched quite a few people join the app and immediately start flocking to rooms where high-profile people are speaking in hopes of getting a chance to speak with them and grow their network.
What I have found is that even in a room of twenty people the conversation doesn’t flow in a meaningful way. If I’m looking to just stay in the audience and not raise my hand to go up on stage, these larger rooms can be a great way to get information, tips, and insight from people you normally wouldn’t be able to.
Attempting to speak in them isn’t a huge return in investment when you factor in the time you wait to even be called on. Often by that time the conversation has well developed past what your input may have even been.
I’ve spoken in rooms with 200 plus people in them where nobody tried to connect with me because everyone was so focused on pitching themselves to a room full of people who were interested in, well, pitching themselves. The 150+ connections I’ve gotten on the app so far have all been from smaller rooms of about 5 or 6 people having genuine conversations, sharing information, and being more focused on connection versus exposure.
IT’S OK TO TAKE A BREAK (CLUBHOUSE FOMO)
The most ironic thing that I’ve been a part of this week is being in the audience of a clubhouse room where the topic was about creative fatigue and burnout and how taking a break from social media is not just allowed but necessary…as we were all logged in to the latest social media app.
Once you get the basic explorations of the app situated it is very easy to get sucked in. There is ALWAYS something happening, a gem being dropped, a connection to be made. The fear of missing out when you aren’t signed in is a REAL thing but just like I have to remind myself- I want to remind whoever it is that’s reading this that missing a day here and there will not kill you and no opportunity that's truly for you will pass you by just because you weren’t on clubhouse until 4 AM.
Take care of yourselves guys! Enjoy the app, and if you happen to get an invite don’t be shy and give your girl a follow (@thisisjessrose)!