Clubhouse is the most talked about Social Media Platform / App that everybody is talking about right now
Even if you’ve not downloaded it, you can’t help but have seen endless discussions about it on Facebook Groups and LinkedIn Posts
As I write this blog it’s number 8 on the Social Media section of the IOS Appstore
Let’s explore
WHAT IS CLUBHOUSE?
Well, this is how Clubhouse describe themselves
“Clubhouse is a new type of social network based on voice—where people around the world come together to talk, listen and learn from each other in real-time.”
So, think Live Podcast meets Talk Radio meets Social Network
You can stay in the background and be a member of the audience or put your hand up and ask to be on the “stage”
WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT CLUBHOUSE?
Scarcity drives demand
Firstly, Clubhouse is IOS only, so people with Android phones can’t get a piece of the action (there is talk of Clubhouse rolling out to android in March)
Secondly, Clubhouse is invite only so people want to be part of the secret clubhouse and others are offering out invites
Whether Clubhouse is here for the longrun or not they deserve awards for the smart marketing as I’ve never seen hype for a platform like this
WHO IS USING CLUBHOUSE?
In the last week it’s reported that Clubhouse has grown from 1 million to 2 million users in just a week
It launched last year
Fast growth, but in the context of Twitter (17 million UK users), LinkedIn (29 million UK Users) and even more for Facebook and Instagram
Clubhouse – Rooms For You
CLUBHOUSE: PROS
1. The intimacy of voice without the pressure of camera
For many people Zoom Fatigue is real
There’s a pressure on appearing on camera and it takes a lot out of you mentally
A year into the pandemic, people are realising that maybe phone calls and audio only are an easier way to communicate than “Jumping on a zoom” 5 times a day
Clubhouse has the intimacy of voice without the pressure of camera
There’s something real and intimate about hearing someone’s voice and what they sound like, especially if you’ve had a text only relationship on other social networks
2. Access Information from “Influencers” or “Industry Leaders”
Many are seeing this as a pro
Although I’d debate that you can already access information from “Influencers” or “Industry leaders” from other sources such as Podcasts, Blogs, Interviews and Social Media
With Clubhouse there are 2 differences to those platforms
– It’s not rehearsed, polished or a show
– You can share a stage with them and ask a question if the host allows
In both of those respects it’s cheaper than paying for a conference or 1 on 1 with the “influencer”
3. New Audience
Around 50% of our followers on Clubhouse don’t follow us anywhere else
If you’re reading this blog and have heard of us for the 1st time – we’re @altrinchamhq on all the social’s apart from LinkedIn where I’m Alex McCann
So in theory if you choose the right rooms then Clubhouse allows you reach outside your existing network rather than speak to the same people on a different platform
4. Anecdotal stories of people winning clients
I mention the word anecdotal specifically here
Anecdotal stories have come out of people winning clients for their £1000+ courses direct from meeting someone on Clubhouse
Every platform has anecdotal stories of people winning business. If you followed the anecdotes you’d be using every platform out there
At this stage it’s too early to tell for most businesses if this is a serious business tool or simply a place to listen to information
Clubhouse: All Rooms
CLUBHOUSE: CONS
1. Time suck
Firstly, there’s the notifications, which even when you turn them down to the lowest level are still pretty intense
Secondly, in terms of consumption, audio content only works for low level tasks
Which means if you’re using Clubhouse as a replacement for radio / music whilst washing the pots, cleaning the house etc then it’s absolutely fine
If you’re doing high level tasks such as a proposal, important emails, writing a blog then Clubhouse is too much to focus on both
Thirdly, there are other platforms that you could consume information a lot quicker. Blogs, Podcasts and so on without the waffle
I hate to say it, but there is a lot of waffle on Clubhouse at times – think the person at your networking groups whom 30 second intro means 3 minute intro
2. Your Audience Are Already On Other Platforms
Let’s just say you’re a business like ours
You’re based in Manchester, England
You work internationally, but the vast majority of your clients are in the North West
Despite the protestations that Clubhouse is only a learning platform that people are using to learn from, there is the business development side of the platform
In business it’s all about priorities and so many people who are now finding time for Clubhouse have always stated they don’t have time for Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn – you know, places where they have an audience of customers (or would be customers if they were truly active)
3. False Prophets and Fake Gurus
The reality is you probably know anybody you need to know to help grow your business
– They’re in your networking group / circle
– They’re someone you’ve met several times face 2 face
– They’ve worked with a number of people you know
– They’ve answered your question in a blog / video previously
– They have a lot of testimonials
– You already have their phone number / email address
Are you really not going to take advice off them to replace them with someone on Clubhouse
– Who you don’t know
– Who has no qualifications / testimonials
– Who hasn’t worked with anyone you know
– Who has no online footprint apart from Clubhouse
– Who you don’t have the contact details for
The reality is Clubhouse is full of slick “gurus” praying on the naive
Not all of course – but with every new thing there are gurus, fake experts and con (wo)men
Choose who you take your advice off wisely as it’s your health, your wealth and your business at risk
CONCLUSION
Clubhouse is hot right now
It would be foolish to ignore
But 90% of your focus should be on platforms that work for you business and 10% for experimenting with things like Clubhouse
It’s easy to focus on things that distract you rather than focus on business itself
Naturally if it’s a replacement for leisure time like Netflix, Soaps and using Clubhouse more doesn’t detract from your work / life balance then spend more time with
If you wish to follow us @altrinchamhq – we value your time and will be doing one show per week max
NEED HELP WITH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?
Chat to us about Social Media Marketing for YOUR organisation , so we can better understand YOU and what will grow your organisation
We can only find out what is unique to your business by chatting with you
Look at our Social Media Training and Social Media Management services
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Please call Alex on 07806774279 or email alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk
