This post will help answer what the Clubhouse app is all about and how to use it for your business or building your personal brand.
If you asked someone “Have you heard about the new app called Clubhouse?”. You will receive two different reactions of “ Yes! I’m addicted” or “ No, what is it?“.
I would describe the Clubhouse app as a social audio platform. You can listen to live conversations or join in a conversation with people from all around the world.
This new social platform arrived with perfect timing, saving us from boredom while we have been stuck in our homes by the pandemic. A new way for people to connect live without involving video.
I love listening to new voices and meeting new people, but what I am most excited about this app is using Clubhouse for business. But this app is so different from other social media platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram.
So, let's find out if Clubhouse is right for your business or personal brand. And what the hype is all about.
What is Clubhouse?
Imagine yourself at a house party and there are several rooms to enter into. When you join a room, a conversation is happening. You may choose to stand back and listen or raise your hand to join in the conversation.
Some rooms could have a few people and other rooms can have hundreds of people. Every room has a different topic of conversation. It is your choice to choose which room to join.
Clubhouse App Cover
I also have heard Clubhouse described as a modern version of live talk radio.
Where there are host and guest speakers that help answer questions or comments from listeners.
The app was launched in April 2020 and is only available for IOS phones.
How is Clubhouse good for your business or personal brand?
On Clubhouse, people are encouraged to check out profiles of people in the room, especially if they are speaking. As a business owner or content creator, this is a free and organic way for new eyes to read all about you and your business. (I share some tips below on how to optimize your profile).
In the profile section, you can add direct links to Instagram and Twitter for people to connect with you. Clubhouse does not have messaging capabilities.
As a business owner on this platform, you can share your expertise with a real live audience who is actively reviewing your profile information while you are speaking. That is some good warm traffic headed your way and reading how to connect with you, off the app.
As digital marketer Molly Ho says on her podcast Keep Getting Better, when people hear your thoughts and voice “They can feel your personality”. This type of connection is a fast-track way to build trust and loyalty with your audience.
How do you share your expertise? Join a room with a relevant topic and raise your hand to share. Or host a room. (More on that a little further below).
Who is on Clubhouse?
The super early adopters of the app were people from the tech industry, but it soon gained popularity with other industries, such as music, entertainment, and public speaking communities.
So the community of users has its share of celebrities like Oprah or Drake. But has also become a major platform for business leader speakers like Gary V. or Grant Cardone.
People you would never get to hear speak live for free or access to ask questions to.
But since it’s still so new, there is room to grow a name for yourself! I can already notice micro-influencers beginning to blossom on this app. That could be you too.
The Clubhouse app is still in the beta stage. Limiting the number of people on the app.
I heard You Need an Invitation, is this True?
As I am writing this in early 2021, yes you need to be invited to join the app. But you can join the waitlist. If someone you know joins and they see your name on a waitlist- they have the option to use their invitation for you.
I can imagine people’s eyes rolling right about now because this sounds so over the top, right?
But I get the importance of creating some buzz and exclusivity while trying to control the number of users on the app to avoid crashing it. It’s the same strategy Facebook used in its early days.
I'm In Clubhouse, now what?
You got your invite to join and now you have your party hat on your profile- what comes next? (Party hat is a way for people to know you are a newbie. It will stay on your profile for the first 7 days on the app).
Here are 4 Tips to get you started:
1. Select interests based on your customer audience. I also highly recommend selecting some business categories. The beauty of Clubhouse is not only a place to meet potential clients, but also a place to learn for business owners.
Selecting interests will help the app curate suggestions of people and clubs to follow.
2. Join a Welcome room ASAP! This was the best step I took when I first joined. The people who host Welcome rooms are super nice and really want to help newbies navigate their way around the app. They offer great tips on how to get the most from the app and etiquette rules to follow.
For more in-depth information about Clubhouse check out the Clubhouse Guide.
3. Follow like-minded people. You will start to notice the same people show up inside the same rooms. Start to follow them and drop them a DM through the links on their profile. This is a great way to network and collab on or off the app. Co-hosting a room will help you tap into other people’s followers (more on how to co-host below.)4. Write a killer profile page. Similar to how you would treat and write your LinkedIn profile. Use keywords in your about section because it is searchable content.
The first 3 lines of your profile should be the most important and engaging information about you and your brand. Make sure to add some personality with fun facts, add all the ways people can reach you, what you have to offer, and a compelling CTA (call to action).
How can Clubhouse Bring Traffic to my Business?
Making the most out of your Clubhouse invitation for your business or personal brand will be based on how active your engagement is on the platform.
what does engagement look like on clubhouse?
- Join a club related to your customer’s interest or your industry.
- Check out the profiles of the people speaking on stage.
- Follow speakers on Clubhouse and through the other platforms in the profile.
- Send a DM through Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn and say refer to the room you bother were in.
- Raise your hand and join in the conversation!
- “Clap” to show support while on stage (by clicking the mic button on and off)
- Host a room (see below on how to do that)
- Create a club (see further below on how to do that)
Host a Room on Clubhouse
You can choose any topic to discuss (as long as it doesn’t violate Community Guidelines).
A good suggestion is to co-host a room with someone you feel comfortable with and who aligns with your same intention and outcome for the discussion.
The bonus of having another person host with you is access to their followers. When a person is hosting or co-hosting a room, their followers are notified.
Hosting a conversation with an audience is also an awesome way to listen and learn from your ideal customers. It’s pretty amazing to have access to real-life discussions on their pain points and questions that you have answers for or the solution to.
For more tips on how to host a room, you can find it here.
Start a Club
Creating a club is a great opportunity to build a community of your ideal audience and collaborators. Giving you a chance to curate an assortment of topics that supports an on-going conversation around what you offer to the world..
Currently, there is a waiting list to set up a club, but you can sign up here to get on the waitlist.
Just remember with any organization of a group or club, it will take some dedication of time to set up rooms and accept members. Make sure you have the bandwidth for this commitment.
Is Clubhouse the Right Platform for Me?
Clubhouse is not everyone's jam.
If you feel comfortable with speaking in front of an audience (Woot- Woot) High-five to you!
You will do great on Clubhouse.
However, speaking and sharing in front of an audience can be nerve-racking and completely out of your comfort zone. But don’t let your fear get in the way of your future success.
Give yourself a chance to step into something new.
Raise your hand to ask a question. Practice speaking in smaller rooms. Build that entrepreneurial muscle of networking.
Public speaking is tough and uncomfortable, but at least on Clubhouse, you are home, in your P.J.’s and sharing your thoughts. That sounds better to me than a networking event.
Conclusion
Clubhouse is a great opportunity for people to get to know you and your brand.
When people can hear your voice and listen to you speak, it creates a faster way for people to know you.
Participate as a listener and contribute to a conversation. You will see great results for your business.
I hope this post was a helpful guide on how to use Clubhouse for your business. Let me know what you think of the app below in the comments.
Follow me on Clubhouse! @hellovaleriem
I’ll see you in a room soon! 
