There’s a hot new social platform on the scene – again.
Clubhouse launched without much fanfare in March 2020 with a mere 1,500 users. While it has picked up in popularity since then, swelling to 2 million users by January 2021, a major turning point came in mid-February 2021. That’s when an audio chat between Elon Musk and Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev was livestreamed on YouTube.
Suddenly, Clubhouse was everywhere. Everyone was talking about it. And by the end of the month, the app boasted roughly 10 million users.
That number possibly could have been even higher by this point, but Clubhouse is invite-only. Just like the swanky country club out in the country, you have to know someone to get in, and existing members only start out with two invitations each.
So what is this exclusive social media platform and how can it help your small business? We have the scoop.
Clubhouse: The Chat Room for Cool Kids
Clubhouse is an audio-only platform. There are no status updates, no memes, no videos, and at least as of right now, no ads.
Think of it as a virtual conference hall with thousands of different rooms. In one, they’re discussing entrepreneurship. In another, the topic of the day is marketing. Next door, they’re talking about songwriting. And at the end of the hall, there’s a rousing discussion about the benefits of self-publishing.
You can slip in and out of any room at will, but just like in a real conference, you can’t be in two places at once. Everything is happening in real time, and if you miss it, you’re burnt – these conversations typically can’t be listened to after the fact.
So how do you know which rooms to join and when? By following people and joining “clubs” that fit your interest or expertise.
Each room has a speaker on the “stage” at the front of the room. The next section, called “the front row” shows people who follow the speaker. The last section shows the audience.
You can click on anyone to find out more about them and who they follow, which can send you down a Twitter-esque rabbit hole of discovery.
Just like in elementary school, you’ll need to raise your virtual hand if you have something to say. The speaker controls who they call on, and that person is invited to the stage to ask their question or make their comment.
Can You Use Clubhouse to Grow Your Small Business?
Now that you’ve been given the basic tour, it’s time to talk about how you can use Clubhouse for your small business.
Clubhouse is less useful for “marketing” in the traditional sense. But it can be an important tool for growing your brand, increasing brand awareness, networking with some of your followers and just putting yourself out there.
Join clubs and rooms that are relevant to your industry. Follow people who have interesting things to say. Pay attention to the Clubhouse calendar, where you’ll find a schedule of upcoming events.
Don’t be shy! If you have something to contribute to the conversation, raise your hand. Has someone asked a question that you can answer? Let them know, and then jot it down as a potential topic for a future blog post. If they were wondering, chances are your audience is, too.
Once you get comfortable being part of the crowd, try taking the stage on your own and start a discussion or Q&A. If people are interested in what you have to say, you can grow your own following and make new connections for your small business.
Is Clubhouse Worth Your Time?
If you’re lucky enough to get a coveted Clubhouse invite, it’s definitely worth adding the platform to your social media rotation. There’s no reason not to shoot your shot!
At Mischa Communications, we’re always on the lookout for new ways to help you grow your small business. Let us know what you need!