“Just what we need – one more social media platform.”  

That’s exactly what I thought when I became aware of the app, Clubhouse, last fall.  On January 1st of this year, I took the plunge and promptly lost three days down the rabbit hole listening to what feels like private conversations between people who are not usually accessible.  People like Tiffany Haddish, Cameron Herold, Jim Kwick, B.J. Fogg, and yes, even Elon Musk. I was in a room where Grant Cardone did a deal with the producer of a movie with Robert DiNero being filmed in Costa Rico for a part, right there on Clubhouse.  And I was like a fly on the wall witnessing it in real time. 

Clubhouse is that and so much more.  It is exciting, super hot, and super amazing.  It’s visibility on steroids, which is why you should be on Clubhouse.

Defined by Clubhouse as a ‘Drop in Audio only’ platform, it’s 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.  It’s invite-only currently keeping it in the exclusive atmosphere conveyed by its name.  The addictive part is there is no recording.  If you aren’t in the room to hear or participate in the conversation, that moment (or hour) is lost forever which plays into FOMO (fear of missing out).  That’s one of the reasons it’s so addictive – it’s hard to leave when the conversation is juicy.

Here are some Clubhouse best practices and how you can use it.

Clubhouse is iPhone dependent

For now, the Clubhouse app is only available for iPhones.  While the developers are working on adding Android, there are two workarounds:  

1)  Because it’s an iOS app, you can use your iPad.  If you don’t have an iPad, maybe now is the time to grab an old iPad. 

2)  You can go and reserve your username so once it is released for Android, your username is already set. 

Tip:  Your username should be your name.  My Clubhouse username is:  @susangilbert

Clubhouse provides High Visibility even without being Seen

Because there’s no video, you don’t have to put makeup on and get dressed up (even above the waist). You can just show up. And so, when you’re not worried about what lights are needed like you do when you are ‘on camera’ it’s a little bit more intimate and it’s a little bit more vulnerable. You get to have really beautiful authentic conversations there because nothing is recorded. It’s like a podcast that nobody can ever access again. And so you might be thinking, well that doesn’t make any sense.  But the beautiful thing here is it creates this urgency factor. It’s a very intimate way for people to connect with you and get this information from you one time. And because there is no fear of somebody discovering something that they have said being out in cyberspace for all eternity it’s a one-time situation. People are way more authentic, they’re way more vulnerable, and people are incredibly open. 

It pays to be an early adopter

I was an early adopter on Facebook and Twitter before anyone knew what they were.  Once Obama used them for his election campaign, boom!  everyone started joining in – news stations, big brands, you name it.  Being the first has its benefits because you are getting a head start on everyone else.  My mindset is just sign up, you don’t have to do anything with it just sign up, be in there, and then figure out later on how it’s going to work for you.

Clubhouse Bios matter

When you create your account, you’ll want to fill out your Bio immediately.  There are long bios and short bios.  What matters is to use keywords in the first line because those words are searchable.

Emojis are used heavily.  Have fun inserting them in your bio.  They are attention-getting tools.

Make sure your Twitter and/or Instagram accounts are connected because they will appear at the bottom of your bio.  There is no other way for people to quickly communicate with you.  Yes, you can type the text of your website into your bio but it won’t be clickable.

Clubhouses Rooms for Everyone

No matter who your target market is, or what you offer, there is a place for you on Clubhouse to connect with people that maybe you aren’t currently connected with.

When you first join and start using Clubhouse, make sure you choose rooms that are related to your work topics.  As you go in rooms, Clubhouse is taking note and will show you other rooms on similar topics.  This is what clubhouse calls your hallway. And so, think of the rooms as like classrooms and you’re in the hallway. 

If you in Tech, explore those topics first.  As Clubhouse gets to know you – what rooms interest you and who you are following – you can explore other topics as well.

Clubhouse Rooms are Speaker Platforms

The person who creates a room is on the stage – it’s their platform.  If they have a moderator assisting, that person is also on stage. As you enter a room, if someone knows you and wants to bring you up on stage, big tip coming….you will come onto the stage with your mike hot.  Meaning, if your dog is barking everyone is going to hear it.  If you are brought up on stage, immediately hit the mute button on your phone.  I learned this the hard way when author B.J.Fogg saw me enter the room, brought me up on stage, and yes, my dogs were barking.

As others join the room, they can raise their hand to ask a question and will be brought up on stage, then moved back down below the platform, but will still be in the room as long as they want to stay.

You’ll see who is speaking because there is a halo around their name (in this screenshot, Seth and BJ are talking) and everyone else has themselves muted.

Also note that the image you are using on Clubhouse is important so people get to know you.  This is not a place to use a photo of your dog as a profile image, or your brand logo.  Clubhouse is a place where people are talking to other people. 

And the last thing I want to tell you to do is to manage your time. I have seen clubhouse rooms that have lasted two, four hours and more – even for days. I don’t know about any of you but I do not have four hours a day to spend in one room.  That’s where time management on this app is critical.  Follow the people you are interested in hearing, and block out time, then be willing to leave the app and get back to your life and work again.

I’ll be hosting a Room every Friday 10 AM PT starting March 12^th to talk about branding, books, marketing and focus.  Follow me on Clubhouse to receive notifications:  @susangilbert

Feel free to drop your Clubhouse handle in the comments!