A new social media app that has taken the world by storm by recent days is Clubhouse.
If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who hasn’t heard of it yet, let me break it down.
Basically, Clubhouse is an app that hosts audio chat rooms, but it is invite only. Kinda like when we were kids and you had to get invited to be a part of the “secret” club on the school playground!
The reason this app has seen such a surge in popularity is two-fold.
First, people like the exclusivity that it brings. If you can only access something via invite, then it makes it all the more desirable, right?
Secondly, big names appear on the app and talk to somewhat small rooms. So there is a closeness that is provided by the app.
But after spending several weeks on the app, my producer and I wondered, “Is Clubhouse a waste of time?”
And I doubt if we are the only ones feeling this way. So a natural response so record our pros and cons for the app for my show, Build Your Network.
If you want to listen to the conversation, click here. But I wanted to write them out and share them here as well because it won’t take 27 minutes to listen to 🙂
Pros for Clubhouse
Access to High Level People
The first major pro to Clubhouse, I already alluded to, and that is access to high-level people.
I was in a room recently with only 400 people in it, and Katie Couric and Paris Hilton were on the moderator panel.
That’s crazy! There’s no way you’d ever be able to have FREE direct access to Katie Couric and Paris Hilton with that size group of people for a long period of time.
Even in some of the bigger rooms I have been in with several thousand people, the moderators have been people like Tom Bilyeu, Jenna Kutcher, and Brendon Burchard.
These people are getting together and letting you hang out with them for a few hours at no charge.
The value that could be gained in a scenario like this is off the charts. But more on this later.
So a definite pro to Clubhouse is the proximity and access to high quality people. It’s a win-win for both sides.
These people are looking to the latest trends for ways to build their audience and further their growth and attention.
But the audience gains from being able to listen in on these conversations. So a win-win.
Growing a Platform is Easier
Another pro to Clubhouse would be the fact that it is relatively new to the social media space. This means that the ability for new, up and coming influencers to really grow and explode onto the scene is real!
Think about someone like Amanda Cerny who became popular on Vine. Then Vine disappeared, but her personal following and popularity did not.
Just think of Tik Tok and the hundred’s of famous influencers that platform has produced over the last few years!
Clubhouse has that same opportunity for a whole new group of people. It’s never easier to “blow up” so to speak, on a social media app, then in its earliest days.
Engagement and Lead Gen
Clubhouse can be a networking tool! Who knew??
I’ve seen that by being in several chat rooms a week, I’ve been able to connect and start direct message conversations with people I would not have otherwise connected with.
There’s a high quality of engagement on the app right now, and it allows for us to connect with new people every time that could not only be great for expanding your network, but valuable leads for your business!
Cons for Clubhouse
Now, let’s talk about the aspects of Clubhouse that are not so positive.
Again, these are personal opinions so take that with a grain of salt, but I think it is important to share information and experience as it comes about.
An Absolute Time Suck
Because of some of the very “pros” to this new app, the experience on Clubhouse can actually be an overall waste of time.
Why do I think this?
Well, because it is the new “shiny” toy on the social media playground, everyone has rushed to it to gain a following and notifications for chats are coming in constantly.
Yes, the idea that the access to high level people in each room is great, but what are you sacrificing?
Are you actually receiving true value for the amount of time spent in each chat or room? I often find myself joining a room and staying only ten, fifteen, or maybe twenty minutes because I am not able to justify spending an hour in a room to receive little real value.
I truly believe that the success of the platform will depend on moderators doing a better job at not wasting people’s time.
One of the biggest things that Jordan Harbinger ever taught me was that every minute of the listener’s time is earned. So the lesson here is two-fold.
As a moderator, over-deliver on the value you are giving, and as a consumer, be wise with the time you spend in each chat.
Ego Contest
The danger with a chatroom set up like Clubhouse with little to no regulations for moderators is that it can quickly become an ego contest.
Example- I was in a room with over 20 moderators and each one was to introduce themself. It quickly became “how cool can I make myself sound in 90 seconds so everyone here will want to follow me?”
I get it. If I’m trying to build a following, and I am given the chance to talk, I want to sound legit.
But here is where I find the issue. The follow up to their first introduction doesn’t hold any value. It just sounds like an “all about me” show. Anyone else have this experience? Let me know I’m not the only one! Haha
But seriously, if you are in a room with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people listening in- follow up your amazing self-intro with insane value for them!
Here is the kicker. When you follow up with real value, that is what truly legitimizes your cool claims.
People do not transact without trust. And if you want to build a following, start by providing real value and not just how cool you are.
Wrap Up Thoughts
Now, I’m sure there is much more I could talk about, but what it really comes down to is finding balance
I believe that Clubhouse has something valuable in their platform. I have seen connections formed, and entertainment has been made.
But at the end of the day, for me, Clubhouse has a high price tag in the amount of time needed to attain real value.
If adjustments are made (and I sincerely hope that they are), then I believe Clubhouse will be around for years to come.
Let me know if you have been on Clubhouse at all and what your thoughts are. I’m curious!
Do you find it to be a time waster? Are you able to consume real value on the platform?
Let me know in the comments below! And share with someone who might need to hear this too!
See you next week!
you forgot to mention the biggest con, it’s only for the latest Apple iOS devices, so no computers, Android devices or even 4 year old iPhones or iPads. So super limiting that way
That is a big one, Keith! I hear they are working on fixing that soon so the Android world can join in. We’ll see!
I’ve been on Clubhouse a few times. I really want to go back, make a habit out of it, and like it because i can see the networking value it can provide. But it’s awful for someone like me with a small attention span and not much patience lol. As you said Travis, it can be a time sucker. I’ve been in rooms with LOTS of people where it seemed like I’d have to wait hours to speak. I’ve been in rooms where people are awkwardly talking over each other. I’ve been in rooms where I have been able to talk almost immediately after joining, and then when I’m done promoting my podcast for a minute or so, I get antsy to move on to another task because that’s my low attention span and self-centeredness at work and/or the conversation among the moderators and other guests are lagging. I’m wondering if its a necessary tool to grow my brand. I really want to try and make some habit out of it weekly or even nightly. Maybe join one room a night. Or one room a week. I briefly co-moderated a room with podcasters a couple weeks ago that was so-so. I don’t know. What do you think Travis? Lol
Hey, Jon. I definitely think it would be beneficial to join a room every week or two. It’s a great networking opportunity, but it isn’t the only opportunity. If you have the time, sure, join a few extra. But as a regular part of the routine, I’d limit it to once every week or so. Thanks for reading!
The Ego part I agree with completely. I was in a room where the moderator just wanted to hear himself talk. He went on and on. It was like verbal masterbation! Seriously! No one could get a word in. I left and haven’t been back to that room again. Its a shame because I think it would be a great room for people to learn from each other if given the opportunity.
Hi, Travis! Time Sucker, yes absolutely.
I joined the clubhouse for one & one reason alone. That was getting out of the mental rut of speaking among unknown people and expressing myself. For that part alone, I’ve come to like it a lot. But after a while that gets boring and less rewarding.
But the major takeaway for most people (especially entrepreneurs) was the ability to network with other people for partnerships, business prospects, etc. But rooms that have speakers with big influence start with an agenda and are generally very crowded. Most of the time in such rooms moderators don’t allow the public to speak/raise questions until the talk is concluded.
Frankly, that ends up being a podcast (passive medium) for the most instead of the active medium that it was supposed to be.
There have been whole nights passed when I was on it, I get to speak in a couple of rooms, and then eventually the appeal just faded away.
For someone looking for real value out of the clubhouse, they’d have to dedicate their most valuable asset to it, Time!