Clubhouse is the latest social media platform. It’s an audio-only platform where people engage in conversation in groups called “rooms.” Some rooms invite everyone to participate, whereas in others you’re only a listener. You can select your interests to help Clubhouse identify the content you want to see in your Hallway (the main page), but you can also shape what rooms you see by following people and clubs that interest you.
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Your name and profile photo may be the only thing people see on Clubhouse, especially if they first see you in a room. Choose an attractive photo that is well-lit and represents who you are. You can change your photo regularly; however, it may become confusing to people who aren’t familiar with you. Wait to switch your photo until you become a regular member and people get to know you.
Pro-tip: Use a photo app to tweak your background to make it easier for people to find you when you’re talking in a crowded room. “This is [Your Name] speaking; I’m the one with the orange background.”
Pro-tip: Some people use props in their photos to display what they do. For example, authors upload photos of them holding or signing their latest books.
Use the bio section to pitch yourself to people scrolling across your profile. What is it that you want to be known for? The first line of your bio is sometimes the only thing people see when they click on your profile photo. People rarely click to “see more,” so make that first line the most compelling part about you.
Pro-tip: Use plenty of emojis to draw people’s attention and showcase a sense of humor. The more creative you can be with the use of emojis, the more playful you will appear.
Pro-tip: Link your Instagram and Twitter accounts so that people can follow you on other platforms and you can grow your social media following.
When you join a room, you start “in the audience” (listening only.) There’s a hand icon in the lower right corner of your screen. Click on it to “raise your hand” and let the moderators know that you want to share in the discussion. Don’t get offended if you’re not raised to “the stage” (invited to be a speaker.) Be patient. It could be that they don’t have time to take questions or that they’re not looking at their screen.
It can be easy for people to talk over one another in Clubhouse. When you’re invited to join the speakers, immediately mute your mic. Only unmute it when you’re ready to speak.
Pro-tip: To avoid speaking over someone, pay attention to the microphone icon on the screen and see if the talker mutes themselves.
Introduce yourself when you first talk, stay on topic, keep your participation to under thirty seconds to avoid monopolizing the conversation, and indicate you’re done talking by saying “done.”
If you’ve had enough of a room, click the button that says Leave Quietly. There’s no need to announce your departure; this isn’t an airport.
Pro-tip: If you see flashing microphones, don’t worry. This indicates agreement or clapping, an endorsement of what the speaker is saying.
In order for Clubhouse to show you live rooms that you would be interested in, you need to follow people and join clubs. The more people you follow, the more rooms it will show you. You’ll be able to join them and listen or participate.
At the bottom of every bio are icons for the clubs that person is a member of. Browse them and see if you’d like to follow the same clubs.
You can see what upcoming talks are happening in the club by swiping on their page. You can add the events to your calendar or ask for a Clubhouse reminder when the talk is happening.
Not finding a club that holds your interest? Start your own!
Pro-tip: If you see rooms in your Hallway you’d rather not show up again, swipe them from left to right and they should disappear from your Hallway.
The best way to get used to the Clubhouse platform is to start a room. Clubhouse has several options to choose from: a Locked room where you choose who can join, a Social room where people you follow can see it in the Hallway and pop in, and an Open room that will appear to everyone in Clubhouse.
Get accustomed to the different levels of privacy afforded to you in Clubhouse by testing a room of every type.
Take it a step further and add a topic to your room and try to keep guests on topic. That helps you see how to moderate a room, and to understand the work it takes to make sure the environment remains fun and welcoming.
Pro-tip: Starting a room consistently, either at the same time or same day, can help you create a circle of regular attendees. You’ll notice some familiar faces popping in to chat and it’s a great opportunity to network and connect with others.
Clubhouse can be a time suck at the beginning as you get used to this new social media app. It’s easy to enter rooms and lose track of time. That’s why we recommend joining rooms focused on increasing productivity. They will ensure you get words. You can be on Clubhouse and writing!
There are several sprinting clubs where you can join other authors for writing sprints. It’s a great way to ensure you’re being productive while networking with like-minded individuals.
Pro-tip: Join Author Arena Writing club for regular sprint rooms.
Click on Settings (the gear symbol in the upper right corner of your profile) and change the Frequency from Very Frequent to Very Infrequent. As discussed above, Clubhouse can eat up a lot of your time especially if you get a case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Adjusting your notifications can help eliminate that temptation a little.
On the other hand, if there’s someone you absolutely can’t miss, click the alarm bell icon on their bio and you’ll be notified when they’re talking in a room.
Clubhouse is continuously rolling out updates and improvements. The founders have regular Sunday meetings explaining all their rollouts. If you can’t make the Clubhouse Town Hall meeting, you can click on Settings and select What’s New to go to the Release Notes page.
Pro-tip: Be sure to continuously upgrade the app so that you don’t miss on the latest developments.
To find out about when more rooms are happening and get access to resources from talks, join the Clubhouse Authors Facebook group. Started by Monica Leonelle, the Facebook group has turned into a tremendous resource for authors to circulate information widely. We’re still waiting for Clubhouse to provide a direct messaging option. Until then, Clubhouse Authors will keep you informed about what rooms are scheduled during the week.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/clubhouseauthors
The purpose of Clubhouse is to connect with people. There are thousands of rooms happening every single day. Have fun and experiment by joining different ones. Be social and speak up in rooms. Clubhouse is designed for lurkers to stay silent and listen, but you’re missing out if you don’t speak up and connect with other people. Join author communities and attend the rooms with topics you’re interested in. Writing can be a solitary career, but with Clubhouse it doesn’t need to be.
