There are millions of apps to download to your mobile device that claim to enhance your life. So in December of 2020 when someone suggested Clubhouse to me, I thought, “another one”. I had just started to rebrand my instagram to my motivation and musician side. I didn’t need another app. Turns out I couldn’t anyway because I was an android user. We can discuss that another day. In May 2021, android users were allowed on. I got the permission but still wasn’t that interested.
In June, clubhouse came to my attention again while in a room on instagram and so I realize this must be something I needed because it keeps coming up. In June 2021, I decided to give it my all. I did. I spent a month going into rooms and engaging in topics that I enjoy. After two(2) months on the App, I knew what I wanted to get out of it and how I would be beneficial to the people I meet. The following are my thoughts on how to benefit the most from clubhouse.
Know Who You Are Off The App. It Matters On The App
The pandemic created an atmosphere of introspection and endless possibilities. Some entrepreneurs were born during the pandemic and then there are those who existed prior. You should stay authentically you. Maintain your class, integrity and ethics online as you would offline. Don’t interrupt when others are speaking. Be mindful of what you say because there is a human on the other side of that profile pic. Read a blog by Tim Ferris that talks about being famous and you can see how fame may have a dark side. It is a social audio app and social is the operative word.
Choose Where You Hang Out
In the real world, no one is tracking the places you hang out but online it is happening. If you are on stage there is an app and even worse, someone might screenshot the stage and post it elsewhere and voila, you are permanently associated. Therefore, if the topic is not one that you would like to be associated with, you should choose the stages you visit. Enjoy the discussion from the audience. Yes, you can be screenshotted there too but that is not the stage.
Networking Basics
Networking is an art and online does not change the concept. I follow people and not clubs. The recent change of removing the “follower” button was perhaps a mistake. However, I am grateful for the App and do not wish to tell anyone how to run their operation. You work within a system or go somewhere else. Here are a few tips to meet who you want to associate with:
When you are brought to a stage, thank the person in the back channel/dm for doing it.
If someone says something you like, dm/back channel to let them know.
When you resonate with someone, follow them on their other social media accounts. Interact with them there too.
Don’t do any of the above for a “follow”. If they have never heard you speak or their style is a few interactions before a follow, it will happen.
Be authentic in who you are. Words are windows into one’s soul.
Followers Don’t Matter. Followers Matter
This section is simple. Get one thousand (1000) followers that truly enjoy you and what you offer. Each person after that is icing on the cake. Followers can give a false deduction that the person being followed has a high social media value. However, until you know the makeup of the followers and how they were achieved, just view it as a lot of followers. Work on getting your authentic followers.
Stay On Task
This is the most important section. Whatever your goal, mission, expectation and any other assignment you may have is, remember it in all that you do on Clubhouse.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Ms. Phidd is a nonfiction author, podcaster and spoken word artist. Ms. Phidd is available for speaking engagements. You may contact her directly for the onesheet. She has a blog here on substack that is specific for small business owners and can be found here. She will be headlining at When Lions Dream Empowerment and Entertainment Event in 2022. Get on her V.I.P. List here.
Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Clubhouse, TikTok
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