11th March 2021: Clubhouse

Today I have been thinking about... Clubhouse

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For those who don't know Clubhouse is a relatively new iOS app that works a bit like conference call software except you don't need a pin or login to enter the call. People set up "rooms" where they have a conversation on a particular topic and anyone on the app is able to join that room. Initially you are an audience member but you can raise your hand and be welcomed up to the "stage" by the speakers to join the conversation or ask questions. The app is currently invite only so while you can download the app and reserve a username you can't join any rooms or see who's on the platform until you receive an invite from an existing user.

I was given an invite earlier in the week after seeking out how to get one. I have been interested in getting involved for months (pretty much ever since I saw that Elon Musk occasionally talks in rooms) but thought the invite thing was on a waiting list rather than seeking out a person who could send me a link. After joining I immediately started joining rooms and listening in. As someone who loves podcasts this platform is phenomenal. You can sit for hours listening to experts talk about their field and give advice to others or get involved, raise your hand and turn it into an 'interactive podcast'. It almost feels like a cheat code, it's like being given a VIP ticket into those expensive restaurants or clubs where CEOs go to talk about their business and mentor each other.

Interested? Some things you should know:
When you first join Clubhouse it can feel a little overwhelming and there have been a few things I've picked up as a newcomer that come up from room to room.

1. First, don't feel worried about joining and leaving rooms. Although the participants list constantly updates there is no alert or alarm when people join and leave so you can just 'step out the side door' and join a different room as often as you like.

2. "Flashing your mic" - This is a phrase I had never heard before joining Clubhouse. From what I can tell so far (I'm happy to be corrected) the speakers in the room are able to mute and unmute their mics and if they wish to talk or respond to a question they will be asked to "flash their mic" before being asked by the moderators to start speaking. The act of 'flashing the mic' is rapidly muting and unmuting your mic which toggles an icon on your profile image making it known you wish to talk. This is honestly amazing. The number of zoom calls I've been in over the past year where people talk over each other is astounding, this very simple action ensures people don't talk over each other.

3. "The Stage" - Think of Clubhouse as bunch of rooms with panels talking, the panels are sat behind a table on a stage. If you raise your hand and are invited to 'the stage' you are effectively being asked to join the speakers at the table. This can be for a few minutes to ask a question or for the remainder of the room. I have found this really interesting because I can almost imagine the person walking up and taking their place on the stage before talking.

4. "Reset the room" - This is mentioned occasionally in rooms that last for a long period of time. The idea is that the moderators reintroduce the room and the topic every so often so if people have recently joined they understand what is being discussed and what they can expect.

5. "This has been ... and I am done talking" - This was really strange the first few times I heard it, turns out it happens more times than not. Speakers from the room will talk and then finish their talking with this phrase to show that they have finished. This stops the awkward silences we are used to having in Zoom or Skype calls and makes the conversation flow. This linked with 'flashing your mic' means that the conversation is as natural as possible while still being in a virtual world.

6. Your first time speaking - Today I was invited to speak in a room. I wasn't expecting to be, I didn't raise my hand but I was invited onto the stage. You get the option to accept the invite or to press "maybe later?". I sat, looking at the options for about ten seconds before thinking of a phrase I heard recently "ask for forgiveness, not for permission." With that in mind I joined the stage and waited for my chance. When it came round I spoke freely and felt so welcomed by everyone in the room. I was instantly put at ease and felt much better for it. Fortunately I was in a room with not many people but when you start talking all you hear is the person/people prompting you and asking questions. Have a conversation and remember it is meant to be a room of conversations with people earwigging, not a performance on stage.

If you are interested in joining Clubhouse be sure to DM me on Twitter, I have one invite remaining to offer to someone.