Clubhouse Audio App: A Kaleidoscope of Opportunities

Photo by Dmitry Mashkin on Unsplash

Clubhouse was the right type of energy and accountability that I didn’t know I needed after eight months in a pandemic lockdown. As someone who spent 15 hours straight during my first day on the app, I have one piece of advice to anyone eager to explore this network - Proceed with a plan.

First things first, here’s Clubhouse in a nutshell:

What is it: An audio-only social app

Where does it work: Apple iOS platform (at least for now)

How can I get it: You need an invitation from an existing user to get access

What happens in it: Based on the topics and people you follow, you will see “rooms” where you can join conversations happening real-time. You can listen in, or “raise a hand”, then the moderator can decide if they will let you talk.

Clubhouse has grown rapidly during the pandemic. Aside from all the buzz about celebrities and tech giants dropping in (Elon Musk’s appearance quickly overflowed the room and capped the 5,000 listeners limit), it allows people to have conversations in a more relaxed way - no need to dress up, fix your room, show your face, or fancy audio set-ups. Just you and your iPhone. There’s a certain allure to it especially in this time of zoom fatigue. It’s a kaleidoscope of topics, people, and opportunities. It can be a very valuable tool if you are clear on what you’d like to get out of it. 

During my first month of using the app in November 2020, I was able to connect with a variety of people with similar interests in an authentic way. I also got a lot of amazing opportunities out of it - through the rooms I have joined, I had people help me declutter an area of my home that I actively neglected for a year, secured a free (and physically distant) photoshoot, received free sponsorship to a fearless business women's retreat, started my stock options journey to help pay off my student loans, made some friends in the sports and finance world, and even learned business and public speaking tips.

These opportunities go from the mundane to the potentially life-changing - I’ve witnessed someone quit their job and take on clubhouse full time as a tool to start their job placement company to help minorities find careers in the tech industry. I listened in awe as a handful of people got new jobs on the spot. It was no denying that I was hooked from the get-go.

Beware of Information Overwhelm

There’s so much information to consume on Clubhouse and there was a phase where I caught myself using the app for hours as an excuse from actually taking action on goals. I had to have a real talk with myself because I felt so stagnant and realized the app that motivated me was also holding me back. I knew I had to have the courage needed to make messy career moves instead of waiting for the perfect time and having “all the information packaged” for me to start. 

As all the conversations were real-time and not recorded, I wanted to be in every room I was interested in all at once. And even when the conversations got off-topic (which happens frequently, cue “It’s time to reset the room.”) I still wanted to stay, as I had a fear of missing out on something that could potentially change my life.

Have a Strategy

Now, nearly three months of using the app and going through the stages of a love-hate relationship with it (or more accurately, excitement - overwhelm - frustration - control), I have learned how to manage it in a way that I still gain the benefits without compromising my mental health.

I now only spend a maximum of 4 hours a week on the app. I only join if there’s a scheduled discussion I wish to listen to or when I need a break or some social connection. I am also mindful with choosing rooms to join, specifically topics I value such as navigating life as a minority (the debrief on the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview with Oprah were riveting), job recruiters providing tips on making career pivots, or conversations within the sports industry. 

In the end, your Clubhouse experience is what you make out of it. There are infinite ways to thrive whether you choose to be a listener, an active speaker,or both. It’s worth diving it. However, just like any other social media app, it’s easy to get lost in it. If you have areas of improvement on your self-discipline (like me) you can lose track of your time and energy. Explore it as much as you want in the beginning, but make sure you develop a strategy on how you can navigate this smorgasbord of information and make the most out of it.

Do you have a similar or opposite experience with Clubhouse? Let us know in the comments.

Not on the app yet? Feel free to send us a message and we will send you an invite.