Clubhouse went viral at the end of 2020, and the app shows no signs of slowing down in 2021. This May, the app tracked 10 million active weekly users. Musicians can majorly benefit from taking advantage of this year’s most noteworthy app, which attracts big-name record labels, musicians, and producers. Discover how Clubhouse can offer new ways to market your music and connect with the right collaborators.
What is Clubhouse and why should musicians use it?
Unlike other networking apps, Clubhouse is an audio-only platform where users discuss similar interests in clubs (chat rooms) in real-time. You’re likely to find indie creators chatting with influential artists and promoters, like Drake and Meek Mill. Members can enter and exit as they please. Think of it as an introvert-friendly party that lets you bounce from group to group, a cross between a live radio show and a podcast.
Conversations are non-recordable, but users are finding ways to get around the ToS. Exclusive discussions about your shows or next album may get leaked, so think carefully about what you say. Unlike other social networking apps, Clubhouse is invite-only, but invites can be purchased online from marketplaces like eBay.
If you’re on the fence about using Clubhouse to market your music, consider that podcasts have grown nearly 30% within the last three years. The pandemic triggered massive growth for audio-only platforms, and experts predict that popularity will be sustained through Clubhouse and streaming platforms like Spotify. Independent artists can benefit from Clubhouse’s rapid growth and relatively small size compared to YouTube, which attracts billions of users.
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How to sign up for Clubhouse
You can get started on Clubhouse in two simple steps:
- Pick a username. (Once confirmed, it can’t be changed.)
- Fill in your bio. Make it short and sweet with links to your social media handles and official website. Add location, your title, why you joined Clubhouse, and your interests. Close with a compelling call to action, such as directing fans to your Soundcloud page for digital downloads or a reminder that your latest EP is out now and purchase options. For your picture, choose your best headshot or use the cover art for your latest album or release.
Tips to use Clubhouse to promote your music and grow your following
Create your own club (chat room)
First, create your own club for new and existing fans. Amp up your club by featuring:
- Open mic sessions
- Recorded demos
- Recorded unplugged sessions
- Advice sessions for rising artists
- A debate about the best independent artists
- Discussions about your favorite
- Discussions about music industry news
- Discussions about your latest or upcoming album or EP
- Live stream an unplugged performance of your top tracks (the app comes with Music Mode, which minimizes background noise)
- Tell the story behind your most popular tracks
Don’t forget to link your Clubhouse account to your band’s other social media channels!
Jump into conversations about the music industry
The easiest way to take advantage of Clubhouse as a new artist is to engage in other users’ clubs. When the ✋emoji appears in the bottom right hand of your screen, you can hop into the conversation. Ask engaging questions and showcase your knowledge before you rush into self-promos.
Adding unique information to an existing club directs other users to your club without requesting that they join. Interacting at least once per day or every other day in smaller clubs in your niche is the quickest ticket growth. Winning at social media is all about consistency.
What’s next for Clubhouse? Monetizing music and more
In April 2021, Clubhouse experimented with Payments, a new feature that allows Clubhousers to tip artists and entertainers. The first test run saw 60,000 creators get paid. In the second round of testing, they paid an additional 66,000 creators.
Co-founder Paul Davison clarified that users do not have to start a club to receive payments; recently active users without Clubhouse violations have priority. Even better, Clubhouse doesn’t take a cut of creators’ profits. The app plans to extend the Payments feature to accommodate millions of users.
Payments is just one of Clubhouse’s recent innovations. Stay tuned for the opening date of the second round of applications for Clubhouse’s newest feature, Creator First, a program that supports artists and entertainers in growing their digital following.