Just about anyone is probably hanging out on Clubhouse, an invite-only audio chat app for iPhone users. Although it had launched in April of 2020, it only began gaining traction in early 2021. True to its name, the app has become akin to an exclusive club.
If you managed to snag an invite, a quick peruse of the app will show how widely the quality of the rooms vary. It can be exhausting to constantly find yourself in mismanaged rooms, so whether you’re a regular or aspiring room host, here are a few ways to create a better experience for everyone.
Here are a few tips for you, as a host, to improve your Clubhouse experience for the users:
1. Avoid lengthy introductions
Utilise the bio section, it’s your best friend! All relevant information about yourself should be available on your profile for those interested. Unless your room is specifically dedicated to your life story, save the autobiography for another occasion A brief introduction and basic pleasantries are all you need before diving right into the topic at hand.
2. Stay on topic
As is common in any long-form panel or discussions, listeners will often tune in and out. Tangents that go on for too long will bore the listeners and cause them to zone out and lose their attention. While some banter and jokes can keep things interesting, be careful not to digress from the main discussion for too long. As a listener, nothing is more frustrating than having a topic of interest be completely derailed.
3. ‘Reset’ the room periodically
You will likely encounter either listeners trickling in mid-session or dropping in and out of the room. In these instances, you can get them up to speed with quick reminders regarding the current topic and participation methods. These regular resets lessen the likelihood of having confused listeners leave the room while maintaining a lively session with participating listeners.
4. Be A Discerning Moderator
Not all raised hands should be put on the stage. It is important to allow them to speak, but it is more important to know when not to let them speak. As the saying goes: “Too many cooks spoil the broth”; it will be harder to maintain a quality discussion with too many speakers. Keep all the speakers on topic and be prepared to take them off when necessary.
5. Don’t Beg For Follows
Rather than blatantly asking for a follow, be tactful in your approach and give them a reason to do so. Encourage users with questions to contact you on other social media platforms. This makes the interaction mutually beneficial by offering something of value: the knowledge and information that you possess.