JOIN THE CLUBHOUSE

CLUBHOUSE is the booming new social media app where big-name CEOs (and everyday entrepreneurs) speak in real time. Should you be there, too? And how do you make it worth your time? Here’s a guide.

- ADAM SOCCOLICH

“On Clubhouse tonight at 10 p.m. L.A.time”

That’s what Elon Musk tweeted on January 31. Hours later, his event reportedly broke records for Clubhouse attendance. Then Mark Zuckerberg showed up on Clubhouse later that week. Then Serena Williams, Joe Rogan, Bill Gates, and Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson.

Since Clubhouse caught fire in late 2020, moments like these are becoming common. The social network is built on live audio—like giant conference calls— and it has become the buzziest place for the biggest names in entrepreneurship, as well as millions of others. They’re having conversations that last for hours or even days. Frequent users have an explanation for this: This is an authentic, intimate space where anyone can hear from (and speak to) people whose insights can be game-changing.

But of course, entrepreneurs don’t just sit back in the audience. They want to participate. That’s where Clubhouse’s benefits are most powerful—and where getting in the game is trickiest.

To start, Clubhouse isn’t the easiest to use. It’s currently only on iOS, and an existing user must invite you in. Once you’re there, the design isn’t always intuitive. Finding conversations that interest you can be time-consuming. Speaking to an audience of hundreds or thousands of people can be intimidating. And while any user can start a room at any time, drawing an audience often requires planning and coordination.

Where do you begin? I’m an active Clubhouse user who runs a Twitter feed called The Best of Clubhouse (it’s @ClubhouseBest), which highlights the most interesting rooms and updates about the platform, and I also facilitate large events on Clubhouse. On the following pages, I offer the best practices I’ve learned, as well as advice from some of the most interesting entrepreneurs on the platform.