Time to start paying for Clubhouse?

This week, Clubhouse users have received a message informing them of the latest changes to the app. But what does it all mean?

What is Clubhouse?

Clubhouse lets you drop into different chat rooms and listen to conversations. It’s a bit like dropping into your favourite podcast or radio show, but this time you can also join in on the conversation (if the chat moderate allows this). Clubhouse hit the scenes just as the world was entering lockdown, so it created the perfect space to stay connected. Today, Clubhouse has over 10 Million active weekly users.

The conversations cannot be recorded, enabling people to speak more freely, without the worry that what they have said could be in the headlines the following day. This also gives an extra layer of exclusivity to anyone who has joined the chat room. To learn more about this, head to our previous article.

 

 

Who Uses It?

When it first launched, the App was frequented by A list celebs. Today, it is a platform that most CEOs and Entrepreneurs can be found on. It is a great space to grow your network and engage with like minded people.

Clubhouse is an invite-only app, with each user given a small number of invites to share with their contacts.

So, why do I have to pay?

Starting this week, all Clubhouse users are able to pay creators that hold talks or rooms on the app. Currently however, only a limited number of people are able to receive these payments, until further testing is carried out. At the moment, Clubhouse are saying that they will not take a cut from these payments and creators will receive 100% of the money.

To pay those creators who are able to receive payment, simply tap on their profile, then tap ‘Send Money’ and choose how much you want to send them. You will also need to pay a small transaction fee that goes to Clubhouse’s payment partner, Stripe.

Think of it as a virtual tip jar.

Last month Clubhouse announced their accelerator programme. Twenty creators will be selected and assisted by Clubhouse to grow and manage their audience.

These two new features have been introduced by Clubhouse in the hope of retaining their users and incentivising them to stay. With many platforms including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all now introducing similar features, Clubhouse knows that the competition is high.

 

 

Is this a smart move by Clubhouse?

Many would say yes. Influencers have to work incredibly hard to get paid on platforms like Instagram, often relying on brands for payment, in return for them showing off or talking about their products. Many creators have to take their audience away from the platform in order to monetise what they are doing.

This donation system is not dissimilar to platforms like OnlyFans, where users are able to gift creator’s additional money, on top of their subscription fee.

With Clubhouse currently not taking any money at all from this, it looks like a great idea.

However, I think everyone can agree that it is very unlikely to stop here. Clubhouse have already announced that this is the first of many new features and monetisation formats.

I don’t have an iPhone, when can I join?

Unfortunately not for another few months. Clubhouse is still only available on Apple platforms. An Android version is being developed, but for now; the FOMO continues for Android users.