Remember that story about Quinn Cook getting left behind after the Lakers won the title? Turns out it was actually didn’t really happen. Cook shared the really story in his welcome room on the new social media app CLUBHOUSE.
Quinn said all his teammates had family in the bubble, but he didn’t. He actually had already left and was back in his room. He saw JR’s live and sent the message being funny. The story grew from there. Clubhouse got the exclusive tea…
With other social media platforms switching up or scaling back their reach with algorithms, shopping and reels, Clubhouse puts the lost art of conversation front and center. Here’s how it works.
If you are lucky or connected enough to have snagged an invite as a beta tester on the new social media app… You can tap in and listen to conversations taking place in “rooms” about a variety of topics.
First you start in the “hallway” were you can view the various conversations taking place at that moment based on who you are following.
There are rooms were you can tap in and listen from “the audience” there’s a panel that’s “on stage” indicated by a green astrik. The audio only convos aren’t record. It’s you’re either there, or you miss it… for now. The conversations are random on topics including: investing, how to pitch a start up or podcast, tech and music industry information, etc. Or you could stumble on the readings of the Gucci Mane memoir or Tyrese giving advice to young actors in the biz.
“Confessions of a Video Vixen” author Karrine Stephans jumped into a reading of her book and answered questions. Venture capitalist, Silicon Valley types and music industry execs are all spread throughout the app.
People were offering $1000 to snag an invite on Twitter. I got mine via the singer RL Huggar.
The app was valued at $100 million back in May. At that time it only had approximately 1,500 total users. Current estimates are at a little over 10,000 users. It was created by Paul Davison and Rohan Seth and funded by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
How people use the platform is up to the individual. Clubhouse is not without its early challenges.
Back in September, a room titled “Anti-Semitism and Black Culture,” moderated by activist Ashoka Finley on Yom Kippur was said to have been used for a conversation that included anti-semitic statements. A room full of tech industry execs experienced some heat with their comments about the media.
And there also was that night when Someone started a room asking who gave an invite to singer/internet personality Tory Lanez and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons. Lanez has been charged with allegedly shooting rapper Megan The Stallion in the foot last July. Simmons has been the subject of several sexual harassment allegations.
But some of the fun of Clubhouse so far, is in the spontaneous nature of the app. Cook was having such a good time, he took the call to the lobby of his building to pick up his PS5 delivery, so he wouldn’t miss the action.
Meek Mill and Tyrese have both expressed interest in investing in the company.
The latest to join the app, everyone’s favorite turn-up king, JR Smith. I heard his welcome room went on for a few hours.
If you aren’t connected enough to snag a Clubhouse invite, you can still sign up for the waiting list to be among the first when it opens up. IOS only
Not to be left behind, Twitter is experimenting with their own audio experience as well.
MORE: Twitter is also working on “audio spaces,” and will first offer testing for women and others from marginalized backgrounds. pic.twitter.com/vXwoyKT73f
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 17, 2020
