Clubhouse, an audio-specific SNS that has become a hot topic, is a new SNS specializing in audio distribution released by Alpha Exploration Co., an American company. . Since it was first launched in the United States, it has quickly become popular in Japan and has become a popular SNS. In recent years, the popularity of SNS in Japan has continued to skyrocket, and daily updates have provided users with new features and the latest services.
As the demand for SNS continues to expand explosively due to the spread of smartphones and tablets, the new face of “Clubhouse” has several features not seen in other SNS. In this article, we will introduce “Clubhouse”, how to use it, its benefits, and precautions when using it.
What is Clubhouse?
Clubhouse is an SNS specializing in audio distribution that launched application service in the United States in April 2020. This is a service that allows you to enjoy conversations in your daily life with friends and other users with whom you have no connection yet, as if you were listening to the radio, through the application. Clubhouse’s concept is to “provide a place where people from all over the world can easily talk,” and in recent years it has become a new service on SNS and has been attracting attention.
In the actual app, there are various topics to suit the diverse hobbies and preferences of users. Each of these has the meaning of a “club,” and there are “rooms” where users can converse with each other in a manner that is linked to each topic. The basic mechanism of Clubhouse is that you can talk and listen within each room. Clubhouse was the first to be launched in the United States, and it quickly became a hot topic in Japan as well. Around January 2021, word of mouth and use by celebrities became a hot topic, and the number of users increased rapidly as it attracted attention. Due to its explosive rise in popularity, there was a time when access to the Clubhouse app was concentrated at times when the number of active users was at its highest, leading to problems. This characteristic spread of demand can be said to have been influenced by the global pandemic of the new coronavirus. This is because the daily life we used to take for granted has been severely restricted, and people have experienced social isolation like they have never experienced before. It can be said that the announcement of the Clubhouse app came at a time when people were hungry for chat, which helped the Clubhouse app become popular.
Features of Clubhouse
Now, I will introduce what kind of features Clubhouse actually has.
An invitation-only SNS that emphasizes existing connections
The biggest feature of Clubhouse is that it is an invitation-only SNS. This is a rare feature on social media these days, and many people may have been shocked when it was first launched. First, in order to start using Clubhouse, you need to obtain an offer using an invitation from a user who has already started using Clubhouse, and there is a condition of use that requires you to complete that process. Users who wish to invite Clubhouse users must have the individual phone number of the user they are considering inviting in their smartphone contacts. Even if you want to use Clubhouse right away, you must be careful when starting to use it because it is difficult to start unless you meet the start conditions.
However, from July 2021, this “complete invitation system” has been abolished, and Clubhouse has completely renewed its service, allowing users to register as members and participate in conversations without an invitation. As a result, anyone can now easily start using Clubhouse at their own timing, just like regular SNS apps.
Clubhouse’s “complete invitation only” feature was also a key point in rapidly expanding Clubhouse’s attention. By incorporating a “complete invitation system” that was not available in previous SNS, it can be said that the sense of premium and rarity has increased, and as a result, the value of Clubhouse’s existence has increased. Additionally, the fact that celebrities and entertainers used the service earlier than general users was also a point that had a significant impact on general users.
Audio distribution that can only be heard at “that moment”
Audio distribution and conversations within Clubhouse always take place in real time, so there is a sense of limitation that you can only enjoy it within Clubhouse at that moment. The real pleasure of Clubhouse is that you can listen to audio streams and conversations that can only occur at that moment, and this is a major feature that sets it apart from other SNS. *From November 2021, we have started providing the “Replay function” that allows recording and archiving for some “rooms”.
In addition, in recent years, apps that support background playback have been emerging one after another, and Clubhouse also supports background playback. This makes it possible to enjoy Clubhouse stress-free without any restrictions on usage. Unlike SNS where you can enjoy videos and images, Clubhouse is a SNS that specializes in audio distribution, so you can easily enjoy audio distribution without wasting your time and without losing your sight even when using other apps. can.
You can listen to valuable broadcasts and conversations
Since its launch, Clubhouse has rapidly expanded in popularity due to the active participation of celebrities and entertainers. It’s difficult to meet celebrities and celebrities in your daily life. However, by using Clubhouse, you can listen to valuable conversations between celebrities and entertainers from anywhere. Additionally, such talks are always delivered in real time. There are many talks unique to Clubhouse that cannot be heard on TV or terrestrial broadcasting, and you can also experience a different side of the person in Clubhouse. In the future, the increase in the number of users of celebrities and entertainers will continue to have a large impact in parallel with the attention level of listeners.
Participatory audio distribution service
Clubhouse is an SNS that specializes in audio distribution, but it is not limited to just audio distribution.It also allows users to listen in on conversations between other users and participate in the actual conversation, so it is a participatory audio service. It can be called a distribution app. With radio distribution apps, etc., communication with listeners is one-way, but with Clubhouse, the way you can enjoy it is expanded based on your own judgment, so you can communicate with other users in a new way.
How to use Clubhouse
I will explain in detail how to actually use Clubhouse.
Opening an account
First, download the Clubhouse app.
*Since its launch, Clubhouse has limited distribution to the iOS version of the app. Users were limited to iPhone and iPad users, and Android users were unable to download the Clubhouse app, which was a situation that alienated Android device users, which are more popular than Apple products, but in 2021 In May 2018, the barrier was finally removed, and Android users were now able to use Clubhouse.
Perform initial settings
Once you have logged in, proceed with the initial settings.
Since you will need to operate the main screen, we will introduce the configuration. The main screen has the following structure.
【notification】
This is a useful feature that notifies you of various notifications. For users who have just started using Clubhouse or who are not used to it, there is a lot of support available, so be sure to check it out.
[Start a room]
“Rooms” are essential for actually distributing audio within Clubhouse. In fact, it is an important basic function that allows you to create a “room”, so let’s remember it.
[Club card]
The “rooms” that you are interested in are displayed as a list on the screen for easy viewing. By using a Club Card, you can save yourself the trouble of searching for a room and use Clubhouse more conveniently.
【invitation】
You can easily invite users other than yourself without the need for troublesome communication. You can use this feature to communicate with new users.
【search】
Using the search function, you can easily find other users and ongoing conversations in real time without any complicated operations. This saves time spent searching and allows you to connect with more users.
【calendar】
This is a convenient feature that allows you to manage your own audio distribution schedule without having to carry around a schedule book. If you are a busy person or have a busy schedule, please try using it.
[Online users]
You can see who is currently using Clubhouse in real time. This is a convenient feature that allows you to check your Clubhouse participation status at a glance without having to contact other users directly.
【profile】
You can manage your own self-detailed profile used within Clubhouse. Be sure to set up your profile and communicate with various users within Clubhouse.
How to participate in real-time conversations
From here, we will provide easy-to-understand instructions on how to participate in the ongoing conversation.
When listening to a broadcast that interests you
First, I will briefly explain the main home screen. The main screen displays all broadcasts related to your interests and broadcast rooms of users you follow. On the home screen, you can select your favorite stream from a variety of streaming rooms. Clubhouse has an icon called a “distribution card,” which allows users to enter the desired room by tapping it and easily listen to real-time conversations.
When expressing your desire to participate in a conversation
There are times when you want to speak up in the middle of a conversation after entering a “room”, right?
In such cases, you need to use the “raise hand” icon displayed at the bottom right of the screen.
Anyone can speak freely; permission from the creator of the room is required.
When you actually use the icon, “Raise hand” will be displayed on the screen, and by actually tapping it, you will be able to let the room creator know that you want to speak.
If you want to leave the talk room
You can return to the room list screen by tapping “All rooms” displayed at the top left of the screen while listening to the conversation. Additionally, Clubhouse supports background playback, so even if you close the app while listening to a talk, the audio distribution will not stop. If you finally want to leave the room, you can leave the chat room you are currently in by tapping the “Leave quietly” icon marked by the peace mark displayed at the bottom left of the screen.
Procedures for audio distribution on Clubhouse
We will actually introduce the steps to perform audio distribution on Clubhouse.
There are basically two types of audio distribution methods: normal audio distribution and patterns, and distribution according to a set distribution schedule.
Normal audio distribution pattern
Once you have created a “room”, you will be able to use audio distribution.
Audio distribution will actually start by tapping “+Start a room” displayed at the bottom of the main screen. Additionally, there are three types of distribution functions, which we will introduce below.
[Social type]
Audio streaming that allows people with whom you have some kind of connection, such as acquaintances or family, to participate.
[Closed type]
Audio distribution that only a limited number of people can participate in
[Open type]
Audio distribution that anyone can participate in
A pattern in which distribution is performed according to a set distribution schedule.
Tap the “Calendar” icon displayed at the top of the main screen. Next, after the screen changes, tap the “New Schedule” icon displayed in the upper right corner.
Detailed settings items such as the date and time related to the delivery schedule will be displayed, so enter all the specified items. Finally, tap the “Publish” button displayed in the upper right corner to complete the setting.
summary
We have explained the features of “Clubhouse” and how to actually use it. In recent years, the usage rate of SNS has increased explosively, and we are entering an era where SNS is commonplace in our daily lives. Updates are repeated at a dizzying speed, and the possibility of new SNS being born continues to increase every day.
Among them, “Clubhouse” appeared like a meteor and instantly captivated many users. When “Clubhouse” was first launched, there were many mysteries, and many users who tried to download it may have given up on using “Clubhouse” because they did not know how to actually use it or how to use it.
However, with the 2021 “Clubhouse” update, the high hurdles to start using it have suddenly been lowered, such as abolishing the complete invitation system and making Clubhouse available to Android users. For those who have had difficulty understanding what kind of SNS “Clubhouse” is, or those who have given up on starting to use it due to various hurdles, why not try starting “Clubhouse” at this timing? Or?