Aurel Mertz, Journelles: Here’s What Influencers Say About The “Clubhouse” Advertising App

reThe application is number 1 in the download lists in the social networks category: Clubhouse, more precisely known as “drop in audio chat”, is probably the network that is generating the most buzz these days. For many reasons. To be there, you must be invited by an already active user. Until now, the Clubhouse has not been explicitly designed for the masses, but rather for the people of the media bubble who are often in a kind of “expert talk” on topics like podcast marketing or Exchange entrepreneurship. And it is precisely this exclusive approach that is criticized, as well as the fact that the application is only available to iPhone users. Data protection activists also encounter various problems, content is difficult to control and moderate, and users who have been blocked by Facebook or Twitter, for example, establish new communities in Clubhouse.

And yet the network is growing, which, simply put, offers a kind of radio show with a practical option; Celebrities like Thomas Gottschalk and Sophia Thomalla have also been active there in recent days. We asked six social media professionals who use digital media and the clubhouse for work if they would recommend the app.

“I find it exciting that everyone can participate in the talk.”

Aurel Mertz, comedian and host: “I have been using the app for two days and have changed my mind at least ten times. As a communication tool, I think the app is excellent, and I find it exciting that in theory everyone who listens can also participate in the chat. Unfortunately, the reality is that the obstacles to accessing the application are still very high. At the moment, it also appears that most of the members of a media, political and business bubble on Twitter are online. I positively noted how many minority groups have already met and exchanged ideas and pledged support.

I would definitely recommend getting out of your own bubble once in a while and listening to other songs and I can imagine the app could make us a little bit smarter. In fact, I did public speaking myself, for example with podcasters Ines Anioli and Ariana Barborie, but make no mistake, so far it hasn’t been in depth and we’ve only played through end-time scenarios.

My assessment is that the Clubhouse will become either a non-moderate inflammatory content dump or a place where we can really get a little closer right now. Ultimately, this will likely be decided by the developer’s strategy and our interest in holding them accountable. “

“Too much talk”

Jessica Weiss, fashion influencer and founder of the online magazine “Journelles”: “My first thought was: I can’t even listen to podcasts, how am I supposed to have time for a little talk that I don’t miss a bit? I can understand the need and the hype in the confinement and with the younger target groups, but my first impression during the test was: too much talk, ‘sausage’ parties (Conversations mainly with men, ed.) and a lot of distraction that takes time. Unfortunately I don’t have it and I think that by the summer no attention will be paid to the endless uncensored talk. “

“I signed up without an invitation”

Ann-Katrin Schmitz, influencer marketing expert and podcaster (“Baby Got Business”): “Podcasts and audio content have already seen a rapid boom last year. Clubhouse now fills the gap between the previous hierarchy of the pure listener and the narrator. I was still missing this direct exchange opportunity! This, of course, also carries dangers; currently, very few talks in the clubhouse are professionally moderated.

What excites me the most: the perceived intimacy conveyed by the closed space and the simplicity of the concept in general. The ‘artificial scarcity’ also plays a role in the commotion, I have already seen that the highly frequented rooms had reached their maximum number of participants and that people had to ‘stay out’.

The most interesting, but also the craziest, experience was the talk with photojournalist Paul Ronzheimer and FDP education expert Thomas Sattelberger, which was supposed to be about the change in the use of the media by the public. younger generation. But the discussion quickly escalated into a highly political battle of opinion. This also shows: Anyone who stands out here by making questionable statements will quickly be publicly disqualified.

Many dislike the registration process through the ‘invite only’ principle, the handling of data and recordings and the lack of inclusion and difficult control of Hate speech and Fake news. However, basically anyone can register, due to the flood of registrations, it takes longer to activate. Clubhouse is not an app for elites, that’s silly. I registered without invitation. “

“Something between talk show and phone calls”

Leonie Jung, TV producer and influencer: “Anyone who thinks they are particularly interesting in the digital world wants to be part of the app. Be part of the app, join, listen and have a voice too. If there has to be an invite for the number to be particularly unique, not just for Apple users. The clubhouse is something between a talk show, a phone call, and a live podcast. I can do something with all the components, but especially with the phone.

So far I have listened to authors like Samira El Ouassil, Peter Wittkamp, ​​and Friedemann Karig, artist Paul Schrader, Ann-Katrin Schmitz, and Fynn Kliemann. All the people for whom it is worthwhile. Either through the clubhouse or other platforms. The ‘Fomo’ (Fear of missing something, fear of missing something, Red.) but it disappeared after a few minutes in the app – I’m not missing anything here. I prefer to make phone calls and I don’t find the idea of ​​being part of another application that does one thing above all else particularly attractive: devour time. “

“A good pastime in times of confinement”

Release Haxhikadriu, Influencer and Podcaster: “Promoted apps are initially exciting for everyone. Of course, because wanting to catch the last train of the phenomenon does not simply ignore active friends on social networks. “Maybe I will finally get the scope in this app that my subject area deserves” is a well conceivable train of thought from many clubhouse users.

I think the app is a good pastime in blackout times and Clubhouse has its good sides too. Humans are social beings and we need to exchange and bond with others; social contacts are especially important in finding your own identity.

From a psychological point of view, it is most likely that from a psychological point of view, triggering a feeling of stability and belonging for many people is free to ‘start talking’ and brainstorming current or socially critical issues in a room while others listen for you. I would lean too far out the window to claim that this app has peaked in the near future and will likely decrease in hype with the loosening of crown restrictions. Hence my conclusion: Give it a try and decide for yourself whether it is good for you or not. “

“I still lack diversity”

Antonia Wille, journalist, author and founder of the magazine “Amazed Mag”: “I think the new Clubhouse app definitely has potential. I have heard many exciting talks, for example, on the topic of “buying art” or “founders”. And yet I would like to see the “invitation-only principle” abolished as soon as possible. I still lack too much diversity in the application. I would also like to listen and learn talks from trans people, BiPoC and the LGBQT + community. I want knowledge about worlds that would otherwise remain hidden from me. At the moment the app is still too business oriented for me. Journalists, influencers, and marketers currently represent the majority of the people on the app and mostly talk about self-marketing, success on social media, or, to put it bluntly, themselves. That can change. “

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