I told you!

On Tuesday, I mentioned how every few blinks a new social media platform is born.

The latest? A part podcast, part livestream, audio-only network called Clubhouse.

It’s the next variant in virtual conversations.

See, what social media did to blogging, Clubhouse is doing to podcasting.

A podcast (like a blog) is one-way recorded audio communication.  You push out an episode.  People listen.  Maybe they comment every once in a while.

Clubhouse is two-way audio communication. And it’s LIVE.

Someone like, I don’t know, me, hosts a session.  About a specific topic, like, I don’t know, when Broadway will come back. And sure, sure, I may offer my insider-opinions and share a few behind-the-scenes-secrets.  But the cool part of Clubhouse is when the hosts involve the audience.

Yep, the hosts can allow any of the followers to join the conversation, ask a question, debate an issue, etc.

It’s like public-access talk radio.

And it’s working.

There were 600,000 active weekly users in December.

There are 10,000,000 active weekly users in February.

Hello, organic growth! Nice to meet you!!!

Right now, Clubhouse is an invite-only platform.  That’s right, you can only join if you’re invited by a member – like the original Gmail. And since it’s still in its beta testing, it’s only available for iOS devices.  Can you say “velvet rope strategy”, anyone?  They are all-in on the “club” part of their name, for sure.

So what’s my prediction for this new network?  Will it flame out like Snapchat?  Or Foursquare?  Will Facebook either buy-it or crush it with a similar product (e.g. reels to TikTok’s, well, TikToks)?

Like talk-radio, Clubhouse will be a smaller platform as opposed to mainstream social media (e.g. Facebook, etc.), but its users will be MORE passionate.  These are where fan clubs will congregate to compare notes on their favorite shows and debate the ones they hate.

So yes, keep your ears on Clubhouse if avid theater fans are something you’re interested in (or if you are one!).

And by far, the best way to learn Clubhouse or ANY new platform is just to give it a try.

That’s what I’m going to do.  Like everything in the tech space, in the theater space, and in life, I’m just going to jump in and see what happens.

Yep, next Wednesday, March 24th at 2 pm EST/ 11 am PDT, I’m hosting my first clubhouse event, The Producer’s Perspective Matinee!  A 30-45 minute conversation about . . . well, shoot, why not . . .”When is Broadway coming back . . . and what is taking so long???”  And my co-hosts will be Sammi Cannold, Tim Hughes and more to be added soon!

Join me by following me on Clubhouse (@kendavenport).

I’ll talk a bit, and I’ll take questions, comments, and we’ll see what happens.

If you need an invite to Clubhouse, I can give you one. The first 5 people to follow me on Instagram and DM for an invite will get it!