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Clubhouse Adds In-Room Chat, Providing Another Way to Engage in Conversations

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Clubhouse Adds In-Room Chat, Providing Another Way to Engage in Conversations

Clubhouse has added another way for users to engage in the conversation in each room, with a new text chat option that will run in complement to the main audio discussion in each session.

As you can see in this example, posted by user Michael Sterling, Clubhouse’s chat option is a pretty straightforward text stream, which all listeners can contribute to, expanding the input potential beyond just those chosen to speak. Clubhouse also added a private chat option in July last year, but this is a more open discussion, so that any attendee can add their thoughts.

As explained by Clubhouse:

“Today we’re introducing in-room chat which will allow users – from the mods to the listeners in the audience – to communicate with each other via text during a live room. Don’t want to miss your moment to share a killer joke? Want to put in a song request? Want to react with an emoji? You can now drop it in the in-room chat.”

The idea is that this will help to get more people involved in the conversation, particularly those who might like to contribute, but don’t want to take the mic. If Clubhouse can get more people involved, that’s better for building community – but at the same time, opening up a free-for-all in the comments could also be problematic, as other live-stream platforms have found in the past.

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Indeed, even within the first hours of going live with the function, reports indicated potential issues with spam and offensive comments. Which is why it’s important that room hosts have control over the option, which Clubhouse has built in, along with various other safety tools.

The main functional point here is that creators can decide if text chat is enabled or not within their room, and they can switch it off at any time during the broadcast. Hosts can also delete any message posted by anyone during the session, as well as after the room ends, with the text chat also viewable within the replay (though replay listeners cannot contribute further comments).

Contributors will also be able to edit and delete their own comments in-stream, while users can also report any offensive or harmful comments by long pressing on the offending remark and tapping ‘Report’.

If chats are enabled in a Clubhouse session, you’ll see a new chat icon in the bottom left of screen, next to the ‘Share’ and ‘Clip’ icons.

Clubhouse chat

As noted, various live-stream platforms already provide similar text chat options available, so it’s not a major functional leap forward. But it does add something more to the Clubhouse engagement process, which could help it boost engagement among more passive audience members (i.e. lurkers).

Despite no longer being the hot social app of the moment, Clubhouse has continued to steadily build, with usage in India, in particular, on the rise following its expansion to Android.

Clubhouse downloads [chart]

As you can see in this chart, as downloads of the app slowed in the North and Latin America (NALA) region in the middle of last year, its growth in APAC more than made up for it. It hasn’t maintained those same download numbers throughout, but Clubhouse did report that its app was downloaded 2.6 million times in December, up significantly on the preceding month.

Clubhouse could hold particular value in the Indian region, with the Indian Government continually working to limit and even restrict certain types of speech in social apps in order to quell anti-government sentiment.

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When the conversation’s happening in real time, however, that’s not really possible – which could, of course, also put Clubhouse on a collision course with local regulators at some stage.

But right now, it’s working in the app’s favor, with Clubhouse now being used by millions of Indians every week (Clubhouse hasn’t published any recent updates on total usage, but back in October, the app had been downloaded 6 million times in the region, and was being used by more than two million people).

That could well present significant opportunity, even if it isn’t a daily habit for as many western users as it once was, and if Clubhouse can further establish its niche, it could still remain a key consideration for many moving forward.

In-room chat is rolling out from today on iOS and Android.




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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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