SOCIAL
Clubhouse Expands Clips Access to All Users on iOS, Adds New Link-Sharing Option for Rooms
After launching its new ‘Clips’ option in beta last week, which enables users to share 30-second audio clips from public rooms, Clubhouse has now expanded the option to all users on iOS, while it’s also launching another new sharing feature, in the form of room links for re-distribution outside of the app.
First off, on Clips – as noted, Clubhouse announced the launch of Clips last week, which provides a new scissor icon that, when tapped, will grab the last 30 seconds of audio from a public room for third-party sharing.
The option must have performed well in early testing, because Clips has now been expanded to all iOS users.
hello! good news! we’re rolling out Clips to everybody on iOS, right now.
in case you missed it: look for the✂️ icon in rooms to capture, save and share the last 30 seconds of audio. pic.twitter.com/lQBhef79aA
— Clubhouse (@Clubhouse) October 4, 2021
As you can see in this example, the Clips functionality is pretty straightforward – you tap the icon, Clubhouse stitches the audio clip, and you can then share it to other platforms.
The option is not available on Android as yet, but Android broadcasters can enable clips to assist in sharing of their broadcasts.
In addition to this, and as noted by audio social expert Morgan Evetts, Clubhouse is also adding QR codes on shared Clips, which link back to the live room in progress.
It’s a handy option, which will no doubt help to increase awareness of Clubhouse broadcasts – and right now, that’s a key issue, with discovery proving a key challenge for all audio social apps.
Twitter’s still working on its Spaces tab to maximize awareness, and Clubhouse, now that it’s open to all, is working to help users sift through the 700,000 rooms being broadcast in the app every day, and highlight the most relevant discussions for them.
Clips will help in this respect, by enabling users to let their followers on other platforms know about topical discussions that may be of interest.
Which is also where this feature comes in – in addition to clips, Clubhouse has also added a new link-sharing option for private rooms, providing direct connection back to Clubhouse chats.
As you can see here, now, you’ll be able to tap on ‘Share a Room Link’, which you can then use to direct people outside of the app back to live chats.
As explained by Clubhouse:
“Many people have told the team it would be great if you could just grab a private Clubhouse room link and drop it in a calendar invite akin to a phone call or video chat. Now you can — with Clubhouse Links. Users can share this private link out with friends, family, or just about anyone you might want to chat with on a regular basis.”
Clubhouse links will provide an easy way to spark engagement in the app, with the links also being re-usable, meaning that anyone that’s been invited can reactivate the room at any time to strike up a conversation.
“To grab a Clubhouse Link, just tap “+ Room” in the hallway, then tap “Gather a room using a link.” A unique link will get copied to your clipboard so you can text it to a group, drop it in a calendar invite, or add it to an event listing anywhere. The room will be private – open just to the people who have the link – and you’ll get notified when people join.”
That could be another way to spark more engagement in the app, and help Clubhouse carve a niche for itself in the broader social media space.
Because with Facebook and Twitter now also offering audio social tools, Clubhouse is simply not the leader in the space that it was initially, which means that the app has to find its sweet spot in facilitating audio engagement, in compliment to the tools available on the bigger apps.
The sheer scale advantage of those platforms will make it difficult for Clubhouse to become a real competitor. But if it can focus on niche usage, and maximizing community engagement, it can still become a key tool for many, similar to how Snapchat has established its foundations, despite being much smaller than the competition.
And there are good signs for Clubhouse on this front, with usage remaining high, particularly in growth regions like India, where it could serve unique purpose.
It remains a favorite of many, and it still offers plenty of opportunity. And if Clubhouse can continue to add new tools and functionality like this, it could maintain, and grow its relevance, even if it’s no longer the cool new app.
SOCIAL
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.
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.
SOCIAL
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.”Â
“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.
“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.
SOCIAL
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.
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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