Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Twitch; we don't know about you, but our social media scrolling's getting a little ridiculous in lockdown. Seriously, we're kind of ashamed of our daily screen time right now. Seven hours? Cool 😕.
Having said that, we suffer from major FOMO and - with all this hype around brand new app Clubhouse - we just had to see what all the fuss is about.
The invite-only social media platform's been branded a 'live podcast' platform; with its drop-in audio chat acting as a sort of LinkedIn/Houseparty (remember that?) hybrid.
Confused? DON'T FEAR. We're here to talk you through the hottest new app which boasts actual-richest-person-on-the-planet Elon Musk among its fans.
What is Clubhouse?
Clubhouse is a brand new social media app based on audio chat. Yep, that's right - no perfectly-filtered Instagram pics here; it uses solely the medium of sound. Ooh.
Similar to a conference call (or room on Houseparty), users can drop in and out of grouped conversations on some of their favourite topics - from celebrity culture to wellness and nutrition - hosted by fellow users.
In that sense it's like listening in on a live, real time podcast. Once the conversation's over, the audio no longer remains. Unlike similar app Twitch, which allows users to record live sessions for repeated use.
How do I get a Clubhouse invite?
Ah, the GOLDEN QUESTION.
Clubhouse is currently an invite-only platform, meaning a current user has to 'nominate' you to join by sending you an invitation via text message to your phone. Through the link provided, you'll be directed to the sign-up page and instructed to create your profile.
Existing users are given one invite initially, though the app states:
'Clubhouse grows through invites...As you host rooms and participate, [invites] automatically get added to your account.'
Oh, it's all very 'if your name's not down, you're not comin' in.' Very 'VIP' section of Slug & Lettuce, babes.
Why does Elon Musk love Clubhouse so much, then?
Clubhouse was actually launched by fancy-schmancy Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Paul Davidson and Rohan Seth back in March 2020; though SpaceX CEO and richest person on the planet Elon Musk shot it straight into the public consciousness recently when he hosted a Clubhouse room with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev.
We have no idea, either.
As of February 2021, Clubhouse now boasts over two million users. Just for context, back in May 2020 just 1500 people were on the platform.
Blimey.
How to download Clubhouse on iPhone
If you're on Apple iOS, head to the App Store to download the Clubhouse app.
How to download Clubhouse on Android
Ah, so Clubhouse isn't currently available for Android devices; although the team behind-the-scenes understand demand and are working on it.
In a January 2021 blog post, Clubhouse explained a 'struggle' to keep up with demand. They said, "We’ve grown faster than expected over the past few months, causing too many people to see red error messages when our servers are struggling.
"A large portion of the new funding round will go to technology and infrastructure to scale the Clubhouse experience for everyone, so that it’s always fast and performant, regardless of how many people are joining."
Check out: Love Islanders' social media earnings RANKED
Love Islander Instagram earnings 2021 - ranked and stacked
1 of 10Georgia Harrison
10) @georgialouiseharrison - £2,019 per postKicking things off in the bottom spot is Love Island 2017's Georgia Harrison. If this 26 year old did just one sponsored post per month, she could be taking home a comfortable £24k annual salary (...and she's defo doing more than one a month, FYI).
2 of 10Anton Danyluk
9) @anton_danyluk - £2,244 per postNext up, we have Love Island 2019's Anton Danyluk. In February 2020, Anton declared three ADs on his Insta feed - if we inflate that to a yearly salary, the 25 year old would be taking home a whopping £80k. Wowza.
3 of 10Gabby Allen
8) @gabbydawnallen - £2,381 per postFollowing on from Anton is Love Island 2017's Gabby Allen. In November 2020, Gabby posted six official ads on her feed - the most of our influencers so far. Adding that up over the course of a year, Gabby's theoretical salary would be drum roll £170k. Maybe we should sign up for Love Island 2021...
4 of 10Kaz Crossley
7) @kazcrossley - £2,645 per postIn seventh position is Love Island 2018's Kaz Crossley. Currently in Dubai, Kaz has posted two ads this month so far, though she often posts more. Based on her #spon content this month, Kaz's predicted salary would come in at around £60k, increasing by £30k annually for every additional ad she regularly posts each month.
5 of 10Laura Anderson
6) @lauraanderson1x - £3,113 per postIn sixth position (though, tbh, they're all winners with these salaries...) is former air hostess Laura Anderson. She's posted two official ads this month, bringing her potential salary to £74k. But, as with all the influencers, ads aren't the be all and end all. Influencers can be paid for things such as exposure and, most commonly, they can be paid through experiences and commodities - e.g. mini breaks, clothes etc.
6 of 10Zara McDermott
5) @zara_mcdermott - £3,143 per postGetting into the bigger names now. Zara McDermott comes in fifth position with £3,143 per post. This is what the 24 year old could earn solely through her Instagram, not to mention her contract with Made in Chelsea, her new fitness-wear range with Missguided - for this very much up and coming influencer, the possibilities are endless.
7 of 10Shaughna Phillips
4) @shaughnaphillips - £3,294 per postNext up, and rather a surprise entry, is Love Island 2020's Shaughna Phillips. It's been less than a year since this Islander left the villa and she's already filling one of the top spots for her potential Insta earnings. She's posted three ads this month, bringing her predicted salary to a pukka £118k, but we have a feeling social media is just the tip of the iceberg for this one.
8 of 10Alex Bowen
3) @ab_bowen - £3,412 per postInto our top three, Alex Bowen was Love Island series two's runner up along with wife Olivia. The pair have been somewhat of a power couple since leaving the villa, and it's not a surprise brands are willing to pay for the 28 year old's whopping 1.6million followers exposure. Still, £3,412 - that's 11% of the UK's median income (in 2019, according to ONS).
9 of 10Tommy Fury
2) @tommytntfury - £6,724 per post...Followed by one half of what's arguably the UK's biggest influencer power couple, Mr. Tommy Fury. Tommy rakes in almost double Alex's per post earnings with a whopping £6,724 and that's not even including his winnings as a professional boxer.
10 of 10Molly-Mae Hague
1) @mollymaehague - £10,690 per postAnd finally, Love Island's highest influencer earner, Molly-Mae Hague. This comes as absolutely no surprise with Molly having set up her own tanning brand, a babein' collection with PLT and her own YouTube channel with 1.43million subscribers. All in the two years since she and Tommy became Love Island runners up. This girl is a savvy businesswoman and she's not to be messed with, if you ask us.
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Which celebrities are on Clubhouse?
Among the famous faces on Clubhouse so far are Ashleigh Louise, Tiffany Haddish, rapper-turned-podcaster Joe Budden and - apparently - Lindsay Lohan.
It has to be said, though - Clubhouse isn't necessarily a platform that prides itself on its' celeb endorsement. Ashleigh Louise - one of the UK's most famous 'moderators' looking after Clubhouse 'rooms' explained to Metro.co.uk, "At first when I realised celebrities were on Clubhouse and coming into our rooms and on-stage, it was exciting but I think the proximity to them has made people realise they’re just like us.
"They’re actually not that exciting when speaking on day-to-day topics and entertaining the room, a lot of them are not that great at it.
"At first there was this real desperation to have them in our rooms and bring them on-stage but as time’s gone on, we’ve realised they don’t offer very much. I think the idea of them is probably better than the reality because when they come on-stage and they’re speaking, there’s a lot left to be desired."
So yeah, it's more for us regular muggles.
There you have it, then; a beginner's guide to Clubhouse. Now to get your paws on an invite...