One of the questions I often notice surrounding Clubhouse is about how the app is planning to monetise, and how creators can monetise directly on it too, especially after a year of operations. Now, we have our first answer.
Clubhouse announced its first creator accelerator programme that’s geared towards supporting creators on their app with resources they need, building their audience, connecting with brands, and monetising their work.
There will be tough competition (only 20 creators will be accepted) and a tighter deadline (March 31, 2021). For those who are interested, you can apply here.
Anyone from around the world is eligible to apply, as long as you have the app and understand how to use it, of course.
Even if you’re a creator with a small audience, you can apply as Clubhouse states that they’re interested in creators at every stage. What’s tricky though is that applicants have pretty much zero ideas of what Clubhouse is really looking for, for this programme.
The idea for growing more Clubhouse content creators came after they noticed new shows and formats that had spawned within the app, like the Good Time show where the hosts interview interesting people in culture, News News News where they cover the headlines around the world daily in 5 minutes, and The Lullaby Club where performers sing you to sleep.
Sponsorships Or A Guarantee Of US$5k Monthly For 3 Months
As this accelerator is meant to get shows from 20 creators off the ground, you’ll have to think of one you’re planning to host on Clubhouse, which you’ll be asked to share in your submission.
These shows could be of any genre like business, comedy, culture, politics, spirituality, health and wellness, tech, etc.
If you’re lucky enough to get accepted into the programme, Clubhouse will try to match you with a brand sponsor and get quite hands-on in helping you develop your show as well, according to TechCrunch.
However, if you aren’t able to get matched with a brand sponsor, Clubhouse promises a basic income of US$5,000 per month for the 3 months that you’ll be involved in the programme.
You’re also allowed to have co-hosts apply with you, but that $5,000 income will be split among all of you as Clubhouse is paying per show and not per headcount. The goal of this financial support is to essentially help turn your idea into a profitable creative endeavour.
As for how hands-on Clubhouse would be with your show, they’d be:
- Providing you with equipment like iPhones, AirPods, or an iRig should you need any of that (you can anticipate Android equipment once the app comes to Androids);
- Helping you with the concept and creative development;
- Matching you to guests and talents for your shows and events.
Besides that, you could also receive help like post-show analytics, booking guests on your show, polling or audience feedback, etc.
Clubhouse will also be helping you with brand awareness through:
- Designing services for your creative assets;
- Promoting your show in and outside of Clubhouse;
- Helping you build your audience.
Their support even extends to help with getting you a babysitter, should your work require taking you away from your dependents for a while.
Kicking Off Its Plans To Help Creators Monetise
While limited, this first accelerator programme will be quite advantageous to many creators, as brands have already been reaching out to Clubhouse asking for opportunities to get involved.
The company itself is already valued at RM 4.11 billion, according to The Star, after closing a US$100mil Series B round in January. In total, the app has over 180 investors.
Its founders wrote in a blog post on January 24, 2021 that they intended to use a portion of the new funding to roll out a Creator Grant Programme, which is what applications are currently open for.
In the same post, they shared future plans for helping their creators monetise: “Over the next few months, we plan to launch our first tests to allow creators to get paid directly—through features like tipping, tickets or subscriptions.”
As applications for the programme draw closed, it’d be great to see at least one Malaysian creator take it to the big stage from here.
- You can read more about Clubhouse’s announcement here and access the application here.
- You can read about other Clubhouse articles we’ve written here.
Featured Image Credit: Clubhouse