For those of you not quite in the loop yet, Clubhouse has emerged as an audio-only app for iOS that allows users to create groups where like-minded people can gather to share insight and chat on a variety of topics. If you’re a member of any of these “clubs," you know just how beneficial the app has become as an educational tool for wedding and event pros.
As we gear up to approach the re-opening of weddings and events, Clubhouse has grown to be especially helpful as a form of virtual networking. In addition to testing the waters myself by hosting a few of these rooms, I chatted with some industry professionals to see what their favorites are.
Favorite industry Clubhouse rooms
The great thing about this app is that it’s tailored to every niche and interest imaginable, but if you’re looking for a place to start, here are some recommendations.
Henry Chen of Wedding Chat Marketing says, “There are a handful of clubs in the wedding and special events industry that I really admire. I LOVE all of the rooms hosted by the Wedding Pros Guide to Abundance. Led by Ashley Ebert, the WPGA club has a dozen or so incredible educators and speakers that bring so much value while always welcoming its members to participate.
And one of my favorite newer clubs is Brandee Gaar's ‘The Morning Show for Wedding Pros’. Brandee brings a new guest every time on a fresh yet important topic for busy wedding pros and creatives."
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Lynne Reznick, owner of Lynne Reznick Photography also suggests The Wedding Pros Guide To Abundance. “The club hosts a series of regularly recurring rooms on a weekly basis, led by eleven different industry leaders. Leaders host weekly shows to share tips and encourage conversations within their expertise, from Pinterest and Instagram marketing, to copywriting and relationship-building, and SEO for your wedding business.”
As for Lizzy Liz Chan of Lizzy Liz Events, she notes: “Gabby Pinkerton’s Clubhouse rooms are amazing. She does Pinterest audits, and I’ve grown my Pinterest exponentially in the last month because of her Clubhouse talks.”
For anyone searching for education in the realm of venues, Shannon Tarrant of WeddingVenueMap.com says, “Wedding Venue Connection is a weekly room every Wednesday at 11am EST by Wedding Venue Map and Tom Chelednik of the Treasury Collection. The room combines my many years of working at and with venues of all types, and Tom's experience both working for The Knot Worldwide and now as the CEO of a successful venue collection. In Clubhouse, [we] chat about all things wedding venues including building preferred vendors lists, all-inclusive packages, selling techniques, and creative marketing. [We] also love sharing the stage with other wedding industry professionals.”
Other Clubhouse Rooms We Have our Eyes On
With the goal to congregate, educate and communicate, Caterers Convene with Meryl Snow is the hub for on and off premise caterers to discuss business, culinary, sales, marketing and much more. Seasoned florist and industry educator Christy “CeCe” Todd has brought her popular Live with CeCe offering to the Clubhouse platform, with a weekly show every Monday at 11am CT. For fellow podcast enthusiasts, the Wedding Podcast Club with founder Kelly McWilliams of This versus That Podcast is the original club for wedding industry podcast discussions. The space is open to current and prospective podcast hosts, along with guests, editors and producers.
How is Clubhouse beneficial for you and your business?
While Clubhouse can be a wonderful way to engage with your peers and keep up with industry topics, the long-term benefits are endless. Regardless of whether you’re dipping your toes in as a new entrepreneur or you’re looking to refresh your business, it’s no surprise that people are flocking to this hands-on app like no other.
Reznick continues: “There are so many amazing people to meet and to learn from who are generously showing up and sharing their expertise on Clubhouse. Many industry thought leaders and educators are pouring into the Clubhouse community with talks and Q&A’s on a wide variety of topics, providing an opportunity to learn and be inspired. In addition, it’s a wonderful place to stay encouraged and motivated. I've found it especially valuable to hear how others are navigating the 2021 events season and the various challenges with reopening as COVID vaccinations become more widespread.”
Chan also adds: “I’ve grown my social media presence in such a short amount of time by listening to so many CH rooms about SEO, Pinterest and PR. Most people have the same problems and issues and it’s interesting to hear how others resolve their problems. I’ve connected with a lot of influential people in a room and hope to get to meet them in the future. I got to be in a room with Mindy Weiss and hear her speak and interact with her. CH gives you an opportunity to network with others and gives you a platform to share knowledge.”
According to Chen, he shares: “Being on Clubhouse can be a bit time consuming, thus you want to be very intentional with your ‘why’ and how you're going to contribute to the rooms you're in during the time that you spend on it. As a founder/admin of a few clubs, including the Wedding Pros and Chat Marketing clubs, my number 1 goal is to serve the community and its members.
“Specifically, the Wedding Pros club, it's bringing forth a variety of rooms and speakers for the rooms that are diverse and inclusive. From business and social topics to special guests and regional-based, it's critical that every member feel like they have a voice and a safe place to connect.”
There’s never been a greater emphasis on community and education, and Clubhouse has found a way to marry the two (pun intended). The knowledge gained is invaluable, and it’s the perfect time to spread the wealth and lend insight on some of your own experiences and successes.
