Featured in REALTOR Magazine's YPN Lounge.

In case you missed it, we are still socially distancing. As a result, I have heard from many real estate pros asking how they can get in front of people and stay in community online. You know the OGs for connecting virtually with groups of new people like Facebook, Eventbrite, Snapchat, etc. to just name a few. But the new 'kid on the block' that is quickly becoming the go-to for high-quality connections is the Clubhouse app. The Clubhouse app is known as the drop-in audio chat app and it is giving life in the midst of a pandemic. How so?

You can join real conversations on issues that matter to you with both those that live in your community and the leaders of said community.

My FIRST FREAKIN' DAY (it was that quick to get involved) on the Clubhouse app, I dropped in on a discussion (you actually speak not text) that had U.S. mayors, real estate developers and celebrities along with journalists like Gayle King and Van Jones discussing changes to improve the community. What the what?! No TikTok dance video has brought me this much connection to actual members and changemakers (including random celebrities, like MC Hammer) in my surrounding community.

Real community members, leaders & celebrities

You can generate leads.

It is no secret that when we gather with people, we will likely find someone that needs a pro to help them with their real estate deal. It has been hard to gather while socially distant and not have awkward conversations but it is organic to this app. Again, on my first day in a different 'room' (rooms are the different meetings you can drop-in to listen to and even click the 'raise your hand' icon to be a speaker), I heard from different real estate pros that had been able to 'wheel and deal' all from this app. Travis is one example of someone that has done it in real estate (see my yellow highlight below).

Lead generation (highlighted in yellow) from the Clubhouse app

Plus, you can host (or partner with other pros or vendors to host) a room for networking. For example, if pre-pandemic, you reveled in hosting seminars for new buyers, double-dippers (my term for moving-up or downsizing sellers that simultaneously become buyers), relocators, investors or whatever else suits your fancy, then Clubhouse is the virtual way to 'get'er done' in a pandemic.

Below, see the example of the real estate team that hosted a first-time homebuyers talk and notice they had 224 participants a.k.a. 224 LEADS and/or referrals! How so? The Clubhouse app allows you to follow attendees in rooms, whether you are the room host or not. Additionally, some Clubhouse members include their contact information in their bio (such as links to Instagram, Twitter, or just their outright email address). Score!

Clubhouse rooms facilitate lead generation (see yellow highlights)

You don't have to be camera-ready like on Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime.

After several months of having to be on high definition videos that captured whatever may be going on in our homes (from kids, to pets, to nude body parts, ugh) creating Zoom-fatigue, it is refreshing to make meaningful connections without the need to be picture-perfect. With the Clubhouse app, you see people's profile pictures while hearing them speak since the Clubhouse app works from our smartphones. That may sound 'old-school' like just a party phone or conference line but the ability to connect in real-time to the Instagram or Twitter accounts of those that you want to connect further with, send them a private DM (direct message) or create a private room to have an audio conversation in order to explore and engage them more, is again very refreshing in a socially distant world.

Find topics that interest your business

For me (again on my FIRST day), although I had done my nighttime routine (yes, pimple cream and glasses were on), this video-less app gave me the courage to raise my virtual hand to join the speakers' panel in one of the rooms. I spoke up on what matters to me and was able to make a deal happen offline. Boom!

How do you join?

You may have heard that Clubhouse is an invitation-only app so you probably did not even bother to look it up in the app store. You will miss out like that! Instead, I have a secret hack for you. Visit the Clubhouse website, download the app, and sign-up for the waitlist (there is currently no fee) allowing access to your phone's contacts. This will speed up the process of someone (that is already on the app) that knows you (or at the least has your phone number plugged into their phone) then inviting you to the app. For me, it took only about a day after I joined the waitlist but the point is if you don't join the waitlist, you may miss out altogether.

By the way, you can ask your contacts that have been bragging about their exchanges on the Clubhouse app if they can send you an invite. I have sent invites to co-workers, family, and friends at their request since I joined. FYI -- Clubhouse only seems to give new users five or so invitations to dole out so be sure to again act fast.

Lastly, the Clubhouse app is one percent free TODAY. However, there have been talks that due to its popularity, Clubhouse may begin to offer premium access to premium content. In other words, you may have to pay to access what is free today so you know what to do!

I can't wait for you to have some business-making conversations in the Clubhouse. Please keep me posted on when you do by connecting with me @learnwithdrlee!

Sound off - I would love to hear from you! Give me a shout on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or by visiting LearnWithDrLee.com.

Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, Profit with Your Personality and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, Plan to Win, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these on-demand classes. Here's to your success! #LearnWithDrLee