The Ultimate Guide to Getting Ready To Use LinkedIn's Clubhouse-like Audio Events To Expand Your Network, Showcase Your Expertise, and Grow Your Business
Created on: January 9, 2022 by Christopher Prouty
This is a how-to guide for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who will start using the Clubhouse-like features in LinkedIn to create, host, and participate in Audio Events. These events are a great place to showcase expertise, expand your network, find leads, and share referrals. We'll cover everything that an entrepreneur needs to do to be ready when these Audio Events are available.
This is written specifically for the upcoming LinkedIn Audio Events beta-tested in January of 2022.
Audio Events like the new LinkedIn version and Clubhouse are a time-efficient way for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs to expand their networks, demonstrate their expertise, find leads, communicate with prospects and clients, and connect with like-minded people.
Any entrepreneur or solopreneur who used LinkedIn to connect with people and then shares information with their network will benefit from this training and LinkedIn Audio Events because it will teach them how to prepare to host and participate in Audio Events.
LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events Beta Release
While LinkedIn Audio Events are still in beta, they will be released to a broader audience in Spring 2022. And while this information is geared towards LinkedIn Audio Events, indeed, this training can be used in Clubhouse, Zoom meetings, networking, and anywhere someone would like to build their business.
What we are going to cover about LinkedIn Audio Only Events
In this training, we'll be talking about the best ways to leverage LinkedIn Audio Events to expand your network, increase visibility, and grow your business.
"I don't know what I was thinking; this is ridiculous."
My hands shook as I held the phone up to my ear. I had never participated in an audio-only networking session like this before, and now, with all these people around me, it seemed too late to back out now. "What am I supposed to say?"
I was not always someone who could walk up to anyone and start a conversation. As the owner of my company, I found that to get our product in front of new people and grow our business, I had to be able to make connections with potential clients... But at networking events or conferences, it would take me forever before I finally came up with something worthwhile or exciting enough for me to say. So what do you think happened when we started using Clubhouse? This is where Audio Events come in!
I was a little shy and reserved when I started going to networking meetings, so being in an audio-only environment made me feel super anxious. But I soon realized that there's a way to use those platforms as a tool for my business—I just needed to find the right tools.
One day at one of those networking events, someone told me about Clubhouse. We had been talking on the phone for two months before we met face-to-face because they're located in India, and it isn't possible for us to have a video call with any regularity due to our schedules. That meeting helped lead me down a new path where an abundance of my leads come from people who were introduced through Audio Events.
What is LinkedIn doing with drop-in audio?
LinkedIn is making a strategic move in launching Drop-in Audio Events. The popularity of the audio events has continued to grow, with Clubhouse claiming that its weekly user base increased to over 10 million people within a year of its launch.
Are LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events the answer to Zoom Fatigue?
And despite there being signs of network fatigue, Audio Events' novelty and unique nature has taken a foothold in business growth.
People in LinkedIn Audio Events are there to learn, even if this means investing in marketing material. LinkedIn knows they need to make money off LinkedIn Audio Events (or Clubhouse), and they will do so by increasing their paying members.
There is plenty of value in LinkedIn Audio Events which is why it has become LinkedIn's new version of Clubhouse. For entrepreneurs who want to connect with people on LinkedIn without daily posts, LinkedIn Audio Events is perfect for you.
Drop-in Audio Events are Dead. Long Live Drop-in Audio Events!
While many believe that audio events have sunset as we move into 2022, it's not the case with LinkedIn spending a massive amount of time, resources, and money integrating the software into its platform.
Are LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events a New Shiny Object?
So, if you are tired of the same Zoom networking meetings that feel like a weekly Groundhog day, the dynamic nature of LinkedIn Audio Events will add some excitement into your business-building efforts.
If you want more connections, more visibility, more leads, and more clients, read on and lets get you ready.
Will LinkedIn Silence the Drop-in Audio Event Sceptics?
Of course, there will always be the sceptics. Those who are jaded to anything new that comes along. The good news for you is that those sceptics will likely steer clear of LinkedIn's Audio Events and keep to themselves while they hope and wish for new leads to come their way.
Will LinkedIn Audio Events Be Intimidating?
It's natural to feel intimidated or overwhelmed by anything that is new. That's why I am writing this guide. To help you feel at ease as you step into this new way to use LinkedIn. The benefits will be clear as we work thought this.
How To Read This Guide
We're going to be covering a lot of information here. Understand that to be effective when you are in an audio event, whether LinkedIn, Clubhouse, or a Zoom meeting, you can pick and choose which tactics feel right for you. There is no one-size-fits all.
I'm going to be walking through LinkedIn Audio Event Etiquette, LinkedIn Audio Event Strategy, LinkedIn Verbal LinkedIn Profile Creation, LinkedIn Showcasing Your Expertise, LinkedIn Showcasing Yourself As An Authority.
And that's just for starters. We're only covering the "nuts and bolts" of LinkedIn audio events in this article. I've got a bunch more tips on how to get ready. So keep reading if you want to get the most out of LinkedIn's newest feature.
What Can I Do With LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events?
LinkedIn Audio Events are a new and robust opportunity for you to expand your visibility, find new connections, cultivate leads, and grow your business.
For the last 21 years, I've helped thousands of entrepreneurs and solopreneurs grow their businesses by teaching them how to attract leads through the internet. LinkedIn Audio Events has surfaced as a new tool that you can use to do just that, attract new business using the LinkedIn platform.
There's never been a better time to embrace this new technology. Especially if you are already on LinkedIn.
Understand that LinkedIn Audio Events will be a part of the platform. A platform you are already familiar with. This gives LinedIn a decided advantage over Clubhouse.
"If not this, then what? If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Ready for LinkedIn's Clubhouse-like Audio Events
What are Drop-in Audio Events?
Drop-in Audio Events afford you the chance to network without experiencing screen fatigue. Conversations that are primarily synchronous, genuine, and spontaneous have several benefits: they are more comfortable, more informal, and more personal than verbal interactions. They're also great for multitasking, as the rise in popularity of podcasts and audiobooks illustrate.
What is Clubhouse?
Clubhouse is a social network and app that allows people to leverage drop-in audio events to chat, listen, and learn from one another in real time. It's a new form of social networking based on voice—where people throughout the world come together to converse, listen, and learn from each other.
What are LinkedIn Drop-In Audio Events?
Audio is the one media that historically has not been well embraced on LinkedIn.
Aside from linking to podcasts, audiograms, and the use of voice in messages, audio has not been used nearly as much as video.
LinkedIn looks to change that. Imagine if you could raise your hand to speak during a LinkedIn Live and not have to participate in the typed chat.
Say hello to LinkedIn drop-in audio events, an integration into the LinkedIn ecosystem driven by voice.
It adds a layer to LinkedIn and is a great place to get to know your network, demonstrate your expertise, get access to industry leaders, find leads, and grow your buseinss.
Is LinkedIn the first social platform to incorporate drop-in audio events?
No. Not even close. Here's a short list of other platforms who are riding the Clubhouse bandwagon.
Twitter's Twitter Spaces
Facebook's Hotline
Discord's Stage Channels
Reddit has Reddit Talk
Spotify introduced Locker Room
Telegram has Voice chats
Instagram's Live Room has a voice-only feature
While not the first, LinkedIn is in a position to succeed with so many people facing Zoom fatigue and nearly 800 million professionals on the platform.
How to be ready for LinkedIn's Drop-in Audio Events
It would be wise to prepare now for LinkedIn's drop-in audio events instead of waiting and trying to navigate the system when it fully launches.
1. Apply for access once LinkedIn makes the tool available.
This is a bit of a prediction. LinkedIn takes a very conservative approach to rolling out new features. Just like when LinkedIn launched the ability to go live, it is entirely possible that you will need to apply to be a part of the drop-in audio events on LinkedIn.
So, the recommendation here is to keep a close eye on LinkedIn for an announcement about when the new system will be available beyond beta testing. Right now, LinkedIn is forecasting Spring 2022 but like any software, that date could push or pull.
Should you need to apply to use the system, make sure you give as many details as possible in the applicaiton.
When applying for live broadcast on LinkedIn, especially early on, humans reviewed the applications and if you included links to live broadcasts on other platforms, it make the decision to get you into LinkedIn's much more streamlined.
Takeaway: be ready.
2. Let your LinkedIn connections know you are going to be using the drop-in audio events on LinkedIn
It's usually more fun to be at a party when you run into some friends there. Drop-in audio events on LinkedIn will be the same.
Reach out to your first level connections and let those you are closest to know you are participating in the new feature of LinkedIn. Invite them to join.
Give them a heads up about LinkedIn's "earliest access" windows.
There's a lot of benefit to this. By connecting your profile to theirs, you may increase exposure and attract more relevant individuals to the platform. Your profile will get more visibility as well.
Just like LinkedIn has its own culture, so do LinkedIn Audio Events. Be part of the new LinkedIn by getting in on the ground floor!
3. Get ready for LinkedIn Audio Events with a good headset and mic
You don't need to get a fancy studio-level microphone but you'll want something that will pick up your voice clearly while not picking up all of the background noise.
A noise-cancelling or -reducing mic is a must have when participating in LinkedIn Audio Events from the comfort of your home office—or from anywhere else where there is loud background noise.
In addition to having a quality audio, you'll want to make sure your audio environment is suited for business.
Gone are the days when LinkedIn was a place to share pictures of your weekend trips and cat videos. LinkedIn has been moving toward LinkedIn being a place people go to learn something new, be inspired, and join in ongoing conversations that matter. LinkedIn Audio Events will be the perfect extension for this move into professionalism.
4. Know what LinkedIn is going to ask from you before the event starts
LinkedIn's gotcha moment is coming with LinkedIn Audio Events because LinkedIn might want your audio recordings after you've participated in an audio event.
Knowing up front what's expected from you will help keep LinkedIn drop-in audio events from feeling like a chore or an interruption to your day while at the same time make sure you'll get value out of using drop-in audio events.
5. Make certain your LinkedIn Bio is updated and optimized
While this might seem obvious, the number of people who actually optimize their LinkedIn profile is quite small.
Take the time to optimize every aspect of your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn is trying to build LinkedIn Audio Events as a business-like LinkedIn feature—and LinkedIn members will be looking at LinkedIn profiles.
Use this opportunity to really draw people in and show what you have to offer them by having a LinkedIn profile that doesn't just tell your story but gives your connections a glimpse of who you are and what you do.
6. Leverage LinkedIn's pre-event Livecast opportunities for promotion, practice, and more!
>I strongly suspect that LinkedIn is going to give some businesses the opportunity run "pre-events" or live broadcasts on LinkedIn using LinkedIn Livecast before the drop-in audio events start dropping into your LinkedIn experience.
7. Update your profile photo
This is solid advice even outside of drop-in audio events on LinkedIn. It is wise to always have a professional, updated photo.
As my buddy Rich says, "LinkedIn is LinkedIn and LinkedIn wants LinkedIn to be LinkedIn."
Keep the photo of you working while snuggling your cat in pajamas on Facebook where it belongs. LinkedIn doesn't want that to be what pops up when people visit your profile.
Make sure LinkedIn has a good impression of you by having an updated professional picture at the top of your LinkedIn profile page.
If you're not active on LinkedIn, maybe its time to get started? You don't have anything to lose!
8. Start Your Own Event
We suspect that out of the box, certain "creators" will be able to start their own rooms (or whatever language LinkedIn uses for the event).
When you create a room, do so with a specific, tangible goal in mind. LinkedIn can be a place for people to congregate around specific business-related topics of interest. LinkedIn Audio Events will be an ideal environment for creating, moderating, and participating in LinkedIn Rooms tied to an actual event or topic.
So, consider keeping things simple, have a goal similar to "I want to meet 5 new people today" or "I want to help one person with a problem they are having" or "I want to connect with an influencer."
9. Check Upcoming Events
As you connect with other creators and connections, you will start to see announcements for upcoming events in your newsfeed. Pay close attention and add those that could be of value to your calendar. LinkedIn
Audio Events will be a great way to hear from influencers and get up-to-the-minute market insights.
If LinkedIn is encouraging LinkedIn Audio Events, that means LinkedIn sees LinkedIn Audio Event as a feature that is of value to LinkedIn members.
Be mindful and build awareness of events happening around you on LinkedIn and tap into the potential they offer.
10. Hide LinkedIn Drop-In Audio Events You Don’t Like
Few things are more irritating than being inundated with announcements for events that you cannot contribute to or that do not provide value for you.
Hiding these events is similar to muting people on social media, you will no longer see announcements for those events.
By hiding events, you will save yourself time and annoyance. Also, hiding events provides feedback to LinkedIn on how valuable (or not) a drop-in voice event is.
11. Revist the "Interests" section of your LinkedIn profile.
Keeping your published interests up-to-date is a wise move in keeping your LinkedIn profile current. Now with drop-in audio events, it is possible that LinkedIn will place announcements for events that might interest you in your newsfeed. LinkedIn
Keep your LinkedIn presence fresh and relevant by regularly reviewing your LinkedIn "interests" section.
12. Join a LinkedIn Group that is related to an event you are interested in or hosting yourself.
As with events that interest you, join groups for topics related to future events you will be participating in. This will allow LinkedIn members who have joined these groups - and whose profiles you've already seen - a way of connecting with you before the LinkedIn Audio Event starts, giving them a reason to drop in when they do connect with other attendees in the room.
13. Search Members in Your Event
It is yet unclear if LinkedIn will allow members to search other people in their drop-in audio event on LinkedIn.
We've seen LinkedIn throttle functionality to non-paying users with a heavy hand over the last two years, it would not surprise me at all to see search functionality limited to premium members.
14. Block Members on LinkedIn to Prevent Them From Participating in Your Event
The truth is, sometimes there are people in this world who have nothing better to do that annoy you. They might find their way into your LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Event and do whatever it is people like that do.
Good news. You are in control.
Block those users at the profile level to keep them from seeing you, anything you post, and from participating in your Drop-in Audio Event.
15. Record your LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events
It's a good idea to record your drop-in audio events no matter which platform you use. This will save you a tremendous amount of time trying to remember all of the hidden gems that are uncovered in the conversation. I use
Evernote and LinkedIn to record LinkedIn Audio Events. When I find a LinkedIn member with interesting information or expertise, I underline that person's name in the LinkedIn profile and then go to my LinkedIn account and click on "Notes" -- Evernote will sync automatically.
I recommend you take this one step further and transcribe the audio of your LinkedIn drop-in events (with time-stamps) for future reference. I use otter.ai for this purpose. You can also do this manually if you don't have transcription software . It won't be 100% accurate but it will be close enough for most purposes.
16. Offer Exclusive Content During Your LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Event
If your LinkedIn Audio Events become popular (and they will), consider having exclusive content off the LinkedIn platform that you can offer to event participants.
This content can be related to LinkedIn, your LinkedIn Audio Event or be completely unrelated.
For example, you might consider having a LinkedIn Group for event participants only where you have exclusive content that can only be accessed by members of this LinkedIn group.
I'd strongly recommend having a piece of pure value content that you can exchange with event participants. This "lead magnet" is something you produce and have on hand so that you can send it out to anyone who wants it.
If you'd like to know how to produce a high-converting lead magnet, you can access my "Anatomy of a Lead Magnet" resource for free by clicking here.
For all the upsides, it is wise to consider the downsides
LinkedIn drop-in Audio Events, while certainly popular, are not a panacea for business growth.
I was publically critical of Clubhouse, suggesting that it was a waste of many people's time and that drop-in audio events are not a way to scale business growth.
I'll maintain that position here. Sure, LinkedIn audio events hold a lot of promise in your ability to network and connect. And yes, you'll find new leads and potentially grow your business.
But ultimately, participating in Clubhouse-style audio events on LinkedIn or any platform produce symmetric returns, in that you only get out what you put in. You trade time for results.
I suspect it's all about finding balance.
Balance the time you spend on drop-in audio events with things that produce asymmetric returns. Things like creating lead magnets and putting them on landing pages or learning how to use free posts in social media for lasting client attraction.
Find the balance.
And we're just getting started...
LinkedIn Audio events are an opportunity to connect with your network in informal way. Use LinkedIn's search feature to find LinkedIn members or groups by entering keywords related to topics that matter most to you.
The article discusses how LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events can be used to connect with people and expand your network. It provides tips on how to best use LinkedIn Audio Events, including ways to find people and groups to connect with, how to block members, and how to record the event. It also offers tips on how to produce exclusive content for participants.
If you skipped to the end, here are the main takeaways.
- LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events are likely to follow suit to many other audio-only events with the main difference being tight integration into a platform you are already using extensively for networking and business growth.
- It would be wise to update and optimize your LinkedIn profile to be ready for the increase in visibility you will get from participating in audio-only events on LinkedIn
- Create some pure-value content that you can distribute to interested members during and after Linked-in audio events. Learn more about the anatomy of a high-converting lead magnet here.
I wish you an abundance of success in your exploration and use of LinkedIn Drop-in Audio Events. Drop me a line at http://chat.prouty.me and let me know how it's going.
If you found value in this content, you can find much more on my YouTube channel and if you thought of someone who could benefit from reading this, I'd be grateful if you would share it with them.
If you have any questions, you can send me a direct message here. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
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