Clubhouse Taps Out a New Money‑Mover: Creators Can Now Get Paid
Clubhouse, the San‑Francisco audio‑chat playground that turned strangers into hit‑lists overnight, just rolled out a feature that lets its creators cash in on the conversations they host. Here’s the low‑down, no fluff, just the facts (and a dash of cheeky humor).
What’s the Deal?
- Payment Buttons – Whenever a creator activates the new tool, members can tap a “Send Money” button to tip them on a whim.
- Test‑Drive First – It’s launching with a small beta squad. Think like a VIP club before it opens the doors to everyone else.
- No “Creator Fees” – The app itself won’t pocket a cut. That’s a relief for fans who don’t want their $5 tip swallowed up by the platform.
- Stripe Handles the Charge – The tiniest card fee will be taken by Stripe, our payment‑processing partner. Nothing too fancy.
How It Works
Deciding to tip is as simple as a swipe. If the creator has the feature on, you’ll see a “Send Money” button during a chat. Just hit it, pick an amount, and bam— the cash goes straight to the speaker.
All Users Can Send, But Not Everyone Can Receive
From today onward, every Clubhouse user gets the ability to send, but only those creators who’ve toggled the new feature can actually get paid. The rollout’s pacing ensures the tech stays smooth.
Why It Matters
- Creators can now earn real money for curating great audio spaces.
- It could keep the platform vibrant, turning the village square into a bustling marketplace.
- And for fans? It’s a way to show appreciation for those dazzling speakers.
Doing This Right (plus a note on others’ challenges)
Clubhouse’s evolution has been anything but easy. From a viral launch that rattled Tesla’s Elon Musk to a debate that had Robinhood’s Vlad Tenev sounding off on a secret arc, the app’s popularity exploded. Still, the platform’s been under fire for toxicity, hate speech and misinformation, despite its policy regime. Hopefully, this new monetization trick isn’t just the last cookie we’ll throw at its issues, but a step toward a healthier, more rewarding experience.
TL;DR
Clubhouse now lets creators get paid via a new “Send Money” button—no extra fees for creators, a tiny Stripe fee for users. It kicks off in a test group, then expands. Think of it as the gift of streaming a normal conversation.