Earlier this year, Twitter launched Spaces, a live audio functionality similar to Clubhouse. Spaces can be hosted by users with at least 600 followers and are open to the public, the same way a tweet is publicly displayed on users’ feeds.
However, with the introduction of Ticketed Spaces, Twitter is changing the game for creators and artists looking to connect with fans. Artists have already been using Twitter Spaces for fan events — Nick Jonas, for example, hosted a live Q&A on the platform to promote the release of his album in March — and Ticketed Spaces will provide them with another opportunity to monetize their digital events, which are becoming an increasingly viable revenue stream due to the pandemic.
Back in June, Twitter began accepting applications for Ticketed Spaces as well as Super Follows — which allows users to monetize exclusive and bonus content through monthly subscription fees — noting in a tweet that “we know it's important for people on Spaces to monetize through their content, and have more intimacy with their growing community.”
It has now begun rolling out the feature to select iOS users, but the company hopes “to get it to everyone soon.” Among the requirements to host Ticketed Spaces include being over 18 years old, having hosted at least three Spaces within the last 30 days, and having at least 1000 active followers.
Hosts will be able to sell tickets to their Spaces on the platform and set the price — which can be anywhere from $1 to $999. They will also be able to promote their Spaces by sending notifications to attendees as well as limit the size of their Space, which is not possible with regular Spaces.
Artists could easily sell premium tickets to exclusive Spaces with only a few fans in a way that isn’t viable with in-person shows. What remains to be seen is whether fans show up and whether they’re willing to pay for the experience — the Clubhouse craze has since died down, but established social media platforms are still pursuing their audio-only features, and if Ticketed Spaces take off, other apps will likely follow suit and bolster their monetization options for creators.