If you were to host your own online challenge, would that make you excited or cringe?
There are plusses and minuses to hosting a challenge.
But in my mind, the positive aspects of running a challenge far outweigh the negative.
Whether you're juggling a full-time job or full-time in your entrepreneurial journey, hosting a challenge can significantly boost your engagement, grow your community, and enhance your brand visibility.
Is It Time To Host Your Own Online Challenge?
Let's explore why hosting your own online challenges can be a game-changer for your business.
And then I'll tell you about my experience in hosting a challenge in my own niche.
1. Boost Engagement and Build Community
First off, challenges are an incredible way to engage your audience.
They encourage active participation, which is much more interactive than passive content consumption like reading a blog post or watching a video.
When participants join a challenge, they're not just observers; they're active players.
This interaction fosters a strong sense of community as participants share experiences, celebrate progress, and even face setbacks together.
2. Grow Your Email List
One of the practical benefits of hosting a challenge is the opportunity to grow your email list.
By requiring participants to sign up to join the challenge, you naturally build your list with individuals interested in what you offer.
These aren’t just any leads; they're engaged and motivated individuals who are more likely to be interested in your products or services in the future.
3. Establish Authority and Credibility
Running a challenge also positions you as an authority in your niche.
By leading participants through a structured process and helping them achieve tangible results, you showcase your expertise and depth of knowledge.
This builds trust and credibility, which are crucial components in the digital marketing landscape.
4. Create Engaging Content with Ease
Challenges also provide a unique content creation opportunity.
Each day of the challenge can feature different content, from instructional videos and motivational emails to interactive webinars and Q&A sessions.
This not only keeps your audience engaged but also gives you a plethora of content that can be repurposed across platforms.
Imagine snippets of your challenge videos making waves on social media or inspiring blog posts that draw from daily interactions!
5. Generate Buzz and Virality
The communal and competitive elements of challenges can lead to increased buzz and potential virality.
Participants are likely to share their progress and experiences on social media, tagging your brand, and expanding your reach organically.
This word-of-mouth marketing is not only effective but also cost-efficient.
My Latest Challenge Experience
After attending Mark Harbert's Fearless Video Challenge, I made the decision to host my own online challenge called The Part-Time Accelerator Challenge.
I'd done some small challenges before, but this one was more extensive and it was the first time I'd made a substantial offer at the end of the Challenge.
It was a rousing success, not just for the income generated but my email list grew substantially and it solidified my authority in the Part-Time Marketing niche.
The Part-Time Accelerator Challenge was FREE to attend and consisted of 3 days of training with 2 bonus days of extra training tacked on.
Recordings were available inside my Facebook group until the end of the Challenge, at which time they were pulled down.
Lifetime recordings and extra coaching time with me and my co-hosts were available as part of a VIP upgrade.
On the final day of training, I made an offer of my flagship course, The Part-Time Profit Machine.
Everything on the whole went very smoothly.
Here are a few tips for those thinking of hosting their own challenge:
- Keep it short. I've seen 5, 10, and even 30 day challenges online. If you don't have a lot of time, longer challenges can be difficult to manage. I found 3 days to be perfect for me and my audience.
- Use giveaways to maintain engagement. I gave away 3 Amazon Gift Cards during each of the 3 Challenge training days. This helped with retention and engagement, since the last person to comment when I announced another Gift Card Giveaway won the prize.
- Ask for feedback. After the Challenge was over, I sent out a short survey asking for feedback, positive and negative. I got some really good suggestions for making my next Challenge even better
In conclusion, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a busy entrepreneur looking to make a mark, running your own challenge online could be the strategic pivot you need.
It’s not just about marketing; it’s about creating experiences that inspire, educate, and connect.
Hosting a Challenge isn't for everyone, but if you're game, the benefits for your business can be substantial.
It's Your Time to SHINE!
Dr. Bob Clarke
Email: Bob@BobandRosemary.com
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This post may contain affiliate links to products or services that I trust. This means that if you make a purchase using the links included in this post, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support!
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