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The Ultimate Challenge Launch Guide

Ready to run your challenge, but not sure where to begin? We got you.

Updated over 3 months ago

TLDR: Quick Success Guide

  • Download app, create group, set up challenge (5 mins)

  • Include steps tracking - it's the easiest way to keep everyone engaged

  • Make it team-based - increases activity by 20%

  • Run for 2-6 weeks - the sweet spot for engagement

  • Get leadership involved early

  • Create buzz! Tease, announce, remind, launch with energy

  • Stay active as admin - celebrate wins, keep momentum going

  • Keep rewards fun and meaningful - they don't need to be expensive

  • Run a quick test challenge with fellow organizers

Want the full playbook? Read on!

Get Started Fast: 5-Minute Count.It Setup

The tech setup may be the easiest part. You can be ready in minutes, and there's no charge until your challenge actually starts.

  • Download the App!

  • On the App (or Web)

    • Create your account

    • Create your group

    • Create your challenge

    • Invite your participants

  • Go Premium When Ready!

    • Required for groups larger than 10 people

    • Only pay for actual challenge days

    • Set up everything in advance - no charges until launch!

Choose Your Challenge Style

Before diving into challenge creation, consider what will work best for your organization. Here are our top insights from thousands of successful challenges:

  • Steps Win! Including steps in your challenge drives the highest engagement. They're easy to track, fun to compare, and automatically sync with smartphones. Perfect for first-time challenges, steps ensure everyone generates daily points and stays motivated.

  • Teams Motivate! Our data shows that team challenges boost activity levels by over 20%. The mix of friendly competition and group support keeps everyone moving. See our Teams guide for full details.

  • Right-Size Goals! Set challenging but achievable targets. Too easy? People get bored. Too hard? They might give up. Pro tip: Your super-active folks can still compete for top rankings even after hitting the main goal.

  • Mix It Up! Running regular challenges? Keep it fresh with different themes and activities. Try:

    • One-week meditation sprints

    • Cycling or running focus months

    • Multi-activity combinations

    • Seasonal themes

Pick Your Perfect Timing

When it comes to timing your challenge, you've got lots of options:

  • Any Season Works Challenges thrive year-round - whether it's a spring fitness push, summer activity challenge, fall wellness program, or New Year's kickoff. Pick what fits your organization's rhythm.

  • Sweet Spot Duration Two to six weeks is the magic window for most challenges. Why? Long enough to build habits, short enough to maintain excitement.

  • Break It Up Planning a longer program? Split it into shorter challenges:

    • Instead of one 12-week marathon, run three 1-month sprints

    • Count.It automatically carries over teams and settings

    • Shorter challenges let people who fall behind jump back in fresh

  • Go Recurring Monthly or quarterly challenges help wellness become part of your culture. Pro tip: Start with an "event" challenge, then transition to regular challenges once you've got momentum.

Make Rewards Count!

Rewards add extra excitement to your challenge, but remember - they don't need to break the bank to be effective! Here's what works:

  • Get Creative Our favorite example? A client uses an old basketball sneaker as their trophy - it's their most hotly contested annual prize! The key is making rewards meaningful to your culture.

  • Mix Your Rewards! Popular options include:

    • Gift cards or lunch vouchers

    • Company swag or custom challenge t-shirts

    • Symbolic trophies or certificates

    • Extra PTO or wellness hours

  • Do Good Charitable donations often drive the highest engagement. Example: "$500 to the winning team's chosen charity" connects wellness with giving back.

  • Pro Tips

    • Consider multiple prize categories (Most Improved, Team Spirit, etc.)

    • Small, surprise rewards throughout keep motivation high

    • Recognition matters as much as the prize itself

Promote Like a Pro: Building the Buzz!

Think of your challenge like planning the year's biggest party - you want everyone talking about it! Here's how to create unstoppable momentum:

  • Get the VIPs Excited When leadership joins in, everyone pays attention:

    • Invite executives to captain teams

    • Have department heads publicly commit to challenge goals

    • Have your CEO share their "why" for participating

  • Build the Hype! Our motto? "Go big or go home!" Create a four-week buzz campaign:

    • Week 1: Drop mysterious teasers ("Something big is coming...")

    • Week 2: Reveal the challenge theme and amazing prizes

    • Week 3: Share easy registration steps and app guides

    • Launch Week: Kick off with a bang! Think launch events, team announcements, or wellness fairs

  • Pro Party Planning Tips!

    • Use multiple communication channels (email, Slack, posters)

    • Share sneak peeks of prizes or special features

    • Create FOMO with early-bird registration perks

    • Highlight team-building opportunities

Keep the Energy High: Managing Your Live Challenge!

Launch day is just the beginning - now comes the fun part! Your role shifts from organizer to motivator-in-chief. Here's how to keep the momentum going:

  • Be the Hype Squad!

    • Stay active in the challenge chat

    • Share daily or weekly updates

    • Celebrate every achievement, big or small

    • Keep that party energy flowing!

  • Mix It Up!

    • Launch weekly themes ("Mindful Monday," "Walking Wednesday")

    • Create mini-challenges within the main challenge

    • Spotlight team successes

    • Share progress towards major milestones

  • Notice and Respond!

    • Participation dipping? Drop in a surprise incentive

    • Someone close to their goal? Give them a shoutout

    • Team crushing it? Make them famous in the chat

    • Questions coming up? Answer quickly and clearly

Finish Strong: Wrapping Up Your Challenge!

As your challenge nears the finish line, keep the excitement building:

  • Celebrate Success!

    • Share progress updates and milestones

    • Spotlight teams making final pushes

    • Remind everyone about prize categories

    • Plan an awesome awards announcement

  • Gather the Good News!

    • Download challenge reports

    • Collect success stories

    • Calculate total team achievements

    • Share the impact numbers

Need a Helping Hand?

While this guide gives you the tools for success, sometimes you want extra support. Our Challenge Manager service ($500) provides:

  • Custom communication planning

  • Engagement strategies

  • Regular check-ins and guidance

Visit help.count.it for more resources, or reach out anytime for support.

Your journey to an amazing wellness challenge starts now - let's make it count!

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