Host Your First Challenge
Complete guide to creating and hosting your first Open Verse Challenge. Co-headline with other artists, share fanbases, and build your community.
What is an Open Verse Challenge?
Open Verse Challenges are like digital touring for social media. Instead of touring with headliners and openers in physical venues, you co-headline daily with other artists on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. You share fanbases, get entries, reward winners, and grow your community—all while building your email list.
Share Fanbases
Co-headline with artists to reach new audiences
Build Your List
Capture emails and IG handles from participants
Grow Community
Engage with fans and discover new talent
Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare Your Challenge Video
Create and upload your challenge video to YouTube before setting up on NewFans Collab.
Steps:
- Create your challenge video (beat preview, instructions, etc.)
- Upload to YouTube as Public or Unlisted
- Copy the YouTube video URL
- Keep the video short and engaging (15-60 seconds works best)
Pro Tips:
- Show the beat visually (waveform, visualizer, or simple loop)
- Clearly explain the challenge rules and prize
- Include a call-to-action to submit entries
- Add your social handles so entrants can tag you
Create the Challenge
Set up your challenge on NewFans Collab with all the details and rules.
Steps:
- Navigate to Dashboard → Challenges → Create New Challenge
- Add challenge title and description
- Paste your YouTube video URL
- Select challenge genre/category
- Upload audio files (beat, stems if available on Creator plan)
Pro Tips:
- Use clear, descriptive titles (e.g., 'Open Verse Challenge: Trap Beat #5')
- Write detailed descriptions explaining the challenge theme
- Choose the right genre to help artists find your challenge
- Stems upload (Creator plan) enables better collaboration
Configure Prize & Credits
Set up prize credits or host prizes to incentivize entries.
Steps:
- Choose between platform prizes (use prize credits) or host prizes
- Platform prizes: Deduct from your monthly prize credit balance
- Host prizes: Describe what you'll provide to winners
- Set the number of winners (1-5 recommended)
Pro Tips:
- Your first challenge is FREE - no prize credits needed!
- Launch: 20 credits/mo, Creator: 60 credits/mo
- Host prizes: Cash, merch, studio time, feature placement
- Clear prize descriptions get more entries
Set Entry Rules & Deadline
Define who can enter and when the challenge closes.
Steps:
- Set challenge deadline (7-30 days recommended)
- Choose entry access: Open to All, Allow List, or Invite Only
- Configure consent requirements
- Enable contact capture (Launch/Creator plans)
Pro Tips:
- Open to All: Maximum visibility and entries
- Allow List: Vet participants, prevent spam
- Invite Only: Exclusive challenges for specific artists
- Contact capture builds your email list!
Publish & Promote
Launch your challenge and share it to get entries.
Steps:
- Review all challenge details
- Click 'Publish Challenge' to go live
- Copy your challenge link
- Share on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter
Pro Tips:
- Post challenge video on all platforms with link in bio
- Tag relevant artists and use trending hashtags
- Create promo content highlighting the prize
- Engage with entries to build community
Manage Entries
Review submissions and engage with participants.
Steps:
- Monitor entries in Dashboard → Challenges → [Your Challenge]
- Review YouTube submissions
- Approve or reject entries based on challenge rules
- Engage with participants in comments
Pro Tips:
- Check YouTube URLs are valid and relevant
- Approve quality entries to build credibility
- Reject spam or off-topic submissions
- React to entries to encourage more submissions
Select Winners
Choose winners and notify them.
Steps:
- Review all approved entries before deadline
- Select winners based on creativity, quality, and engagement
- Notify winners through the platform
- Deliver prizes (platform prizes handled automatically)
Pro Tips:
- Announce winners publicly for transparency
- Tag winners on social media for visibility
- Feature winning entries on your profile
- Launch+ can capture winner contact info for follow-up
Challenge Features by Plan
| Feature | Free | Launch | Creator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Challenges | 4 new | 20 new | 60 new |
| Live Challenges | 1 at a time | 4 at a time | 10 at a time |
| Prize Credits | 0 per month | 20 per month | 60 per month |
| Drops | 1 | 25 | 50 |
| Contact Capture | No | Yes (IG + Email) | Yes (IG + Email) |
| Stems Upload | No | No | Yes |
| CSV Export | No | Yes | Yes |
Best Practices
Do This
- • Keep challenge videos short and engaging (15-60 seconds)
- • Use clear, descriptive titles and detailed descriptions
- • Set realistic deadlines (7-30 days)
- • Engage with every entry to build community
- • Promote on all platforms with link in bio
- • Feature winners to encourage future entries
Avoid This
- • Don't make video too long or complex
- • Don't set vague or unclear rules
- • Don't ghost your participants
- • Don't delay winner announcements
- • Don't ignore spam or low-quality entries
- • Don't forget to promote on all channels
Ready to host your first challenge?
Start co-headlining with other artists, build your fanbase, and grow your email list.