5 ideas for challenges to boost your influencer campaign

Influencer marketing is now a cornerstone of brand communication strategies. Yet, with the saturation of content on social networks, standing out from the crowd has become a real challenge. Consumers, inundated with information, pay attention only to authentic, interactive and engaging content.

This is where influencer marketing challenges come into their own. These interactive campaigns transform a simple message into a participative experience. They give the audience a role, while naturally amplifying the brand's visibility. Users no longer simply watch: they participate, share and make the message their own.

18h08, Europe's leading influencer marketing agency, confirms that challenges are much more than just a trend. They can boost your influencer campaigns by encouraging virality, engagement and the creation of content that's authentic. In this article, discover 5 original and effective ideas for launching a challenge that will leave a lasting impression on your brand.

1. The creative challenge: stimulate your audience's inventiveness

Creative challenges put the audience's creativity in the spotlight. They encourage participants to create original content around your product or service. These challenges are particularly effective on platforms such as TikTokInstagram or Pinterest.

Case in point:
A make-up brand can launch the "Glow Up Challenge". Influencers share before-and-after videos in which they create dazzling make-up looks using the brand's products. The public, inspired by these transformations, is invited to participate by sharing their own versions of the challenge.

Why does it work?

• Visual appeal Dynamic, attention-grabbing content.
• Commitment Creativity makes users want to participate.
• Virality Videos are easily shared and reproduced by other users.

Additional tip:
Simplify participation in this influencer challenge. The easier the challenge is to reproduce, the more viral it will become. Use a unique, identifiable hashtag to track the performance of your campaign. For her latest challenge, writing coach Marie Gaymard, for example, worked with participants to define an emoji to help them find their way around, and specific hashtags such as #ChallengeBILS or #FastasqueAndFurious in line with the theme of the challenge. Involve your audience, your participants. This way, they'll feel fully involved and be more inclined to play along.

2. The solidarity challenge: associate your brand with a strong cause

Today, consumers want to support brands that share their values. A solidarity challenge allows you to link your marketing strategy to an important cause, while engaging your audience with a positive message.

Case in point:
A sports brand could launch the "Move for a Cause" challenge. Influencers share their daily workouts, accompanied by a counter of kilometers or calories burned. For each challenge taken up by their community (for example, running 5 km or completing a fitness circuit), the brand commits to making a donation to an association supporting access to sport for young people, for example.

Why does it work?

• Emotional impact The campaign touches users through its values.
• Positive image Your brand becomes synonymous with commitment and responsibility.
• Mass participation Users want to feel part of a beneficial action.

Bonus tip:
For this type of influencer challenge, call on influencers involved in causes that touch you and are similar to your own. This way, you optimize your impact, and their credibility amplifies the reach of your message.

3. The interactive challenge: encourage direct engagement

Interactive challenges, such as games, quizzes or multiple-option challenges, engage the audience in an active and entertaining way. These formats enable direct exchanges with users, while involving them in the campaign.

Case in point:
A beverage brand can organize a "Mystery Taste Challenge". Influencers taste several drinks blind and try to guess the flavors. The community is then invited to vote for their favorite flavor in comments or via an Instagram poll.

Why does it work?

• Entertainment : Audiences have fun while interacting.
• Active participation Polls, quizzes and comments generate high levels of engagement.
• Proximity Interaction strengthens the bond between the brand and its consumers.

Additional tip:
Add a reward to further motivate the community. On this type of influencer challenge, for example, propose a draw among participants to win products or a voucher.

4. The transformation challenge: focus on before-and-after visuals

Before-and-after content is seductive in its simplicity and immediate impact. They show in a visual and concrete way the effectiveness of a product or service. This type of challenge works very well on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Case in point:
A household brand can launch a "60-second clean" challenge. Influencers film a dirty room or object, then show the spectacular result after using the product.

Why does it work?

• Concrete proof Visual evidence of the product's effectiveness.
• Engagement Spectacular transformations attract users.
• Reproducibility The audience can easily play along.

Bonus tip:
Encourage participants to use dynamic editing or transitions to make the content even more captivating. This amplifies the visual impact of your influencer challenge.

5. The collaborative challenge: involve your audience in your decisions

Collaborative challenges empower users by enabling them to co-create a product or campaign. This reinforces the sense of belonging to a community, while increasing engagement.

Case in point:
A sneaker brand can launch an "Imagine your sneaker" challenge. Influencers propose creative designs for an exclusive model and invite their audience to vote for their favorite design. The winning design is then produced in a limited edition.

Why does it work?

• Sense of belonging The audience actively participates in the project.
• Strong commitment The interactive process generates positive feedback.
• Extended visibility The community mobilizes to support its favorite influencers.

Additional tip:
Create a long-term campaign around this influencer challenge to maintain interest. For example, propose successive stages: voting for the design, revealing the winners and going into production. Don't hesitate to show the behind-the-scenes creation of this new product. This way, you involve your audience even more in the production of this new model...

Conclusion

Influencer marketing challenges are real drivers of engagement, creativity and virality. By placing the audience at the heart of your campaigns, you can transform a promotional message into a lively, participative experience.

These 5 challenge ideas give you concrete ideas for boosting your next influencer campaigns. Whether it's a creative, solidarity-based, interactive or collaborative challenge, each format has a unique potential to mobilize your community and reinforce your brand image.

At 18h08, we can support you from A to Z: creation, implementation and analysis of your influencer campaigns. Want to find out more? Make an appointmentIt's free and without obligation. We're the number 1 influencer marketing agency in France. Let's work together to create engaging challenges that will make a lasting impression on your audience.