🔵 Compass Guidebook: Run a Successful Online Challenge Part 3

^{Estimated Read Time: 6min}

TL;DR

• Your challenge is worthless if nobody buys something afterward

• Start with pure value, then introduce logical next steps

• Lead with free PDFs, then add paid options that solve bigger problems

• Don't pitch too early - wait until you've proven your expertise

Hey Challenge Creator!

Let's talk about the elephant in the room.

You're not running a challenge just to be nice. (I mean, you ARE nice, but that's not the whole story.)

You want to transform lives AND make some damn money doing it.

So today, I'm pulling back the curtain on how I turned my 28-day ChatGPT challenge into a client-generating machine without making people feel like they were being "sold to" the whole time.

Mic Drop Moment: Challenges Without Monetization Are Just Expensive Hobbies

I've seen way too many entrepreneurs pour their heart and soul into amazing challenges... then have ZERO plan for what happens next.

That's like building a restaurant, attracting a crowd, and having no food to sell them. They'll leave hungry and you'll be broke.

Let me share the exact value ladder I created that felt like a natural next step (not a sleazy cash grab).

Ready to see how this value ladder works in real-time? My next ChatGPT Challenge starts 3/31! It's the perfect chance to watch how I implement everything I've just shared with you. Plus, you'll walk away with skills that put you ahead of 97% of the market. Grab your spot here: https://ed.joshuahale.io/chatgpt-challenge

The Non-Sleazy Promotion Timeline That Works

Keeping It 100: What I Learned About Converting Challenge Participants

What Worked Like Magic:

1. Creating Genuine Transformation First
   People who had actual results were eager to continue the journey.

2. Using the Challenge to Identify Super Fans
   I watched for who was most engaged, then personalized my outreach to them.

3. Offering Different Options for Different Needs
   Some wanted 1:1 mentorship, others preferred the self-paced course, and some wanted it all.

4. Leading with Free Value, Then Adding Paid Options
   Each free PDF primed them for the next level of help I could provide.

What Bombed Completely:

1. Trying to Sell Too Early
   I started pitching 45 days before the challenge and got crickets. People weren't ready to buy yet.

2. Not Having Clear Expectations on My Landing Page
   I needed to be crystal clear about what they'd experience to minimize disappointment.

3. Assuming Everyone Wanted the Same Thing
   I learned I needed to create separate tracks for beginners vs. advanced participants.

The Million-Dollar Question: What's After Your Challenge?

If you've made it this far, you're serious about creating a challenge that matters AND makes money.

The final piece of wisdom I'll leave you with: Your challenge should deliver a complete win while making the next step irresistible.

Think about it like this: If you're teaching people to bake bread, by day 28 they should have a delicious loaf AND be curious about pastries.

Over the past three emails, I've shared the exact framework I used to:

• Create a challenge concept that attracted 63 participants

• Structure a 28-day experience that kept them engaged

• Build a value ladder that converted challenge participants into paying customers

Now it's your turn.

Hit reply and tell me: What will your paid offer be after your challenge ends? I'd love to help you refine it.

Let's crush it,

- Joshua Hale

P.S. Think of your challenge as the first date, not the entire relationship. If you deliver extraordinary value, people will naturally want more of you. No sleazy sales tactics required.

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