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Reading Challenges

Create and manage reading challenges for your bookstore community.

Overview

Reading challenges motivate customers to:

  • Read more books
  • Explore new genres
  • Engage with your store
  • Build reading habits

Creating a Challenge

Setup Process

  1. Go to Shop > Programs > Challenges
  2. Tap Create Challenge
  3. Configure challenge details

Challenge Settings

SettingDescription
NameChallenge title
DescriptionWhat the challenge involves
Start DateWhen challenge begins
End DateWhen challenge ends
Cover ImageVisual for the challenge

Challenge Types

Common challenge formats:

Quantity-Based

  • Read X books in Y time
  • Example: "Summer Reading: 10 Books"

Category-Based

  • Read books from specific categories
  • Example: "Around the World in 12 Books"

Prompt-Based

  • Books matching specific prompts
  • Example: "A book with a one-word title"

Adding Books

Spotlight Books

Feature specific titles:

  1. Open challenge settings
  2. Tap Add Spotlight Book
  3. Select books to feature
  4. These appear prominently to participants

Qualifying Books

Define what counts:

  • Any book
  • Books from your store
  • Books matching criteria

Managing Participants

Joining

Customers join challenges through:

  • BookWish app
  • Your store website
  • Challenge discovery page

Tracking Progress

Participants log books:

  • Mark books as read
  • Add to challenge from wishlist
  • Post about books (Lines)

Leaderboards

Optional competition:

  • Track completion rates
  • Show top readers
  • Create friendly competition

Prizes and Incentives

Prize Ideas

Motivate participants:

  • Store credit
  • Free book
  • Merchandise
  • Gift cards
  • Recognition

Prize Distribution

Handle prizes:

  • Automatic for completers
  • Random drawing
  • Top finisher awards

Promoting Challenges

In-Store

  • Signage and displays
  • Staff recommendations
  • Checkout reminders

Digital

  • BookWish notifications
  • Email newsletter
  • Social media
  • Store website

Community

  • Local media
  • Library partnerships
  • School outreach

Challenge Discussion

Lines Integration

Participants can:

  • Post about challenge books
  • Discuss with other participants
  • Share progress updates

Engagement Ideas

Boost participation:

  • Weekly check-ins
  • Mid-challenge prizes
  • Discussion prompts
  • Progress celebrations

Analytics

Challenge Metrics

Track challenge success:

  • Participant count
  • Completion rate
  • Books logged
  • Engagement level

Sales Impact

Measure business results:

  • Challenge book sales
  • New customers
  • Repeat purchases
  • Store followers gained

Best Practices

Challenge Design

Create engaging challenges:

  • Clear, achievable goals
  • Reasonable timeframe
  • Attractive theme
  • Valuable incentives

Timing

Plan challenges around:

  • Summer reading season
  • New Year resolutions
  • Store anniversary
  • Community events

Accessibility

Ensure challenges work for all:

  • Various reading speeds
  • Different interests
  • Physical and digital books
  • Audiobooks included

Follow-Up

After challenge ends:

  • Announce winners
  • Thank participants
  • Share statistics
  • Promote next challenge

Example Challenges

Summer Reading

  • Duration: June - August
  • Goal: Read 10 books
  • Prize: Store credit based on completion

Genre Explorer

  • Duration: Year-long
  • Goal: One book per genre (12 total)
  • Categories: Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, etc.

Local Authors

  • Duration: 3 months
  • Goal: 5 books by local authors
  • Tie-in: Author events at store