Start the Year With A Challenge: 2026 Growth Playbook

🎉 Start the Year With A Challenge: 2026 Growth Playbook

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Turn January's biggest surge into your biggest growth moment.

A simple, step-by-step framework to capture new-year demand, convert attention into leads, and turn those leads into loyal members who achieve real results.


Why January Is A Key Growth Month

Every industry feels it: fitness, education, business, wellness, entertainment. January is the month when people decide this is the year things change. They're:

  • Wrapping up the past year and ready for something new
  • Setting fresh goals or revisiting old ones
  • Craving structure, accountability, and a clear plan
  • More open to taking action than at any other time of year

When you show up in January with a clear starting point that helps people achieve something tangible, you don't just grow faster. You attract members who are motivated, focused, and excited to keep going once they see real results.


Step 1: Use a Goal-Oriented Free Challenge Bundle as Your January Lead Magnet

In January, people need a clear place to start. The most effective January lead magnet is a free challenge, delivered as a free bundle inside your Uscreen catalog.

This works because: a challenge provides structure when people want direction, a bundle lets people experience your platform and content firsthand, and starting inside your catalog makes upgrading feel natural.

Important: Whatever challenge you create should be goal oriented. Promise a specific outcome that someone will achieve by the end of the challenge.

Examples:

  • From never sewing to finishing your first project
  • From sedentary to starting a daily movement habit
  • From constant stress to moments of joy
What Each Day of the Challenge Should Accomplish

Day 1: Orientation and Clarity — Set expectations and reduce overwhelm. Help people feel confident starting and show them what they will achieve by Day 5.

Day 2: Action — Give them a small, achievable win. Build momentum early.

Day 3: Consistency — Address resistance or drop-off. Reinforce showing up and reconnect to the goal.

Day 4: Expansion — Introduce a deeper insight or next layer. Help them see what is possible with more support.

Day 5: Reflection and Next Steps — Highlight progress and what they achieved. Introduce continuing inside your membership.

Free Challenge Examples By Industry

Fitness: 5-Day January Reset Challenge / Cardio Consistency Kickoff / Restart Your Strength Routine in 5 Days

Education: 5 Days to Rebuild Your Study Habit / Language Skill Refresh Challenge / Coding Boot Camp

Wellness: Gentle January Reset / 5 Days of Grounding / Rebuild Your Daily Practice

Entertainment: Behind-the-scenes bonus week / 5 Days of Comedy

Each challenge should promise a specific outcome: a clear goal people can achieve with your support.


Step 2: Set Up the Free Challenge as a Bundle in Uscreen

Create a free bundle that includes 5 challenge videos with clear naming that signals this is a starting point with a specific outcome. Once published, this bundle becomes the trigger for your January automation.

How To Create Your Bundle:

  • Navigate to Bundles
  • Click New Bundle → Choose the bundle type (Freebie)
  • Enter: Title, Description, and Image (Thumbnail)
  • Set your bundle as private, so it's only reachable by the link
  • Add your content

Step 3: Build a January Challenge Landing Page That Converts

Your landing page has one job: drive people to join your free challenge bundle!

Tip: you can create your landing page in Uscreen! Be sure to link to the bundle you created on your landing page CTA buttons!

Want to see it in action? Check out THIS landing page example and make it your own!

Use These Blocks

Hero Section: Clear promise of what they'll achieve, who it's for, and what they get right now.

What's Included Section: What is included in the challenge, what problem it helps solve, and what will they achieve after completing it.

Social Proof Section: Testimonials, results, screenshots, or short quotes.

Meet the Instructor Section: Why should someone trust you? Show off your credentials — years of practice, certifications, or having experienced and solved this problem before.

Final CTA Section: Give people who have made it to the bottom of your page another chance to join.


Step 4: Set Up a January Challenge Bundle Nurture Automation

Tip: you can create your automation in Uscreen using the steps and template below!

Template: January Free Challenge Bundle Nurture

Purpose: Deliver the free challenge, support daily engagement, and convert participants into trial users or paid members.

Step 1: Filter Has Bundle Access

Add: Filter — Conditions: Access to bundle = [January Challenge Bundle]

Step 2: Send Email — You're In (Immediately after bundle is assigned)

Subject Suggestions: "You're in, 2026 starts here 💥" / "Challenge accepted 😏" / "You did it, your January reset begins now ✨"

Preview text Suggestions: "Ready to see what changes by Day 5?" / "2026 just got its first win because you showed up." / "Curious how much momentum you can build this week?"

Email Body Guidance: Thank them for joining, explain how the challenge works, tell them where to find the bundle in their library, set expectations for daily emails and outline outcomes.

CTA: Start The Challenge! (Link: first video in the challenge)

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Day 1 Email

Subject Suggestions: "Day 1, let's make 2026 feel different 🔥" / "First move of the year 👏" / "Ready to kick things off strong? 💪"

Preview text Suggestions: "This takes less time than you think. Want a quick win today?" / "Today is when you start showing up differently." / "One small action, real momentum. Ready?"

Email Body Guidance: Reminder to watch Day 1, reassurance that perfection is not required, get them excited!

CTAs: Start Day 1 / Let's Do This!

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Day 2 Email

Subject Suggestions: "Still with me? 👀" / "Day 2 is calling 📞" / "Wanna keep the streak alive? 🔥"

Preview text Suggestions: "This is where habits are built. Will you show up again today?" / "What changes when you stack two days in a row?" / "Small steps today create big momentum tomorrow."

Email Body Guidance: Encourage action, normalize busy schedules, reinforce the value: what problem it solves or what they'll achieve.

CTAs: Start Now! / Watch Now

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Day 3 Email

Subject Suggestions: "Most people stop here" / "This is the turning point" / "Day 3 is where momentum sticks"

Preview text Suggestions: "You are closer than you think. Want to prove it to yourself?" / "What is already shifting after two days in a row?" / "Show up today and future you will notice."

Email Body Guidance: Reinforce consistency, encourage continuing even if they missed a day, include a short testimonial, highlight 2–3 benefits they will experience from the challenge content.

CTAs: Start Day 3 / Dive Back In

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Day 4 Email

Subject Suggestions: "What if this felt easier?" / "Day 4 and you are rolling"

Preview text Suggestions: "Support changes outcomes. Ready to feel the difference?" / "You do not have to do this alone. Want a simpler path?" / "Today builds on everything you started. Keep the flow."

Email Body Guidance: Highlight progress, include a testimonial highlighting a member's success.

CTAs: Start Day 4 / See Today's Session

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Day 5 Email

Subject Suggestions: "Look how far you have come" / "This is where people decide" / "Day 5, time to finish strong"

Preview text Suggestions: "Do not lose this momentum. What comes next for you?" / "Take a moment to notice your progress. Feel the shift?" / "You did the hard part. Ready for what is next?"

Email Body Guidance: Acknowledge coming this far and encourage them to finish strong, share testimonials.

CTAs: Finish Strong! / Let's Do This!

Filter Before Sales Emails

Add: Filter — Matching: none of the following — Subscription: select all subscription plans

This removes members from receiving the following sales emails

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Sales Email 1: Introduce the Membership

Subject Suggestions: "You finished strong, now keep it going 💥" / "That post-challenge glow deserves a reward ✨" / "You crushed the challenge, what's next? 👀"

Preview text Suggestions: "What if you felt this good all year long?" / "You built momentum, now make it stick." / "Ready to turn these five days into lasting results?"

Email Body Guidance: Recap what they've learned/achieved during the challenge. Explain what's available in your paid offering. Include social proof. Emphasize transformation and momentum: "Keep your progress going."

CTAs: Start Your Free Trial / Unlock Full Access

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Sales Email 2: Social Proof

Subject Suggestions: "This is what actually works" / "Why members stay" / "Real results, real people"

Preview text Suggestions: "Could this be your story next week?" / "Consistency creates results. Want to see how?" / "Proof beats promises every time. Take a look."

Email Body Guidance: Use testimonials, handle objections, include an optional incentive.

CTAs: Claim Your Offer / Claim Your Spot

⏱ Wait: 1 Day

Sales Email 3: Final Nudge

Subject Suggestions: "Last chance: your offer ends tonight!" / "Keep what you built" / "Last chance to continue your momentum"

Preview text Suggestions: "This is your chance to continue. Ready to say yes?" / "One decision keeps your progress moving. Make it count."

Email Body Guidance: Reinforce momentum, remind them what they'll miss if they don't upgrade (premium series, challenges, community, accountability), add a light incentive (discount, bonus content, or limited-time trial).

CTAs: Join Now! / Claim Your Exclusive Offer!


Step 5: Promote Your January Challenge on Social

1. Focus on the Transformation

Before posting, get SUPER clear on what your audience will achieve. Ask yourself: What result or feeling will they have after completing the challenge? What will feel easier or more possible? What progress will they see by Day 5?

This becomes your message: "In 5 days, here's what changes." Every post should point back to that transformation.

2. Use a 3-Phase Posting Framework

Structure your promotion so it feels consistent and purposeful.

Phase 1: Pre-Launch (Build Awareness)

Post 3–5 times before the challenge begins. Focus on why you created it, who it's for, and why January is the perfect time to start.

Post ideas: "January doesn't need to be overwhelming. I made this for anyone who wants momentum without pressure." / "If you've been waiting for a sign to start, this is it."

Goal: Build awareness and anticipation. Help people see this is the start they've been looking for.

Phase 2: During the Challenge (Build Momentum)

Post once a day or every other day while it's running. Focus on daily encouragement, behind-the-scenes moments, and early wins or quotes from participants.

Post ideas: "Day 2 energy is real." / "If you missed Day 1, you can still join." / "Small actions add up fast."

Goal: Keep the energy high and show progress in real time.

Phase 3: Final Days (Create Urgency)

Post 1–2 times in the last 48 hours. Focus on what participants are experiencing, the results they're already seeing, and why now is the time to join.

Post ideas: "Last chance to join us." / "Five days from now, you could feel completely different."

Goal: Capture late signups and people who were waiting to see proof before committing.