What is an Open Verse Challenge and How to Host One

As an artist, one of the most effective ways to engage with your fans and build your audience is by running an open verse challenge. An open verse challenge is a social media event where participants add their own verse—whether through singing or rapping—to your song. These challenges have become very popular, thanks to their ability to foster creativity and build a sense of community between artists and their fans. Ready to launch your own open verse challenge? Sign up for Venice today and distribute your music to TikTok and other platforms to get started.

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Here’s a closer look at why you should consider hosting one and how to do it successfully.

Why You Should Run an Open Verse Challenge 

Helps you connect with your fans 

One of the most crucial aspects of being an artist is building a strong connection with your audience. Running an open verse challenge encourages direct engagement with your music, allowing fans to sing or rap their best verse over your track. Reacting to these entries and sharing them on your social media accounts shows your fans that you value their support, making them feel more involved in your musical journey.

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 @kotathefriend “REAL ONES” OPEN VERSE CHALLENGE is LIVE. Duet this video and lay down some bars. Best verse will go on the deluxe version of the album🔥 #fyp #openversechallenge #openverse #newmusic #freestyle #bars  ♬ REAL ONES by KOTA The Friend and Statik Selektah - KOTA The Friend  

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Increases your exposure ‍

Open verse challenges can significantly increase your exposure. When participants post their own versions of your track, they are effectively promoting your song to their followers. This kind of organic sharing can lead to a snowball effect, where your music reaches new listeners. The more entries you get, the higher the chance that your song will go viral, especially if the challenge catches the eye of the right influencers.

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Encourages collaboration

‍An open verse challenge isn't just about adding a verse to a song; it's about fostering a collaborative environment. By inviting participants to contribute, you invite them to become co-creators of your work. This collaborative aspect can lead to a more engaged fanbase and even spark future collaborations with talented individuals you discover through the challenge.

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 @ashleymehtaofficial #duet @thuymusic !!!!! girls like me don’t CRYYYY! 🤪 #fyp #verse #openverse #girlslikemedontcry  ♬ girls like me dont cry OPEN VERSE CHALLENGE - thuymusic  

How to Run an Open Verse Challenge 

Choose a Catchy Track: Select a song with a compelling hook or instrumental that makes it easy for participants to sing or rap over. The right track will inspire more creative entries.
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‍Create a Memorable Hashtag: Develop a unique and catchy hashtag for the challenge. For example, use #YourSongNameOpenVerse to make it easy for participants and fans to find and follow the entries.
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Set a Clear Deadline: Give participants enough time to create their videos, but not so much that they lose interest. A two to three-week window is often ideal.
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Offer a Prize for the Best Verse: Incentivize participation by offering a prize, like a shoutout on your TikTok account or a feature on your next release. This can motivate more people to join the challenge.
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Promote the Challenge: Use platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to promote the challenge. Make sure to explain the rules, deadline, and prize, and encourage participants to use the hashtag and tag your account in their entries.
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Review and Repost Entries: Once the challenge period ends, review the entries. Engage with participants by reposting their videos and giving them shoutouts. This not only shows appreciation but also keeps the momentum going.
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Announce the Winner: Share the winning entry on your social media accounts, tagging the winner and congratulating them on their creativity and effort. This final step wraps up the challenge while giving participants a sense of closure.

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Tips from our Sr. Digital Marketing Manager, Carissa Estilo:

• Lighting and Lip Syncing: Get in front of good lighting and lip sync a few lines of the hook. Make sure the intro isn't too long so the audio easily transitions into the participant's verse.
• Build Hype: Let the track play out with the instrumental for a few bars while you groove, creating an inviting atmosphere for participants to sing their verse.
• Engage with Fans: The key to a successful open verse challenge is reacting to fans' submissions. Duet their videos, repost entries, and make montages to share across all your socials.
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Why Open Verse Challenges are Increasingly Popular

Open verse challenges have gained popularity because they are an accessible way for artists to engage with fans and for fans to participate in the music-making process. They create a sense of community and give participants a platform to showcase their creativity. The collaborative nature of these challenges often results in a wide array of entries, from heartfelt singing to clever rap verses. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube have made it easier than ever for these challenges to go viral, allowing artists to reach a broader audience.

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Keep the Momentum Going

Don't let the excitement of the challenge die out weeks after it's over. Consider making open verse challenges a recurring event. By doing so, you can keep your audience engaged over time, encouraging continuous interaction with your music. Regularly hosting challenges can also establish your brand as an artist who values collaboration and fan participation.
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Start Your Open Verse Challenge Today

Running an open verse challenge can be an incredibly effective way to engage with your fans, increase your exposure, and encourage collaboration. By following these tips and maximizing the content your fans create, you can build a stronger connection with your audience and take your music career to the next level.