Competitor FAQs
I'm ready to compete. How do I get started?
We love the enthusiasm! There are three ways to play 1) reading (or listening) to books, magazines, articles, etc. 2) fundraising, and 3) spreading the word. Once you sign up you can do just one, two or all three! There are prizes for each category. And, everyone who completes WordCount, receives a 2021 Illinois Humanities WordCount sticker. (It'll be a collector's item. We're pretty sure...)
I'm signed up. How do I log the books I've read or listened to?
- Make sure you’re logged into RunSignup.
- Click the profile icon at the top right of the page, then click "Profile"
- Under Upcoming Events click “Submit Virtual Results”
- Enter your latest number of readings
- Add your book author and title in the “Comment” section (optional)
- You can also update your fundraising page with the books you've read! See below
- Click “Submit Activity” and you’re done! Be ready for prizes! The first 10 people to read or listen to five books, magazines, articles, etc. will receive a $30 gift card to Bookshop.org.
How do I fundraise and set up a fundraising page?
When you sign up your fundraising page is automatically generated. You can find it by making sure you’re logged into RunSignup, then click the profile icon in the top right of the page, then click "Profile." Scroll down to the “Fundraising” section and you will see your fundraiser link which you can share via email, text, or social media. You can also click “Edit Fundraiser” to customize your page with your own message. Keep this page updated with all of the books, articles, or magazines you've read or listened to. You can even upload images of your books or of yourself reading them! If you post to social media don't forget to use the hashtag #ILWordCount to be entered to win a gift card.
Here's an example from our Executive Director, Gabe Lyon.
How do I spread the word?
You can post to social media, post a TikTok video, or entice folks to sign up themselves. (There are prizes for all of these activities!)
- Social media: Use #IHWordCount and tag @ILHumanities
- Sample post: For the next few weeks you'll find me reading, reading, and more reading. I'm competing in Illinois Humantiies' WordCount competition. You can support me and @ILHumanities by cheering me on or donating on my fundraising page: (insert your link). #IHWordCount
- TikTok: Use #IHWordCount
- Send a link to your TikTok video to nina@hooplagroupla.com to be eligible for a prize.
- Get folks to check out WordCount:
- When you sign up, your personal referral link is automatically generated. (You can find it by making sure you’re logged into RunSignup, then click the profile icon in the top right of the page, then click "Profile." Scroll down to the bottom and click “My Referrals.” There you will find your link and you will see the number of people you’ve referred so far!)
- Send people your referral link through email, text, or social media and encourage them to sign up themselves OR to support you!
How will I know if I’m in the lead?
We love your competitive spirit! You're on the right path! You can look at the leading readers on the Results page, and the leading fundraisers on the Top Fundraisers page and the Home page.
When is this thing over?
You have until 11:59 PM on Monday, January 25, 2021 to log what you read, spread the word and collect donations. Don't worry - you can bet we'll be in touch touch about prizes.
What will the money be used for?
Funds raised by WordCount will be used to support the Illinois Humanities Odyssey Project. The Odyssey Project is a free, college-credit earning humanities program that explores writing, literature, philosophy, art, and U.S. history. Odyssey is offered at sites across Chicago (on the South, West, North Sides, as well as the Southwest Side, where courses are taught in Spanish). We admit over 100 students per year. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn college credit in the Humanities through the University of Illinois at Chicago. In an effort to further support individuals’ continuing education, we offer a second-year course in English and Spanish and alumni programs that reach 500+ participants each year. Our Odyssey and Sojourner programs offer a tangible pathway to college and university for many students, which positively impacts the trajectory of students’ lives and careers.
More questions?
Please reach out to Nina Wheeler, nina@hooplagroupla.com, with any other questions.
