Peer-to-peer recognition works—when it’s done right. If you’re here, you probably already have Bonusly in place or are about to, and you want people at your company to actually use it, not just forget about it after launch day. This guide is for HR folks, team leads, and anyone tasked with making recognition feel like more than just another checkbox. Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of how to schedule and launch campaigns that people will actually notice (and maybe even enjoy).
Why Peer-to-Peer Recognition Campaigns Matter (and When They Don’t)
You know the theory: recognition from your peers is more meaningful than a trophy from the boss. But the reality? If you just turn on Bonusly, cross your fingers, and hope for the best, you’ll probably get a trickle of “thanks for being you” messages and not much else.
Campaigns—time-bound pushes to encourage recognition—can help. But running too many, or making them feel forced, can backfire. Use campaigns to:
- Jump-start a new recognition program
- Reinforce company values in a way that’s not eye-roll-inducing
- Highlight specific behaviors (like helping cross-team or mentoring)
Don’t bother if you’re just ticking a box for HR. People can spot fake enthusiasm a mile away.
Step 1: Get Clear on What You Want Out of the Campaign
Before you even touch Bonusly, figure out your “why.” A good campaign goal is specific and tied to something real, like:
- “We want to boost cross-department collaboration this quarter.”
- “Let’s get more remote folks involved in team recognition.”
- “We need to reinforce our new company values—not just put posters up.”
Don’t make the goal “get more points sent.” That’s a vanity metric. Focus on what you want people to actually do.
Pro Tip: Talk to a few employees first. What behaviors do they wish were recognized more? Use their answers to shape your campaign.
Step 2: Plan Your Campaign Mechanics
Now nail down the details. Answer these questions before you log into Bonusly:
- Who’s eligible? All employees? Just a team? Managers?
- What’s the time frame? A week? A month? Don’t let it drag on—urgency helps.
- Is there a theme? Tie it to a value (“Seek Solutions Week”) or a behavior (“Remote Rockstar Month”).
- Are there rewards? Bonusly points are nice, but real rewards (lunch, spotlight in a newsletter) can get people moving.
- How will you measure success? Define what “good” looks like (number of recognitions, % of team participating, etc.).
What to skip: Overcomplicated rules. If people need a flowchart to participate, you’ve lost them.
Step 3: Set Up Your Campaign in Bonusly
Here’s where you actually use Bonusly’s campaign features. As of 2024, here’s how you do it (assuming you have admin rights):
3.1. Create a Custom Recognition Prompt
- Go to the Admin panel in Bonusly.
- Under “Recognition,” look for “Campaigns” or “Custom Prompts.” (Bonusly sometimes changes the wording, but it’s there.)
- Click “Create Campaign” or “Add Prompt.”
- Set your campaign name, description, and duration. Make the description clear and direct. Example:
“Recognize someone who helped you solve a tricky problem this week. Tag your post with #ProblemSolver.”
Pro Tip: Use hashtags to track entries. They’re easy for everyone to use and for you to filter later.
3.2. Adjust Participation and Privacy Settings
- Decide if recognitions are public (default) or private. Public is almost always better—people like seeing good work get noticed.
- Choose who can participate. You can often limit by department or group, but default to “all employees” unless you have a good reason.
3.3. Set Up Rewards (Optional but Effective)
- You can add special rewards for campaign participation. This could be a raffle for everyone who gives or receives recognition with your hashtag, or a small bonus for the most creative post.
- Don’t go overboard. Recognition should feel genuine, not transactional.
3.4. Schedule the Campaign
- Set start and end dates. Shorter is better—one to two weeks gives people enough time but keeps things fresh.
- Double-check everything before you hit “Activate.”
Step 4: Announce and Promote—Without Being Annoying
Even the best campaign will flop if nobody knows it’s happening.
How to announce it:
- Send a clear, friendly email or Slack post. Include:
- The “why” (from Step 1)
- What people need to do
- The time frame
- Any rewards, if you have them
- A real example of what a good recognition looks like
What to avoid:
- Don’t bury the lead with a wall of text.
- Don’t beg. Be upbeat and direct—“This is a chance to say thanks for the things we don’t always see.”
Keep promoting, but don’t spam:
- Remind people halfway through (ideally with a real example or two).
- Give a “last call” on the final day.
- Share progress or funny recognitions to keep it top of mind.
Step 5: Monitor, Support, and Nudge During the Campaign
Keep an eye on how things are going, but don’t micromanage.
- Watch participation: If only a few people are joining in, ask managers to model the behavior (without making it a chore).
- Highlight great recognitions: Share anonymized standouts in a Slack channel or all-hands meeting.
- Answer questions fast: If people are confused, jump in and clarify right away.
If things stall: Don’t panic. Sometimes, all it takes is one or two leaders jumping in to get the ball rolling again.
Step 6: Wrap Up and Share Results (the Honest Way)
When the campaign ends, don’t just post a leaderboard and call it a day. Share:
- Total recognitions given
- Percentage of people who participated (not just the loudest voices)
- Examples that highlight the kind of behavior you wanted to see
If it went well, say so. If participation was low, own it, and ask what would have made it better. People appreciate honesty.
Pro Tip: Give a quick survey or just ask in Slack—“Was this helpful? What would make it work better next time?”
Step 7: Reflect and Improve—Don’t Just Repeat
Recognition campaigns get stale if you run the same play every quarter. After each campaign:
- Ask for feedback, and actually listen.
- Change up the theme, time frame, or rewards next time.
- If something bombed (nobody used the hashtag, for example), drop it.
- Don’t force campaigns if regular, organic recognition is already working.
What Works (and What Doesn’t) with Bonusly Campaigns
Works
- Short, focused campaigns with a clear “why”
- Simple instructions and easy participation (hashtags help)
- Real examples and public shoutouts during the campaign
Doesn’t Work
- Campaigns that feel “top-down” or forced
- Overcomplicated rules or reward structures
- Flooding people with reminders
Ignore
- Vanity metrics (total points sent). Focus on who participates and how.
- Trying to “gamify” everything. People see through it.
Keep It Simple: Launch, Learn, Repeat
You don’t need a giant rollout or fancy prizes to make peer-to-peer recognition work. The key is to keep it simple, listen to feedback, and try again. The more authentic and focused your campaigns are, the more likely people are to actually use Bonusly—and maybe even enjoy it.
The best recognition campaigns don’t feel like campaigns at all. They just make it easier for people to say “thanks” for real work that matters. Start small, see what sticks, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go.