Laurel Papworth

There are a few pitfalls in social media and definitely one of them is to try and force conversations around “finish my sentence….” games. It never ends well – either ignored or turned vile. Here’s some tips and warnings for beginner online community managers. 

Why do companies insist on doing dodgy “campaigns”? We call them community events, or viral spiked activities in online communities. Dodgy meaning completely unrelated to the community values or to the company brand message.

Finish this sentence…

here are the gaffes

• QANTASAIRWAYS: ”To enter tell us ‘What is your dream luxury inflight experience? (Be creative!) Answer must include #QantasLuxury.”
• COLES: “Finish this sentence: In my house it’s a crime not to buy _______”
• WOOLWORTHS: Happy weekend everyone! Finish this sentence: this weekend, I can’t wait to: ————,
• COCA COLA: “Add a word to the person above you to create a happy story!”
• SAFEWAY: “Finish this sentence: this weekend, I can’t wait to ____”

When NOT to do a Finish My Sentence Game

1. When you don’t know your community well
2. When random strangers can drop in
3. When it has no real purpose, and you don’t have a “mucking around” relationship with your consumers
4. When you have a big BIG negative brand issue e.g. supermarkets being seen as pushing around the little guy, or Qantas stranding passengers.

When you CAN do a Finish My Sentence game

@Woolworths_SA Finish the Sentence to win a case of Spier Light Merlot! Our Organic Laibach Merlot has won double Gold and Trophy for Best ….. #Woollies Wine

Much better.

• In the case above, while it’s still on Twitter so out of control (can’t remove comments or trolls like on Facebook) the question is focussed and relevant.
• Try putting rude words in and it doesn’t seem funny. That’s because you’ve targeted the first part of the “sentence” to a distinct audience.
• Engage influencers to set and lead preferred behaviour. It’s called behaviour management and they use it in schools with naughty kids AND in online communities. Very similar really
• Linked it to a reward. A decent one. QantasLuxury got you a pair of pajamas. People might have actually tried to win if it was two First Class tickets around the world.
• Link it to a relevant outcome e.g. a good story, a nice reward, a not for profit
• Link it to humour: know your community and your brand. Your community has value systems so does your Brand have a value system. “If I could save the world….” might get you a response better than “In my house…”. Condom companies could be playful and accepting of all responses: “if it’s not on it’s…..” Family supermarkets and banks less so.

Finish my sentence done well:

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