Twitter for brands: Open-ended questions? Part 2

In my last post I discussed the use of open-ended questions on twitter by brands. The Qantas luxury campaign went horribly wrong as twitter joksters got into gear with some pretty damaging jibes.

Another big brand that has felt the twitter backlash is McDonald’s. Maccas went out to promote a fresh produce guarantee with a hashtag #MeetTheFarmers.

This was followed by a few testimonials from suppliers under what turned out to be a mistake of a hashtag #McDstories.

Unfortunately many twitter funny-men and women had a few of their own McDstories. Here are a couple of stories highlighted by The Telegraph in the UK

#McDStories More than half a year since last McTerrible McFattening McMeal. I don’t McMiss the McFood McOne McBit.

My brother finding a fake finger nail in his fries.#McDStories

If you don’t want your hashtag to become a bashtag you have to control the conversation! Set parameters. This can be done by setting limited themes around which user generated content is not easily going to be turned back against the brand.

The latest trends in social media strategy for brands will be showcased at The Internet Show, April 30-May 1 @ the Melbourne Convention Centre.