How a guess the word campaign works
Guess the word is easy to understand. Players see a clue — a short text, a picture or a few letters — and type in the word they think is right. The game tells them right away if they are right. If not, they can try again.
A campaign usually starts with a short sign-up form, where people give their name, email and perhaps a newsletter permission. Then they guess. When they find the word, they can win a prize, get a discount code or be entered into a draw. You decide what a right answer is worth.
You also decide how hard the game is. A short word with a clear picture is quick. A longer word with only a small hint takes more thought. If people get stuck, you can reveal one or more letters to help them along.
Word games also travel well. The hint can live in a newsletter, a social media post or a poster, while the game itself sits on your website. That makes it easy to connect several channels in one campaign.
When to use a guess the word game
The word game works best when the answer itself means something. Use it to:
- Launch something new: let people guess the name of a new product, a flavour or a collection.
- Build excitement: tease an artist, a guest or a destination before you reveal it.
- Make people remember a message: the word can be your slogan, a value or the theme of your campaign.
- Run a code hunt: hide letters in your newsletter, on social media or in your store, and let people put the word together.
It fits retail and webshops, food and drink, events and entertainment, media and education. A café can let people guess the new seasonal drink. A festival can let fans guess the next name on the line-up.
5 ideas for your guess the word game
- Name the new product: show a picture of the packaging with the name hidden, and give early access to those who guess it.
- Menu mystery: describe a new dish in three words, and let people guess what it is.
- Line-up reveal: give fans a hint about the next artist and let them guess the name to win tickets.
- Christmas word: a festive word behind one door of your Christmas calendar.
- Secret code: hide one letter a day on social media, and let your followers guess the full word at the end of the week.
Tips for a guess the word game that converts
Tip #1: Make the hint fair
The game should be a challenge, not a riddle that nobody can solve.
- Test the hint on a few people who don't know the answer.
- Use a picture if the word is hard to describe.
- Reveal a letter or two if the word is long.
Tip #2: Choose a word that helps your brand
The best words are the ones you want people to remember: a product name, a campaign theme or a season. That way, the game does more than entertain — it teaches people something about you.
Tip #3: Ask for the sign-up first
Put a short form before the game, and only ask for what you will use. An email and a newsletter permission are often enough. Read more about lead generation with games.
Tip #4: Reward the right answers
Give a small prize to everyone who guesses the word, like a discount code or free shipping. For a bigger prize, pick winners in a draw. Scratcher can handle the prizes and the draw for you.
Tip #5: Spread the clues across channels
A word game is perfect for teasers. Share hints in your newsletter, on social media and in your store, and send everyone to the same game. That way, one game can bring people in from many places.
Tip #6: Follow up with the answer
When the campaign ends, tell your new subscribers what the word was and why it matters — for example, with a link to the new product. Connect Scratcher to your email tool through our integrations, so the follow-up goes out on time.
Like games that make people think? Try the puzzle game or the memory game for another kind of challenge.
