The beginning of November marks the start of the holiday season. And with the holiday season comes thoughts of giving thanks, wrapping up the year, taking stock, and identifying what you want to improve for next year.
One simple way to do all of those things quickly and easily is to ask your customers, employees, and fans for their feedback. What better way to say “thanks” than to listen to your most important constituents? Armed with their feedback, you’ll be able to clearly see what went well this year and what you can do to make next year even better.
Take these four easy steps and you’ll be on your way:
Step 1: Decide what feedback you’d like to gather.
Want to know how to improve your product or service? Need to find out what content your customers or fans most value? Interested in knowing what programs would keep your employees happy and loyal? Come up with the list of top information you’d like to gather.
Step 2: Get a head start with Question Bank.
Search or browse the SurveyMonkey Question Bank to find questions that will help you get the feedback you need. We’ve done the heavy lifting by having our methodology team write questions and response options to reduce bias and help you get the most accurate data possible.
Search or Browse Question Bank
Step 3: Add a Reward to really say thanks.
It’s a great time of year to include a custom coupon for your business, a fun sweepstakes, or get creative and make your own fabulous your prize. We take care of all the legal and administrative issues for you. Watch a quick video on how to add a Reward here:
Watch a short video on how to add a Reward
Step 4: Send your survey with ease.
Use any (or all) of the following methods to quickly collect data:
- Weblink—share your survey link wherever it’s most convenient for your customers to respond. Add it to your email footer, include it on your receipts or invoices, or put it on your business cards and direct mail. You can also quickly post your survey link for your Twitter followers to respond.
Create a Survey Weblink (customizable in professional plans)
- Facebook embed—keep your fans on your page and get their feedback at the same time by embedding your survey on your fan page. Learn exactly how to add it here.
Embed Your Survey on Your Facebook Fan Page
- Email—need more tracking and want to send reminders to people who haven’t responded? Let us email your survey for you. Or if you use MailChimp for email, check out our easy integration here.
If you have other ideas or tips on how to say thanks and gather feedback at the same time, we’d love to hear them in the comments below.
Sarah Partridge, Nov 17, 2011
Very timely suggestions and advice on gaining feedback for next year. Thank-you to all at Survey Monkey for thinking it through for us.
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Thanks, Sarah! So glad you found this to be helpful.
Andy Gage, Nov 17, 2011
One of the other ways is to simply offer a free ‘Thank-You’ E-Book, which relates to a customer’s interests/needs. Then, on the last page of the E-Book, ask them what they thought of the E-Book, and also promote other products (at a special discount price) if they reply. Receiving something free in the first place, is likely to inspire them to reply more readily than if approached ‘cold’.
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Hi Andy–that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing it!
reeta, Nov 17, 2011
i like this
Nicki F-S, Nov 17, 2011
What a great idea! It made me stop and think of all the really pleasant times I have actually been thanked (as it’s so easy to forget to do it!)
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Hi Nicki–thanks for the great note. We’re happy you enjoyed the post!
Lynda Injety, Nov 17, 2011
Using surveymonkey.com was useful to my Business Research Methods. It gave them a good understanding of constructing data gathering tools and the actual process of collecting data.
Thank you.
Bennett P, Nov 18, 2011
Lynda – You’re very welcome!
Lynda Injety, Nov 17, 2011
Using surveymonkey.com was useful to my Business Research Methods students. It gave them a good understanding of constructing data gathering tools and the actual process of collecting data.
Thank you.
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Thanks, Lynda! We’re so glad to hear that.
Laverne, Nov 17, 2011
This information comes at a fantastic time because I REALLY enjoy rewarding my book club and the host of people who support me during the year.
Timeless information to use for personal or business use..here is how I am going to thank you for writing that article…….
From my furbaby to you -> tail wags, woof woof and a lick!!!
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Awwww, thanks Laverne!
Glenda Ashleigh, Nov 17, 2011
Great ideas! Great work! Thanks for sparking some new approaches to current practices!
Anne R, Nov 17, 2011
Thanks, Glenda! We’re glad this helped to spark new ideas. Definitely let us know if there are other topics we can write on that would help you.