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Increasing Survey
Response Rates
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Tips - Effective Practices
- Ensure
that the survey topics and questions are of interest,
concern and value to the participants. Your
response rate is determined mostly by how relevant the
survey is to your participants.
- Develop a
value proposition for participants and communicate it
clearly - let them know how the survey will benefit them.
- Communicate
ahead of time. Alert everyone that the survey is coming. Have managers
or sales staff communicate with their people, explain the
value and importance of the survey and encourage their
participation.
- Make
participation voluntary, anonymous and confidential.
- Use
a cover letter signed by the highest ranking executive
possible which explains:
- Purpose
of survey and the value to the participant
- How
the survey information will be used
How to complete
the survey
Assure
confidentiality or anonymity
Make your survey easy to complete:
- If mailed, use postage
paid, pre-addressed return envelopes
- Consider a fax
back questionnaire version if mailings are used
- Think about a
1-800# telephone touch-tone survey as an alternative to
mailing back a printed survey
- Use web-based surveys
whenever possible
- Keep your survey simple,
user friendly and as brief as possible
- Be aggressive in tracking
respondents and using reminders
- Produce
a professional looking questionnaire.
- Provide
incentives - sweepstakes, coupons, charitable donations, etc.
- Follow-up
with communications after survey is distributed (memo,
phone, e-mail, voice-mail, newsletters, etc.) to
stimulate participation.
- Communicate
feedback on survey findings -- meetings, articles,
videos, etc.
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