We look at a lot of metrics when analyzing our stakeholders. One of many is Response Rate. I typically don't worry too much about the response rate as even a small amount of good feedback is valuable, but more is certainly better than less. And we've figured out a few ways to get a strong response rate from your stakeholders.
1. Stop depending on one survey to rule them all (Lord of the Rings reference for my fellow(ship) geeks out there.) One organization I spoke with recently sends out a 20 minute survey every few years to get a pulse of what's going on and they get a 10% response rate. One thing that's worked for us is asking 1 or 2 questions more frequently.
Rule of thumb: If a survey has a progress bar, it's too long!
2. Start with a scale question or a "structured" question as opposed to an open ended question. A scale question is so much easier to digest. THEN we can get them into more detailed questions.
3. Answer from email. Use a platform that allows answers directly from email. There's no need for a "start our survey" button. If they can answer with their thumb in their email, your response rate will be very high.
4. Keep it simple. Stay away from a lot of words. The average reading level in the US is 7th-8th grade.
5. Keep it relevant. Segment your audience to ask them relevant questions. Relevant questions are more likely to get an answer, especially if it's a passion topic for your constituents.
After applying these tips, it's going to be hard to manage all your feedback without a feedback campaign platform. Take a look, set up a time to see a demo with me.
Dave Will
While working for SAP, a multi-billion dollar software company, nearly 20 years ago, Dave Will was advised to "Walk faster and smile less, because perception is reality." Dave took this feedback to heart and started a business based on the antithesis of this advice. Fourteen years later, Dave successfully sold Peach New Media, a Learning Management System for associations, which is now part of Community Brands.
Since then, Dave and his leadership team from Peach built an engagement platform called PropFuel, the first Conversational Engagement platform designed specifically for member based organizations to improve member engagement using the Ask, Capture, Act methodology.
Dave lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with his 3 boys, 3 boy dogs and his formidable wife, Nicole. He's an endurance runner and pretends to work from his boat in Buzzards Bay, MA as much as possible all summer long.