Category: call to action

How to use an online survey

 

As part of planning a series of seminars on Social Media I decided to take a survey of my email list that might help decide on the day, length, price and topics. In just a couple of days I had a clear idea of how to schedule the seminars.

To do this in the past I had used Survey Monkey which was an adequate tool but this time I decided to try out the Constant Contact Online Survey Tool and I found there are several significant advantages.

Online Survey from Constant ContactStep 1 – Contacts:  I reviewed my contacts in Constant Contact and decided to send out the survey to people who lived in my geographic area.  I reviewed the sub-list with the Contact management tool.

Step 2 – Survey Design:  The Online Survey tool has many questionnaires already designed and I browsed and selected the one closest to my needs.  I deleted some irrelevant questions or modified the wording to make it appropriate.   I added introductory text and easily setup a reply page that respondents would see when they completed the survey.   I tested the survey to check that everything was working and that the flow would be clear.

Survey Dashboard Constant Contact
Survey Dashboard Constant Contact

Step 3 – Publish the survey: A link is generated that you can send in an email, post on your website or Facebook or other social media.   To use it in an email there is a link that takes you directly to templates useful in inviting your contacts to fill out the survey. All of this is integrated directly to your email and contact manager

Step 4 – Send out the link:  I created an email inviting people on my specified contact list to take the survey and used the email template as the building block for this. I worked on the email on the weekend but scheduled it to go out on Tuesday morning as that is a good time for people to respond.

Subject: Need your help – Social media seminar planning  See the email here

I also posted the link on my Facebook Business page – the results that come in from any replies from website or Facebook are listed as “anonymous”.  See link to the survey here.

Step 5 – Track Results:  With the excellent reporting features in Constant Contact I was able to graphs and numbers summarizing the results.  For questions that were open ended – the text shows up in a table format.  For optional contact information for people who wanted to continue to be informed a list of names, emails, website were tabulated – and again a very nice feature to add them to a list – I created a list “responded to survey” and this makes it easy to send them more information about the seminars.   The report can be exported to an XLS  file.   I will also be able to send invitations to this list in the event management module.   I was able to see that Thursday mornings for 2-3 hours would be the most popular seminar timing.   Many suggestions on topics and popular pricing are very helpful in planning the seminars.

Report - days and times

Here’s an example export report from a survey. It includes the summary data in graph and numeric format.  It does not include the text answers that people gave as they included comments not for public view.  Social Media Seminar – copy for email – RESPONSES from survey1

Some examples of surveys

Here are just a few ideas of how to use surveys: Customer satisfaction, event planning, employee feedback, shopping and purchase experience, product development, website feedback, travel and tourism.  All of these and more have several templates in Constant Contact that give you a quick start in your survey design.

Value of a survey

A survey helps you to find out what your contacts think, need, want.  You can view the results on an individual or compiled in easy to read reports. With Constant Contact you are able to integrate this information with your contact list management and with your email newsletter or invitation.  With the many templates available the design part of survey creation is greatly simplified.

Start your free trial of Constant Contact to see in detail how the survey / email / contacts work seamlessly together to create a powerful way to communicate with your contacts and get relevant feedback directly from them by asking.

Start a Trial Today - Constant Contact Survey
Start a Trial Today – Constant Contact Survey

Constant Contact is very responsive in replying to your questions and have great customer support.

 

WordPress Customized Comment Form

Hints about setting up and using the new customizable contact form on wordpress.

Word Press has added new functionality to the comment form builder.  Try this out to add functionality and 2 way communications to your blog.  NOTE – this posting is referring to your blog on WordPress.COM not on the self hosted WordPress.

  • You can add the form to get feedback, comments and suggestions by readers of your blog
  • You can set the email and subject heading that you want to use to receive the form output by email
  • You can also view the form results by clicking on the “Feedback” tab at any time in your Admin view of your WordPress dashboard.
  • To access the form builder – go to your POST or PAGE – and click on the “Add custom form” icon on the top right.

 

Wordpress contact form customization
Wordpress contact form customization
  • The standard fields are Name, email, website and comment.  You can delete, move or add additional fields.
  • You have the option to make fields required or not.
  • When adding a new field you can have check boxes, radio buttons, website, text area or drop down field.
Wordpress contact form new field
Wordpress contact form new field

Try it out and give your readers an easy way to communicate with you.

See the Customized form on this blog and use it to send me your comments and questions. –> Contact form

 

Denise Davies is an Internet and media consultant with Aleph Consulting.  She works with nonprofit organizations and small businesses to maximize their effective use of the Internet to build their organization and achieve their objectives.  If you have questions or would like to learn more contact by email at davies@alephinc.com

Tips for Nonprofits To Build Your List

Email MarketingA key component of success in getting the word out about your nonprofit is to build up the list of people that are interested and want to be informed.

Who should be on your list?

Your list includes current clients, potential clients, volunteers and potential volunteers, donors and potential donors, sponsors and potential sponsors, alliance partners, other organizations working with similar missions or for the same type of clients and your own employees, board members, people who attend your classes and seminars, media contacts etc.

Segmenting your list

Look at the categories above and review the current status of your organization.  Do you currently collect the contact information from each of these types of contacts?  What form is the list in now?  Are you able to use it effectively to target communications to either all or specific interest groups?  For example, are you able to contact just people who are volunteers?

Building your list

Building your list should be a regular ongoing activity. It involves both online and offline activities.

ONLINE TIPS

  • Add a “Signup for newsletter” on the website.
  • Add a useful article or report and then a  “Download Article” and ask for an email address and send the link to the article to that address
  • Add a link on your email signature file “Sign up for newsletter”
  • Add various “Calls to Action” on your website – and ask people if you can add them to your newsletter list.  e.g. “Become involved”, Donate, “How can I help”, “Ask a Question”
  • Add a “Signup for email newsletter” on your Facebook Page
  • Hold an online webinar and get contact information for registration

OFFLINE TIPS

  • Have a signup sheet at your seminars, classes and events
  • Ask your clients, affiliates, partner organizations, board members, volunteers, for their email address
  • Hold a raffle or contest and include the email address to inform the winner – ask for permission to put them on your list
  • Have sign up sheets or business card bowls at conferences, and alliance partner locations

For more details on how to build your list and please send me a request for a special report from Constant Contact.  Eckova Consulting is a Constant Contact Solution Provider and offers services on list building, list management, email newsletter design and maintenance, and a full range of internet consulting services for nonprofits.   Constant Contact provides the tools to  implement all of the suggestions to build your list.

See more details:

Denise Davies works with nonprofits and small business to provide effective internet strategies.  Denise is a Certified Constant Contact affiliate and Solution Provider.