5 Reasons to Send a Survey
by admin
By Janine Popick
CEO and co-founder of VerticalResponse
In a perfect world, you’d know exactly what your customers were thinking and could give them exactly what they want at all times. Unfortunately, things don’t quite work this way, so you’ve got to use the tools you have available to find out more about your customers. The availability of online surveys today means anyone can create an effective customer survey in a matter of minutes or hours without a degree in market research. Our retention marketing team came up with five great reasons to survey your customers. I’d like to share them with you:
- Get Feedback: Ask your customers what they honestly think about your products, services, events or marketing. You won’t know until you ask. The knowledge you gain will be invaluable to your business.
- Set the Bar: Surveys allow you to look at your business at a certain moment in time. Benchmark how you are doing in different aspects of your business and make goals to improve or maintain that status over time.
- Evaluate the Competition: Ask what other products or services your customers use, and find out why or what they enjoy about them. Doing this will make you aware of the alternatives in your market and how best to compete.
- Learn New Ideas: Your customers are an untapped resource for you. They are smart, creative, and likely have ideas that you haven’t thought of. Just imagine all the cool ideas you can get from the people that matter the most and know your business!
- Guide Business Decisions: Using surveys, you can gather information that is helpful in making informed business decisions. The feedback you get from your customers can guide you in future product, marketing, or organizational decisions – both big and small.
Feeling compelled to send a survey now? Good. I’m happy to tell you that creating and launching an online survey is extremely easy! I’ve created a few (using VerticalResponse of course) and came up with new blog topics, webinar ideas, and even stats to share with customers.
About the Author
Janine Popick is the CEO and co-founder of VerticalResponse (#402, 2006 Inc. 500), a leading self-service direct marketing provider to over 25,000 small businesses. Janine brings over 17 years of experience leading direct and Internet marketing programs for some of the biggest brands in technology and entertainment. Janine lead the Direct division of NBC Internet as well as XOOM.com. She also managed direct marketing for a variety of technology companies like Claris Corp. a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple Inc., Insignia Solutions and Symantec Corporation.
Janine holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in Communications and English. She has been a private investor and serves as an advisor in the U.S. and Europe. Janine is VerticalResponse’s CEB (Chief Executive Blogger) and won the 2006 ClickZ Best Marketing Blog Award as well as the 2007 Stevie Award for Best Blog. She is a columnist for Inc.com “Women in Business” and has been published in DM News as well featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, ClickZ, and B2B Magazine. She frequently enjoys trips to Europe as well as to her home in Lake Tahoe, California.
Products and Services
Marketing
Plan Pro
Create a complete marketing plan in seven easy steps with Marketing Plan Pro software.
Business
Plan Pro
Create a business plan today with our easy and best-selling business plan software.
Incorporate
Now
Incorporating your business is simple and easy when using these incorporation services
