Imagine you're an event professional. You know that the success of an event often depends on the attendees' experience. But how do you truly understand what your guests thought of your event? A survey is the tool to gather honest and valuable feedback. It reveals exactly what went well and what needs improvement—from the quality of the food to satisfaction with the speakers. A well-crafted survey helps you perfect every aspect of your event, allowing you to organize an even more successful event next time, tailored to your audience's preferences!
In this blog, we dive into the essential elements of creating an effective survey. We help you formulate clear and direct questions that invite participants to give honest answers. Additionally, we share a helpful template that assists you in crafting an effective survey to collect valuable feedback. Let those insights roll in!
Want to get started right away with gathering valuable feedback? Download our free survey template and create your own questionnaire in just a few steps!
What is a survey?
A survey is a commonly used research tool consisting of structured questions aimed at collecting information from a specific target group. Surveys can be conducted online, on paper, or even over the phone. The goal? To obtain data for market research, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, academic research, or policy development.
Why conduct a survey?
Conducting a survey offers an efficient way to gain insights into the opinions, behaviors, and preferences of a group of people. Here are some key reasons to use surveys:
- Measure customer satisfaction: Want to know how satisfied your customers are? A survey gives you that insight and helps identify bottlenecks.
- Employee satisfaction: Measuring employee satisfaction provides valuable information about the work environment.
- Market research: Planning to launch a new product? Surveys help you better understand your target audience's needs.
- Participant satisfaction: Whether you're organizing an event or conducting a training session, measuring participant satisfaction helps improve future editions and gain relevant insights.
- Collect feedback: Receive targeted feedback on specific aspects of your operations, such as an event or policy change.
- Data for research: For academic and scientific research, surveys are essential for data collection.
Is it safe to fill out online surveys?
A common question is, "Is it safe to fill out online surveys?" The answer is generally yes, as long as you take some precautions. Most reputable survey platforms consider your privacy and security. However, this can vary with free platforms, so it's important to be cautious.
Firstly, it is essential to pay attention to where the surveys come from. Participate in surveys from reliable and well-known platforms to minimize the risk of phishing. Always check if the website's URL starts with "https://", indicating the connection is encrypted and your data is better protected.
Additionally, be cautious with surveys that ask for unreasonably personal or sensitive information, such as your social security number or bank details. This is a clear red flag.
Another important step is to always read the survey platform's privacy policy. Understand how your data is collected, used, and stored. A transparent privacy policy gives you confidence in how your information is handled.
Finally, be on the lookout for phishing. Always be wary of suspicious links or requests for personal information. Do not fill out surveys from unknown sources, as it's always better to be extra cautious and trust your instincts.
Fortunately, many surveys are anonymous, which not only encourages you to answer honestly but also ensures that no personal information is collected or shared.
In general, you can fill out online surveys with confidence, as long as you follow these guidelines and participate through reliable sources. By taking precautions, you can provide valuable feedback without worrying about your safety and privacy.
- Anonymity: Many surveys are anonymous, encouraging you to answer honestly.
- Privacy policy: Always check the platform's privacy policy. Understand how your data is collected, used, and stored.
- Watch out for phishing: Be cautious of suspicious links or requests for personal information. Do not fill out surveys from unknown sources.
How to create a survey?
Creating a good survey is a step-by-step process. Let's go through it together:
- Establish objective: Start with a clear goal. What do you want to find out? A clear objective makes it easier to formulate relevant questions.
- What questions to ask? Choosing the right questions is crucial. Here are some options:
- Multiple choice questions: Ideal for quick data.
- Open-Ended questions: Allow respondents to share their opinions.
- Scale questions: Ask respondents to indicate the extent to which they agree with a statement.
- Ranking questions: Let respondents order options by preference.
Exmple: "How satisfied are you with our customer service?"*
- Very satisfied
- Satisfied
- Neutral
- Dissatisfied
- Very dissatisfied
3. Determine number of questions: Keep the number of questions limited. An ideal survey contains 5 to 10 focused questions.
4.Choose software: There are many online tools available, such as:
- Google forms: Free and user-friendly.
- Surveymonkey: Offers extensive analytical capabilities.
- Typeform: Visually appealing and user-friendly.
- aanmelder.nl: Personal, well-secured, and specially designed for Event Professionals.
5. Distribute your survey: Use different channels depending on your goal and target audience:
- Email: Ensure a clear call to action.
- Social media: Share your survey on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn.
- Your website: Place a pop-up or banner.
- Physical invitations: Use flyers with links to the survey.
6. Number of respondents: How many respondents you need depends on your target group. Here are some guidelines:
- Small samples (<100): Useful for qualitative research.
- Medium samples (100-500): Suitable for small to medium-sized studies.
- Large samples (>500): Necessary for quantitative research.
7. Tips for a successful survey
- Be clear and avoid jargon.
- Test your survey with a small group.
- Ensure anonymity.
- Consider offering a reward for participants.
- Choose the right time to send out your survey.
Free survey template
Want to take your event to the next level? With a well-designed survey, you gain insight into what truly matters to your guests. Download our ready-made survey template now and discover how to easily gather valuable feedback to optimize every aspect of your event. This way, you ensure that your next edition is an even greater success!
