The secret to high response rates: follow-up.
If the mass email doesn’t work, send an individualized email. If that email doesn’t work, call. If calling doesn’t work, mail.
Everyone responds differently, perseverance is the key. It also helps to stand out a little.
I’ve developed this set of cartoons to do just that, stand out and get attention.
You can save them to your computer and attach to your reminder emails. I’ve also made all five available as cards in my redbubble store.
What I’m working on
I’ll have a new blog out soon. I’m calling it, “top secret blog that will help the contribution-focused use social media.” That’s actually not true, I’m not calling it that, that’s just what I want it to accomplish. I already have a domain name and everything but I’m keeping it secret for now.
For the evaluators, you should also look for new updates to evalcentral.com coming in the near future (hint: weekly email digest).
Now on to the cartoons!
Past the Due Date
Respondent: “When is the due date?”
Researcher: “This coming Friday.”
Respondent: “Ok, now when is the real due date?”
This cartoon is for those situations when the “due date” has come and gone but the survey is not yet closed.
Lighten the Mood
Sending Postcards
Vested Interest
Close Relationship
Loving these cartoons! I typically have to survey colleagues, and often my population is small (often 25-70; sometimes up to 450). I get to “2nd reminder” but am often hesitant to go beyond that, thinking that if folks feel bugged, they won’t be any more likely to complete the survey than they were when I invited, then reminded and reminded again. Using a cartoon to accompany the 1st reminder might be just the right “cocktail” of prodding and humor to boost my response rate.
Thanks Sheila. If your reminders are like the ones I often see (blanket email to the entire list) switch to personalized > each individual. Especially for your smaller groups. Something simple like, “Hi Sheila, could you fill out this survey, we’re closing it soon and I’d love to have your response. Thanks, Chris”
It’s always surprising how much of an impact a little personalizing will have on a response rate.
I like the use of cartoons as well to help with lightening the mood around everyone’s fave….surveys! They get such a bad name….I love it, definitely gonna try this out in a few places.
Thanks Chris!
Awesome, let me know how it works 🙂
All I can think is “DILLMAN! DILLMAN!” and the feeling that for qualitative research (at least at my academic institution) Dillman’s method and order must be used! It’s Tested! It’s reliable! Still, response rates were not magically high by any means.
I’m going to draft an approach and call it the Total Cartoon Method. Now to find someone who will let me test my new approach on their respondents…
Did you know there is also a Dillman who is a martial arts instructor? Totally different way to approach follow-up. Coincidence?
I used a cartoon postcard reminder for a survey second reminder with great results. This was back in the days when mailed surveys were common.
These are great! Thanks for sharing. I will make use of them.
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely
long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying
your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any suggestions for novice blog writers? I’d definitely
appreciate it.
Hi Chris,
What a fabulous talent you have – I’m so very envious.
In terms of response rates, there are some tips on how to increase response rates here – http://infoquestcrm.co.uk/how-to-increase-response-rates/ – based on our own average of just over 70% (and that in turn is based on posing up to 60 questions and statements in many languages to a worldwide audience). I just thought I should share these tips.
Regards
John