Question

Topic: Research/Metrics

Improve Survey Response Rates With No Money

Posted by Anonymous on 7/16/2011 at 8:07 PM ET 25 Points
I want to create a social website related to marketing. First I want to carry out a survey to determine the direction of the website development. I do not have any money to a professional market research, so I carry out it on my own. I have created two surveys and I need to get to people who use social websites and mobile applications.

Could anyone advise me how to improve survey response rate?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by mgoodman on 7/16/2011 at 9:26 PM Accepted
    What's the purpose of the social website you're creating? Is it going to be a profit-making venture? If so, then you should probably consider investing a little money in getting respondents for your research. If not, then why are you doing it?

    It's hard to get respondents to a survey with no money and no professional help. You're wise to get that kind of input before you develop the website, but if you have no money, it will be even harder to get people to visit the site once it's developed.

    You probably need business and marketing plans even more than you need the survey.
  • Posted on 7/17/2011 at 11:49 AM Author
    Thank you very much for your reply and tips.

    Yes, it’s going to be a profit-making venture. I want to create a location based social website and an application. It’s true I need business and marketing plans and money to create a website and advertise it.

    I want to talk with business angels who have money and invest in people’s ideas. Aside from the money they can help me develop a website project and implement it into practice. But before I go to them I want to see what my website's potential users want. I have to prove there is a real need what I want to do. I need more than only an idea. I must be sure that people like it, maybe I will develop a prototype and then go to business angels.

    The first group of users are all society groups (mainly people using mobile devices). So in that case I don't need to specify the respondents to my survey precisely. If later I would like to develop a survey for the second group of users (the local entrepreneurs) then I would have to specify the target group. Without any money for research there is much less chance of success, but I'll see results of first part of research and decide what next.

    So now I have no money, but I have a purpose and constantly looking for ways to realize it. :)
  • Posted by mgoodman on 7/17/2011 at 3:46 PM Accepted
    It's going to be almost impossible to get a reasonable respondent base without spending some money. How will your target audience even know you are seeking input if you don't reach them with some message, or tap into an existing base of folks in your target audience?

    I think you have assigned yourself a task that is virtually impossible. Sorry to have to be the bearer of this news, but without some seed money all you have is an idea, and ideas are a dime a dozen.

    You might want to check out an online seminar in the MarketingProfs archive. It's highly relevant to your situation.

    https://www.marketingprofs.com/marketing/online-seminars/110

    It might also be worth your while to consult with a market research professional. Even an hour of time from someone who knows the ropes would be a worthwhile investment for you.
  • Posted on 7/17/2011 at 6:36 PM Author
    I agree that it is very difficult to achieve. I should have something to offer businesses that have the relevant respondents' database. I also should have something to offer respondents in exchange for filling out the questionnaire. Not having funds, I have to invent 'something' and it's almost impossible. I have a few solutions and I'm looking for other. If this fails - I'll have to raise money and go to the company that will help me in the research. Time is important for me so I try to realize 'impossible'. I believe I will succeed.

    It is true that there are a lot of ideas and usually ends on the idea. I don't want to stop just on an idea. The only thing I can do is try to make it happen. Whether I make it real soon or later when I'll earn appropriate money for this purpose - we'll see. Maybe later I'll buy a mailing to get to respondents.
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