Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / Guest Articles / Surveys Made Simple

Surveys Made Simple

March 22, 2011 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Get to know your customer.  This theme drives not only blog articles but also magazines, business books, textbooks, and executive meetings.  As I teach classes to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find myself saying the same thing.  But my students have posed a very real, very astute question to me, “How do we do that?”

When I mention the word “survey,” their eyes glaze over.  Surveys are a major expense they can’t afford.  Or are they?  There are many ways to conduct a successful survey without spending a lot of money.  Here are a few tips to make the best out of yours whether you have a long client list or are just getting started.

  1. Use yes/no and open-ended questions.  Ask what you really want to know and leave participants the opportunity to share their feedback.  This often means striking a balance between yes/no and open-ended questions.  There are often basic questions you need to ask.  And there will be times when clients need to share or suggest ideas.  Give them the chance to do so.  Asking them to explain what you do well and where you can improve is a start.
  2. Ask for demographical information (but include it at the bottom of your survey).  This information is helpful for you, but not everyone is comfortable answering questions about their age, race, income, marital status, and zip code.  So ask for this information at the end of the survey.  Let them focus on the open-ended and yes/no questions.  Then if they choose not to provide their demographics, you don’t walk away empty-handed.
  3. Explain the purpose for the survey.  Somewhere on the survey explain why you are conducting it.  If client/prospect participation is optional, then tell them that too.  In some cases, participation is required.  This is usually found when product/service recommendations will be given based on client answers.  Think healthcare and financial services.  Also note if the survey is confidential.  And if it is, make sure you work hard to keep it that way.
  4. Ask “Would you recommend us to others?”  This question, according to a former professor of mine, is the motherload of all survey questions.  Better than, “would you do business with us again,” it gets to the heart of how pleased the customer is with your business.  If the experience was okay, the customer might come back but not refer others.  It’s a missed opportunity and a false sense of security.  You don’t want to be just “okay.”  You want to be stellar.  You want your customers to come back and bring their friends with them. 
  5. Look for ambiguous or over-simplified answers.  If answers don’t relate to the questions it’s time to tweak the survey.  Your questions may be too broad and need more focus.  Take the survey yourself.  If you need more than three minutes to complete it, according to this same professor, it’s time to whittle it down (unless you need details for product/service suggestions).  And if you are just as confused as your clients when taking it, you probably need to proofread it and get a second pair of eyes to refine it.

Developing surveys doesn’t have to be terribly complicated.  But you do have to be willing to put forth the effort to gather what you need.  Over time you will likely need to ask different questions as trends and preferences change.  It isn’t a static document.  Instead it is ever-changing as it brings you closer to your clients and prospects.  From there you can create a customer experience that exceeds their expectations (because at least now you’ll know what those expectations are).    

By day Morgan Leu Parkhurst helps individuals put the pieces of their marketing puzzles together.  By night she teaches marketing communications to aspiring entrepreneurs. Reach her at www.sharpmindmarketing.com or on Twitter at @Morgan_LP.

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: Guest Articles Tagged With: business planning, entrepreneur, Morgan Leu Parkhurst, small business, small business surveys

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Rich Trotter, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, to discuss his journey in the food industry. Rich shares insights into the challenges and innovations he faced, particularly the transition to natural ingredients. The conversation delves into how small businesses can overcome the impact of the pandemic and adapt to new market demands. […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter
  • May 2025 #SmallBizChat: How to Position Your Brand with Multicultural Markets
  • How to Tighten Your Sales Infrastructure (Before Your Bank Account Screams for Help)
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Giving a TEDx Talk Can Benefit Your Business with Dr. Dan Young
  • 10 Critical AI Automated Workflows to Elevate Your Small Business

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner