I am not going to talk a lot about the ins and outs of a survey, but about how a survey can better your business.
Now, first off, if you are using online surveys, there are plenty of free tools at your fingertips to use that won’t cost your business a dime.
There are ones like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey.com, and of course there are others, but those will do the job.
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However, my favorite type of survey is when you actually speak to someone directly. This could be over the phone, face to face, or by email.
Email Surveys
Now, let’s talk about email surveys for a minute. I am talking about asking a single question, not a whole long email full of useless information.
This is not a time when you would use Survey Monkey and Google Forms as they ask a lot of questions.
In your email, you might say something like “Can you tell me which of these two matches you?”
For me, like in the Owners Club, I can send out an email survey asking something like, “Are you new in business and wanting to grow, or are you a solid business with a steady stream and wanting to just hone that further?”
From there, I can tailor what I deliver to them.
You might be saying, “Yeah well that is just asking a question.” But that is exactly what a survey really is. You are asking questions so that you can tailor your business to meet their specific needs.
Now, I am not talking about those pesky surveys you get from the water company or gas company, but I am talking about real surveys that accomplish something.
It is amazing the information you can glean from your customers and potential customers from people who are talking to you. That’s what it is all about.
It’s about communication and getting information back.
In business we make a lot of assumptions. We assume people will like this. We don’t ask them. That quite often doesn’t work.
If you are thinking of creating a new service or a new product, you can chat with your clients or potential customers about it.
When you have someone on the phone and at the end of the conversation, you can simply say, “Can I ask you two quick questions? If I were to_____.”
This means you get to talk to real people are actually interested in your business and products. Then you can get real info and whether or not your customers will endorse your product.
Imagine having 20 sets of feedback on that product that will hone or perfect it before you actually put the effort into perfecting it.
Then again, you might find your customers giving negative feedback, discussing that the price of the product is higher, or that the product would not be of use to you.
This is a great way for you to discover whether you want to invest in that idea or not, and if you do get negative feedback, I challenge you to NOT move forward with the idea.
Face to Face
Now, this is not to have an actual business meeting. You are going to take your client out to dinner or for a coffee and talk to them about life and such. Ask how their kids are, etc.
Then, occasionally ask them some pertinent questions. Now, don’t push your luck. You are only going to ask about 3-5 so don’t go asking for demographic questions.
You need to ask questions that can help you in your business.
Toolbox Tip
Today is Tuesday and that means it is time for a toolbox tip. Today I am recommending Rescue Time. Now, I use this all the time.
It’s free to use. You just download it onto your computer and it records when you are working on your computer, but it also knows when you are wasting your time.
You will be amazed at how many hours you work. This will help you to tailor your work load to be more efficient.
Tomorrow is the expert interview series. Be sure to tune in and listen to it. You will learn a lot.
