Facebook recently introduced their version of the most tried and true feedback tool in the box: Questions. Now anyone can easily create a poll to gather data on anything that comes to mind, and can link back to that poll through their Facebook account or Facebook Page.
However, there is a strategy behind successful polling – just ask Nielsen, or the census committee. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your efforts to ask for feedback.
Create a Debate
Which is the most financially savvy gender?
a) Male
b) Female
Giving your users a limited number of answers to choose when replying to a controversial topic will almost always create a debate – in this case, the good ole’ male vs female argument. You don’t need to be inflammatory either; political opinions can be just as strong as say… culinary ones. Avoid offering answers that let people sit easily with their position (ie: no ‘maybe’ option) so you can stimulate a conversation around the difficult options in the comments section.
Solicit Suggestions
Where is the best hamburger in the city?
a) Joe’s Local Resto
b) My backyard BBQ
c)…
Leaving the Question open to multiple answers enables a different type of data collection through this Facebook tool. Rather than using a poll to determine a fixed outcome, it can be used to build a list of resources from your audience’s suggestions – in this case, good burgers. This is a fantastic way to engage your audience, solicit feedback and potentially target the next sponsor for your company BBQ.
Let them Decide
For our next giveaway, would you rather win…
a) an Apple product
b) an Amazon gift card
c) cash
Never forget that your audience loves to influence you – and you should let them! The impact of a fan-driven decision can bring you greater success, for example in running a contest, and can give you a story to hang the campaign on. Although people can be fickle (and you probably shouldn’t base any major decisions on a poll) this can be a great way to check the oil before you rev up for future initiatives; or if you’re lucky, you may get an incredible idea from the crowd that you would never have thought of on your own.
The Big Question: Facebook Polls
However, there is a strategy behind successful polling – just ask Nielsen, or the census committee. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your efforts to ask for feedback.
Create a Debate
Which is the most financially savvy gender?
a) Male
b) Female
Giving your users a limited number of answers to choose when replying to a controversial topic will almost always create a debate – in this case, the good ole’ male vs female argument. You don’t need to be inflammatory either; political opinions can be just as strong as say… culinary ones. Avoid offering answers that let people sit easily with their position (ie: no ‘maybe’ option) so you can stimulate a conversation around the difficult options in the comments section.
Solicit Suggestions
Where is the best hamburger in the city?
a) Joe’s Local Resto
b) My backyard BBQ
c)…
Leaving the Question open to multiple answers enables a different type of data collection through this Facebook tool. Rather than using a poll to determine a fixed outcome, it can be used to build a list of resources from your audience’s suggestions – in this case, good burgers. This is a fantastic way to engage your audience, solicit feedback and potentially target the next sponsor for your company BBQ.
Let them Decide
For our next giveaway, would you rather win…
a) an Apple product
b) an Amazon gift card
c) cash
Never forget that your audience loves to influence you – and you should let them! The impact of a fan-driven decision can bring you greater success, for example in running a contest, and can give you a story to hang the campaign on. Although people can be fickle (and you probably shouldn’t base any major decisions on a poll) this can be a great way to check the oil before you rev up for future initiatives; or if you’re lucky, you may get an incredible idea from the crowd that you would never have thought of on your own.