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5 tips for creating a great survey Anne Raimondi 1 min read Recently, our VP of Methodology, Dr. Phil Garland, contributed to Anna Lindow’s Mashable article on how to create a great online survey. Start creating surveys today with a free Qualtrics Surveys account. Make every question count. You’re building your survey questionnaire to obtain important insights, so every question should play a direct role in hitting that target. Make sure each question adds value and drives survey responses that relate directly to your research goals. Here are eight tips to making a perfect follow-up call. Tip #1: Get commitment for the follow-up Perhaps the single biggest mistake reps make is not establishing a specific date and time for the follow-up call at the end of their initial call. Tips for Qualitative Surveys. Unordered lists can be more time-consuming to look through than lists that have an obvious ordering principle, but unordered lists seem to yield better answers, especially if you can sort the list differently for different respondents. Test your survey. Here’s the procedure that we recommend. Asking for feedback via letter or email can be an easy way to get surveys sent, but collating the data afterwards and looking for trends can be time consuming. Using a survey tool online can help you to do this more easily, allowing you to create your question set and sending a link to customers for them to complete the survey online.
Online surveys are a great way to engage your audience and get feedback from them. You can use online surveys in any number of ways, including to find out what topics your readers want to learn more about:
- Get product feedback
- Conduct market research
- Get customer service feedback
- Gauge employee satisfaction
- Plus plenty of other uses!
Making an online survey or poll is easy – there are many great online survey creators out there to help you craft that super survey. Let’s take a look at your options!
When it comes to online survey tools, you can choose between the free or paid route. If you’re just looking to do some light audience research, you should get on just fine with the free survey makers available online.
Usually the paid versions offer added capabilities like:
- Survey logic. Survey logic uses information from previous answers to dictate the following questions. For example: Do you have a dog? If the user answers yes, the next question might ask what breed? If the user answers no, the breed question would be skipped.
- Export data. Many tools won’t let you export your data unless you use the paid version.
- Custom logo. Paid versions let you get rid of the tool’s logo and instead add your own.
- More question types. Most free survey creators offer plenty of question options, like multiple choice radio buttons, drop downs, rating scales, etc. Usually paid versions offer even more options, like the ability to select multiple options in a dropdown, star rankings, grids, etc.
Got it? We took a look at the many survey tools available online and evaluated them to come up with our eight favorite:
- SoGoSurvey
- Survey Monkey
- Typeform
- Google Forms
- Client Heartbeat
- Zoho Survey
- Survey Gizmo
- Survey Planet
Let’s explore the online survey tools in greater detail.
1. SoGoSurvey
We’ll begin with SoGoSurvey for one simple reason—as far as free survey tools go, you won’t find another that delivers so much value.
The SoGoSurvey UI.
SoGoSurvey is an end-to-end survey design, distribution, and analysis platform. Because it provides a full suite of functionalities, SoGoSurvey users will never need to find additional tools for survey-related tasks―even if they’re not paying a cent.
Here’s a (far from exhaustive) sample of the tasks you can complete with the free SoGoSurvey account plan:
- Unlimited surveys
- Unlimited questions
- 24 unique question types
- Three skip logic/page branching feebies
- Ability to embed surveys into emails and web pages
- Up to 200 respondents per year
- Data export functionality (Word documents and CSV)
Best of all, SoGoSurvey doesn’t put support behind a paywall. If you’re a free user and you encounter a problem, you’re entitled to 24/7 email customer service.
And if you’re looking to upgrade, here’s what you pay and what you get:
2. Survey Monkey
Probably the most well known name in the realm of online survey tools, Survey Monkey is an obvious contender.
In the free version, you’ll get:
- 10 questions
- 100 respondents
- 15 question types
- Light theme customization and templates
The system is well designed, pretty easy to use, and you can embed surveys.
The stinker: no exporting your data. Paid versions start at $26/month, with more questions, more respondents, and other features.
3. ProProfs Survey Maker
ProProfs Survey Maker is an online survey tool with advanced survey and analytical capabilities. With its minimalistic yet classic UI, it aims to delight both the user and the survey respondents.
The free version gives you access to:
- Unlimited Surveys
- Unlimited Responses
- Survey Scoring and Logic
- Professionally made templates
- Custom logo and branding
- Presentation ready reports
- Advanced analytics
The free plans also give access to over 100 professionally made survey templates that can be used in all surveys. These include templates for employee surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, NPS surveys, and more. Under the paid plan, ProProfs Survey Maker can be integrated with most major CRM and marketing tools.
When you sign up for a free trial of ProProfs Survey Maker, you have access to all the features for 15 days. After the trial period ends, you can choose from plans starting at $7 a month.
With loads of professionally made templates and a question bank with over 100+ question types, ProProfs Survey Maker is a comprehensive survey tool that is worth checking out.
3. Typeform
Typeform wins the championship belt for creative survey creation.
Typeform’s interface is elegant and its style is attractive, reflecting the company’s motto, “Asking questions should be easy, human, and beautiful.”
The free version, nicknamed the CORE plan, has a ton to offer, including:
- Unlimited questions
- Unlimited answers
- Data export
- Custom design themes or choose from templates
- Basic reporting
These are some pretty great features to find in a free version, especially the unlimited questions and answers. While logic jumps aren’t available for CORE users, you can pipe respondent answers into the text of your survey (for example, if a user gives their name, you can call them by name in the following questions).
The Pro version, for $25/month, includes payment fields, a calculator feature for scoring and pricing, options to send respondents follow-up emails, etc.
With a beautiful design and hefty capabilities even in the free version, Typeform is definitely worth checking out.
4. Google Forms
Google Forms is another feather in the cap of the wonder that is Google.
Some awesome features of Google Forms:
- Unlimited surveys
- Unlimited respondents
- Survey answers and data are automatically collected in Google Spreadsheets
- Lots of theme options
- Add your own custom logo
- Add images or videos
- Skip logic and page branching
- Imbed survey into emails or website
- Add collaborators
- 100% free!
Google Forms is the only free online survey tool that provides free skip logic other than SoGoSurvey. This will probably be the first pick for most.
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5. Client Heartbeat [Paid Only]
Client Heartbeat is a pricier survey option starting at $25/month. Honestly though, since the basic version only allows for 50 contacts, you’ll probably want the Gold version at $57/month.
That’s a pretty big price tag compared to the other survey creator tools we’ve been looking at. However, Client Heartbeat does offer some much more advanced reporting features.
You’ll get alerts to warn you of unhappy customers, see how your customer satisfaction compares against your industry benchmark, as well as a testimonial widget that can display endorsements on your website.
6. Zoho Survey
Zoho Survey is another decent free survey creator offering. The free version gives you:
- Unlimited surveys
- 15 survey questions
- 150 responses
You’ll get much more with the paid versions, which start at $39/month.
7. Survey Gizmo
Survey Gizmo creates some snazzy looking surveys, and they’re a great choice, even with the free version, so long as you don’t plan on getting a ton of respondents.
Survey Gizmo has a limited free version hidden towards the bottom of their pricing page. The free version offers:
- Unlimited surveys and questions
- 50 respondents
- Several basic question types
- Free templates
- Basic reporting
- Option to export to CSV
Paid versions start at $15/month and offer increasingly more features, like skip logic and piping, customized themes, multiple users, API, and data encryption.
The extra-pricey version offers integration with Salesforce, MailChimp, and other 3rd party software tools.
Consider checking out the full comparison chart between the free version vs. various paid options on Survey Gizmo to determine what plan will work best for you.
8. Survey Planet
The free version of Survey Planet is pretty robust, offering:
- Unlimited surveys
- Unlimited questions
- Unlimited respondents
- Survey theme options
- Survey embedding
The Pro version, at $15/month, offers plenty of extras. With pro you can remove Survey Planet branding, include printable survey results, and include in-question images. Biggest caveat – only Pro version can export to excel.
Which is the Best Online Survey Tool?
While the best online survey creator for you will ultimately depend on your business needs and budget, I’d recommend starting with Google Forms or SoGoSurvey.
They both offer much more than any other free survey tool.
If your emphasis is on aesthetics, I’d suggest checking out Typeform.
If you want some intense analytic action, consider Client Heartbeat.
All the online survey tools discussed above have their own advantages, so prioritize what you want in a survey tool and have at it!
Do you have any favorite online survey tools that we didn’t mention here? Share your top picks in the comments!
Having solid follow-up strategies and tactics will separate you from the dozens of other sales reps who call the same prospects as you. This gives you a distinctive edge. Make the most of your follow up calls and watch your sales grow.
In many ways, a follow-up call to a prospect is more challenging than a cold call. Typically, it’s the follow-up call that really gets the sales cycle rolling. It’s here where value truly begins to manifest itself. It’s here where substantive information is gathered; and it’s here where the relationship begins to establish itself.
So that’s why it is absolutely vital to have superb follow up strategies and tactics so that you can make the most of the moment. Here are eight tips to making a perfect follow-up call.
Tip #1: Get commitment for the follow-up
Perhaps the single biggest mistake reps make is not establishing a specific date and time for the follow-up call at the end of their initial call. Vague commitments from the prospects (“call me next week”) or the sales rep (“I’ll send the proposal and follow up in a couple of days”) result in missed calls, voicemail messages, and ultimately a longer sales cycle. All you need to do is simply ask for a follow-up date and time. For instance:
“I’ll be glad to write up the proposal (quote, whatever) and e-mail it to you. And what I would like to recommend is that we set up Tuesday, the 16th, at say, 8:45 to review it in detail and determine the next steps if any. How does that sound?”
If this is not a good time, recommend another time. If that doesn’t work, get them to establish a time and date. Creating a deadline is a simple but extremely powerful tactic. Use it.
Tip #2: Build equity and be remembered
Here’s another huge tip. After every call to a first time prospect, send a thank you card. Handwrite a message on a small thank you card that simply says, “John, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I look forward to chatting with you further on the 16th! Kind regards…” No more, no less.
In today’s fast paced world, a handwritten card tells the client that you took the time and the effort to do something a little different. At some level, this registers in the client’s mind and creates a degree of “equity” in you. It differentiates you and it gets you remembered. And it gives the client a reason to be there when you make your follow-up call.
If you don’t think a card will get there in time, send an e-mail with the same note. Just be aware that an e-mail does not have nearly the same impact as a handwritten note.
Tip #3: E-mail a reminder and an agenda
The day before your follow-up call, send an e-mail to your prospect to remind them of your appointment. In the subject line, enter the word: “Telephone appointment for August 16th and article of interest.” Note that the subject line acts as a reminder, but it is vague enough that the prospect will probably open it. There is a hint that maybe the date and time has changed.
Your e-mail should confirm the date and time of the appointment and then briefly list your agenda:
“John, the call should only take 10 minutes. We’ll review the proposal and I’ll answer any questions. And then we’ll determine the next steps, if any.”
Notice how the words echo the those that were used when the follow-up was initially set. In particular, notice the trigger phrase “… the next steps, if any.” The “if any” will help reduce some of the ‘stress’ or concern a first time prospect might have. Often they skip out on the follow-up call because they are worried that they’ll have to make a commitment. This is natural and okay. If the prospect senses an easy, informal, no pressure type of phone call, he is more likely to show up on time for that call.
Tip #4: Add value in a P.S.
Notice in the subject line there is a reference to an article. At the end of your e-mail add a P.S. that says,
“John, in the meantime, here’s an article I thought you might enjoy, regarding…”
The article may be about your industry, the market, a product or better yet, something non-business related that you had discussed in your initial call. This creates tremendous value even if the client does not open it.
Why? Because you took the time to do something extra. This helps get you remembered and gives the client yet another reason to take your follow-up call.
Of course, this means you have to do some homework. Start looking on the web for articles of interest and value relative to your market, industry etc. Keep a file of these articles because they can be used over and over again.
Tip #5: Call on time
Don’t start your relationship on the wrong foot. Call on time. Never, ever be late with your follow-up call. Not even by a minute. The promptness and respect you show on a follow-up call reflects on you, your company, and your products.
Tip #6: Avoid opening statement blunders that most sales reps make
Here is where so many telesales reps stumble and fall. These are some of the classic follow-up opening statement blunders:
- “I was calling to follow up on the proposal.”
- “The reason for my follow up was to see if you had come to decision.”
- “I am calling to see if you had any questions.”
- “I just wanted to make sure you got my e-mail.”
It is not that these opening statements are poor, but rather it’s that they’re routine and commonplace. They do nothing to position you or differentiate you. What this really means is that you are perceived as yet another run of the mill vendor looking for a sale. You need a little more pizzazz.
Tip #7: Build a follow-up opening statement that gets through the clutter
There are 4 simple steps to creating that pizzazz. First, introduce yourself using your full name. Second, give your company name. Okay, so far it’s pretty obvious, but Step #3 is where you differentiate yourself.
8 Tips To Creating The Perfect Email Survey For Customers For A
Remind the client why you are calling; remind your client what prompted the follow up call in the first place. This means going back to your initial cold call and reminding the client of the “pain” or the “gain” that was discussed or hinted at in your previous call.
For example:
“Debbie, this is Michael Powers calling from ABC Educom. Debbie, when we spoke last week you had two concerns. First, you indicated that you were concerned about having your current online training program renewed automatically before you had a chance to review it in detail, and second, that there were several modules whose content was questionable.”
Michael reminds Debbie why she agreed to this call. He does this because he knows that clients are busy; that they forget; or that the urgency of last week may not seem so urgent this week. So he scratches at the scab.
Remind your client of the irritation and then move on to Step #4, the agenda:
What I would like to recommend at this stage is two things: First, we review those modules that have you concerned, and second, we’ll take a closer look at the current contract. Then we’ll determine the next steps, if applicable. How does that sound?
Clients like a clear, concise agenda. They want an organized vendor who doesn’t waste their time. They want someone to take control and move the call forward. This gives them confidence.
Finally, notice how the rep repeats a theme that he established in the first call and in his follow-up e-mail. He indicates that they will “determine the next steps, if applicable.” It’s a nice touch and reduces client resistance.
Tip # 8: Be persistent, be polite, and be professional, but not a pest
If you follow this formula, about 70% of the time the client is there. But that leaves 30% who are not for one reason or another. If the prospect is not there, leave a message so that they know YOU called on time. For example:
“Hi Debbie, it’s ____ from ________ calling for our 8:45 appointment. Sounds like you might be tied up for a few moments. I’ll call in 10 minutes if I haven’t heard from you. In the meantime, my number is ______”
Next, call in 10 minutes. Exactly. If the prospect is still not there, leave another message:
8 Tips To Creating The Perfect Email Survey For Customers Will
“Hi Debbie, it’s ___ from ___, following up on our 8:45 appointment. Looks like you’re still tied up. Please give me a call when you’re free at —– —–, otherwise I will call you later this morning or early this afternoon.”
So far you’ve been persistent without being a pest. Now, give the prospect a chance to call. A good rule of thumb is a half a day. Four hours is plenty of time and space for the prospect to call you and more importantly, it doesn’t make you look desperate or annoying. Here’s what you can say:
8 Tips To Creating The Perfect Email Survey For Customers Without
“Debbie, it’s _____ from ________I called a couple of times today but as of yet we have not been able to connect. When we last spoke you where concerned about the contract expiry date and the content of some of the modules. I’m sure you don’t want that date to come and go. So, my number is _______.”
8 Tips To Creating The Perfect Email Survey For Customers Using
Notice how the rep reminds the client of the call but does not make her feel guilty or embarrassed by using the phrase “… but as of yet we have not been able to connect.” Also, notice that the rep reminds the client about their early talks and the “pain” the prospect was experiencing. In effect, he wants Debbie to think, “Oh… yeah… that contract is nagging me… I better get back to him.”
If that doesn’t work, make four more follow-up calls, but space them three business days apart. This shows persistence, but the calls are spread far enough apart that the client doesn’t feel like she’s being stalked. If there’s no response by then, you probably won’t get one, but at least you took a good stab at it.
For more tips on following up with prospects, building deeper relationships, and closing more deals, download our FREE guide, Seven Steps to Building Effective Prospecting Sequences.