The trick to getting good response rates is to keep your event survey short and accessible – and to make it obvious up front that participating will only take a few minutes.
If you want to collect more information than you can get from 10 questions or so, think about gathering feedback from attendees in chunks throughout the event, rather than through one long survey at the end. There are some natural times during your event when it makes sense to ask your participants what they think …
At the Time of Registration
Get some quick feedback at the time of registration just by adding a couple of questions at the end of your form, or including a link to a short survey in the registration confirmation that your participants receive. Include questions like:
- Where did you hear about this event?
- How have you found the online registration process?
- Why are you attending the event? (Networking, learning, etc)
While Your Event Is Happening
Take advantage of technology, and use a real-time mobile polling app like Zwoor or QuickTap to collect feedback from your attendees throughout your event. Not only will it give you a true picture of what they’re thinking right then and there, but it will also keep them engaged and remind them that you value their opinion. Here are a few ideas of what to ask while your event is actually taking place…
After Each Workshop, Session, or Activity (for Conferences and Conventions)
- How informative/valuable did you find the session overall?
- How would you rate the presenter?
- How would you rate the content?
- Would you recommend the session to a friend or colleague?
On the Last Day of the Event
- Was the duration of the event just right, too long, or too short?
- Was the price of the event just right, expensive, or inexpensive?
- How would you rate your overall experience?
- What were your key takeaways from the event?
- What suggestions do you have for improving future events?
If You Don’t Use Mobile Polling at Your Event
Be sure to put an event survey out as soon as you can after your event. By incorporating mini-surveys while the event is fresh in the minds of your participants, you’ll increase your response rate and get a more accurate picture of their opinions.