When I last ran a one day seminar in London, I used a simple weapon to get attendees. It was not direct mail. Not advertising. Not PR. Not a clever promotion.
It was an e-mailed survey, it got 16% response, and I made a few thousand quid.
That was partly because of the list and partly because of the person who signed it (not me). So this video is all about why surveys are such a deceptively powerful weapon. See what you think.
Would you like an example of how I use surveys?
I have a client who is setting up a business overseas. I suggested his launch could be based on a survey. So now he is writing some copy which I will edit/revise/trample all over.
We will get the survey results published in a newspaper (they’re always gagging for stuff to run). That will establish his name and give him credibility among his prospects. And that will lead to a series of other things I won’t bore you with.
The best survey format is anonymous, so people are happier to respond. I hope that is true of you, because I have stuck a
survey in here – and I’d really appreciate your reply.Two weeks ago so many of you said you’d like a writing webinar that I wondered what else would interest you.
So in the survey I’ve listed some – but not all – the topics I have bored the opants off people about in sundry places from Dubai to Sydney. Let me know which interest you and I will try to set something up. It takes no time at all to complete.
Oh, and I’ve also asked about something entirely different that I am running. It has limited numbers, so I want to know what the likely take up is.
I will tell you what results the survey comes up with, so you will know what interests other people
Drayton
www.eadim.com
www.draytonbirdcommonsense.com
P. S. The writing webinars will will start in about a week. The delay is because we have spent a ludicrous amount of time looking at the various options. None is perfect, but I think we have arrived at the best.
Also how we take your money is a pain to arrange. Don’t worry. I have a deal for you!
Actually I have
two deals for you – but that’s for another day.
The problem is, they don't tell you the truth. They tell you what they think is politically correct to say, or what they think you want to hear, or something just to get rid of you.
I've found surveys to be useless.
I rarely ask people anything to do with what is politically correct, nor even what they are likely to do, as they often have no idea. I have no interest in their opinions unless they relate to something I want them to do. Mostly I ask if they're interested in something, and to what degree, then carry on gently step by step to see if they will act. As David Ogilvy remarked, “Use research for illumination, not for support, as the drunk clutches the lamp-post.”
I have seen an anonymous website survey used as a guide to starting a new business or consequently developing a new product based on the responses to the survey. The survey may ask what the client is looking for on the topic of XYZ, what format the client prefers, how much they would be willing to pay, etc. The responses are collated and then the product developed – an ebook or course or similar. Then the website is developed and attractive copy is used. This is one, cheap way to discover whether there is demand for a product/idea.
My hats off to you Drayton, this is one of the few, secrets left, that I was keeping to myself. Hope you don't have to many readers…Just kidding. Surveys are awesome, they allow you to get your foot in the door. Find out what a particular crowd wants and…My master plan allows you to accept payments on a product before, it is ever created!!! Like your blog.
You recommend anonymous surveys –but your own survey, as linked in the blog entry, requires me to “confirm my identity” by entering my email address. What am I missing?
I know it's crazy – but your survey reults are anonymous.