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To incentivize or not to incentivize, that is the question
Posted on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 17:46 by Amy Black
You are creating a survey and it’s very important that you get a good number of responses to your questions. To motivate your potential survey-takers, should you offer an incentive, such as a discount on their next purchase or a free item?
Pros: If you use an incentive, you are likely to get more responses, especially if you offer something of high perceived value (it doesn’t have to be costly, just seen as valuable) to those you are surveying.
What do you think about incentives? Do you use them? Do they work?
Best,
Amy
P.S. This link to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is for one of my favorite co-workers and anyone else who might be questioning the legitimacy of the word “incentivize.” Ah, the ever-evolving English language!
Pros: If you use an incentive, you are likely to get more responses, especially if you offer something of high perceived value (it doesn’t have to be costly, just seen as valuable) to those you are surveying.
Cons: When you offer an incentive, you may have people participate just for the incentive rather than from genuine interest in you or your company. It’s possible they could thoughtlessly fly through the survey just to get to the reward at the end and skew your results. Also, once you offer incentives there’s no turning back. The people on your list will expect to be rewarded for taking surveys going forward.
Conclusion: Why not start out without an incentive and see what kind of response you get. If you aren’t happy and want more responses, offer one next time.What do you think about incentives? Do you use them? Do they work?
Best,
Amy
P.S. This link to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is for one of my favorite co-workers and anyone else who might be questioning the legitimacy of the word “incentivize.” Ah, the ever-evolving English language!
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