Maximizing response rates for event intercept surveys is crucial for obtaining comprehensive and reliable data. In our blog post, we explore proven strategies to engage attendees and encourage their participation.
From optimizing survey design to leveraging incentives, these tips will help you collect more responses and gain valuable insights from your event audience.
What is an Event Intercept Survey?
An event intercept survey is a research method where participants are approached and surveyed during an event. This approach allows researchers to gather immediate feedback and real-time insights from attendees, capturing their thoughts and experiences while they are fresh and relevant.
Event intercept surveys are commonly used to evaluate event effectiveness, attendee satisfaction, and areas for improvement.
Value of Event Intercept Surveys
Intercept surveys can be a tricky methodology. Unlike online surveys and mobile surveys that can be completed at the convenience of the respondent, intercept surveys perfect the art of interruption.
However, they also provide companies with a prime opportunity to obtain feedback at a time that matters the most: in the moment.
Whereas other methodologies capture feedback from attendees and respondents days, weeks, and sometimes months after an experience occurred, intercept surveys waste no time. If the survey is not conducted while the event is underway, it is usually collected at the exit as respondents leave.
How to Increase Event Intercept Survey Response Rates
Thinking about working with an intercept survey company for your next event? Here are 5 things to assist you with improving response rates:
1. Focus #1 is your survey taker
Surveys can either be collected the old fashioned way on paper and clipboards, or utilizing tablets. Important to note here, keep the respondent as the focus of your methodology.
If your survey contains multiple open-ends that will require the interviewer to peck away on a tablet and extend the length of the interview, you should choose another option.
Tablets will save on cost of data entry but is it worth adding minutes of time for your respondents and possibly increasing the likelihood of drop-outs? It's something you'll need to determine.
2. Limit the length
In the intercept survey world, the shorter the survey, the better the chance of participation and engagement. Longer surveys that last beyond 5 minutes are not impossible but they do become more difficult as the time to complete increases.
3. Look credible
Have your intercept interviewers look the part. Use name tags, t-shirts, and signs to help respondents realize the process is credible and trustworthy. Don't let skepticism be a reason respondents do not participate in surveys.
4. Greet and smile
Intercept interviewing is a true numbers game. Many will not participate but some will even if it is only 1 in 10 or 1 in 20. After some time your interviewers will learn what greeting language works best and how to approach prospects.
5. Keep the respondent engaged
The most difficult part of intercept interviews is getting someone to agree to participate. Once they're in, the last thing you want to happen is for them to stop half-way through because they are bored or you're not engaging them enough. Thank them for their comments, keep upbeat, and plug away until you complete the full survey.
Contact Our Intercept Survey Company
Drive Research is an intercept survey company. Our intercept survey services include event surveys, mall intercept surveys, and exit surveys.
Have a question about your next intercept survey project? Contact Drive Research today.
- Message us on our website
- Email us at [email protected]
- Call us at 888-725-DATA
- Text us at 315-303-2040
George Kuhn
George is the Owner & President of Drive Research. He has consulted for hundreds of regional, national, and global organizations over the past 15 years. He is a CX-certified VoC professional with a focus on innovation and new product management.
Learn more about George, here.
