Web-based surveys are a fast and easy way for non-profit organizations to get to know their audiences. Free online survey tools are readily available, easy for organizations to use, and fast for the respondents. Besides, these days the majority of our communication already occurs online.

To get to know our audience and better plan our programs, we launched a Web-based survey to the GABA Women in Business group constituents. Utilizing email marketing and social media channels to deliver the survey, as well as traditional channels such as hand-outs at events and socials, ensured a higher response rate than would be achieved through traditional channels alone.

The goal of the survey was to collect critical input from our constituents - inquire why they joined our group, what topics they’d like us to address, which online communication channel they prefer, and brainstorm on areas for improvement.

With the mission to create a professional development community for international women in business, the survey went as wide as possible - to our entire audience and promoted on our Web page, Facebook page and via the WIB email-based discussion group.

After two weeks of promotion, we had an approximate response rate of 13%, and many useful comments that have already informed our event and social media strategies for the year.

Next, our focus will be to deliver on these goals, then to evaluate the results and determine if our constituents' needs were met.

Do you have useful tips for conducting Web surveys? Whether corporate or non-profit, a success or a lesson-learned – we want to hear your story! Please comment in the section below.

Other blog posts in this Non-Profit Online Marketing series:

• How to Tap into the Potential of Facebook for Non-Profits
• Social Media Marketing for Non-Profits - Part III
• Social Media Marketing for Non-Profits - Part II
• Email Segmentation & Target Marketing for Non-Profits
• Can Online Video Strengthen Non-Profit Marketing Impact? 
• Email Testing & Measurement for Non-Profits
• Social Media Marketing for Non-Profits
• Email-based Discussion Groups for Non-Profits
• Digital Marketing Best Practices for Non-Profits

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About the Author 

Linda Cleary manages demand generation marketing programs at Lyris, and authors a series about Non-Profit Online Marketing here on LyrisHQ.Lyris.com.

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