Surveys are fun and effective

A great way to provide free information without having to write a lengthy article is to take a survey. Media junkies love surveys. You gain visibility by announcing the survey in relevant newsgroups, forums, and mailing list discussions. As you respond to questions your survey raises, you will establish potential relationships. Publish and promote the results in the same venues you announced them in as well as on your storefront. if they are newsworthy, you can distribute a press release. Here are some tips for conducting an effective survey.

- Use multiple choice or yes/no questions to facilitate tabulation.

- Make the questions clear and specific.

- Keep the survey brief.

- Explain your intentions.

- Set a response deadline.

- Make responding easy. If you have a Web site, put the survey up there and use checkboxes.

- Offer a reward as an inducement to participate. For example, you could automatically enter respondents in a prize drawing.