5 tips to increase event management survey response rates

You've put a lot of work into making your event just right. You've chosen a cool theme, found a great place, set up a schedule that offers value, booked speakers that inspire, and even got a caterer that serves delicious food. You've thought of everything.

But how can you tell if your event was a success?
One of the best ways to know is by getting feedback directly from your guests. It's not always easy, but by the end of this blog, you'll know the best way to do it.

Companies of all sizes host thousands of events every year, and according to EventMB, only 67% of event marketers judge how well they did based on whether the attendees were satisfied.

The real problem is that only a few attendees will respond to your event survey and this can negatively affect the data you wish to accumulate. A low response rate will jeopardize the entire objective of your event survey. So how do you as an event manager ensure that you get the right amount of response rates for your event survey? You get the answer to that question as long as you keep reading. But first, let's agree on something here.

What is a good event survey response rate?

Typically, a good response rate falls in the range of 20% to 30%. However, these numbers may fluctuate depending on certain factors like the type of event, the characteristics of your attendees, and how you distribute the survey. Take note though that response rates tend to be lower for events that last a longer duration and with a longer attendee base.

How to increase event management survey response rate

1. Send the survey right away:

When it comes to survey responses, timing is everything. So don't waste time before sending out your post-event survey, send it out within 24 hours. This way the experience of your event and the emotions it inspired are still fresh in your attendees’ minds. If their expectations were met– they’ll want to let you know. If your event disappointed them – they’ll want to let you know.
Align your survey distribution with specific milestones or actions during the event. For instance, if your event has multiple sessions or days, send the survey immediately after a session or on the last day.

2. Use a Mobile-Friendly Survey Response Tool

Be rest assured that 97% of your attendees will be responding to your event survey via their mobile phones. So Select a survey tool or platform that offers a responsive design, ensuring the survey adapts to various screen sizes and devices. This is how you make mobile-friendly surveys.
Test your survey on different mobile devices to guarantee a seamless experience for all participants. The aim is to make responding to your event survey as convenient as possible.

3. Personalize Your Event Surveys

You can personalize your event survey by mentioning attendees' names when asking them to take the survey. Research shows that respondents who see their names in a survey respond faster and offer more reliable responses. A simple "Hello [Name]" can make a big difference.
Reference specific aspects of the event they attended, such as the event name, date, or location. This shows that you're not sending a generic survey but one tailored to their personal experience.

4. Keep It Short and Simple

Short and straightforward surveys tend to attract higher response rates. Respondents are most likely to complete the survey because of its simple design.

To achieve this:

• Trim unnecessary questions from your survey. Focus only on the number of questions that will help you collect the most critical feedback. Usually, 5-10 questions can get you all the feedback you need.
• Ask interesting event survey questions and avoid the those not relevant to your event
• Use clear and concise language in your questions. Avoid jargon or overly complex phrasing.
• Ensure that the survey can be completed in a reasonable amount of time, ideally within 5-10 minutes.

5. Use a Catchy Introduction

Craft a brief and engaging opening statement to your respondents that highlights the purpose of the survey and why their input is essential.
A good survey introduction will set the perfect tone that can entice participants to engage with your survey.

To create a catchy introduction:
Add attendee's names in the introduction
Use persuasive language that encourages attendees to share their thoughts and experiences.
Make it clear that their feedback will drive improvements and enhance future events.
A catchy introduction not only grabs the attention of survey respondents but also conveys the importance of their feedback, motivating them to complete the survey thoughtfully.

Increase Event Survey Response Rate with Enquete

Boosting your event survey response rate can be greatly facilitated by using a powerful survey solution tool like Enquete. Here's how Enquete can help you reach a wider audience and offer a mobile-friendly response design to respondents:

Wider Reach:  Enquete provides a user-friendly platform for distributing your event surveys. You can easily share surveys via email, social media, or embedded links, allowing you to reach a broader audience, including those who prefer different communication channels.

Personalized Surveys:  Enquete allows you to create personalized surveys with ease. You can customize survey invitations and questions to make participants feel valued and engaged, enhancing the likelihood of their responses.

Mobile-Friendly Design:  Enquete ensures that your surveys are fully compatible with mobile devices. This means respondents can seamlessly access and complete the surveys on their smartphones or tablets, providing an optimal user experience.

Easy Survey Management:  Enquete simplifies the process of survey creation, distribution, and analysis. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features streamline your efforts to gather and utilize feedback effectively.