Posted by stepper on Jul 18, 2009 in Uncategorized |
Calling all editors, publishers, writers and freelance journalists. It is time to breathe more life into your copy. Turn your articles into living pieces that spark measurable debate, get closer to your readers and engage their mind and soul – we’re talking revolution.
As it was in the beginning
Publishers have for many years relied on letters to get feedback from their readers and although email has opened up this method of communication it is still time consuming and difficult to monitor and process, and for the more popular articles, it is either a case of only a fraction of the received correspondence ever being used, or where online comments have been allowed, well written and good comments can be buried under poorly written and abusive comments.
As well as being an overhead for the publisher, it can also be an unrewarding medium in terms of the amount of effort required and response that is received, just consider the number of letters that go unread and unpublished.
As it is now
New channels of communication have been created by the Internet and this in turn has created opportunities that allow us to challenge traditional methods. Now a mature technology, the Internet is no longer the preserve of geeks and nerds but a technology that has been embraced by the global population, the young and the old, that invites new ways of doing things. There is now the opportunity for trade journals, newspapers, magazines and ezines to change the mental process.
When people read an article that provokes thought they appreciate the opportunity to comment either by writing a letter, sending an email or writing a comment. Sure emails are easier but it still takes time to craft an email and time for the majority, is what they haven’t got.
Although interesting a letters page or a list of comments are at best a sample of views or an endless unmanaged list of comments; a letter may be well crafted and well written letter but due to the free text form it is difficult, or near impossible, to measure.
As it should be
Now consider the advantages of linking articles to online surveys where as a publisher you will have the ability to obtain valuable feedback from your readers and in a form that can be easily measured. Communicating with your readers is important but equally so is allowing your readers to communicate with you; and in a way that they know it will count.
Want an instant snapshot of opinion? Did they like what they read? Did the sentiments expressed in the article have the support of the audience or do the readers have a different view?
Now it’s easy
Traditional printed surveys would have taken considerable effort to design, publish and collate, a process that was too long winded and justifiable only for the niche and important topics.
However, using a hosted survey site surveys and questionnaires can be created and published via the Internet by anyone who has a pulse. Professional looking questionnaires and surveys created in minutes make the perfect complement to articles that prompt opinion and debate.
The advantage over letters, e-mails and comments are that all the feedback is properly managed and measured and sites like Survey Galaxy will provide you with a real time poll that you can either keep to yourself or share with your readers.
It’s not even one or the other now
Linking articles to online surveys will extend the life of the article and involve your readers in the discussion in a way where they are confident that their opinion will be counted.
You think people will still want to send an email? – no problem – include the facility within the survey and get the best of both worlds.
It’s quick, low cost, and easy to do; it will empower and engage the reader, provide first class feedback and having established a communication channel you then have the opportunity to promote other related articles.
Join the revolution and record your opinion of this article here:- Readership Feedback Survey
Tags: Abusive Comments, articles, Channels Of Communication, Correspondence, Editors, Email, Ezines, feedback, Fraction, Freelance Journalists, Geeks And Nerds, Global Population, Magazines, Mature Technology, Method Of Communication, New Channels, New Ways, Newspapers, Online surveys, Publisher, Publishers, publishing, readers, Trade Journals, writing, Writing A Letter
Maximise the Life of Your Articles
Calling all editors, publishers, writers and freelance journalists. It is time to breathe more life into your copy. Turn your articles into living pieces that spark measurable debate, get closer to your readers and engage their mind and soul – we’re talking revolution.
As it was in the beginning
Publishers have for many years relied on letters to get feedback from their readers and although email has opened up this method of communication it is still time consuming and difficult to monitor and process, and for the more popular articles, it is either a case of only a fraction of the received correspondence ever being used, or where online comments have been allowed, well written and good comments can be buried under poorly written and abusive comments.
As well as being an overhead for the publisher, it can also be an unrewarding medium in terms of the amount of effort required and response that is received, just consider the number of letters that go unread and unpublished.
As it is now
New channels of communication have been created by the Internet and this in turn has created opportunities that allow us to challenge traditional methods. Now a mature technology, the Internet is no longer the preserve of geeks and nerds but a technology that has been embraced by the global population, the young and the old, that invites new ways of doing things. There is now the opportunity for trade journals, newspapers, magazines and ezines to change the mental process.
When people read an article that provokes thought they appreciate the opportunity to comment either by writing a letter, sending an email or writing a comment. Sure emails are easier but it still takes time to craft an email and time for the majority, is what they haven’t got.
Although interesting a letters page or a list of comments are at best a sample of views or an endless unmanaged list of comments; a letter may be well crafted and well written letter but due to the free text form it is difficult, or near impossible, to measure.
As it should be
Now consider the advantages of linking articles to online surveys where as a publisher you will have the ability to obtain valuable feedback from your readers and in a form that can be easily measured. Communicating with your readers is important but equally so is allowing your readers to communicate with you; and in a way that they know it will count.
Want an instant snapshot of opinion? Did they like what they read? Did the sentiments expressed in the article have the support of the audience or do the readers have a different view?
Now it’s easy
Traditional printed surveys would have taken considerable effort to design, publish and collate, a process that was too long winded and justifiable only for the niche and important topics.
However, using a hosted survey site surveys and questionnaires can be created and published via the Internet by anyone who has a pulse. Professional looking questionnaires and surveys created in minutes make the perfect complement to articles that prompt opinion and debate.
The advantage over letters, e-mails and comments are that all the feedback is properly managed and measured and sites like Survey Galaxy will provide you with a real time poll that you can either keep to yourself or share with your readers.
It’s not even one or the other now
Linking articles to online surveys will extend the life of the article and involve your readers in the discussion in a way where they are confident that their opinion will be counted.
You think people will still want to send an email? – no problem – include the facility within the survey and get the best of both worlds.
It’s quick, low cost, and easy to do; it will empower and engage the reader, provide first class feedback and having established a communication channel you then have the opportunity to promote other related articles.
Join the revolution and record your opinion of this article here:- Readership Feedback Survey
Tags: Abusive Comments, articles, Channels Of Communication, Correspondence, Editors, Email, Ezines, feedback, Fraction, Freelance Journalists, Geeks And Nerds, Global Population, Magazines, Mature Technology, Method Of Communication, New Channels, New Ways, Newspapers, Online surveys, Publisher, Publishers, publishing, readers, Trade Journals, writing, Writing A Letter