Poll Power: Harnessing the insights of your members through polls!

Starting to engage with an online group can feel daunting for some members. It can be hard to know where to start or what to say. That's why using single choice polls is a great way to get members involved in the conversation, and possibly make their first step to contribute to the group.

Single choice polls are simple, easy to use, and provide a low barrier to entry for all members, new or old. They can be considered a quick win and allow members to engage in a conversation without having to think of a response from scratch. Instead, they can choose from a set of options that the poll creator has provided. This can help to break down the barrier of entry for members who are unsure of what to say or how to engage.

Polls can be created on a wide range of topics, from critical issues to more fun/social topics. They can also lead to further, more in depth discussions based on the results in the poll and help to foster a sense of community and encourage members to engage with one another.

The focus of this blog post is to suggest some poll examples that you can easily use in your group to gather valuable feedback from members, and get an insight into what is working for your members and what they would like to do next.

What type of content would you like to see more of in the online group?

• Educational resources
• Industry news
• Expert interviews
• How to guides
• User-generated content

How often would you like to receive online group updates? 

• Immediately
• Daily
• Weekly

How long have you been a member of this group?

• Less than a month
• 1-3 months
• 3-6 months
• More than 6 months

How did you hear about the online group?

• Invited to the group
• The group was recommended 
• Found the group via search

What is your primary reason for joining this community?

• To keep up to date with what’s happening in my work area.
• To enhance my skills and expertise.
• To share information and knowledge with like-minded colleagues.
• To connect with colleagues, work collaboratively and expand my network.

What time of day do you usually engage with the group?

• Morning
• Afternoon
• Evening

What is your level of expertise in the group’s topic?

• Early career
• Middle career
• Senior career
• Specialist

What is your preferred type of community activity?

• Webinars and workshops
• Q&A sessions
• Group discussions
• Networking events

How likely are you to recommend this group to a colleague?

• Extremely likely
• Likely
• Unlikely
• Extremely unlikely

What is your preferred format for group content?

• Written articles
• Videos
• Images
• Podcasts
• Infographics

Using single choice polls is a great way to get members involved in the online group and break down the barrier of entry for new members. The responses to polls will quite often lead to new discussions, provide the opportunity to highlight content or direct people to use the collaborative features you have chosen to use in your group.

If you're looking to encourage engagement in your online group, consider using single choice polls as a starting point.