Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello,

I am in the infancy stages of developing an online business. I have developed a marketing survey targeted to women ages 18 and older. The survey has 39 questions, some regarding demographics, and many regarding shopping preferences, etc.

For those of you who have done marketing surveys, what is the best kind of approach? Right now, I am planning to give $10 Visa Check cards to the first 20 respondents. I plan to solicit those respondents by posting fliers in the public library and grocery stores, that stated the first 20 respondents who complete the survey will receive the check cards. Others will be considered for future surveys. I am also giving those first 20 a choice of receiving the survey by mail, and mailing it back to my po box, or meeting me in person (I have three public places in mind...two fast food restaurants, and the public library).

I would prefer to meet the respondents in person in case they have questions, but at the same time, I know people are busy, therefore, I like giving them the choice of using the mail. I know with the mailing choice, I run into potential problems of the survey not being filled out accurately or completely. Any suggestions regarding another way I can approach this?

Also, my husband suggested that before I go out and spend $100 getting 20 $10 Visa check cards, I may want to see how many women may want to do this survey for free. I personally don`t have time for lengthly marketing surveys unless there was something in it for me, and I would assume the same is true for many busy women. Any suggestions as to how to solicit women to complete this survey for free?

Finally, I`d like make sure my respondents are at least 18 years of age, but I know there is no guaranteeing this. Any suggestions regarding this matter? Also, do you think there are any legal ramifications if I distribute the survey, and get responses from people under 18? The survey has nothing sexual or inappropriate for people under 18. I just thought I`d target the demographic of 18 and olderin case there are any legal issues regarding people under 18.I plan to put some sort of disclaimer on the survey.

I do have a business lawyer but she charges astronomical prices for her advice (I think I`d better shop around for someone else). I thought I`d narrow down my questions some by seeing what folks on this board have to say, before I present questions to my lawyer. I believe she will drag things out in order to charge me more.

Thanks.

Hello,

I am in the infancy stages of developing an online business. I have developed a marketing survey targeted to women ages 18 and older. The survey has 39 questions, some regarding demographics, and many regarding shopping preferences, etc.

For those of you who have done marketing surveys, what is the best kind of approach? Right now, I am planning to give $10 Visa Check cards to the first 20 respondents. I plan to solicit those respondents by posting fliers in the public library and grocery stores, that stated the first 20 respondents who complete the survey will receive the check cards. Others will be considered for future surveys. I am also giving those first 20 a choice of receiving the survey by mail, and mailing it back to my po box, or meeting me in person (I have three public places in mind...two fast food restaurants, and the public library).

I would prefer to meet the respondents in person in case they have questions, but at the same time, I know people are busy, therefore, I like giving them the choice of using the mail. I know with the mailing choice, I run into potential problems of the survey not being filled out accurately or completely. Any suggestions regarding another way I can approach this?

Also, my husband suggested that before I go out and spend $100 getting 20 $10 Visa check cards, I may want to see how many women may want to do this survey for free. I personally don`t have time for lengthly marketing surveys unless there was something in it for me, and I would assume the same is true for many busy women. Any suggestions as to how to solicit women to complete this survey for free?

Finally, I`d like make sure my respondents are at least 18 years of age, but I know there is no guaranteeing this. Any suggestions regarding this matter? Also, do you think there are any legal ramifications if I distribute the survey, and get responses from people under 18? The survey has nothing sexual or inappropriate for people under 18. I just thought I`d target the demographic of 18 and olderin case there are any legal issues regarding people under 18.I plan to put some sort of disclaimer on the survey.

I do have a business lawyer but she charges astronomical prices for her advice (I think I`d better shop around for someone else). I thought I`d narrow down my questions some by seeing what folks on this board have to say, before I present questions to my lawyer. I believe she will drag things out in order to charge me more.

Thanks.