How To Know What To Do Next In Your Business
Let’s be real—running a business isn’t always about having all the answers. Sometimes, it’s about knowing where to look to find them. And spoiler alert: the best answers often come straight from the people you’re serving.
That’s why I’m such a big believer in surveying your community. Your audience holds the key to what’s working, what’s missing, and what they want to see next. And if you’re building a business for them (which you are!), their feedback is one of the most valuable tools you’ve got.
Why Surveys Matter (Like, A Lot)
Let me give you a little behind-the-scenes.
Before I made the decision to sunset Honey Social last year, I was in a place where I wasn’t sure what direction to take. I had ideas, but I needed to know what my community wanted—what you wanted. So, I put out a survey.
And let me tell you… if it wasn’t for the over 100 responses I got at that crucial moment, I wouldn’t know what the heck to do in my business right now. (For reference, I sent the email to about 1,600 subscribers.) That feedback shaped the decisions I made then—and it continues to shape how I move forward today.
That’s why I’m keeping that same energy and including y’all in every decision that warrants feedback. This isn’t just my business—it’s a community. And your voice matters.
The Secret Sauce to Getting Survey Responses
Now, I know what you’re thinking: How do I actually get people to respond to a survey?
Here’s what worked for me—and what will work for you too:
1. Build a Community, Not Just a Business
The reason so many people responded to my survey wasn’t just because I asked—it’s because I’ve spent time building real relationships with my audience. I’m not just showing up in your inbox to sell something; I’m here to connect, share, and grow with you.
If you’ve got an email list (and you should), treat your subscribers like your business besties. When people feel like they’re part of your journey, they’re more likely to give back when you ask for feedback.
2. Be Intentional with Your Questions
Nobody wants to fill out a survey that feels like busywork. Be clear, concise, and intentional with the questions you ask. Make it easy for people to share their thoughts without overloading them.
When I created my survey, I actually used ChatGPT to help brainstorm the right questions. But here’s the thing—if you’re going to use a tool like ChatGPT, don’t just throw in a single prompt and expect gold. Treat it like a conversation.
I told ChatGPT everything:
Why I wanted to do the survey
What decisions I needed help making
The vibe I wanted (because I needed that girl-next-door energy, not stiff corporate speak)
I even asked it to act as a pro business strategist or expert marketing exec to make sure the questions were thoughtful and targeted. I told it to give me the best types of survey questions—like multiple choice, rating scales, or open-ended questions—depending on what I was asking.
And honestly? It gave me the energy I gave it. Of course, I reviewed and tweaked everything to make sure it felt like me, but having ChatGPT in my corner made the whole process smoother.
If you’re curious about the exact questions I used to get over 100 responses, download my guide here—I’m sharing them all, plus screenshots of the emails that made it happen.
3. Incentivize, Incentivize, Incentivize
Let’s not sugarcoat it—I’m POSITIVE the number one driver behind my survey responses was the incentive. I put money behind it, and it worked. And honestly, when my IRL business besties told me to offer cash, I cringed because I didn’t have it to give. Money was TIGHT. But I scraped up as much as I could and got it done. People are way more likely to take time out of their day if there’s something in it for them.
Think about what makes sense for your audience. It could be a gift card, a free product, or even exclusive access to something valuable in your business.
4. Run a Full Campaign, Not Just One Email
One email isn’t enough. I treated my survey like a full-on campaign—sending multiple emails, each one conversational and infused with my personality. I didn’t just say, “Hey, take this survey.” I made it feel like we were having a chat over coffee, sharing why their input was important and how it would shape the future of the business.
If you want to see exactly how I structured those emails, grab the guide here. I’m sharing screenshots so you can see how I kept it real and made it feel like a two-way conversation.
Tools to Make It Easy
I use Typeform for my surveys because it’s super user-friendly and makes the whole process feel seamless. But here’s a bonus: Flodesk now has amazing polling capabilities that live right inside your emails. No extra clicks, no jumping to another link—just easy, straightforward feedback.
If you’re not ready for a full-blown survey, Flodesk polls are perfect for quick check-ins with your audience. [And if you’re considering using Flodesk for your email marketing platform, don’t think too hard. I use it and love it. Here’s a discount for you. It provides you with a free trial and then 50% off your first year of Flodesk.]
Final Thoughts: Listen to Your People
At the end of the day, your business exists to serve your community. So why not let them help guide the way?
Surveys aren’t just about gathering data—they’re about building relationships, making intentional decisions, and ensuring that every move you make is aligned with what your audience actually wants.
So if you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or just ready to take your business to the next level, survey your people. Trust me—it works.
Ready to get started? Download my guide here to see the exact survey questions and email templates I used to get over 100 responses. Your community has the answers—you just have to ask.
