USA Today’s Bruce Horowitz recently reported that consumer market researchers could get a little boost of help from the use of iPads when conducting surveys.

While the market research industry was hit hard during the recession, researchers are finding that when surveying people at shopping malls, more and more consumers are approaching them (rather than vice-versa) and will participate in the research based on the fact that they are able to try out the iPad.

Surveys are a great way to not only find out what people think about your product or service, but also a way to find more information about your target audience. This can be helpful in a number of ways including giving companies the freedom to alter their messaging or offerings to reflect the feelings of their customers. Survey feedback also helps target customers by their geographical location, interests, etc.

However, often times producing enough respondents – to make your survey data is more legitimate – can be a challenge. Your customers or potential customers have busy lives, just as you do. So how can you entice them to help you out?

While the iPad may not be feasible, especially if you aren’t conducting your survey at a physical location, you may find that offering something of value – like a discounted price off of a future purchase, an exclusive promotion or even something as simple as just giving them tips or advice of some kind – will do the trick and help to get more responses.

Do you conduct surveys of your customers? Do you offer them anything if they respond?

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Technorati Tags: iPad, Market Researchers, Surveys