Happy Saturday!
Hope your week has been better than mine! I tried to start a ‘5 a.m. productivity routine,’ and by 5:15, I was back under the covers.
Clearly, early mornings aren’t my thing.
But enough about that—let’s dive into this week’s newsletter!
In case you haven’t heard of them, Rebel Girls is a super inspiring brand that’s all about empowering young girls through storytelling.
They’ve created books like Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls that feature incredible women from all over the world—past and present—who’ve made history in their own unique ways.
Their mission? To help girls dream bigger and be confident in their own skin.
So, the other day, I got an email from them that caught my attention—and I think you’ll find it pretty interesting too.
The Strategy
We’ve all been there, you get an email asking you to fill out a survey, and if it’s anything more than a handful of questions, you’re already over it.
So when I saw Rebel Girls’ 69-question survey pop up in my inbox, I almost skipped right past it. But they did something pretty smart to pull me in.
Instead of just throwing a survey link at us, they framed it as a chance to truly shape the future of Rebel Girls.
They made sure we knew that our voice matters and that we’re part of something bigger here.
And here’s the best part—they let us know upfront how much time it would take.
Five to seven minutes? I can do that.
Transparency like this goes a long way in making a survey feel manageable.
Plus, there was the cherry on top, a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and a care package.
It’s a smart move because they combine:
-transparency
-incentives
-a sense of belonging
You’re not just filling out questions—you’re helping to shape the future of something you care about.
And by doing this annually, Rebel Girls keeps the connection alive, evolving based on fresh feedback from their community.
Why It Works
1/ Boosts Engagement: Attractive incentives, like a $100 gift card or a care package, make taking the time for a longer survey totally worth it.
2/ Clear Expectations: Telling people upfront how long it will take—like 5-7 minutes—makes it easier for them to decide to participate.
3/ Guides Future Decisions: A detailed survey provides valuable insights into what your audience loves, helping shape future products and content.
How to Apply It
Here are a few ideas to make this strategy your own:
1/ Make It Feel Personal
Start by making it clear that your audience’s input truly matters.
You want them to know that they’re not just helping you—they’re helping shape something that’s as much theirs as yours.
Use inclusive language like "our community" or "your voice is key to our future" to build that sense of shared purpose.
2/ Set Expectations Upfront
No one wants to be blindsided by a super long survey.
Be transparent about how much time it’ll take.
Letting people know that it’ll be a quick 5 to 7 minutes (or whatever is accurate) helps manage their expectations and makes them feel more comfortable about starting.
3/ Sweeten the Deal
Adding a little incentive can go a long way.
It doesn’t have to be big—just something that feels valuable to your audience.
Whether it’s a gift card, an exclusive piece of content, or a small gift package, it’ll make the time they’re giving feel worth it.
4/ Emphasize the Community Aspect
People love feeling like they’re part of something meaningful.
Instead of just asking for feedback, frame it as an opportunity for them to help shape the future of your brand.
Use phrases that reinforce this, like "join us in shaping the next chapter."
This makes the survey feel like a collaborative effort rather than a chore.
5/ Keep It Regular
Make your surveys an annual thing.
Not only does this give you consistent insights, but it also shows your audience that you’re committed to evolving based on their feedback.
It turns it into a tradition that they can look forward to, knowing that their voice is always heard.
Potential Downsides
1/ Survey Fatigue
Let’s be real—a 69-question survey is a lot.
It might make people feel overwhelmed and lead to drop-offs or rushed answers.
Think about shortening it or using conditional questions to make it easier.
2/ Privacy Concerns
Some folks might be hesitant to share personal info, especially if they’re unsure how it’ll be used.
Be clear and upfront about what you’re doing with their data, and make it obvious which questions are optional.
3/ Incentive Expectations
If you always offer a prize, people might start expecting it every time.
Try mixing it up with other types of engagement—like sneak peeks, fun polls, or community shout-outs—to keep them interested without needing rewards every time.
Key Takeaway
People love feeling like they’re part of something bigger.
Make them feel valued, be clear about what you need from them, and throw in a little reward to make it worth their time.
It’s all about building that connection and giving them a reason to join in.
And that’s a wrap for this week!
You can check out the survey page here
See you again next week!
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If you’re new here, welcome! This is part of my weekly newsletter where I share how top authors market their children’s books—giving you marketing ideas without the 40+ hours of research. Subscribe here!
Alex Safari
Co-founder, Zuri Book Pros
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