{"id":54620,"date":"2022-09-06T10:42:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T14:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/?p=54620"},"modified":"2022-09-06T22:16:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T02:16:13","slug":"how-to-use-polls-to-maximize-engagement-at-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/how-to-use-polls-to-maximize-engagement-at-events\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Polls to Maximize Engagement at Events"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best events are ones where attendees leave feeling like they\u2019ve had a two-way conversation. They\u2019ve gleaned some valuable information from the speakers, got to ask questions, and perhaps shared some feedback and their own perspective with the speakers or organizers as well.<\/p>\n

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On the opposite end of the spectrum: events where attendees leave feeling unsatisfied are the ones where it feels like a one-way street. You know how it is\u2026 when the speakers talk at<\/em> you rather than to<\/em> you, and there\u2019s no space for any sort of interaction or engagement.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re planning an event, a key component of ensuring that everyone leaves happy is to maximize engagement. And the best way to do this is\u2026 polls!<\/p>\n

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Conducting a poll can be as simple as asking for a show of hands, but a bit of quick tech prep can help you get even more out of your results. In this article, we walk you through how to use polls<\/a> to encourage engagement and interaction. Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n

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\"Event<\/p>\n

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1. Consider the objective of the poll<\/h2>\n

Before you think about your poll questions, take a step back and consider the objective of the poll.<\/p>\n

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Polls are great for engaging your audience<\/a>, yes. But that aside, you can also use polls to:<\/p>\n

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  1. Brainstorm ideas and open the floor up to discussion<\/li>\n
  2. Get feedback from your audience about whether a topic is understandable<\/li>\n
  3. Get your audience to vote on what they want to learn more about<\/li>\n
  4. Quiz your audience after a talk<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The more granular you get with your objectives, the more effectively you\u2019ll be able to plan and set up your poll effectively.<\/p>\n

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    For example, say you want to quiz your audience after they\u2019ve sat through a talk.<\/p>\n

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    If your end goal is to motivate your audience to pay more attention, you should announce the quiz at the start of the session (and perhaps offer a token prize for the best performer as well).<\/p>\n

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    If your end goal is to get a sense of whether the material is digestible and retainable, then you wouldn\u2019t want to announce the quiz beforehand. This will give you a more accurate sense of whether your material works, or whether it\u2019s not accessible enough.<\/p>\n

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    2. Adapt your approach based on feedback from polls<\/h2>\n

    This one is for the speakers: As you conduct your session, it\u2019s always a good idea to adapt your approach in real-time, as you get feedback via your polls.<\/p>\n

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    For example: let\u2019s say you\u2019ve polled your audience on whether they\u2019ve understood a topic that you just covered, and results show that 75% of them say no.<\/p>\n

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    Now, the worst thing you can do is to not<\/em> address the feedback, and just keep plodding on with your material. This will likely make your audience feel frustrated, and turn them off even more.<\/p>\n

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    So, try to keep things flexible and respond to feedback as much as you can. With the previous example: if the poll shows that your audience didn\u2019t understand what you just covered, spend an extra 10-15 minutes on that, even if it means you\u2019ll need to strip down and simplify the content for the next topic. After the event, you can also follow up with sending your audience extra information or reference material about that particular topic, for their own reading.<\/p>\n

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    3. Use the appropriate poll format<\/h2>\n

    There are many different types of polls<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n

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