Artists don't often think about using surveys with their customers and collectors - or to learn from other artists, for that matter. Find out why you might want to give a survey a try. Email Article Print Article Bookmark RSS Related Content:   Artist Finances   Websites for Artists   Quit Job for Art   Create Your Blog

Did you enjoy it? Probably so.

Most people, it turns out, DO enjoy filling out surveys -- if the topic or information is interesting to them.

That said, how might you - an artist - use a survey?

A few ideas ... and tips for putting together your survey (it's easy!) ... here.

1 - Learn About Your Customers

How helpful might it be to have the answers to these questions from your customers - or prospective customers:

• when is the last time your purchased a piece of original artwork?
• what medium?
• was this your first art purchase? one of many?
• what's the most you've ever spent for a piece of artwork?
• where do you usually find art that you purchase (gallery, art show, artist studio, art fair, etc.)?
• did you meet the artist(s)?
• would you like to meet the artist(s)?
• what things do you think about when considering an art purchase?
• what makes you hesitate when you're thinking about buying?
• have you ever passed up an art purchase, and regretted it later?
  

Write your own survey (help, below!), and you can get answers to these questions - or any others that you may have.

Best of all, your collectors will probably enjoy filling it out!

2 - Learn From Other Artists

Think about all the things you might learn from other artists:

• information about techniques, materials
• which shows/galleries/venues have been most successful
• where to find reputable show information
• lists of upcoming art opportunities
• ideas for your resume, bio, or artist statement
• helpful art websites
• interesting art newsletters
• discounts on art supplies
• where to purchase hard-to-find supplies
  

Need I go on?

Email a survey to even a handful of your artist friends ... ask them to pass it on ... and before you know it you'll have a wealth of terrific, helpful information.

3 - Take the Easy Route!

You can write and produce your survey yourself, or (easier) use one of the many companies out there that provide survey services.

These services come at a variety of prices (from f^ree to quite expensive), and with a variety of options (from basic to quite extensive).

You can zip around the web a bit to find what's out there, including:

www.EZsurvey.com
www.zoomerang.com
www.pollcat.com

Or ... to keep it really easy ... you can head right to the website of MY favorite, www.surveymonkey.com

4 - Keep it Simple

Most often, we're asking survey recipients to do us a favor by filling out our survey - even if the information we gather will help them, longer term.

So be respectful of their time by keeping your survey short (no more than 10 questions).

You'll find that Survey Monkey (and many other survey companies) allow for lots of different types of questions, including:

• multiple choice
• choose one or more from a list
• fill in the blank(s)
• rate on a 1-5 (or similar) scale
• open-ended questions with a fill-in text box
  

Try to mix up your question format to keep it interesting.

Lots of essay-type questions often seem "too hard" for respondents.

Conversely, all multiple choice questions can get a bit boring.

5 - Learn From Your Results

One thing I've learned over the years is that people don't always do what they "say" they're going to do on surveys! And in that sense, surveys can be misleading.

In terms of trends, directions, feelings, interests, etc., however, results tend to be pretty accurate.

Net net?

Have fun with it! Take the information you get, and learn what you can from it.

Your results will give you some great new perspectives.

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