Crafting Creative Survey Questions for Press-worthy Headlines: Tips and Techniques

Surveys can be a goldmine for generating press-worthy headlines, but it often takes a bit of creativity to design questions that elicit unique, newsworthy insights. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most creative ways to ask survey questions, ensuring your results capture the attention of journalists and the public alike.

Tap into Current Events and Trends

Linking your survey questions to current events or popular trends can make your findings more relevant and appealing to the media. Design questions that explore how people are responding to recent news or trends to uncover timely and newsworthy insights.

Example: In the wake of a major data breach, you might ask respondents about their concerns regarding online privacy and the steps they're taking to protect their personal information.

Use Hypothetical Scenarios

Hypothetical scenarios can provoke intriguing responses, revealing respondents' values, preferences, and decision-making processes. Create thought-provoking questions that ask participants to imagine themselves in specific situations and gauge their reactions.

Example: To assess consumer behavior in the travel industry, you might ask respondents which destination they would choose for a dream vacation if money were no object.

Incorporate Rankings and Comparisons

Asking survey participants to rank or compare items can provide valuable insights into their preferences and priorities. Design questions that require respondents to evaluate options, generating interesting data points and potential headlines.

Example: To explore consumer preferences in the food industry, you might ask respondents to rank their favorite fast-food chains or compare the taste of plant-based meat alternatives to traditional meat products.

Leverage "Would You Rather" Questions

"Would you rather" questions can be an engaging way to gauge respondents' preferences, values, and priorities. By presenting participants with two or more options, you can uncover insights that lend themselves to compelling headlines.

Example: To understand consumer attitudes towards environmental sustainability, you might ask respondents whether they would rather save money on a purchase or choose a more environmentally friendly option.

Explore Controversial or Unconventional Topics

Diving into controversial or unconventional topics can generate buzz and spark discussions, making your survey findings more attractive to the media. Craft questions that explore opinions and experiences related to provocative subjects or unconventional ideas.

Example: To capture attention in the personal finance space, you might ask respondents about their experiences with cryptocurrency investments or their opinions on universal basic income.

Use Open-Ended Questions for Anecdotal Insights

Open-ended questions can yield interesting anecdotes and personal stories, adding depth and human interest to your survey results. Incorporate questions that allow respondents to share their unique experiences, opinions, or ideas.

Example: To explore the impact of remote work on mental health, you might ask respondents to describe the most significant challenges they've faced while working from home and the strategies they've used to overcome them.

Utilize Visual Aids and Interactive Elements

Including visual aids or interactive elements in your survey can make questions more engaging and generate richer insights. Design questions that incorporate images, videos, or interactive components to elicit more thoughtful responses.

Example: To assess public opinion on political candidates, you might present respondents with images of each candidate and ask them to choose the one they find most trustworthy based on their appearance.

By employing creative survey question design techniques, you can uncover unique insights and generate pressworthy headlines that capture the attention of journalists and the public. From exploring current events to incorporating visual aids, these strategies will help you craft engaging surveys that yield newsworthy results.