Do You Know Ze’ Monkey?
Are you familiar with The 100th Monkey Effect? The notion that you and I, yours, mine and humankind, we are all connected by a flexing delicate web of unseen subconscious energy and the universal collective knowledge of our species.
The 100th Monkey Effect Experienced
You’ve seen The 100th Monkey Effect in simultaneous scientific gee-whiz discoveries like Calculus, Sunspots, Typewriting and the freaking Telephone. Malcom Gladwell wrote on the subject in his New Yorker article titled, “IN THE AIR – Who says big ideas are rare?“. Wikipedia outlines the pros, cons and WTHs HERE.
You’ve personally experienced the effect too. For example, white plate plain, a house languishes longtime unshown. Shazam, on the same day, not one, but three offers roll in.
Want another example? Ok.
You’re booked on the 6:07pm flight to Vegas. Your business is responsibly zipped up and cooled out. At 3:07pm you toss your bags in back and head for the airport. Smiling like tomorrow’s lottery winner, you board. Surprisingly, phone calls from perviously MIA buyers and sellers begin to roll in, “We want to buy now. We must list tomorrow!” Happens all the time right?
Friends, this is the 100th Monkey Effect in action.
The 100th Monkey Effect & Surveys
The subject of surveys is buzzing, flexing and blooming. I’m speaking about using Consumer Surveys to identify your strengths, opportunities, challenges and triumphs. Using surveys to provide current and prospective clients with transparent analysis, feedback and evaluation. Using surveys as the garden path to follow-up, reengage and request referrals.
Check out these recent Survey Story sightings. All share smart insight, approach and consideration.
1000Watt Consulting guru Marc Davidson wrote a blog post titled “What If You Recieved This In Your Inbox?”
Redfin CEO, Greg Kelman shares his Consumer Survey sentiment with his post titled “A Call To Arms.”
Brandie Young – Marketing savant and AgentGenius.com contributor, penned this, “Get Word Of Mouth – FAST”
SurveyMonkey.com
SurveyMonkey.com is a super simple way to create professional, fast surveys . Online anytime, create, send, collect and analyze your results. No postage costs, no dead trees. Small surveys are FREE. Splash out creatively and exponentially for less than 20 bucks a month. As a Sales Manager, I use Survey Monkey with my Icon Team Members. It’s easy – here’s a recent SAMPLE Survey.
If I were a high flying, aspirational real estate agent like you, I would send at least two surveys to my buying and selling clients. One during the transaction and one after the transaction. I’d jazz my contact and conversation by polling, quizzing and engaging my sphere of influence at least four times a year.
What types of questions should you ask? Great examples and approaches are outlined in the three posts above. My personal opinion, the type of questions you ask is not as important as the asking. Don’t agonize over the questions, agonize over inaction. Take action, create, send and follow-up. Today would be nice.
There’s power is in the action of sending the survey, it shows you care. Beauty and prosperity building occurs when you follow-up and engage in On-Purpose, In-Person Conversation.
I hear this all the time, “I know I need to talk to people but I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to talk about.” This is simple, send the Survey, call and ask if they received it. Call and ask if there are any questions that should be added. Call and thank them for positive comments. Call and recover by addressing and correcting un-positive feedback. Call, call, call.
Should you mail a survey too? Sure, why not? Get to it.
Seven Pointers:
Short is best. Long is worst.
Ask Questions that invite written answers.
Write questions in your own voice, not stuffy, corporate BS style ad speak.
Don’t sit on your butt and think about it, do it. Do it today!
Don’t send a survey, then do nothing.
Do send the survey, follow-up In-Person and On-Purpose.
Remember, it takes Personal Contact to Write Contracts. Get to it:-)
What Survey Questions Work Best?
Marc Davidson, Greg Kelman and Brandie Young share keen examples and inspirational angles of approach in their blog posts (included above). I know you have some savvy thoughts on the subject, share the questions you would ask….or, maybe you’re asking them now. Share them in the comments and we’ll all WIN, so will our clients.
Thanks – Rock on!
