How to Use Online Polls on Substack Effectively
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I have been using surveys and polls for many years. Polls are quick and narrow in scope, while surveys are more detailed and aim to collect deeper insights. They have helped me gather information and validate my hypotheses during my postgraduate studies, enabling me to produce more reliable and engaging content in my papers and books.
I have also used polls in client engagements to provide better insights, on social media platforms like LinkedIn to enhance my knowledge, and within my Slack workspace to obtain consent from editors for publishing or curation decisions on high-impact stories within my community.
Polls have been a staple for researchers, marketers, sales professionals, and anyone looking to enhance their data and present more reliable information.
For those unfamiliar, an online poll is a digital survey tool used to collect opinions, feedback, or data from participants over the internet. These polls typically consist of a question or series of questions with predefined answer choices, allowing users to quickly select their response.
Online polls are used on websites, social media posts, newsletters, and email campaigns to engage audiences, collect real-time data, and analyze trends. Results are usually displayed instantly, making them an interactive and efficient way to gather insights on various topics.
There are various types of polls, but in this post, I will focus on one specific type used in Substack with limited options. I hope Substack improves this tool to make it more valuable for writers. Online polls can be a helpful tool for freelance writers, offering a means to engage with your audience, gather feedback, and validate content ideas.
Purpose of the Chapter
In this chapter, we will explore why freelance writers should use polls, the benefits they can derive from them. I will provide examples, and share best practices to inform, educate, and inspire you to incorporate them into your work.
Welcome to Chapter 17 of the Substack Mastery Book.
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17
The Importance of Using Online Polls on Substack
To give an example to freelance writers, I created a sample poll on Substack in which you can participate and share your thoughts. The question is, As a Freelance Writer, Which Writing Platform(s) Do You Prefer?”
8 Reasons Why Freelance Writers Might Use Online Polls
By using polls, you engage your audience and gain valuable insights that can enhance your content strategy, improve retention, and drive growth.
There might be more reasons for your needs and aspirations, but for those who haven’t used them, I’d like to summarize the reasons I have been using polls as a researcher for qualitative and quantitative data collection.
1 — Validate content: Test new ideas or angles before fully developing them into articles.
2 — Boost engagement: Polls encourage interaction, making readers feel involved in the content creation and marketing processes.
3 — Gather feedback: Understand your audience’s preferences and tailor your content accordingly.
4 — Build community: Create a sense of belonging as readers share their opinions and see the responses of others.
5 — Increase Open Rates: Using polls in your newsletters can pique curiosity, encouraging more readers to open up and engage with your content.
6 — Inspire New Content Ideas: Discover topics your audience is eager to learn about and use them to guide your content calendar.
7 — Enhance Personalization: Ask readers about their specific interests or challenges, which allows you to customize content for different segments of your audience.
8 — Drive Subscription Growth: Use polls to understand what motivates your readers to subscribe and what additional content they value.
8 — Benefits of Online Polls
From my experience, I’d like to share some benefits I gained using polls on different platforms, which can also provide similar benefits on Substack.
1 — Data Collection: Polls provide valuable data that can inform your future content and marketing strategies.
2 — Increased Retention: Engaging readers with polls can increase retention rates as they feel their opinions matter.
3 — Enhanced Insights: Analyzing poll results can give you deeper insights into your audience’s preferences and pain points.
4 — Content Inspiration: Poll results can spark new ideas for articles, making your writing more relevant and timely.
5 — Create Authenticity: Polls allow you to show your audience that you value their opinions, creating a more authentic connection.
6 — Encourage Social Sharing: Interesting poll results can motivate readers to share their opinions on social media, expanding your reach.
7 — Measure Engagement Trends: Using polls allows you to track engagement over time, identifying what content consistently resonates with your audience.
8 — Create Opportunities for Follow-Up Content: Poll results can highlight topics that warrant deeper exploration, providing clear directions for future articles, stories, or books for creators.
Sample Polls to Inspire Freelance Writers
In this section, I will provide some examples you may customize to fit your needs. The following poll samples might engage your audience and provide insights that can enhance your content strategy and strengthen your connection with readers.
1 — Reader Preferences for Content Depth
“When you read my articles, do you prefer quick tips, in-depth guides, or detailed case studies?”
Benefit: Understanding your audience’s preferences helps tailor your writing style to meet their expectations, enhancing engagement.
2 — Post-Series Ideas
“What series would you find most valuable: Freelance budgeting tips, building a client base, or time management strategies?”
Benefit: Creating a series based on reader input generates anticipation and ensures your content aligns with their interests.
3 — Feedback on Recent Content
“How did you find my last article on XYZ topic? Did you love it, find it okay, or think it needed more details or other improvements?”
Benefit: Direct feedback allows you to refine your writing, improving future articles based on what resonates with your audience.
4 — Favorite Tools and Resources
“Which tools are essential for your freelance work: writing software, project management apps, or time tracking tools?”
Benefit: Gathering insights on preferred tools enables you to create valuable content that discusses these resources, establishing you as a trusted source.
5 — Success Stories and Challenges
“What was your biggest freelance win this month, this year, or in the last three years? You may give options such as “Did you land a new client, complete a challenging project, or achieve a personal goal?”
Benefit: Highlighting readers’ successes encourages community and motivation, inspiring others and creating a supportive environment.
Best Practices for Using Polls to Get Optimal Outcomes
From my research experience, using the following best practices might help you maximize the effectiveness of polls and strengthen your connection with your audience.
Design Clear Questions: Create concise, easy-to-understand poll questions that encourage thoughtful responses.
Determine Optimal Frequency: Conduct polls every few weeks or months, depending on your content schedule and audience engagement. Too many polls might bore readers.
Analyze and Act on Results: Analyze poll results to gain insights, inform your content strategy, and document them in your stories as references.
Engage with Poll Respondents: Follow up on poll results by acknowledging reader input in your next newsletter or article, creating an engaging dialogue.
Promote Poll Participation: Encourage readers to participate by highlighting the importance of their opinions and how they shape your content in the introduction section of your polls.
Share Results: Transparently share poll results with your audience to cultivate a sense of community and encourage future participation.
Test Timing: Experiment with the timing of your polls (e.g., after a specific article or at the end of a month) to find when your audience is most responsive. Unlike LinkedIn, the substack allows unlimited time for your polls.
How to Create an Online Poll in Substack Posts
It is very easy to create an online poll on Substack. When you have a draft document, you click on More and choose the poll option, as shown in the following screen capture.
It will create a framework like the following screenshot.
When you click on the edit button, which I highlighted above, you will get a frame in which you can populate your information.
You can add up to five options.
The length has the following options:
You can choose all subscribers or only paid ones.
Can we hide the number of voters?
Yes, you have the option to hide the number of votes, but I prefer to display them to increase my readers’ confidence.
For example, if the number of votes is low and I make a statement, I include a caveat, noting that the sample size is limited, so the results may vary with a larger population. This adds an ethical layer to the interpretation.
Conclusions and Key Takeaways
As a freelance writer, understanding the purpose and benefits of polls and following best practices can gather valuable data, enhance meaningful engagement, and create a more connected community around your writing.
If you have used polls and benefited from them, please share your experience so that we can learn from each other.
Thank you for reading this chapter, providing feedback on the versions of this chapter you read, and also participating in my online poll today.
Many writers ask why I emphasize the community aspect of platforms so much. The answer is simple: platforms like Substack can feel lonely and isolated without a strong community.
I learned this firsthand during my first six months on Medium, which was anything but enjoyable. Building a supportive community changed everything.
Besides, I have yet to encounter any successful writer, bestselling author, or leading Substack creator who thrives without being part of or leading a community. Community isn’t just an add-on; it’s essential for lasting success.
Community Building on Substack Bridging with Other Platforms
Integrating Substack with Medium is a great idea. To this end, as a community builder, I created a philanthropic organization that will empower creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs with a commercial arm. I documented the strategy and high-level plan in a story. Please feel free to ask questions and provide feedback. Refraining from perfection, I choose a progressive path.
Here are our draft service definitions for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs. We will explain the details in our upcoming newsletter. Here is an invitation from a founding member.
If you are a writer on Medium and Substack, we have a new publication called Substack Mastery. You are welcome to join and share your Substack experience with your fellow writers and discerning readers. ILLUMINATION-Curators curate, feature, and promote newsletters of our contributors in collections like this one. Being part of a community can bring many benefits, such as a fast-growing audience. Substack Mastery Featured Newsletters: Episode 12.
For advanced writers, we also have a publication called Curated Newsletters, which replaced the former ILLUMINATION-Curated. As I withdraw from the boost program, I now allocate more time to support writers in extending their services to Substack or other platforms.
If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 32K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. You can contact me via my website. I also have another profile to write and curate tech stories. Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium.
New Submission Guidelines for ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, SYNERGY, and Technology Hits.
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack and our education tool, Substack Mastery, curated by ILLUMINATION-Curators. Here is the Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers.
Invitation to Be a Guest Blogger for Creating Visibility for Your Content and Profile
I recently opened my website to welcome all writers as guest bloggers, offering a platform to boost visibility for your profiles, Medium stories, and Substack newsletters.
I have outlined the compelling reasons to join our community blog in detail, making it an ideal space for authentic and ethical writers who want to share their work freely.
Here’s Why I Opened My Website to Freelance Writers as Guest Bloggers from Multiple Platforms
I explain why and how writers can benefit from this free blogging opportunity, empowered by a non-commercial writing…medium.com
Here, no legal content is censored! I strongly value diversity, inclusion, and equality in distributing content. If you want a supportive environment to amplify your voice, I have created this accessible and supportive place for you.
About the Substack Mastery Book for Review or Purchase
As I shared in a previous post, this book has already hit the top 100 and (even top 10) bestseller list in multiple categories in various Amazon marketplaces. Thank you, my loyal readers, for making this book a success and a valuable knowledge source for the community.
Many thanks to beta readers who started leaving honest feedback on this evolving book on Goodreads. If you enjoy and benefit from this book, I’d appreciate leaving honest feedback on Goodreads, as the Amazon version is not ready for review yet.
If you want to purchase the book at a reasonable price or gift it to someone you care about, you may preorder it via various Amazon markets. If the editing process is complete on time, I can get it published faster. The funds generated from this book will be donated to the management of the Substack Mastery site for the ILLUMINATION community. This education site also amplifies the newsletters of freelance writers.
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics…
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics, Stay Motivated, Grow…www.amazon.com
Several beta readers wrote five-star reviews about the book, which warms my heart but today I found this remarkable podcast created by Britni Pepper and found it very helpful for readers as a summary of the first three chapters. Substack writers can also learn from her skills so visiting Britni’s site can be helpful. The Substack Mastery Podcast: Hello!
I also enjoyed this podcast by Mike Broadly, DHSc. Integrating Substack with Patreon Seamlessly for Greater Benefits for Creators.
Join me on Substack, where I offer experience-based content on health, content strategy, and technology topics to inform and inspire my readers.
Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium.
dr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com
This story was initially published at DigitalMehmet.com. My blogs and website offer free access to inspiring and educational stories for freelancers and content entrepreneurs. Membership Tiers and Benefits of ILLUMINATION Substack Mastery Community. Please use this portal to contact me with inquiries and feedback. You can also read this chapter for free on my Substack.
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