What Are You Thinking? – by Mary Ann Weber

What are you thinking? It’s my job as an editor to find out. Or, at least it is as long as your thoughts are about resources produced by MennoMedia.

That’s why I spent time earlier this summer exploring how to develop surveys. What makes a good survey? How can I convince people to complete a survey? How can I write a survey to get the information I need?

I discovered that it’s good to offer an incentive to complete a survey. For example, we frequently include a discount code that can be used toward a future MennoMedia purchase at our store. I learned that it’s helpful to let people know about how much time they may spend taking a survey. No one who has two minutes of free time wants to get trapped in a survey that takes five minutes or more to complete. And I gathered that it’s good to include a no-answer option for those who want to take the survey but don’t want to respond to a specific question.

(We generally use Survey Monkey to create handy online surveys
that are actually kind of fun to complete.)

With my new found knowledge, I put together a number of surveys related to projects I’m working on. Are churches interested in an intergenerational worship resource? How do pastors and other church leaders find resources for their ministries? What would be a good title for an upcoming Bible study guide? Which cover option will make people want to purchase a book? Why does your church offer vacation Bible school? As you can tell, survey topic possibilities are endless.

The information I receive is used to shape current and future projects. It turns out that half of the people to whom I sent the survey about intergenerational worship resources, responded. That might sound like a small percentage in general, but in the world of surveys, a 50% response shows tremendous support. Those results spurred me to begun preliminary steps to create a worship resource that all generations can use together.

We can track how many times the offered discount codes are used. Surprisingly, they are not redeemed very frequently. Maybe it’s the idea of receiving something, instead of actually receiving something that motivates people to complete surveys. Or, maybe people just understand that if they want their voices and opinions heard, they need to take a few minutes and tell us what they are thinking. Surveys also help us involve a wider spectrum of the church and the public in developing or fine-tuning the projects and products we produce. They give us some hard data to go on, instead of guesses.

If you ever receive a survey link from a MennoMedia staff member, we’d appreciate if you take a few minutes to work through it. Your willingness to do so means that we can continue to create and offer relevant products that meet real needs. Thank you!

If you would be willing to give occasional feedback by means of surveys, please indicate your interest by leaving a comment below. We will then be able to have your email address as well as your area of interest. Here are some key areas in which we solicit feedback:

• Trade books
• Book content, titles, and covers
• Curriculum materials
• Websites
• Periodicals

Thanks again for any help you are able to offer!

Mary Ann Weber, Curriculum Managing Editor