During several studies, researchers found that people who received a survey with a cover letter and a handwritten Post-it® Note request ("Please take a few minutes to complete this for us. Thank you!") were much more likely to return the completed survey than people who received the same survey without a sticky note, with the same message handwritten on the cover sheet but without a Post-it®, or with a blank Post-it®. Respondents also returned the material more promptly and more completely when the request included a handwritten sticky note.
For long surveys with open-ended questions, response rates increased when accompanied by a personalized sticky note—one that addresses the recipient by name and is signed with initials. This shows the importance of customizing a message when asking respondents to accomplish more difficult tasks. Researchers believe that people interpret the handwritten sticky note as a request for a personal favor, which provides a compelling reason to comply with the appeal.
The Po!nt: Including a personal message with your request may motivate recipients to do as asked. It may also increase the timeliness and quality of their responses.
Source: "Post-It® Note Persuasion: A Sticky Influence" by Randy Garner. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2005. Click here and then click "Chicago GSB" to obtain a PDF of the full report.
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