How to Ask People to Take a Survey (Without Sounding Pushy)

Surveys are one of the most powerful tools for collecting feedback, conducting research, or identifying areas for improvement. Whether you’re a business owner looking to refine your product, a researcher seeking insights, or a nonprofit trying to understand your impact — a well-designed survey can make all the difference.

But here’s the catch: people don’t like being pestered. How you ask them to take a survey significantly affects whether they will actually take it — and how thoughtful their responses will be. That’s why it’s important to understand how to ask people to take a survey in a way that feels respectful, engaging, and non-intrusive.

So, how do you make the ask without sounding pushy or desperate?

10 Smart, Respectful Strategies about How to Ask People to Take a Survey

1. Understand Your Audience

Before you ask anyone to take a survey, know who they are. Are they customers, employees, volunteers, or social media followers? Each group responds differently to how they’re approached.

Tailor your message to what matters to them.

• Example: If you’re emailing a customer, use a friendly, service-oriented tone:
  “We’d love your feedback to make your experience even better!”
• For internal team members, be straightforward and professional:
  “We’re reviewing workflows and would appreciate your input.”

2. Be Clear About the Purpose

People are more likely to help if they know why they’re being asked.

Explain:

• What the survey is about
• Why their opinion is valuable
• How their input will be used

Example phrases:

• “Help us improve your shopping experience”
• “Your feedback will help shape the future of our services”

Make it feel like they’re part of something meaningful — not just checking a box.

3. Make It Easy

One of the biggest reasons people skip surveys? They look like they’ll take forever.

Respect their time:

• Keep it short — ideally under 5 minutes
• Make it mobile-friendly
• Tell them upfront:
  “It’ll only take 2 minutes!”
• Include a direct survey link in the email or message

You May Also Like: The Ultimate Guide to Survey Reminder Emails: 8 Templates & Best Practices

4. Personalize Your Request

Generic messages are easy to ignore. Personalization grabs attention and shows you care.

If possible:

• Use their name
• Refer to a specific purchase, experience, or interaction

Example:
“Hi Sarah, as someone who recently tried our new product line, your feedback would be incredibly helpful.”

This makes the request feel relevant and sincere — not mass-produced.

5. Offer an Incentive (If Appropriate)

An extra nudge can go a long way — especially if your audience is busy or unfamiliar with you.

Types of incentives:

• Monetary: gift cards, discounts, giveaways
• Non-monetary: early access to results, recognition, or a donation in their name

Make sure the incentive is:

• Clear
• Ethical
• Not too “salesy”

Example:
“Complete the survey by Friday for a chance to win a $25 gift card!”

6. Choose the Right Channel

Where and how you ask matters just as much as what you say.

Match your communication to where your audience is most active:

• Email: Great for formal or longer surveys
• Text: Ideal for quick, high-response asks
• Social media: Use Instagram Stories, LinkedIn messages, or Facebook polls for informal surveys
• Website pop-ups: For feedback on-site behavior or product pages

Example:
Use Instagram polls for Gen Z users, while sending personalized emails for B2B professionals.

7. Timing Matters

Even the best-crafted survey request can flop if it’s sent at the wrong time.

Best practices:

• Avoid weekends and holidays for professional surveys
• Send during mid-morning or early afternoon
• For B2B, Tuesday–Thursday works best
• For B2C, test evenings or weekends

Also consider:

• A polite reminder 3–5 days later (but not more than twice)

8. Craft a Friendly and Polite Message

Tone makes a difference. A warm, respectful message feels like a request, not a demand.

Always say:

• Please
• Thank you

Keep it human and positive:

“We’re working hard to improve and your opinion would really help. Thank you for considering it!”

Examples of short, effective asks:

• “Got 2 minutes to share your thoughts?”
• “We’d love to hear from you — your feedback helps us grow.”

9. Respect Their Time and Choice

Don’t pressure people. Some won’t respond — and that’s okay.

Let them know:

• Participation is optional
• No hard feelings if they opt out

Example:
“This is completely optional, but your input would mean a lot.”

This builds trust and goodwill, which helps for future surveys too.

10. Follow Up and Share Results

After the survey:

• Thank those who participated
• Let them know what you learned or what changes you’re making

This shows that their effort mattered — and encourages them to take your next survey too.

Example:
“Thanks to your feedback, we’ve streamlined our booking system and reduced wait times by 40%!”

Sharing results builds credibility and engagement.

Conclusion

Asking people to take a survey doesn’t have to feel awkward or pushy. With the right strategy, it can feel like a genuine invitation to help shape something meaningful.

Recap:

• Be clear, brief, and respectful
• Personalize your request
• Offer value or incentive if possible
• Use the right channel and timing
• Say thank you — and mean it

Final Tip:

Test and refine. Try different messages, times, and platforms to see what works best for your audience.

If you’re looking for a simpler way to send personalized survey requests and track responses across multiple channels like email, SMS, and WhatsApp — Gofraze makes it seamless. Its intuitive campaign builder and automation tools help you stay polite, timely, and effective without manual follow-ups.