Let Your Readers Talk Back: Adding Surveys and Feedback to Newsletters

Many community newsletters focus only on announcements, calendars, and photos, missing a golden opportunity to give readers a voice.

By adding surveys, polls, and feedback prompts, you invite your audience to be part of the conversation. That helps strengthen the sense of community your newsletter fosters and ensures the content you provide is interesting to your readers.

Why Feedback Matters to Your Community Newsletter

Feedback tools turn your newsletter from a one-way broadcast into a two-way dialogue. Residents, families, and even your staff members likely have suggestions, preferences, and great ideas. But, without a clear way to share them, those insights go unheard.

When you add a quick survey or comment section, you:

• Encourage participation and engagement
• Learn what content matters most
• Build trust and transparency
• Discover concerns or interests you may not have anticipated
  
  

In short, it shows readers that you value their opinions, not just their attention.

What to Ask Your Newsletter Readers to Solicit Great Feedback

You don’t have to create a long, complicated survey to gain valuable insights. A few simple questions can be quite effective and might actually get more of a return than a longer list. Here are a few examples of easy ways to include feedback opportunities in your newsletter:

• Event Interest Polls

Present readers with specific queries, such as what holiday events they’d like to see or how many times a week they want to attend a fitness class. List several options to choose from — for example, holiday events like a choral group, an ornament class, and a cookie contest — and ask them to check boxes for all that apply.

• Feedback on Past Events

Solicit reactions to programs you’ve held over the last month or two. Ask people which one was their favorite, which ones they’d like to see offered again, and which ones weren’t as much fun.

• Open the Floor for Suggestions

Take advantage of the diversity in your membership by asking for advice on what events/activities they’d like to see offered.

o  “What’s something you’d love to read about in a future newsletter?”

o  “Have you attended activities/events in another location that you’d like to see us offer here?”

o  “Do you have a favorite recipe, story, or photo to share? Send it in!”

• Quick “Question of the Month”

These types of prompts make readers feel like collaborators, not just consumers. But they do require you to plan a few months in advance to take advantage of the feedback you receive.

o  “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?”

o  “Which foods would you like to see offered during this summer’s community picnics?”

o  “Do you know of any groups that like to perform at community events?”

How to Collect Responses From Your Newsletter Readers

Depending on your audience, choose a method that’s easy and accessible:

• Paper surveys stapled to the newsletter that can be placed in suggestion boxes
• Reply by email for digital newsletter audiences
• Clickable links to online polls or surveys set up in Google Forms, if you think your readers are tech-savvy
• A table near the entry with a drop box and preprinted forms for visitors to fill out
  
  

Remember, the goal is to keep it simple, short, and easy, so people of all ages and skills can participate.

More Tips to Connect and Engage with Your Nonprofit Audience

Finally, don’t forget to incorporate lighthearted activities into your newsletter. While you’ll no doubt include more serious topics, make sure there are articles that balance out informational/educational pieces. If you need some ideas on how to do that, Fun Ways to Incorporate Contests and Challenges into Your Newsletter has tips you’ll love!

Get a Free Monthly Newsletter for Your Organization from LPi

LPi prints and distributes high‑quality, ad‑supported newsletters for community organizations, so you can communicate consistently without adding to your organization’s budget. As a bonus, all printed newsletters are offered in a digital format that can be emailed to members and even posted to your website. We make it easy!

Our model is made possible by advertising support from local businesses — allowing your team to focus on mission, not invoices.

Use this link to learn how to join the thousands of other nonprofits nationwide creating newsletters with LPi today: https://www.lpicommunities.com/newsletter-services