Let’s be real: posting content and hearing crickets is one of the worst feelings in online biz.
You pour time into something, hit publish… and then nothing. No likes. No reactions. No replies. Just the sad silence of the internet.
That used to be me too. Until I discovered a ridiculously simple fix: ask questions.
Specifically surveys. Quick, casual, easy-to-answer little prompts that got people talking.
And guess what? That chatter turned into connection. Connection turned into loyalty. And loyalty turned into folks buying what I was sharing.
So today I’m giving you my personal favorite simple survey ideas for audience engagement—even if you’re totally new, not techie, and not sure what your audience even wants yet.
1. This or That – Start Conversations Instantly
One of my go-tos. These are simple “choose one” questions: perfect for Stories or short posts.
Example: This or That written posts or short videos?
Why it works: people LOVE sharing their opinions, especially when there’s no wrong answer. These are fun, fast, and give you insight into what your audience prefers.
Quick Tip: I once asked “This or that – coffee or tea?” on a Monday. 83% voted coffee. I followed up with a coffee-themed productivity post and it blew up!
2. Scale of 1 to 10 – Instant Feedback
Example: On a scale of 1 to 10, how overwhelmed do you feel by social media right now?
Why it works: You can segment your content based on answers. 1–4 want beginner tips, 8–10 need serious support.
What I Learned: I asked this once and got dozens of replies. It helped me shape a mini-training around their top frustrations and it was a hit.
3. Multiple Choice – Know What’s Holding Them Back
Example: What do you struggle with most? A. Funnels B. Content ideas C. Engagement D. Time
Real Talk: I used this exact question once and “content ideas” won by a mile. So I created a 5-post series about it and people were thanking me for weeks.
4. Check All That Apply – Get the Bigger Picture
Example: Which tools are you using? Email, social media, video, ads
Why it works: It shows you where your people are hanging out and what they already use, so you don’t waste time teaching something irrelevant.
Pro Tip: Use these in lead magnet forms to customize your follow-up emails.
5. Open-Ended Questions – Real Words, Real Gold
Example: What’s stopping you from posting daily?
Why I love this: Their replies are in their exact words. You can reuse these phrases in your content, emails, and hooks.
Personal Note: This is how I figured out that fear of judgment was the #1 blocker for my audience. I had no clue until I asked.
6. Fill in the Blank – Reflective + Engaging
Example: I wish someone told me before I started.
How I Use It: Answers here make AMAZING content inspiration. One person said, “that it’s okay to be messy at first” so I built a whole mini-training around embracing messy action.
7. Would You Rather – Create Buzz
Example: Would you rather grow slow and steady or go viral once a month?
Why it works: There’s no right answer, just insight and discussion. The comments you get here will often be longer, more thoughtful.
8. Behavior Surveys – Spot Habits
Example: How many times did you post last week?
Use It For: Segmenting your content by skill level. Beginners might post once a week. Advanced folks post daily.
9. Quiz Style – Add Fun + Learning
Example: Which came first, TikTok or IG Reels?
Why it’s smart: Educational content doesn’t have to be dry. Use this style to keep things fun while boosting your credibility.
10. Personal Taste Polls – Build Connection
Example: What’s your go-to productivity booster? Coffee, silence, or music?
It’s lighthearted but the engagement adds up. Plus, you learn what kind of vibe your audience resonates with.
11. Choose My Next Post – Let Them Co-Create
Example: Want a post on getting your first followers or setting up a funnel?
Why it works: You get validation before you even create the content. AND it makes your audience feel seen.
I ran one of these last month. 78% chose “first followers” so I made that post, and it tripled my normal reach.
How to Make the Most of These Simple Survey Ideas for Audience Engagement
- Rotate formats – don’t do just one kind. Mix in This or That, scale ratings, and open-ended questions.
- Track your replies – keep a running list. Over time you’ll see patterns that point to your next post, product, or training.
- Use what they say – literally. Their words become your headlines, video titles, and hooks.
- Share results – people love seeing what the crowd thinks. Create a post like “77% of you said…”
- Batch your surveys – plan a week’s worth of questions at once to keep your content flowing easily.
Bonus Tools That Help
- ChatGPT – use it to generate 10 quick “This or That” questions, summarize open-ended answers, or brainstorm new angles.
- Google Forms – perfect for email-based or group surveys.
- Instagram/Facebook Stories – built-in tools like polls and sliders make survey-style questions super easy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just getting started and feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall, don’t worry I’ve also been there.
These simple survey ideas for audience engagement are how I went from ghost-town posts to real conversations, daily replies, and even new customers.
They take five minutes to post and pay off way bigger than you’d expect.
Start small. Pick one of the ideas above and post it today.
Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. Rotate them. Keep it playful.
And watch as your community finally starts talking back.
You got this.
