Better outreach matters more than bigger budgets. When survey response rates fall short, the instinct is often to spend more on mailers, ads, or incentives, even though those tactics do not always solve the real problem.
But the Polco communities that consistently achieve strong participation know a different truth. Participation rises when people understand why their voice matters and when engagement fits naturally into their daily lives.
Here are five proven, low-cost tactics communities use to increase survey participation without increasing spend.
Residents are far more likely to respond when they understand the purpose behind the survey. Before launching, clearly answer three questions in every outreach message:
This does not require a long explanation. One or two plain-language sentences are enough.
Polco communities that lead with purpose see higher completion rates because residents feel their time is respected and their input matters.
Expanding to more channels does not increase costs. It simply means repackaging the same message for places residents already pay attention to. High-performing communities repurpose the same survey message across:
The key is consistency, not volume. When residents see the same message in multiple familiar places, participation feels expected, not intrusive. The best outreach plans are repetitive by design.
Participation declines with every extra click, login, or instruction that stands between a resident and the survey. Polco communities increase participation by:
If a resident has to search for the survey, create an account they do not understand, or decode jargon, many simply opt out. Making things easy is one of the most effective ways to increase participation.
Who asks the question matters as much as the question itself. Survey participation rises when outreach comes from:
This does not require new content. Often, it is as simple as adding a name, a short quote, or a personal sign-off to existing outreach. Trust travels faster than promotion.
Nothing boosts future participation more than showing results. Communities build credibility when they show residents:
Even a simple “What We Heard” post increases trust and sets the stage for stronger engagement in the next survey. When residents see impact, participation becomes a habit.
Increasing survey participation is rarely about money. It is about clarity, trust, and accessibility. The communities that succeed do not shout louder. They communicate better. At Polco, we see it every day. When outreach is intentional, participation follows.
Polco helps communities reach more residents, reduce friction, and turn feedback into action. See how smarter outreach can drive better results.