I have been sitting on this idea for a while. I want to do a survey to my customers for some feed back. I was contemplating how to do it. I was thinking of sending it to past customers... I was tossing around email vs blog vs mailing letters with a SASE enclosed.

Then, I ordered a prodcut from a company. When I opened the package a postcard fell out with questions on it for me to fill out and mail back. Brilliant! I loved the idea. So, this is what I am thinking. I will put a stamped postcard addressed to me in their print order, and this would be for future customers only. On the back it will have questions about how I did.

Now, here is the question... What do I ask? I have to keep it somewhat short, because it has to fit on a postcard, but I want to ask meaningful questions. Should I make them circle a number? Example:
How would you rate your experience with Kari Douma Photography overall?
1 2 3 4 5 (I would have instructions befor the questions to circle a number, one being bad, 5 being the best).

Or, do I have a question with a space for them to write an answer? Example:
What did you like best/worst about your experience with Kari Douma Photography?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Or should I do a combination of both?

What other questions should I ask?

Bump....
Anyone?

Having never tried something like this (but having thought about it) I'd keep it as personable and fun to fill out as possible.

Just a couple questions, including maybe an email address inviting them to leave more detailed thoughts/raves/recipes if they feel the urge. Maybe even make a little page on your website you can direct them to that has a more detailed survey type thingy? Some people will be content just to bop back the little 3 questions thing, some people will ignore it, some will go the survey page (specially if you give a free goody, like a coupon for $5 off their next portrait order, to everyone who responds) and leave you gobs of information.

Think about what you really want to know, make it optionally anonymous if they want to leave you criticism without feeling guilty about it.

I'd want to know whether they had fun, whether they loved their images, whether they plan on coming back &/or recommending me to their friends, and if not, what I could have done to make the experience better for them.

If I only had three questions to ask em, those would be the three. I'd say the first couple can be answered by a 1-10 thang, and the last would need a couple lines for real feedback.

Thanks for the great ideas Sarah!