Cvent Survey

If you've decided an incentive is right for you and your survey needs, you're not alone. According to the Incentive Gift Card Council (IGCC), incentive marketing suppliers expected to sell a record number of gift cards at the end of 2008. Gift cards are expected to rise in popularity in the coming years as well. In fact, corporate gift card spending could rise from about $400 billion in 2008 to $600 billion in 2010.

However, as the economy struggles, you may be wary of purchasing gift cards. After all, what happens if a gift card provider goes out of business before your survey respondent has a chance to use their incentive? To use a gift card as a survey incentive wisely, consider the following tips from IGCC:

• Ask about past and future store closings, as well as store openings. Why did certain locations close? Are several more expected to close in the future?

• Ask about the restrictions on gift card use. Can it be used at all locations? What about at other brands within the parent company? Can they be used online? Is any merchandise restricted?

• Ask about specific terms and conditions, especially those that may affect you as a purchaser. Cards issued by banks, malls and credit card companies are more likely to have associated fees and expiration dates. Gift cards provided by retailers themseleves less often set up such terms.

Gift cards are one of many incentives for encouraging participation in your surveys. Armed with sufficient knowledge about gift cards' application and use, you can select the best one to incentivize your target survey audience.