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Types of Surveys (and How Text Messaging Helps)

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There are various types of surveys you can choose from. Basically, the types of surveys are broadly categorized into two: according to instrumentation and according to the span of time involved. The types of surveys according to instrumentation include the questionnaire and the interview. On the other hand, the types of surveys according to the span of time used to conduct the survey are comprised of cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal surveys.

According to Instrumentation

In survey research, the instruments that are utilized can be either a questionnaire or an interview (either structured or unstructured).

1. Questionnaires

Typically, a questionnaire is a paper-and-pencil instrument that is administered to the respondents. The usual questions found in questionnaires are closed-ended questions, which are followed by response options. However, there are questionnaires that ask open-ended questions to explore the answers of the respondents.

Questionnaires have been developed over the years. Today, questionnaires are utilized in various survey methods, according to how they are given. These methods include the self-administered, the group-administered, and the household drop-off. Among the three, the self-administered survey method is often used by researchers nowadays. The self-administered questionnaires are widely known as the mail survey method. However, since the response rates related to mail surveys had gone low, questionnaires are now commonly administered online, as in the form of web surveys.

  • Advantages: Ideal for asking closed-ended questions; effective for market or consumer research
  • Disadvantages: Limit the researcher’s understanding of the respondent’s answers; requires budget for reproduction of survey questionnaires

2. Interviews

Between the two broad types of surveys, interviews are more personal and probing. Questionnaires do not provide the freedom to ask follow-up questions to explore the answers of the respondents, but interviews do.

An interview includes two persons – the researcher as the interviewer, and the respondent as the interviewee. There are several survey methods that utilize interviews. These are the personal or face-to-face interview, the phone interview, and more recently, the online interview.

  • Advantages: Follow-up questions can be asked; provide better understanding of the answers of the respondents
  • Disadvantages: Time-consuming; many target respondents have no public-listed phone numbers or no telephones at all

According to the Span of Time Involved

The span of time needed to complete the survey brings us to the two different types of surveys: cross-sectional and longitudinal.

1. Cross-Sectional Surveys

Collecting information from the respondents at a single period in time uses the cross-sectional type of survey. Cross-sectional surveys usually utilize questionnaires to ask about a particular topic at one point in time. For instance, a researcher conducted a cross-sectional survey asking teenagers’ views on cigarette smoking as of May 2010. Sometimes, cross-sectional surveys are used to identify the relationship between two variables, as in a comparative study. An example of this is administering a cross-sectional survey about the relationship of peer pressure and cigarette smoking among teenagers as of May 2010.

2. Longitudinal Surveys

When the researcher attempts to gather information over a period of time or from one point in time up to another, he is doing a longitudinal survey. The aim of longitudinal surveys is to collect data and examine the changes in the data gathered. Longitudinal surveys are used in cohort studies, panel studies and trend studies.

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4 Simple Church Service Improvements Using Text Messaging

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4 Simple Church Service Improvements Using Text Messaging

A recent study concluded that roughly 98 percent of SMS messages are opened and read within about fifteen minutes of receipt. Given these eye-opening statistics, there’s no doubt that text messaging is the most direct way to communicate with almost everyone today. Throughout the country, many churches are recognizing the importance of text messaging to create a more interactive experience for their visitors and members. In fact, many churches use a two-way text messaging software known as Mosio Q&A, and they love it.

Here are Four Features of Mosio Churches Love

Text to Screen – text questions or comments and then project them onto a screen.

With our innovative text to screen feature, you can let your congregation do the talking. Throughout a service, bible study, or other church events, our system makes it easy to encourage audience participation when they use text messaging to send a comment or question. These comments and questions are then projected onto a large display screen. Not only will your congregation become more engaged, you will also obtain key feedback through a simple text to liven the event in real-time.

Surveys – collect data and information
Many churches would like to survey visitors and members to improve their community outreach plan. Did you know that Mosio offers a simple and powerful way for churches to collect this important data and information?

During the church event, our system enables you to display polls on different screens or monitors. Contrary to similar text messaging services, our platform allows you to include as many questions on the poll as you would like. That way you are able to gather as much information as possible from the attendees.

After a great church event has ended, you can use our system to determine how to improve future events by sending out a simple text message to the attendees.

Alerts – send out text message updates, information or newsletters
According to much research, text messaging alerts have a 99 percent open rate. When you have Mosio by your side, you can make sure that your newsletters never go unnoticed again with our great alerts feature. As more and more of your church members actually read your newsletter, you’ll notice a substantial increase in attendance for church events.

TextChat – interactive, two-way text messaging that can be received and responded to.

In today’s society, pastors and church leaders are busy, and often times, it’s difficult for them to return phone calls in a timely manner. By using Mosio’s interactive, two-way text messaging feature known as TextChat, church leaders will be able to receive and quickly respond to multiple questions and comments from various members.

As church members receive quick and fast responses to questions and concerns, they will be more than willing to continue using text messaging to communicate with the church. The ultimate result of TextChat is a church with improved engagement.

Due to the fact that this amazing feature allows you to communicate 10-15X more efficiently than phone calls, TextChat is also great for church hotlines and helplines.

See how text messaging can work better for your church. Sign up for a free, 14 day trial of Mosio Q&A.

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When should you let your audience send text messages for Q&A Questions?

When should you let your audience send text messages for Q&A Questions?

According to many studies, most adults spend at least twenty three hours a week sending and receiving texts from their smartphone. Given these staggering statistics, wouldn’t it make sense to incorporate text messaging at events for questions and answering?

The many benefits of text-to-screen technology include: audience can use their own phones, every attendee will have the chance to ask his/her question during the event, questions can be posted anonymously, event organizers can download the questions, questions can be used to gather event feedback, and much more! For your next conference, meeting, or other important function, encourage your participants to send text messages for Q&A questions.

Types of Events Where Text Messaging Technology Is Appropriate 

Company Meetings 
Did you know that public speaking is the top fear of people in the United States? To encourage shy and reserved employees to stand up and ask questions during company meetings, consider using SMS technology. When employees participate in text-to-screen applications, not only does the communication improve between employees and corporate leaders, but the innovative technology will allow users to ask questions anonymously, openly, and honestly.

Conferences and Workshops
If you are having a conference, text-to-screen applications are a great way to send questions to keynote speakers. The podium speakers can then modify their presentations in real time to meet the interests of the audience. Just don’t forget to have your attendees send text messages for Q&A questions before or throughout the presentation.

Town Halls
Remember when a microphone would be passed around for question and answer sessions?
For town hall meetings or any other event where the input of a group of people is important, you need to replace this old method with an innovative text messaging system to encourage widespread involvement during panel discussions. Instead of an assistant running around the room with a microphone, incorporate text-to-screen technology into the panel discussion to ensure that the amount of questions received and answered is significantly increased.

Church 
The strategic use of a text messaging system during church sessions or youth group events can allow for increased gamification of activities. By using trivia questions or other fun games throughout church functions, attendees are more likely to learn and retain important information. These games are also a great way to increase participation among church members.

Orientation 
Most employees and new students will feel slightly nervous during orientation. Why not alleviate their fears during question and answer time with text messaging applications? The use of SMS technology during orientations will immediately remove the fear of public speaking that hinders most new employees and students. After the event, you can even improve your next orientation by reviewing the questions from the text messages.

Employee or Team Training 
An employee or team training can be greatly enhanced when text-to-screen technology is used. Even people who have been on a team for a while may feel nervous about asking questions when new information is presented. Since research has shown that communication between management and employees is always ranked low, try using SMS technology during team trainings to encourage employees to feel comfortable asking questions, which will ultimately increase workplace satisfaction.

Sign up for a free, 14 day trial of Mosio Q&A: http://www.mosio.com/qnaplans

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7 Reasons Every Event Manager Should Be Using Text Messaging

Every event manager knows that the job does not come with a step-by-step how-to manual that outlines what you need to do to succeed. Every single one is different, and while they all have the common goal of bringing people together for a common cause, that is where their similarities end. Event managers must be able to multitask skillfully, communicate effectively with many varying personalities, find the best bargains in town to keep budgets bearable, steer gracefully through problems that will invariably occur, and do all of this with confidence and a smile.

No problem, right?

Luckily, today we have the technology that can take just a little of the pressure off. Not many people consider how widespread cell phone use is. However, these statistics are of vital importance to anyone planning a large event, as managers can take advantage of cellular use to help streamline their planning, keeping everyone up-to-date from the first contact through to the post event survey. You can keep everyone in the loop and informed by the push of a button. (Ok, we admit, it takes a few button presses to text – but you get the idea!)

Here are seven reasons every event planner needs to be using text messaging:

1 – The Pew Research Center found that as of November 2016, 95 percent of Americans have cell phones.

2 – Conversely, only 77 percent of cell phone owners have smartphones. If you rely on event software that requires people to download an app, you will invariably be leaving people out.

3 – Text messaging is the number one utilized feature on phones, with 97 percent of Americans using it daily. You are not forcing people to learn something new, which some may balk at. Texting is something they are adept at and already accustomed to.

4 – Texting is not just for personal use. According to eWeek, 80 percent of people already use it for business, so why shouldn’t they be using it for yours as well?

5 – Email is not where it is at anymore; only 20 percent of emails are opened, whereas text messaging has a whopping 98 percent open rate. You can be assured that when you press ‘send,’ your message will get to the recipients promptly, and will actually be seen. No more missed communications!

6 – The CFI Group discovered in 2012 that texting is what keeps consumers satisfied when it comes to business communications. The technology earned 90 out of 100 points in their survey, while phone calls only earned 77 points. Your customers want to be texted.

7 – eWeek also found that when it comes to business professionals, 72 percent would prefer to text than to use a messaging app.

Don’t make the mistake of making your customers or employees go the extra mile for your event. Show them that you are an event manager that is hip to what they want by offering text messaging for events. You will keep them happy, save money, and are more likely to get that post event survey filled out!

Sign up for a free, 14 day trial of Mosio for Events: http://www.mosio.com/eventstrial

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Text Messaging: One of the Most Powerful Conference Technologies You’re Probably Not Using

Copyright: Gilles Lambert via Unsplash

Text Messaging: One of the Most Powerful Conference Technologies You’re Probably Not Using

The statistics about text messaging are staggering: 23 billion texts are sent each day worldwide; 97% of Americans send at least one text a day; the average adult spends 23 hours a week texting. With texting growing more popular each year it’s surprising that this leading communication tool has not been embraced as a priority for conference technologies. Yet, there are many reasons for conference designers to include a text messaging system as a conference tool.

Text messaging is a versatile tool.

It’s passive applications are well known such as sending out reminders, or providing important details and directions for large meetings. Recent text-to-screen innovations have expanded the usefulness of text messaging for conferences. For example, a text messaging applications allows conference leaders on stage to receive text from the audience and then display the text in real time on the large stage screens.

The use of text to screen apps makes conferences and large corporate meetings truly interactive.

Attendees can send questions via text messages to podium speakers, who can then modify presentations in real time to meet the needs and interests of the audience. This interactive connection can greatly enhance the conference value. Education specialists have long known the value of interactivity. Harvard physics professor Eric Mazur, a self-described “confirmed lecturer, became discouraged that his lectures were putting students asleep. In desperation one day, Mazur had his students discuss a question he had just asked.

He was surprised when the class had solved the problem in two minutes. He decided then and there to change his teaching style—from lecturer to interactive teacher. He has been amazed with the results. ““What I was able to show is that I doubled the learning gains. In fact, it tripled once I got better questions to ask in class and also much longer retention,” Mazur added, “I’ve never looked back.”

The use of a text messaging system allows for “gamification” of activities during the conference.

Gamification is an approach to increase learning and retention of information through the use of games. With text-to-screen capability conference organizers can establish games for the delegates that use text messaging, even as simple as trivia questions which conference attenders can answer by texts to the podium. Organizers can use these games to increase audience engagement, to drive traffic, or promote products during the conference.

Text messaging allows widespread involvement during question answer times and panel discussions.

The old method of passing around a microphone limited the number of questions and was very inefficient. With text-to-screen the amount of questions received and answer is greatly increased. As 20 Bedford Way event center blog states, “There is no need anymore for an assistant to run around with a mic, leaving awkward pauses.”

SMS allows for more complete and honest feedback.

This is especially important during corporate town hall type meetings, where business leaders need to interact with employees about serious issues. The use of text-to-screen apps helps to improve communication between employees and corporate leaders in two ways. First, it removes the fear public speaking that hinders many people.

As Preston Ni writes for Psychology Today, “Did you know that according to the Wall Street Journal, public speaking is the number one fear in America? The fear of death is ranked number two!” Second, the use of anonymous means to ask questions allows for more honesty and openness. For a business this is especially important for employee morale. “In employee attitude surveys, communication from management is almost always ranked low by employees…When employees feel “in the know”, they have a greater satisfaction level about the workplace,” writes William Hubbartt.

Though text messaging certainly has become such an important part of everyday life, there are still many new areas to pioneer in its application to modern life—especially as a tool in conference technologies.

For more information about live audience polling or event survey software, visit: http://www.mosio.com/events
Image Copyright: Gilles Lambert via Unsplash
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Top 5 Ways Text Messaging Enhances Audience Participation

Mosio Enhances Audience Participation

We’ve always been told to turn off our phones for important events and meetings. But what if you were told that allowing your attendees to text message during your next presentation could greatly increase overall audience participation? It’s true: Text-to-screen services are changing the rules when it comes to proper phone etiquette during events and presentations.

Live-broadcasted text messages in the form of questions, comments or poll responses create an engaging dynamic in which audience members feel empowered to participate. We’ve compiled the top 5 reasons why text-to-screen service directly enhances audience participation at your next event:

1. Interact with More Audience Members
Text-to-screen technology has the ability to increase participation through directly increasing the number of audience members a presenter can engage. With many conferences and events being broadcasted online, a text-to-screen service has the ability to make web viewers feel like they are part of the live audience. By giving remote participants equal ability to share and participate in the event, you can substantially increase overall audience participation.

2. Gain Audience Feedback in Real-time
Text-to-screen technology gives power to the audience. Audience members can essentially direct the flow of the event through the use of comments and questions posted on screen. Giving the audience this type of control creates investment that leads to increased participation, simply because they have a hand in shaping the type of presentation they want to view and hear. In turn, the audience cares more about what you, the speaker, has to say.

3. Create a Safe Forum for Discussion
Tough questions that may provoke meaningful discussion often go unasked due to audience member apprehension. A text-to-screen service can provide audience members the anonymity to discuss questions and concerns freely without fear of judgement. Audience members who normally may not be active participants may feel more comfortable making their voices heard.

4. Foster an Interactive Environment
Text messaging involvement improves participation through audience member interaction. It’s easy to zone out or lose focus when a presentation does not contain interactive elements. By utilizing text messaging, audience members are not only hearing the information you provide, they can interact with the information in a personalized way. As an added bonus, audience members who are encouraged to interact during an event are apt to reflect back on the experience as positive and engaging.

5. Create a Novel Experience for Audience Members
By changing the common “turn off your phone” narrative and actively encouraging participants to use their phones to text, you create a novel experience for the audience in any style of event. People want to participate because its a new, fun, and relevant way to keep discussion honest and open.

When it comes to creating impactful events and presentations, audience participation is key. Don’t underestimate the impact that text messaging can have at your next event. Ironically, keeping all phones on and within reach might be just what you need to increase the participation of your audience.

For more information about Mosio for Events pricing and plans, visit: http://www.mosio.com/eventsplans

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10 Reasons You Will Love an Event Text Messaging Service

Have you been considering using an event text messaging service for your next conference, seminar or town hall meeting? Maybe you are on the fence about it or don’t know how your company will benefit from the technology, or perhaps you think it is too technical to implement?

Here are 10 reasons why event text messaging is perfect for you and your attendees:

1 – Use software with no installation, only the internet.
We highly advise against using an application that requires installation. What if the computer you’re using crashes or isn’t available? Use something web-based that works in the cloud and reaches all users who have text messaging (SMS) capabilities. That is 99 percent of phones on the market today!

2 – You can communicate itinerary changes instantly.
If there is a conference room number change, or even a venue or date change, you need to be able to let people know efficiently and immediately. With web-based event text messaging services, you do not have to worry about getting the memo out. Send a text, and you update everyone at once. How is that for ease and peace of mind?

3 – There is no need to rent expensive equipment.
Remove the need for physical audience response systems and clickers that need to be passed out. The technology required is already in your conference-goer’s pockets (their mobile phones), and since they already use their phones every day, they do not have to be tech-savvy to figure it out.

4 – The learning curve for your company is minimal as well.
All that is needed is a laptop with an internet connection, and you are ready to start connecting with attendees.

5 – The two-way messaging engages audiences and increases participation percentages.
It can be scary to stand up in front of a crowd, so many people will not get up and ask questions even when they have them. You know what is not scary? Sending a text – everyone does it!

6 – Your staff can review messages and inquiries as they come in.
The last thing you want is something damaging or offensive popping up on the on-stage screen for all to see. Vet the questions on your laptop before they have a chance to cause embarrassment for your company or constituent.

7 – Collate issues to address or study after the event.
The best event text messaging services enable you to export questions to an Excel spreadsheet for analyzing core concerns, and for answering those that were not discussed live.

8 – People do not have to attend your meeting physically.
Web-based widgets allow virtual attendance from anywhere in the world through smartphone, tablet or computer.

9 – Encourage participation with rewards.
People love to win prizes, and sometimes that is the nudge otherwise shy people need to begin interacting. You can offer real-time prizes like Amazon gift certificates just for people communicating with you!

10 – Increase your return on investment with customized promotional messages.
Enter your contact information or a clear call-to-action that folks can complete right from their mobile phone.

You want your event to be a successful one. Mosio can help.

For more information about Mosio for Events pricing and plans, visit: http://www.mosio.com/eventsplans

 

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The Text to Screen App That Isn’t an App at All

A great text to screen app increases engagement and audience participation.

Every successful event does one thing: it gets the audience’s attention and keeps it. What better way is there to do this than by asking for their participation to help guide the event? This may sound like the proverbial “easier said than done” advice, but it can be accomplished easily with a text to screen app!

These applications are great tools to help keep everyone in the audience interested because they can send in questions, comments and even images, which then show up on the large event screens for all to see.

Presenters can scan through the incoming texts to vet out anything inappropriate and to keep things moving along. Afterward, many, like Mosio, allow for the incoming information to be exported to a spreadsheet for review or answering later.

10 Benefits of Text to Screen Apps:
1 – Increased audience participation
2 – No equipment to buy or rent
3 – Everyone knows how to text
4 – No learning curve for the company
5 – Remove the anxiety of verbally asking questions
6 – No waiting in line at microphones
7 – Everyone can read the questions on the screen
8 – Questions are vetted in real-time
9 – Brand awareness
10 – Call to actions can be included

Not only are text to screen apps incredibly useful, but they are beneficial to a wide variety of businesses and events:
1 – Corporate conferences
2 – Churches
3 – Town Hall meetings
4 – Political rallies
5 – Sports arenas
6 – Trade shows
7 – Corporate training events
8 – Restaurants
9 – Bars & Nightclubs
10 – Coaching seminars

This list is by no means exhaustive. Texting apps are useful to anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd and make their event a memorable one. Your situation may be entirely different from anything listed, and we would love to hear how you would use the technology!

Drawbacks to Text to Screen Apps
You may be wondering if there are any drawbacks to these apps. There is one, and that is they require users to have a smartphone to be able to download the application and install it on their iPhone or Android. However, according to an Ofcom consumer research study performed in October 2016, only 77 percent of users in the United States have smartphones.

This data shows that 23 percent of users may not be able to interact with you at your event!

Is there any way you can increase the interactivity for all of your audience? There is, and the answer is to utilize a service that provides everything a text to screen app does, without requiring users to download an application.

Utilizing Text to Screen Without an App
Mosio understands that not all users at your event are going to have a smartphone, and we know it is important to you not to ostracize anyone for their choice of technology. That is why our service is not dependent on an app. The users can interact with your presenters by doing what they do on a daily basis: texting!

All that is required is that their phone has text messaging (SMS) capabilities – and that is 99 percent of the phones on the market today.

If you would like to learn how to make your next event interactive for everyone involved, contact Mosio today.

For more information about Mosio for Events pricing and plans, visit: http://www.mosio.com/eventsplans

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7 Tips to Use Text Messaging to Make Your Next Event the Most Successful One Yet

Events are all about communication, and when your business hosts one, be it a meetup or full-blown conference, the success of it lies in how well you can communicate and hold your audience’s attention. What better way to accomplish that than by placing yourself in their hands?

Here, we will give you seven ideas to use text messaging for events and make your next one the most successful yet!

1 – Concierge by Text
If your event is a big one, chances are people are going to be attending from all over. You can help make their stay as enjoyable as it can be by ensuring they have all of their concerns answered in a timely fashion. Add a dedicated text number in your event information to have customer service representatives answer their questions about directions, lodging, where the best eateries are and more.

2 – Build Your List
It is all in the list. This sage wisdom has been passed around the internet marketing world for over a decade now, and it is still a relevant piece of advice. Now, you can make it easier on your customers by instructing them to join your opt-in through text message. Add this information to your flyers, put a message up on the screen or have the speaker ask for it so you can see those addresses come flying in real-time.

3 – Run a Giveaway
Encourage interaction by letting your audience know they can win some cool prizes just by interacting with you on their phones. Let them know that at the end of the event a certain number of participants will win and that every person that interacts is automatically entered. The idea of winning something gives added incentive to send in their emails, vote in your polls and whatever other awesome systems you set up.

4 – Calculate Votes
What better way to learn what customers want than by asking them? Gone are the days when you would pass out questionnaires, wait for them to be turned in, and then pay someone to tally up the responses and make a nice little pie chart for you to see if the masses want their widgets in red or blue. These days you can see results calculated as they come in and be certain that the count is right. You know, since machines do not have that whole “human error” element.

5 – Questions, Anyone?
No one likes tripping over microphone wires, much less waiting in line to speak into one. If your guests can ask presenters questions from their phone without the embarrassment of having to actually speak, you will make them very happy indeed!

6 – Gauge Success
You may think your event went off without a hitch, or you might be fearing that it tanked. We all know that the customer is always right, so you better find out what they think. After the event ends, send the attendees a quick survey to see what they thought.

7 – Thank Them
The people who graciously took time out of their busy lives to listen to you at least deserve some appreciation, right? A little thank you goes a long way, and this text will show how much you care.

As you can see, businesses can use text messaging for events in many creative ways. How will you spice up your next get-together with our technology?

For more information about Mosio for Events pricing and plans, visit: http://www.mosio.com/eventsplans

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6 Ways to use Text Messaging, the New Audience Response System for Events

6 Ways to use Text Messaging, the New Audience Response System for Events

Audience response technology has come a long way from the clickers of yesteryear. Today they are versatile tools that can be effective in a myriad of applications, and through the power of software as a service (SaaS) and text messaging, it is no longer necessary to rent physical equipment. Your users do not even need a smartphone! Here are seven examples of how forward-thinking companies are utilizing this exciting technology.

1 – Schools and Universities
Teachers from kindergarten through college can use audience response to give out quizzes that generate real-time answers and consequent assessments faster than putting pencils to paper ever could. The embarrassment of students being in the “spotlight” when raising their hands is removed, so educators see higher percentages of student interaction when utilizing these audience response systems.

2 – Staff Training
These tools are highly useful for workshops and employee training. Testing is quick and efficient, and trainers can analyze knowledge retention immediately to recognize what areas they need to address in more detail.

 3 – Engaging Audiences Through Gaming
How many times have we all sat through conferences and meetings in which we struggle to stay awake? Adding elements of gameplay to speeches and presentations can keep audiences engaged and interested. You can accomplish this through polls, interactive questions and much more.

4 – Risk Management
Risk management is a critical process for a variety of institutions. Audience response technology can be used by team members to gauge many different viewpoints at once, which managers can then quickly turn into visual representations showing the risks of any given project.

5 – City Government Meetings
Towns and cities have long used polling responses to determine how to use budgets, see where the majority of citizen concern is and more. Utilizing instant response, city leaders can reduce analytical time by knowing how voters feel on issues right away. The technology also cuts out wait times in question and answer sessions by removing the need for people to wait for their turn at the microphone, and it likewise reduces impropriety because questions can easily be vetted.

6 – Trade Shows
It can be hard to stand out at trade shows when your booth is surrounded by many others all vying for the attention of the crowd. When a business incorporates audience response systems into their presentations, the spectators will remember them as the booth that gave them a unique experience. You might allow questions by text, set up a trivia game or come up with another way to keep them engaged.

Every day, companies are coming up with new and exciting ways to train staff, get instant feedback from employees and consumers alike, stay in front of their competition and much more. How will you use audience response system at your next event?

For more information about Mosio for Events pricing and plans, visit: http://www.mosio.com/eventsplans

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Increase Efficiency in Event Coordination With Text Messages

In order to truly have a successful event, you need to have the proper coordination. If you do not coordinate and organize the event properly, you can’t expect it to be a success. There are a bunch of different technologies out there for helping coordinating events. You have ARS (audience response systems), Live Responding, and text messaging among others. However, of all the technologies available, text messaging is at the top of the list.

Text messaging is at the top of the list because it is the only way to send out alerts and update to attendees even if they are not on site. Sometimes a venue, a time, or other important change can happen at the last minute and you need to be able to alert your attendees to the change. This is one of the biggest challenges event coordinators face, because it is often difficult to get the information out to all the attendees. Text messaging can reach at least 95% of your attendees because 98% of all cell phones can get text messages, and almost everyone reads their text messages immediately.

Text messaging can also be incorporated in the Q&A session of your event as well. In the past, people at an event used to have to wait their turn and stand up in front of a microphone and ask their question. Text messaging takes care of that issue. Also, text messaging is the only technology that allows your attendees to ask questions and provide feedback anonymously.

Text messaging can also be used to coordinate among event staff, security, valets, and other essential employees to make the event run smoothly. Normally large events have a dozen staff or more across different areas, and it can be cumbersome managing them all. By using text messaging, you have nearly instant communication and can coordinate effectively, no matter where they may be at the time.

If you have a sudden change in staff or need a light bulb changed, text messaging can help you get the message out, without needing to pull your hair out by trying to track someone down and tell them.

A lot of events also use text messaging not only in the Q&A session but also to collect feedback after an event as well. You can ask attendees what they liked about the event, which speakers were best, how the accommodations were etc.

So, the next time you have a big event coming up, consider using text messaging not only to increase engagement in your event but to make coordinating the event a breeze as well.

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Why Should You Use Text Messaging When Considering Event Technology Services?

Everyone wants to be able to maximize engagement at their events, to bring in new ideas, or find solutions to possible issues. One way to encourage more participation in events is to allow them to easily provide feedback or ask questions. There are many event technology services available to help increase engagement from attendees. However, text messaging stands out as being one o the best choices when it comes to increasing engagement and participation at your event.

Text messaging stands out as being one of the best event technology services because it not only works, but it is simple and easy to use. 98% of phones can send and receive text messages and 95% of cell phone owners text multiple times a day every day. For that reason, text messaging is an attractive event technology service to use.

When you are looking at the different event technology services available to you, you need to take cost into consideration. A lot of event technology services can be expensive, bulky, and complicated to set up and use for your attendees. There are many companies who avoid a Q&A session altogether, because they don’t want the headache associated with it. Text messaging can really save the day here, as there is no other equipment to rent or buy, and no lengthy or complicated set up is needed. Everyone has their own cell phone, and almost no one leaves home without it.

There are some that also use Facebook or Twitter for their feedback and Q&A sessions. However, these technologies still can’t be fully utilized because not everyone will be able to use them. Also, if you have any sensitive information, anyone can find it if you post it on twitter.

So, you can’t really depend on social media sites for Q&A sessions, but texting doesn’t have any of the issues that social accounts have. Text messages are more secure because they can be deleted easily by the end user, and it isn’t as likely someone will hack into a phone as it is a social account.

As you can see, text messaging has a lot of distinct advantages over other event technology services. So, if you haven’t thought about using text messaging at your next event, we would suggest you do. It’s affordable, easy to use, and can really increase engagement.

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Why Text Messaging is Still One of the Best Conference Technologies

Hey! This is 2014, the decade of numerous advancements in technology to help make our lives and businesses easier to manage and more comfortable. With recent advancements in science and technology, conferences are becoming more productive and more engaging than ever before. New technologies are being used in conferences to help boost audience engagement and collect feedback. However, even with all the technological advances none have come close to beating out text messaging as one of the best conference technologies.

Why is that? The answer is simple. Text messaging is easy to use, affordable, doesn’t require extra instruction for people to use it, and doesn’t require any additional equipment.

You will see there are a number of different conference technologies to choose from when planning a business conference. You may even be tempted to use some different technologies instead of text messaging. However, these newer technologies have some drawbacks. Your audience may not be familiar with the technology and will need some additional help to use it, resulting in lost time, or lost feedback. However, almost everyone and their brother knows how to write a text. So, nobody will have any issue in asking a question or supplying feedback.

98% of people have a cellphone. They are pretty much universal, and most people never leave home without one. This is a huge benefit above using another audience response systems as you won’t need to rent any equipment or pay people to install it. Everyone brings their own. Also, some audience response systems rely on using microphones, and for that people need to wait their turn to use it. With texting, everyone can submit their feedback or question, whenever they want.

Your company can not only save a lot of money by not needing to rent any additional equipment, but it’s also more aesthetically pleasing as you don’t have a bunch of wires running all over the place.

Text messaging is also very affordable, and many people have a texting plan with their carrier. Also, besides the fact that an attendee can provide their feedback or ask their question anytime they want, they can also do so anonymously. Organizers of the conference can also send out any important announcements regarding times, venues or special alerts via text message as well.

For all the above reasons and more, text messaging is still at the top of the list when it comes to conference technologies to help improve audience engagement and participation. Be sure to check out text messaging for your next conference, before thinking about an expensive audience response system.

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Increase Audience Participation At Your Next Event Using Text Messaging Software

Are you satisfied with the rate of audience engagement? If you’re not, then you should try something new at your next event to increase participation from your attendees. There are many ways that you can make your next event or town hall meeting more engaging, however, you should try and make sure that the way you use is not only easy but can also offer anonymity. Why would you want to allow anonymous feedback or questions? Some people are just shy or don’t want to speak up with everyone’s eyes on them. So, by ensuring that the way you use to gather feedback is not only easy but also anonymous you will easily increase the engagement from your attendees. Text messaging is not only affordable, but it also fills both of these needs.

Text messaging software is an easy and comfortable method for people to submit their feedback or questions at any event or meeting. This is because 98% of mobile phones can send and receive texts, and the average person already texts numerous times a month. Not only that, but some audience engagement technologies require some sort of app or smartphone to participate, and while ownership of smartphones is on the rise, the majority of people still do not have one. Also, who wants to be forced to install an app on their phone to be able to leave feedback at an event or meeting? As a result, fewer people participate than before, rather than more.

Using text messages is also an excellent way to distribute any sudden notice, venue change, or other important information and ensure that the majority of your attendees get it.

Text messaging also allows everyone who wants to provide feedback to provide it. With more traditional methods, people would need to wait their turn, and as we all know, it is not always possible to get to everyone in the time allotted for the meeting or event. This means that there could potentially be essential feedback or questions missed out on. Text messaging allows you to save those for later, to ensure they aren’t missed. 

In a nutshell, text messaging software increases audience participation in the following ways:

  • No extra Software is required
  • Comfortable & easy to use with no more learning
  • Provide Answers after meeting session too!
  • Great way to response anonymously

In conclusion, if you start using text messaging in your events and meetings, you can expect to increase your audience participation by quite a bit.

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How To Properly Utilize Text Messaging At Your Corporate Events

Corporate events are crucial to a company gathering feedback and input from business partners, employees, and clients. Therefore, it is essential that the event is engaging in order to collect the maximum amount of feedback. Many times organizers of these events fail to make the event as engaging as it could be. For this reason, starting to incorporate text messages can be a good start to making your events more engaging, and thus more successful.

No More Microphones, Use Your Mobile

It is often considered alright if your employees wait in line and give their comments by being passed a microphone or standing in front of a podium. However, can the same be said for your clients and business partners? What if you have 1,000 attendees and everyone has something to say? It can be embarrassing, and frustrating if someone leaves a corporate event without being able to have their say. Text messaging not only allows everyone who wants to chime in chime in, it also allows them to do so in a more anonymous way.

Ask Questions Safely & Anonymously

Traditionally in corporate events attendees need to stand up to ask a question. As a result, some people may not provide feedback because they don’t like to be in the spotlight. In some cases employees are afraid of asking questions on misconduct or some decisions the company is making. This cuts down on crucial feedback the company needs in order to move forward. By adding a layer of anonymity, more people are encouraged to speak their mind.

Invite Attendees To Ask Question Via Mail Or Text Message & Show On Screen

By using text messaging, you are allowing attendees the choice of if they want to give their feedback or ask questions via their phones or e-mail. Also, by ensuring that all questions being asked are being shown on a screen somewhere, it helps to cut down on duplicate questions. This also encourages more engagement because attendees can see that other people may have the same questions or feedback they do.

Make sure you also have the option to moderate questions and not post all of them to the big screen. Some questions are of a more sensitive nature, and not meant for the public eye. By making it a choice if the question is posted or not, you give attendees the security to ask what they want, without risking exposing some sensitive issue that may not have been brought up initially.

See, not only can anonymous text messaging make the attendees more comfortable about asking questions and providing feedback, you won’t miss out on any feedback due to needing to wait one’s turn to chime in.

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