Calling all journalists and freelance writers, publishers and editors. It is the time to breathe more life into your copy. Turn your articles into living pieces that spark measurable debate and that allows you to engage with your readers mind and soul - we're talking revolution.
As it was in the beginning
Publishers have for many years relied on letters to get feedback from their readers and although email has opened up this method of communication it is still time consuming and difficult to monitor and process, and for the more popular articles, it is either a case of only a fraction of the received correspondence ever being used, or where online comments have been allowed, well written and good comments can be buried under poorly written and abusive comments.
Let's face it, as well as being an overhead for the publisher, to most people it is an unrewarding medium in terms of effort required and response received, just think of the number of letters that go unpublished and unread.
As it is now
New channels of communication have been created by the Internet and this in turn has created opportunities that allow us to challenge traditional methods. The Internet has matured, no longer the preserve of computer geeks but an everyday technology that has been embraced globally, by the young and old, allowing the traditional way things were done to be re-evaluated. Newspapers, trade journals, magazines and ezines now have the opportunity to change the mental process.
Readers of any article often would like to comment, traditionally this has required them to feel strongly enough to write a letter, or now, with the convenience of the Internet, send an email or write a comment. Emails make the process of communication easier but it still takes time to compose an email and time for the majority, is what they haven't got.
Although interesting a letters page or a list of comments are at best a snapshot of views or an endless unmanaged list of comments; a well crafted and well written letter on any given subject may hold the view of the minority, or the majority but due to the free text form it is difficult, or near impossible, to measure.
As it should be
Now consider the advantages of linking articles to online surveys where as a publisher you will have the ability to obtain valuable feedback from your readers and in a form that can be easily measured. Just as important as you communicating with your readers is providing your readers with a channel to communicate with you; a method where they know it will count.
Want a snapshot of opinion? Did they like what they read? Did the sentiments expressed in the article have the support of the audience or do the readers have a different view?
Now it's easy
In the past it would have taken considerable effort to design, publish and collate, a process that was too long winded and justifiable only for the niche and important topics.
However, using sites like www.surveygalaxy.com surveys and questionnaires can be created and published via the Internet by anyone who has a pulse. Professional looking questionnaires and surveys created in minutes make the perfect compliment to articles that prompt opinion and debate.
The advantage over letters, e-mails and comments are that all the feedback gathered through a survey is managed and measured and sites like Survey Galaxy will provide you with a real time poll and charts that you can either keep to yourself or share with your readers.
It's not even one or the other now
Linking articles to online surveys will extend the life of the article and involve your readers in the discussion in a way where they are confident that their opinion will be counted.
You think people will still want to send an email? - not a problem - just include the facility within the survey and get the best of both worlds.
It's fast, low cost, and easy to do; it will engage and empower the reader, provide excellent feedback and having established a dialogue you then have the opportunity to link to other related articles.
Take the opportunity to register your view of this article here:- Readership Feedback Survey
US $8.00
How I Used The Fresh Papaya (PawPaw):
The fruit was to be consumed ‘As is’ because we always have a small plate of fruit everyday around 5 pm.
I planned on adding a teaspoon of seeds into my Yogurt at lunchtime.
The ‘Coleslaw’ I would add to any Salad (even in a sandwich) as it’s summertime in Oz and we are eating a lot of Salads. Don’t know what I am going to do in the Winter though? If you have any ideas please add them as a comment so everyone can benefit.
I had also planned on five serves per day because I thought it would be better to ‘Drip Feed’ it into me, as my wife thinks I am a ‘Drip’ sometimes anyway – so that should fit.
Now… Continue reading Prostate Cancer Diary - My Papaya Recipe
Monday 6th Feb 2012: My Prostate Cancer Diary.
So here is the problem. I have dismissed Surgery completly and that leads me to Radio Therapy as the only available conventional medical alternative.
My Oncologist want me to have Hormone Treatment to:
- a: Slow the Growth of the Cancer cells by (basically) chemically castrating me. Ouch!
- b: Shrink the Prostate down to a smaller target for his magic Death Ray.
I didn’t want to do that with Hormone treatment, but can appreciate why he wants to do that.
So I’m looking into all types of Natural and Alternative medications.
The best I have come up with is PawPaw (Papaya) as there have been quite a few studies with very promising reasults, PLUS it has been… Continue reading Prostate Cancer Diary - My Natural Alternative
Prostate Treatments and Me.
Long time coming since my last post – but I have been kinda busy…. Tests – tests and more tests 
So this is the latest:
My Urologist sent me to the Radio Oncologist because I decided I do NOT want surgery. Apparently I can’t have Brachyatherapy (my original choice) because my Gleason Score is 8 – too high, so External Beam Therapy is the only option, even though they only found cancer cells in ONE of the TEN Biopsies they took.
HOWEVER: (I am discovering LOTS of ‘Howevers’), the Oncologist wants me to have Hormone Treatment first to bring my enlarged prostate down in size.
An ‘Average’ prostate is about 40mm – about the size of a small Plum -… Continue reading My Personal Prostate Cancer Treatment Options