Picture this – it’s 7 AM at Undercurrent Coffee in Plaza Midwood, and I’m on my third oat milk latte, watching Charlotte wake up through the window. This vibrant city taught me something incredible: branded surveys are way more than just boring questionnaires – they’re secret weapons for business magic. After five years of running Fortitude Creative, I’ve learned that the best business insights often come with a side of coffee and conversation.
Real Talk: My Messy Start with Branded Surveys
My first attempts at client surveys at Fortitude Creative were definitely the “Reality” side of those Instagram vs. Reality posts. I found myself surrounded by empty coffee cups at Central Coffee Co., trying to figure out why nobody was answering my rigid, corporate-sounding questions that seemed written by a robot having an existential crisis. I was using phrases like “rate your satisfaction level” instead of “tell me what made you smile today.” The response rates? Let’s just say I could have gotten more engagement from my neighbor’s cat.
When Branded Surveys Changed Everything
The moment that shifted everything happened while helping an amazing food truck owner (shoutout to Sarah at Twisted Eats!). During our conversation between lunch and dinner rush, we talked about her dreams, her grandmother’s secret recipes, and why she chose Charlotte – this became the blueprint for my approach to branded surveys. Sarah taught me that the best insights come when people forget they’re being surveyed. We turned her customer feedback form into a “Share Your Food Truck Dreams” campaign that had people writing mini novels about their perfect street food experience.
How Charlotte’s Branded Surveys Show The Way
Walking from Legion Brewing to Resident Culture one evening, I realized every business here has a story dying to be told. Take Sweet Lew’s BBQ for example – together, we created a survey that felt more like a friendly chat at their counter, asking about dream BBQ feasts and favorite memories. The result? People shared family traditions, secret sauce preferences, and their customer base jumped 40% after menu changes based on these real conversations.
But it wasn’t just Sweet Lew’s. Across Charlotte, we’ve seen businesses transform through authentic conversations:
- A NoDa coffee shop discovered their laptop warriors actually wanted more community events, leading to packed monthly art nights
- A South End boutique learned their customers craved styling workshops, now running waitlist-only sessions
- A Plaza Midwood brewery found their quieter weekday crowds wanted trivia nights, turning Tuesdays into their second-busiest day
- A local bakery’s dawn patrol wasn’t just grabbing coffee – they wanted full breakfast options, doubling morning revenue
- A yoga studio learned their members craved more community events outside of class, sparking monthly wellness workshops
- A pet store discovered their customers needed grooming tutorials more than fancy products, creating a whole new service line
The Real Magic of Branded Surveys Success
Here’s what cracks me up – people think survey design is all science and statistics. I completely bombed a survey for a South End brewery once by being too technical and professional, receiving nothing but crickets in response. But then I started doing something different: I began creating surveys that felt like conversations at your favorite neighborhood spot.
Creating Surveys That Connect
Here’s what actually works, tested in the real streets of Charlotte:
Make It Feel Like Brunch Chat
Start with easy questions, like how you’d ease into conversation over coffee. Share little stories that make people feel seen, and end with dreamy “what if” scenarios that get people excited about possibilities. For example, when working with a local bookstore, we started by asking about their favorite reading spots in Charlotte before diving into deeper questions about their book-buying habits.
Give It Some Style
Match your brand’s vibe (like how Not Just Coffee’s aesthetic differs from Dunkin’). Use authentic visuals and make everything phone-friendly because that’s where people live these days. My coffee cup progress bar for a café survey? People still talk about it. We’ve done everything from pizza slice progress bars for Italian restaurants to growing plants for garden centers.
Keep The Flow Going
Start casual before diving deeper, just like a natural conversation. Group questions logically and add breathers for longer surveys – think of them as palette cleansers between courses. One client even added local Charlotte trivia between sections – engagement went through the roof!
The Tech Side (But Keep It Human)
Let’s geek out for a minute, but I promise to keep it interesting:
Smart Stuff That Works
- Skip logic that feels like natural conversation flow
- Mobile-first design because who isn’t on their phone?
- Progress tracking that actually makes people smile
- Integration with tools you already use
Making Data Dance
We turn numbers into stories and feedback into action plans. Think less spreadsheet headaches, more “aha!” moments that make you want to high-five your screen.
Ready To Start Your Story?
Want to turn your customer feedback into your next breakthrough? Let’s grab coffee (seriously, it’s on me) and talk about how we can make your surveys work harder than that one overachiever in group projects.
Let’s Create Something Amazing
- Call/Text: (704) 231–8586 (I actually answer, promise!)
- Email: strategy@fortitudecreative.com
- Book a Chat: www.fortitudecreative.com/survey-strategy
Ready for your business’s next chapter? The first coffee’s on me, and the conversation might just change everything.
