In a previous life, managing two call centres where we dedicated a large part of our time recruiting for online qualitative studies I have learned a few things on my journey and have eased the panic of many clients 30 minutes before a discussion who were fretting over the possibility that their participants were not going to show.  Without participants there is no research, with no research the client in the viewing room is potentially not a client for long.  All that time preparing, selling, motivating, training and your hard work now all relies on your recruiter and moreso the recruits. 

Over the years we have developed some techniques to increase both Online Focus Group and Bulletin Board participation rates.  Here are 7 steps that can be used to increase participation rates whether your recruit online or by telephone:

1. Listen for commitment - If they sound distracted,hostile, or non-committal, don’t waste your time or theirs.

2. Confirm their commitment - Send an email asking them to reply confirming their participation. 

3. Follow up again and again and again - Schedule a follow up call for the day before the group and the day of the group.

4. Phone and web together - Phone and email communications should dovetail.

5. Skirt email filters - Inform the respondent the day they are recruited, what the subject line of the email will be and who it’s coming from.

6. Make it personal - Personal commitment from one individual to another will heighten the participant’s sense of responsibility.

7. Over Recruit - We all live busy lives and we all know to expect the unexpected; that ‘x’ factor that can work havoc with the best-laid plans.

These inconjunction with one another can help to increase show rates for your online qualitative study.  Make sure to ask your recruitment company what they do to ensure you are not alone with your client during your online qualitative discussion.

Steps taken from: Recruit like a Pro: Seven Tips for a Successful Recruit - the full article can be accessed through your Itracks Research Engineer account.