Last updated on Aug 11, 2024

Attendees are giving conflicting feedback about your event. How do you address their varying opinions?

When you host a live event, you aim to create an unforgettable experience for all attendees. However, feedback can often be a mixed bag, with some praising the event while others may offer less favorable opinions. It's a challenge that can leave you scratching your head: how do you reconcile these diverse perspectives and use them to improve future events? Understanding that each attendee's experience is subjective and being open to all feedback is key. Your event's success hinges on your ability to sift through the noise, identify valid points, and implement changes that strike a balance between differing viewpoints.

1 Listen Carefully

Listening to your attendees is crucial when you receive conflicting feedback. Rather than dismissing any negative comments or becoming defensive, take the time to understand the specifics of each attendee's experience. This involves reading through comments, asking follow-up questions if possible, and recognizing patterns in the feedback. By doing so, you can pinpoint areas that need improvement and also acknowledge what worked well. Remember, every piece of feedback is an opportunity to learn and enhance the quality of your live events.

Add your perspective

Naf ‎

FutureLIVE: Building Possibilities for the Post-Live Era // Producer, Researcher, PhDc // 20+ years in Live.
Report contribution
There's a saying that a book read by a thousand different people are a thousand different books. Meaning: the audience defines the context. The aspect of personal judgment can go a long way, and it's important to listen to them. Siphoning a pattern is certainly key, but we end up hyper-focusing on group issues. Just because something is suggested by one person / a smaller group does not eradicate the issue. It just could be that the problem may not be as pressing to the others...but could be a signal for a problem that may arise in the future, or is a latent one that could lead to newer issues. Listening could bring world peace, and if the world is too big, we should attempt to listen to the live worlds that we nurture.

Like
Julia Bollino

Event Business Development & Partner Relations Managerin 🚀 | Sustainability Events 💚🎤 | Social Sustainability 🌱
Report contribution
Was du aus Feedback machst, liegt alleine bei dir. Stelle neutrale Fragen um so möglichst ehrliche Antworten zu erhalten - bist du voreingenommen, werden auch die Antworten in diese Richtung tendieren. Zeige Verständnis/Wertschätzung indem du - aktiv - zuhörst. Frage nach Details oder Beispielen. Wenn du widersprüchliches Feedback erhältst, spielen auch oft einige persönliche Faktoren mit ein. Z.B. das Alter/Geschlecht/Beruf sind oft mit ausschlaggebend. Aber auch der individuelle Geschmack spielt eine Rolle. Bei der Auswertung kannst du nochmal eine bessere Einschätzung deiner Zielgruppe gewinnen und beim nächsten Event mit einfließen lassen.

Translated

Like

2 Analyze Objectively

After gathering all the feedback, it's important to analyze it objectively. Separate the feedback into categories such as venue, content, logistics, and overall experience. Look for commonalities and contradictions within these categories. This will help you determine which criticisms are one-off opinions and which suggest a pattern that needs addressing. It's also helpful to consider the context in which the feedback was given; sometimes external factors can influence an attendee's experience and perception of your event.

Add your perspective

3 Engage Directly

Engaging directly with attendees who have provided feedback can be incredibly valuable. Reach out to them to delve deeper into their comments, especially if they are critical. This direct engagement not only shows that you value their opinion but also helps clarify any ambiguous feedback. You can use surveys, phone calls, or even face-to-face conversations to get a better understanding of their points of view and what they think could be improved.

Add your perspective

Julia Bollino

Event Business Development & Partner Relations Managerin 🚀 | Sustainability Events 💚🎤 | Social Sustainability 🌱
Report contribution
Ein ehrliches, direktes Feedback kann für dich sehr wertvoll sein. Teilnehmer wollen sich gehört und als Teil des Events fühlen - such gerade bei negativen Feedback den direkten Austausch. Vielleicht lief das Event für den Teilnehmer nicht so besonders, wenn du aber Wertschätzung zeigst, kannst du dennoch einen Fan gewinnen.

Translated

Like

4 Prioritize Changes

With all the feedback analyzed, it's time to prioritize the changes that need to be made. Not all feedback will lead to action; you must decide what's feasible and will have the most significant positive impact on future events. Consider which changes will benefit the largest portion of your audience and align with your event's goals. It's about finding the right balance between what is desired by your attendees and what is practical for you to implement.

Add your perspective

5 Implement Gradually

Implementing changes based on feedback should be a gradual process. It's tempting to try and fix everything at once, but this can lead to rushed decisions and further issues. Start with the most critical aspects that can lead to immediate improvements in attendee satisfaction. Over time, you can address more complex or less urgent feedback. This measured approach allows you to monitor the effectiveness of the changes you make and adjust accordingly.

Add your perspective

6 Reflect Continuously

Reflecting on the feedback and changes made is an ongoing process. After implementing changes, continue to gather feedback to see if the adjustments have had the desired effect. This reflection will help you understand if you've successfully addressed the concerns or if further tweaks are necessary. Continuous reflection ensures that your events remain dynamic and responsive to attendee needs, ultimately leading to better experiences and more positive feedback.

Add your perspective

Julia Bollino

Event Business Development & Partner Relations Managerin 🚀 | Sustainability Events 💚🎤 | Social Sustainability 🌱
Report contribution
Feedback sollte nicht nur von Teilnehmern eingeholt werden, sondern auch von Partnern & Sponsoren. Möglichst schon währen der Veranstaltung - aber auch anschließend solltest du um ein Gespräch bitten - besonders wenn es negatives Feedback gab. Höre aktiv zu, zeige Verständnis und Wertschätzung. Bei schwerwiegenden Beschwerden, solltest du ein weiteres Gespräch ersuchen. Reflektiere deine Veranstaltung auch für dich und versuche sie aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln zu betrachten. Versuche dann unvoreingenommen, dir daraus Ziele für deine weiteren Veranstaltungen zu formulieren. Lege bis zu 10 Ziele fest & sortiere dann, welche du innerhalb welcher Zeit umsetzen kannst. Überprüfe & überarbeite deine Liste regelmäßig.

Translated

Like

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Attendees are giving conflicting feedback about your event. How do you address their varying opinions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Analyze Objectively

3 Engage Directly

4 Prioritize Changes

5 Implement Gradually

6 Reflect Continuously

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Live Events

More relevant reading

Attendees are giving conflicting feedback about your event. How do you address their varying opinions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Analyze Objectively

3 Engage Directly

4 Prioritize Changes

5 Implement Gradually

6 Reflect Continuously

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills