Write a question with one answer
A yes or no poll is only as clear as its question. Ask one thing at a time: “Should we move the meeting to Thursday?” works; “Should we move the meeting and order lunch?” doesn’t.
- Avoid negatives. “Should we not cancel?” makes people think twice about what yes means.
- Name the deadline or context: “Can you play on Saturday the 14th?”
- Keep it short enough to read in a chat preview.
Make the labels say what you mean
Yes and No aren’t always the right words. Use your own labels: For and Against for motions, Coming and Not coming for events, I’m in and Can’t make it for a team. Clear labels make the result easier to read, especially on a big screen.
Need a maybe? Add a third option with a multiple choice question, or use a meeting poll, which has “if need be” built in.
Several decisions in one poll
Put several yes or no questions in one poll, like the motions on a meeting agenda. People answer them in one go, and the results show each one separately. For members only, hand out unique codes so each votes once.
Settings that fit
- Access to results: always for quick polls, after the poll closes when people might follow the majority.
- Comments: turn them on when you want to know why, publicly or just for you.
- Duplicate check: Browser session for groups on one Wi-Fi, IP address for public polls.
- A close date when you need the answer by a certain time.
