Findings of Our Reader Survey

A few surveys are still trickling in – and we’d still like to read yours if you haven’t sent it yet – but, for the most part, it seems like you’re done. The response was better than anticipated, so thanks to all who answered the call. Here’s a quick summary of our findings:

1. Words that showed up a lot in descriptions of the site:

• funny
• informative
• sarcastic/snarky/dry
• unique/unusual/quirky/insane/original/clever

2. Quotable Country is the site’s most popular feature, followed closely by Fake News. No surprises here.

3. Fake News also ranks as some people’s least favorite feature, a good reminder not to overdo it.

4. Fake News should appear ~2 times per week. The number that wants it no more than once per week is equal to the number that wants it all the time, so the middle ground (2 or 3, with most preferring 2) seems to be the sweet spot.

5. Most people think the amount of ‘serious’ music coverage (reviews, editorials, etc.) should stay about the same, but if the balance is going to tip in either direction, it should be upwards. Only one respondent specifically requested less of the serious stuff.

6. Readers are slightly more interested in discovering new artists than reading about old favorites. Me too!

7. Suggested artists we need to write more about skew traditional, but the only name mentioned more than once was Bucky Covington. I’ll get right on that.

8. A multi-part question, which revealed:

• Most respondents have bought music on our recommendation, and would have bought even more if they weren’t so poor.
• Most people get quite a few laughs out of Fake News. Only one person has never laughed at any Fake News. That person? Scowling Randy Owen.
• Most people have shared an article with a friend or mentioned something from the site in conversation multiple times over the past year.
• Even though most people have disagreed vehemently with the site on more than one occasion, only 2 people have wanted to punch me in the face more than 10 times in the past year. The majority of respondents (75%) have never wanted to punch me in the face at all. And I’m betting the 75% could beat up those two people.
• Jokes about Bucky Covington’s mustache offend virtually nobody, save for a few quacks who claim to have been offended by them more than 10 times… even though I haven’t made ten Covington mustache jokes in the eligibility period. Can you be offended by the same joke twice?
• Seven of you have inherited millions from an old guy you met in a bar at least ten times in the past year. I guess that Currington song wasn’t so farfetched after all.

9. Throwaway question, mostly an opportunity to offer “a little verklempt” as an answer choice.

10. Open-ended. I got some very thoughtful, constructive responses here – including some detailed critiques, for which I’m especially grateful – so would like to thank all who took the extra time to fill this one out. I’ve pored over all of your comments and they’ve certainly given me a lot to think about as we enter 2010.