14 Tips on Post-Event Survey Questions

You did it!!!

The event is over, the last name tag has been peeled off, and you’re left with a burning question: Was it a success?

Sure, people smiled and perhaps networked their way into a new job, but what did they really think? That’s precisely what you can figure out through post event survey questions. 

They give you a reality check by separating the “Great job!” politeness from the “This could’ve been an email” truth.

But your survey doesn’t have to feel like an interrogation. Otherwise, people will rush through it with meaningless answers, leaving you with nothing useful. 

Below, we share 15 tips to help you ask people questions they want to answer and discover golden insights to make your next event memorable. 

14 Ways to Create Impactful Post Event Survey Questions

People are wired to care about things that serve them. It’s just human nature. If something feels like a one-sided deal, our brains tend to overlook it. No wonder why most event feedback questions get filled with half-hearted responses. 

You must approach the feedback process by showing people you value their experience, not as mere data points, but as real participants whose opinions help improve future events. 

When people feel heard, they engage. And when they engage, you get insights that matter.

Here are some ways to make your post event survey too engaging to skip. 

1. Start With a One-Word Reaction

Before you bombard people with ratings, hit them with a simple, gut-level question:

“If you had to describe this event in one word, what would it be?”

This works because it encourages instinctive reactions. When people don’t have time to overthink, you get unfiltered feedback. 

A single word can reveal excitement (“inspiring”), disappointment (“meh”), or frustration (“disorganized”). 

Plus, it’s frictionless. No one dreads a one-word answer, so more people engage. 

And when you see response trends, you’ll know exactly where to investigate further. If “engaging” keeps popping up, you’re onto something great. If “underwhelming” makes too many appearances, well, it’s time for some work.

2. Identify the Most Memorable Moment

If you want to know what resonated with your audience, ask them:

“What was the most memorable moment of the event for you?”

This question forces people to reflect. They ponder what stuck with them, and that’s where the gold is. You know you've struck a chord if multiple attendees rave about the same moments or an unexpected surprise. 

Besides, memorable moments are what make events worth attending. Identifying them helps you double down on what works and rethink what doesn’t. After all, if nothing stands out, why would they bother to come back next time?

3. Test If Expectations Were Met

Every attendee, whether they realize it or not, walks into an event with a mental checklist: Will this be worth my time? Will I learn something useful? Is this going to be another snoozefest? 

If your event didn’t meet their expectations, nothing else really matters.

So, avoid the generic question of whether they “enjoyed it.” Instead, give them space to compare what they expected with what they experienced. This will help you understand where you met or fell short of their expectations.

Here’s a simple way to frame your post event survey questions:

Once you know what worked, it’s time to put that feedback to good use. If people were underwhelmed, you don’t want to repeat the same mistakes. 

If they loved it, you want to make sure next time is even better. That’s where BetterWorld can complement your efforts.

It handles the logistics, from selling tickets to keeping guests engaged, so you can focus on creating an experience that people will talk about for a long time. 

BetterWorld has everything you need to make it happen, with text alerts, live leaderboards, built-in live streaming, and more.

4. Find If People Would Come Back

Loyalty is the ultimate test of a great event. If people wouldn’t return, something went wrong. So instead of just asking, “Would you attend again?” (which invites empty yes/no answers), dig deeper:

“If we hosted this event again next year, would you attend? Why or why not?”

This question forces people to justify their response, giving you insight into what’s pulling them in or pushing them away. 

Someone saying, “Yes, because the networking was incredible,” tells you to prioritize that aspect. A “No, because the sessions felt repetitive” signals a need for fresh content.

Even the maybes reveal gold. A response like “Maybe, if there were more interactive workshops,” gives you a clear path to improve. 

5. Dig Into the Best Sessions or Speakers

Some sessions leave people lit up with excitement, while others? Well, let’s just say the coffee station sees more action. The key is figuring out which ones worked and why. You can ask something like:

“Which session or speaker stood out the most? Why?”

This gets you past generic praise and into specific insights. Did a speaker’s energy keep people hooked? Was a session packed with actionable takeaways? These answers help you curate better lineups in the future.

Also, find out which sessions people zoned out of, too. The ones they don’t mention are just as telling!

6. Spot the Weak Points

Praise is great, but growth comes from knowing what didn’t work. People rarely complain unprompted, so you must ask the right questions to uncover weak spots.

Try asking the following survey questions after an event:

• “Was there anything that felt disorganized?” This pinpoints logistical hiccups that might have frustrated attendees.
• “Did any part of the event feel too long or unnecessary?” Helps you adjust pacing and content balance.
• “What’s one thing we could improve for next time?” Opens the door for constructive feedback.

Your next event will naturally improve when you know what to fix. 

7. Gauge Engagement With Interactive Elements

Not every poll or networking session lands the way you think it does. Some interactive elements trigger engagement, while others fizzle out.

To find out what worked, you can simply ask: “Which interactive element (polls, Q&As, breakout sessions, etc.) did you enjoy the most? Why?”

This tells you what kept attendees engaged versus what felt like filler. If people loved the live Q&A but ignored the networking lounge, you know where to pivot. If they wanted more interactive moments, that’s a green light to experiment further. 

Also, while engagement is great, if your interactive elements don’t lead to action, what’s the point? 

BetterWorld makes it easy to see what’s working and redirect that energy into tangible support. From seamless ticketing to live auctions and simple donation tools, it moves people to give. Because when fundraising feels effortless, generosity follows.

8. Ask What Was Missing

Sometimes, an event's biggest flaw isn’t what was present but what was missing. Sure, attendees may have enjoyed the experience, but if they left feeling like something was missing, that’s a problem worth solving.

The best way to identify these gaps is to ask them directly. 

It’ll reveal a lot:

• The topics they wanted covered
• The speakers they hoped to hear from
• Small details like better seating or more networking time. 

If the same “missing” elements keep coming up, you’ve just found the easiest way to level up your next event.

9. Make Networking Feedback Actionable 

Networking can make or break an event. 

When done right, it creates space for valuable connections. When done wrong, it feels like an awkward, forced small talk. So, find out if networking worked for the attendees. 

Did you make any meaningful connections at this event? Why or why not?”

This question shows whether your networking format was effective or if it needs a revamp. Maybe structured meetups worked better than free mingling. Perhaps the time slots were too short. Or it could be that the attendees struggled to break the ice.

When you take action on networking feedback, you’re making sure people leave with value.

10. Check If the Event Format Worked

This will help you figure out the activities that don’t quite fit together. 

Attendees will tell you if the pacing felt natural or if they were mentally checking out halfway through. 

Some might have wanted more breaks, while others found certain sessions unnecessary. Here’s how you may frame your event survey questions:

11. See If the Event Changed Minds

The best events challenge people to think differently. If your event made an impact, attendees would leave seeing things in a new light. So, ask them whether the event changed their perspective and, if so, how.

This question reveals whether your content resonated or merely skimmed the surface. 

A strong “yes” means you delivered something meaningful. A weak response, however, is a sign your messaging might need more depth or better storytelling.

12. Access the Event’s Accessibility and Ease of Use

An event should be easy to navigate both physically and digitally. If attendees struggled to access materials or participate due to accessibility barriers, that’s a major red flag.

Instead of assuming everything went smoothly, ask:

“Did you encounter any difficulties accessing event sessions or materials? If so, what could we improve?”

This opens the door for honest feedback on everything from confusing signage to a lack of closed captions on virtual sessions. Maybe the venue wasn’t wheelchair-friendly, or the event app was clunky and hard to use.

If that’s the case, it’s a missed opportunity for engagement. Thankfully, BetterWorld eliminates those headaches, making virtual and in-person events a breeze. It doesn’t require you or your participants to be tech pros. The platform is intuitive and easy to set up. 

Want to sell tickets? The tool simplifies it for you. Worried about keeping donors engaged? Everything’s built right in!

13. Get Honest About Tech Problems

Nothing derails an event faster than tech glitches. A lagging livestream or a microphone that cuts out mid-sentence can stick in attendees’ minds for all the wrong reasons.

Here are a few questions to figure that out. 

• “Did you experience any tech issues during the event?” 
• “Was it easy to access and use event tech (apps, livestreams, interactive tools)?”. 
• “Did any tech features stand out as especially helpful or frustrating?” 

Remember, tech is meant to make things smoother. It shouldn’t be a headache people remember more than the event itself.

14. Test Attendee Loyalty With a Recommendation Question

If your event went well, people will be happy to recommend it. If they wouldn’t? That’s a loyalty problem worth investigating.

Asking whether they’ll recommend your event to someone does two things: it tells you how valuable the experience was and why it was (or wasn’t) worth sharing. 

If attendees are eager to spread the word, you’re onto something great. If not, it’s time to rethink how your event delivers value.

Conclusion

You might think your event was a hit, but your audience holds the real verdict. However, the problem is that people rarely go out of their way to tell you what you need to hear. They’ll nod, smile, and never return. 

That’s why asking the right post event survey questions is everything. They’ll help you dig up the gold, the kind of feedback people share inside conversations but rarely put in the form. 

Because in the end, an event isn’t great because you say so. It’s great because people learned something and walked away wanting more. 

Want to make your next event a success minus the stress? Whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, BetterWorld makes fundraising hassle-free for donors everywhere. Book a demo today and see how effortless great events can be!