This Poll Changed What I Planted—And Got Customers Ready to Buy

I’m gearing up to launch my peony subscriptions, and in my last email I asked readers to answer two simple questions. But those two questions were more than just a casual poll—they were a strategic move.

When it comes to creating, offering, or selling a product, gathering feedback before you finalize anything is one of the smartest things you can do. Not only does it help you create a product people actually want, but it also builds connection. When customers feel involved in the process, they feel like they helped create it. And people are more likely to support what they helped shape.

Polls With a Purpose

The poll questions weren’t random. With our peony subscriptions launching in just a couple weeks, I was planting the seed—getting readers to think about what they like in a bouquet and, more subtly, letting them know that our subscriptions even exist without flat-out saying, “Hey, did you know we sell subscriptions?” On the surface, it looks like market research—but really, it’s marketing. Even something as simple as answering a poll gets people more engaged. When they’ve had a say, they’re more likely to care about the outcome—and more likely to tune in when it’s time to buy.

The Red Peony Shock

One of the poll questions was whether people wanted red peonies included in their subscription bouquets. Simple enough, right? Well, I was floored when…