We’ve shared with our mystery shoppers our expectations of what we expect for you to write in your mystery shopping reports. We want to help you to be an A+ shopper.
Today, let’s talk about efficiently writing mystery shop reports to save you time.
Lengthy reports are one of the most common complaints about mystery shopping. The seemingly endless line of questions to respond to and report on after conducting a mystery shop.
We get it. And we do try to design forms to be as short as possible while getting as much information as our client requires.
Our clients want your bird’s eye view or fly on the wall perspective of you experience. It is what they are paying for. And each question does serve a purpose to our client’s end use of the data they receive.
Editors also want you to be unique in your retelling of your experience and what you observed. If you did 3 donut shops, you cannot copy and paste the same response in each report’s comment areas. And change the name of the person. We can read that – and it’s not acceptable.
How to Write Efficiently
So how do you cut down on time at the computer after your long day of mystery shopping? Write as the professionals do.
- Write down key observations about your shop as soon as you are done. Whether on a printed copy of the report form, in a notebook, or one your phone – take notes when your experience is fresh in your mind.
- When you sit down at your computer to write – turn off all your notifications. Email, social media, and computer updates. Turn off your phone. Stay focused, without distraction, to write effectively and efficiently. If you can convince your family not to interrupt – do that as well.
- Pull out those notes about the shop and read through them. Walk through the experience again in your mind. Read the question you are supposed to comment on and focus on that part of your interaction.
- Write as though you are verbally answering someone’s question. Don’t try to use fancy words or make it more than it is. If you write as you would speak, then your message will be conveyed. And it will be easier and quicker for you to write it.
- And while we don’t suggest that mystery shoppers need to write until it hurts – write until it is done. Continuing to save and come back to your report just makes a long report even longer.
Check and Edit!
After you are done writing, re-read what you wrote. Use spell checker or Grammarly to check your grammar and spelling. Avoid a re-write by making sure it’s all correct on the first submission.
Following these tips will help you become a more effective and efficient writer – and a better mystery shopper!
What tips do you have for writing your reports efficiently and effectively?
If you liked this article and want more information to help you become a better mystery shopper join the Market Viewpoint community by clicking here.
Click here if you want to join Market Viewpoint’s team of mystery shoppers.
Do you know someone who would be a good mystery shopper? Please forward this post to them! You’ll be sharing the wealth and spreading happiness! And, after all, isn’t that what we all want?