Tips for running a poll from the stage

Set the poll up before the day, test it on your own phone, then reset it, and have the results page open on the presenting computer before you walk on.

Before the event

1. Write the poll ahead. Under Audience Tools, then Audience Polls, click New poll, then add it to your flow with Use existing poll. You can edit the question and answers right up until you go on.
2. Keep answers short. Up to 8 answers fit, but short ones read better from the back of the room.
3. Test it. Text your keyword from your own phone and vote (see test your flow).
4. Reset it. On the poll's page, click Reset responses so your test vote doesn't show. Answers already saved on contacts stay.
5. Check the results page on the real screen. Open it with Open Results Page and switch Theme between Dark and Light to see which reads better on that projector. Reload the page after changing the theme.

On the day

• Open the results page before you start. Have it in a browser window you can switch to, so you aren't logging in on stage.
• Put the instructions on the slide. Show the keyword, the short code, and the QR code next to the question, and say it out loud: "Text TOPIC to 33777, then reply A, B, or C."
• Tell people they'll see the results. The default reply after they vote links to the live results page, so phones in the room can follow along.

Closing it

• Use a countdown for the reveal. Click Close Poll and choose Close after a countdown, say 30 seconds. The countdown shows on the results page, and when it hits zero the page shows the Winner (or It's a tie), with confetti if Confetti when the poll closes is on.
• Late votes are handled. Anyone who answers after it closes gets your closed reply and isn't counted, so you don't need to watch the clock.
• Send the result. Turn on Text everyone who voted when it closes on the poll step and each voter gets the final results once (see close a poll).