Ask HN: How can I drive more users to my survey site?

[smoyle]

I have a project site where I am gathering information on who people think is the smartest person by reputation. My current bounce rate is pretty high. Any thoughts? Its at http://www.thesmartestpersonproject.com/. Any help is much appreciated!

[SabrinaDent]

You need to radically re-pitch this. What is the benefit to me? Why would I take the time to do this and why would I give you my email address?

You need to make this about me, not you. "Nominate the smartest person you know and help us find the web's smartest person!"

[smoyle]

Makes sense - thanks for the insight!

[djloche]

I think having a 'give us your email address' as the first step may be turning people away. If you allowed authentication through twitter, facebook or linkedin, people may be more inclined to participate.

[smoyle]

Ooh - that is a great thought. I was wondering if that could be a part of it. Anything else?

[jdee]

I rolled up to the site and my thought process was 'theres not enough information here as to what this site does, so im not prepared to enter my email address'

[smoyle]

That is really good insight. Ill move some of the information from my "about" page to the front.

[ColinWright]

Clickable: http://www.thesmartestpersonproject.com