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People's Panel

BUILDING A REPRESENTATIVE EMAIL DATABASE FOR YOUR COUNCIL

Statistically valid, representative results can be delivered via randomised email invitations, in the same way as random phone interviews. The foundation is the development of a high-quality, diverse email database from which we pull a randomised and weighted group to invite to participate.
Place Score utilises a Stratified Random Sampling methodology. This means that the email database is first divided into distinct sub-groups (strata) based on characteristics (e.g., age, gender, location), and then a random sample is taken from each stratum.
From our experience working with your community and others, we can estimate how many emails we require in each age and gender group in order to deliver statistically valid, representative results.

 

The steps for building your People’s Panel are as follows:

 

1. Define your panel database size and makeup

The tables on the right provide an indicative target for the number of email addresses we will need in each age and gender cohort to achieve your sample.

  • Note: Place Score may already hold some email addresses for your residents. Please refer to your registration form for your specific database targets (Rows 25–40).

Council has access to an incredible range of databases for residents of your community. These could be via libraries, service providers, rates databases, business chambers, environmental groups and more. The more diverse the sources of your emails, the higher quality your People’s Panel.  

  • CLEAN AND ORGANISE DATABASE
    Before sending your database to Place Score, copy your content into the Database Template, matching your information to each column heading. If you do not have data for some headings, don’t worry - we can improve the information over time.
  • SEND YOUR DATABASE
    Once your database is ready, follow your privacy protocols (e.g., password-protected file) before sending it to your Place Score Partnership Manager.
  • Note: Please confirm with your legal team before sharing email databases.
Download email database template

Option 1: Place Score

  • Place Score will set up the online form, and provide Council with a link, communication materials, and a plan for implementation.
  • CONFIRM ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM (Cell B43)
    Place Score will set up your Council link and send it to you with your communication materials.
View Place Score standard panel form

Option 2: Council

  • Council will set up the online form (using the Place Score standard) and share the clean database with Place Score at the end of the Panel Building campaign.
  • CONFIRM ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM (Cell B44)
Download panel form questions

A high-quality People’s Panel relies on consistent and diverse communication.
At a minimum, we recommend using four different channels during your promotion period, such as:

  • Council website
  • Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
  • Community networks (sporting, cultural, seniors)
  • Youth and family networks (schools, childcare, libraries)
  • Past engagement lists and resident newsletters
  • Councils are welcome to do more, but the actions above outline the minimum effort needed to build an effective and balanced panel.
  • PROMOTION TIMELINE OPTIONS
    Each sample plan (right image) includes the same six core actions, simply delivered at different speeds depending on your timeframe and urgency.

Option 1: Place Score

  • If you selected "Option 1" in the Step 3 above:
  • TRACK YOUR PANEL PERFORMANCE EASILY ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM (ROW 46-52)

Option 2: Council

  • If you selected "Option 2" in the Step 3 above:
  • UPDATE WITH PANEL PERFORMANCE ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM (ROW 46-52)

We acknowledge the Eora people of the Gadigal nation as the traditional owners of the land from which we work. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

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Phone: +61 2 8021 7027

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