You can use polls and surveys to subtly promote your product. It is an excellent way to grab a reader without even saying much.

The company that makes Just for Men Haircolor surveyed 505 executives from Fortune 1000 companies and learned that coloring their hair is one of the subtle tricks men use to land a job or work their way up through management ranks in America's top companies. The survey showed that 33% of them believed that men who colored his hair was, "secure enough with himself to enhance his appearance in subtle ways."

The Iams Co., which makes pet food, surveyed its owners and learned that an overwhelming 91 percent of pet owners have said the words "I love you" to their pets. In addition, 63% of respondents sleep with their pets at their sides. The Iams "Good Life" Survey was conducted among 400 callers to the pet care company's customer-service center.

Playing off the love theme, news releases announcing the results were sent to the media just before Valentine's Day. The Iams news release also quoted a company veterinarian as saying "we hear from people who tell us about the important bond they feel with their dog or cat." It also referred people to its toll-free hotline and web site for more information on pet care and nutrition, thus helping create customer loyalty.

To learn more about how you can use polls and surveys to promote your product and to brand yourself as an expert, see Special Report 19, "How to Use Polls, Surveys and White Papers That Brand You as an Expert"