Using initials instead of the customer's name, is much weaker.

On 2010-07-28 18:11, John1964 wrote:

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Using initials instead of the customer's name, is much weaker.

Based on what research?

I use first names and last name initials on my site, as you know , and haven't noticed a problem.

The plus' are that I don't have to expressly ask to use them, don't need to get anything in writing and the benefits to the testimonial giver is that they don't get pestered with unwanted inquiries about my services.

If you are using something someone wrote without their permission, you are in violation of copyright. When they write it they have an automatic copyright and while they probably wouldn't sue you over it, you *are* leaving a gap where someone can poke you with a sharp stick if they so desire.

“quotation of excerpts in a review or criticism for purposes of illustration or comment; quotation of short passages in a scholarly or technical work, for illustration or clarification of the author’s observations; use in a parody of some of the content of the work parodied; summary of an address or article, with brief quotations, in a news report; reproduction by a library of a portion of a work to replace part of a damaged copy; reproduction by a teacher or student of a small part of a work to illustrate a lesson; reproduction of a work in legislative or judicial proceedings or reports; incidental and fortuitous reproduction, in a newsreel or broadcast, of a work located in the scene of an event being reported.”

Have you split-tested using initials vs full names? Because of your comment I'd assume not, so you're basing your marketing on guessing what works. if you're not going to do your own testing, at least go with the tested results that have been found to work best.

A lot of marketing is the result of stringent testing, and that's one thing that's been tested to death. Full names do better than initials. Add the person's location and it does better. Add their phone number and it does even better.

A lot of marketing is the result of stringent testing, and that's one thing that's been tested to death.

Have you split-tested using initials vs full names? Because of your comment I'd assume not, so you're basing your marketing on guessing what works. if you're not going to do your own testing, at least go with the tested results that have been found to work best.

On 2010-07-28 21:55, John1964 wrote:

Quote:

Have you split-tested using initials vs full names? Because of your comment I'd assume not, so you're basing your marketing on guessing what works. if you're not going to do your own testing, at least go with the tested results that have been found to work best.

Short answer, no. I see no need. I'm not basing my marketing on anything more then what I want to do and achieve. If it works how can it be wrong?

Quote:

A lot of marketing is the result of stringent testing, and that's one thing that's been tested to death. Full names do better than initials. Add the person's location and it does better. Add their phone number and it does even better.

That's great!!! Let see a report/essay (by a reputable source) that says so. Just because you say it's so.....doesn't make it so. To many posts don't back up the comments made. Let SEE the reaserch.

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Have you split-tested using initials vs full names? Because of your comment I'd assume not, so you're basing your marketing on guessing what works. if you're not going to do your own testing, at least go with the tested results that have been found to work best.

Exactly! Split testing is the only real way to know your own results. Again, I have yet to see anyone ever show the supposed research done. Seems info just gets passed from one marketer to the next to the next without any valid originating source.