Long rambling quotes lose impact and consume precious space. According to marketing research on testimonials, short quotes (15-25 words) generate 40% higher engagement than long quotes (75-100+ words). Brevity amplifies emotional impact rather than diminishing it. Learn to condense while preserving the speaker's authentic voice.
Word Count Targets by Format
Quote Length Guide
| Format | Target Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pull quotes (annual report) | 15-30 words | "This program gave me confidence to pursue dreams I thought were impossible." (13 words) |
| Photo captions | 10-20 words | "Thanks to job training, I now support my family." (9 words) |
| Website testimonial boxes | 20-40 words | "I came with no experience. Staff believed in me. Six months later, I'm thriving." (14 words) |
| Social media | 15-25 words | "This program literally saved my life. I went from hopeless to stable." (12 words) |
| Appeal letters | 20-35 words | "Before this program, I saw no way forward. Now I have housing, income, and hope." (15 words) |
What to Keep vs. Cut
Editing Checklist
| ✅ KEEP | ❌ CUT |
|---|---|
| Emotional core (transformation, gratitude) | Background context (can go in narrative) |
| Specific tangible details | Multiple themes (pick one) |
| Speaker's distinctive voice | Verbal filler ("um," "well," "you know") |
| Credit to organization | Detailed process explanations |
| Before/after contrast | Redundant phrases ("grateful and thankful") |
Condensing Technique: Before/After Examples
Quote Transformations
| ❌ Original (75 words) | ✅ Condensed (18 words) |
|---|---|
| "Well, I came to the program because I had been unemployed for two years after losing my job when the factory closed and I couldn't find work anywhere else, and I was really struggling and didn't know what to do, and the case manager met with me every Tuesday..." | "After two years of unemployment, this program gave me skills and confidence to land a great job." |
| "This program helped me find a job and also my kids are doing better in school and I feel more confident and I made new friends and learned a lot about myself..." | "This program helped me find a job. Now I can provide for my kids." (pick strongest theme) |
Preserving Authentic Voice
Keep speaker's actual words:
- If they said "amazing," use "amazing"—not your preferred "transformative"
- Preserve grammatical quirks that convey personality (unless confusing)
- Retain culturally specific expressions and regional language
- When possible, have participant review condensed version for approval
Example of preserved voice:
Original: "This place gave me a second chance when nobody else would."
DON'T edit to: "The organization provided an opportunity for professional development."
The original has personality; the edit sounds corporate.
Attribution Guidelines
- Use first name only or pseudonym: "Maria, job training graduate"
- Include program and year: "Sarah, Youth Leadership Academy Class of 2025"
- Sensitive topics: "Housing program participant" (protect identity)
- Photo + quote: Requires explicit written consent
Frequently Asked Questions About Quote Editing
Is it ethical to shorten quotes?
Yes—if you preserve meaning and get approval when possible. Ethical editing removes filler without changing what the speaker meant. Unethical editing selectively removes context to change meaning (e.g., removing "but I still struggle" from mixed feedback).
How do I handle heavily unfocused quotes?
Consider paraphrasing instead of direct quoting. If you need to change 75%+ of words, use narrative: "Maria describes the program as life-changing, crediting case managers with helping her secure housing." This avoids misattributing heavily edited text as direct quote.
When should I use ellipses (...)?
Sparingly—to show significant omitted material. "I was unemployed... This program helped me find stability." Use when omission might otherwise confuse readers. Well-edited short quotes often work better without ellipses interrupting flow.
How do I build a quote library?
Record interviews with consent, transcribe, and organize by theme. Create spreadsheet with: full quote, shortened version, speaker attribution, program, theme tags, approval status. "I need a 20-word quote about job training" becomes a searchable query.
Can AI help condense testimonials?
Yes, AI tools like River's Quote Condenser extract the emotional core from long testimonials. Paste the full quote, and the AI suggests shortened versions that preserve authentic voice while hitting target word counts. Always review and get speaker approval on condensed versions.
Shortening quotes transforms testimonials into powerful statements that pack emotional punch in minimal space. Use River's Quote Condenser to create impactful quotes that prove your programs change lives.