By Tangenix · Published 2026-10-24 · Free template

Customer Reference Permission Brief

Prepare a precise editorial approval request for customer names, quotes and outcomes so participation is not mistaken for blanket publication permission.

Read this resource as Markdown

When to use this template

Use this when a real customer has expressed interest in a reference or story and you can show exactly what you would publish. Treat participation, factual support and final approval as separate records.

Choose another approach when: The customer has not agreed to participate, evidence for the claim is missing, or the brief would be used instead of appropriate legal agreements or brand authorization.

Gather these inputs

• A real willing participant and an appropriate authorized reviewer.
• The exact proposed quote, claim, attribution and public context.
• Supporting factual evidence and any separate agreements that govern use.

Copy and adapt the template

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Worked example

Illustrative example, not a Crany customer result. Replace every example detail with facts you can verify.

Fictional customer agrees to discuss their pilot, but has not approved being named publicly. The packet proposes one attributed sentence about organizing a sample handoff and shows the exact page context.
The customer asks to omit the company name and remove a claimed time saving that was never measured. The revised version remains pending until reviewed.
The founder does not publish the first draft, infer logo permission from an interview, or use the customer’s willingness as proof that every claim is true.

How to use it

1. Confirm voluntary interest before preparing a specific proposed public use.
2. Separate supported facts, attribution choices and authorization questions in the packet.
3. Record the final reviewed version and keep pending or declined material unpublished.

Check before using it

• An interview invitation is not treated as publication approval.
• Every proposed outcome has evidence independent of willingness to participate.
• New destinations or changed claims are not assumed covered by earlier editorial approval.

What to measure

Track which exact references are approved and where they are actually used. Approval status does not measure customer satisfaction, prove a performance claim or replace applicable agreements.

Research and sources

HubSpot’s practitioner workflow includes seeking customer participation in a real story. This original editorial approval checklist narrows the proposed use; it is not legal advice, a release form or a claim that Crany has customer testimonials.

• HubSpot: Customer success stories — checked 2026-10-24. Practitioner publishing workflow includes requesting participation and using real customer evidence; not a legal release or proof that a customer approved any particular claim.

This original template and worked example were prepared with AI assistance. Source documentation supports the principles stated above; it does not endorse Crany or guarantee this template’s performance.

About Crany

Crany is an AI marketing co-founder in development for software founders and vibe coders, designed to strategize, execute approved marketing and improve based on results. This free resource is usable independently of the product. Join the public waitlist.