7 Key Items To Include In Your Email Signature File

One of the most important and often overlooked methods of promoting your on line business or service is your email signature file (sometimes called a "sig"). There are two types of signature files, one is the more simple one at the close of each email, the other might be attached to writing or discussion group posts, etc. and is sometimes called a byline.

Regardless of the usage, having an effectively written signature can make the difference in higher sales, more networking contacts and more prosperity for you today! Using the following as a guide, to build a signature file that will help you meet your needs, and reach your goals.

1. Your Name and the Name of Your Business. You cannot build your brand or name recognition without it. No one would forget to include this, right?

2. Your email address. If you have written compelling content, people will want to contact you. Having your email address immediately available (and clickable) is the best means to satisfy the need to "do it now". Since some email clients don't recognize and hotlink email addresses, consider putting the mailto: in front of your address. This ensures your address is a hyper link (i.e. mailto: href="/group/article_announce/post?protectID=200056018009078135227056000043231253000048234051197">ke vin@d...)

3. Your Web Address. People will be enticed to take action immediately if the information is readily accessible, and like your email address, being an active link is always the best. Don't forget your URL! While it may be best to send them to the home page, the content of your writing may suggest you send them to a specific page. If so, use that address in your signature file.

4. Phone Number. Email is great, and the web is nice, but people often like to connect with you at a different level. Make sure they have the information so they can! If you have a toll free number, consider adding it (and letting people know that it is toll free). If your toll free number but is only available in your home country, either leave it out, or note where it will work. Remember your fax number too!

5. Statement of Mission or Purpose. If your business has a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) include it here. This is a short sentence that differentiates you from others in your business. If you don't have a USP yet (create one!), include a descriptive tagline about you and your business.

6. A Reason why they should contact you now. If you have written an effective article or post, suggest an additional resource you could provide to them, or a way you could help them. Make sure they know how to quickly request this additional help.

7. Ways to Read More. If you produce an ezine, let people know that it exists and how to subscribe. Again, make it easy with a hyperlinked email address (see number two above) or a URL to subscribe from the web.

Overall, while there are no hard and fast rules regarding your signature file, there are some guidelines. Your "sig" in your everyday emails might be shorter - not containing each of the items above, while sigs for your article or posts may be longer. Use your good judgment, use this list of guidelines, and experiment to find what works best for you.

About The Author

Julie Jordan Scott (julie@5passions.com ) and Kevin Eikenberry (kevin@discian.com ) are speakers, writers, consultants and people who help organizations and individuals reach for - and achieve their goals. Both have content rich websites and free email offerings. To learn more go to http://5passions.com and http://discian.com.



E-Marketing Deliverability Issues

Does it seem to you that when you view "openings"... Read More

The 12 Most Common Newsletter Design Mistakes

Your newsletter's success depends on its design. An attractive, easy... Read More

What Good Is An AutoResponder?

A term that confuses just about everyone is "autoresponder". When... Read More

How to Choose the Autoresponder Right for Your Business?

Let's give a definition to autoresponder first. So, what is... Read More

Six Easy White-Listing Ways... Stop Losing Important Emails!

Are you dead sure about receiving of all the important... Read More

10 Netiquette New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year! New attitude? New habits? How about 10... Read More

6 Simple Ways to Manage Your Emails Better

E-mail, a wonderful communication tool is also the greatest challenge... Read More

How To Build Your Greatest Opt-In List

I get e-mails all the time from people on my... Read More

To Personalize Or Not To...That is the Question

If you are really interested in conducting a successful, effective... Read More

How?s Your E-mail Etiquette

In a fast moving global economy, e-mail offers you the... Read More

Personal vs Professional Life Email - Dont Squander Your First Internet Impression

My first email address was with compuserve.com back when you... Read More

Autoresponders = Automatic Internet Marketing Success

What if you could send out all the information that... Read More

8 Tips to Increase Response in Email

Opt in email marketing is no different than normal direct... Read More

Effective Email Marketing

I've been sending out email camapigns for clients for over... Read More

The Lazy Way To Build A Responsive Opt-In Email List

If you're in business on the Internet to make a... Read More

Creating A Newsletter And Making Your Website Magnetic

Creating a newsletter is an ideal way to drive repeat... Read More

The Magic Of Email

These days email is taken for granted and used perhaps... Read More

Heres Why You Dont NEED a Blog

The word "blog" seems to be everywhere, and what an... Read More

Internet Tip of the Week: Mistakes Count Against You

Before the advent of email most of us, other than... Read More

Consumer Thinking and Email

In an article based on research done by emaillabs, MarketingSherpa... Read More

How to Start Your Own Mailing List

I remember reading time and time again when I first... Read More

Newsletter Template: Should You Use Them?

There is currently a huge demand online for newsletter templates.... Read More

How to Make Your Email Smile

Technology has a tendency to be impersonal and unfriendly -... Read More

Is the IronPort Whitelist Actually An Extortion Tactic?

It appears that Mr. Gates' prophetic prediction that charging marketers... Read More

Successful Advertising

Most folks starting out on the Internet have tried free... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: