| One of the most important and often overlooked | | | | in your signature file. |
| methods of promoting your on line business or | | | | 4. Phone Number. Email is great, and the web is nice, |
| service is your email signature file (sometimes called a | | | | but people often like to connect with you at a |
| "sig"). There are two types of signature files, one is | | | | different level. Make sure they have the information |
| the more simple one at the close of each email, the | | | | so they can! If you have a toll free number, consider |
| other might be attached to writing or discussion | | | | adding it (and letting people know that it is toll free). |
| group posts, etc. and is sometimes called a byline. | | | | If your toll free number but is only available in your |
| Regardless of the usage, having an effectively | | | | home country, either leave it out, or note where it |
| written signature can make the difference in higher | | | | will work. Remember your fax number too! |
| sales, more networking contacts and more prosperity | | | | 5. Statement of Mission or Purpose. If your business |
| for you today! Using the following as a guide, to build | | | | has a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) include it here. |
| a signature file that will help you meet your needs, | | | | This is a short sentence that differentiates you from |
| and reach your goals. | | | | others in your business. If you don't have a USP yet |
| 1. Your Name and the Name of Your Business. You | | | | (create one!), include a descriptive tagline about you |
| cannot build your brand or name recognition without | | | | and your business. |
| it. No one would forget to include this, right? | | | | 6. A Reason why they should contact you now. If |
| 2. Your email address. If you have written compelling | | | | you have written an effective article or post, |
| content, people will want to contact you. Having your | | | | suggest an additional resource you could provide to |
| email address immediately available (and clickable) is | | | | them, or a way you could help them. Make sure they |
| the best means to satisfy the need to "do it now". | | | | know how to quickly request this additional help. |
| Since some email clients don't recognize and hotlink | | | | 7. Ways to Read More. If you produce an ezine, let |
| email addresses, consider putting the mailto: in front | | | | people know that it exists and how to subscribe. |
| of your address. This ensures your address is a | | | | Again, make it easy with a hyperlinked email address |
| hyper link (i.e. mailto: href="/group/article_announce | | | | (see number two above) or a URL to subscribe from |
| 1253000048234051197">kevin@d...) | | | | the web. |
| 3. Your Web Address. People will be enticed to take | | | | Overall, while there are no hard and fast rules |
| action immediately if the information is readily | | | | regarding your signature file, there are some |
| accessible, and like your email address, being an | | | | guidelines. Your "sig" in your everyday emails might |
| active link is always the best. Don't forget your URL! | | | | be shorter - not containing each of the items above, |
| While it may be best to send them to the home | | | | while sigs for your article or posts may be longer. |
| page, the content of your writing may suggest you | | | | Use your good judgment, use this list of guidelines, |
| send them to a specific page. If so, use that address | | | | and experiment to find what works best for you. |