Is Your Signature Line a Call to Action?
An e-mail signature that creates a call to action is one of the best free marketing tools around. Have you ever clicked on a link in a signature line? Think about why you did that. For me, it is usually because the person had a catchy tagline or a thought provoking post in a forum which made me want to learn more about him or her. This has sometimes resulted in business relationships that helped me go forward in my endeavors or in purchasing one of their products. If you don’t have an e-mail signature line with a call to action you could be missing many opportunities to connect with potential clients or alliances.
I recently updated the e-mail signature line for my business and thought I would share some things that work for me.
Make it easy for people to find information and they will use it. I try to include my signature line in every e-mail, even with my longtime clients. If they want to go to my website quickly to check something or forward it on to a referral they always know where to find it. Also, if people want to add me to their contact management software, they can do so quickly by simply copying and pasting it in. Keep in mind that your e-mail could be forwarded to others so you never know who may end up reading it. One of the recipients may be very interested in your service or product.
What should your e-mail signature include? Of course, you should include the basics like your name and the name of your company, but here are some other items to consider. Choose only what is most important for the message you want to convey. Don’t attempt to insert all or even most!
- Web site address (be sure to include the “http://†prefix to ensure it will translate as a hyperlink)
- Phone number if that is your preferred method of contact
- Fax number or address if they are used often by your clients
- Tagline or short phrase that describes what your company or organization does
- An invitation for people to sign up for your FREE e-newsletter
- Link to a FREE report
- Information about an upcoming workshop
- Link to your latest press release
- Company logo – keep in mind that some e-mail client software will block graphics and html from appearing. Also, you will need to have the image uploaded to your server.
Make your signature line “works” for you. I have seen some signatures that leave me confused as to the purpose of the business. Be clear and inspire the reader to click on the links you provide or pick up the phone to make further contact.
Your message should be kept to between 6 and 8 lines. Don’t make the mistake of including every affiliate program you are involved in or creating a mile long signature. This could be considered spamming not to mention if it is too long it might not be read.
If you have several messages you would like to share, consider creating a different signature file for each product or promotion. This way you can choose which signature applies to the different recipients or change your message on a daily or weekly basis. This could also benefit those who maintain more than one business.
What’s everyone’s favorite word? FREE!! Use it whenever possible. If you have something free to give be sure to tell everyone about it!
© 2007 Melanie Borowczyk. All rights reserverd.
Rayven responds:
Posted: August 30th, 2007 at 5:54 am →
Siggy lines are VERY important. I have gotten numerous hits to my websites and prospects interested in my business just from my signature line.
Another thing, I occasionally change around my signature line. I will change the working, the font, even the colors sometimes. When I do so, I notice a spike in traffic from my signature line.
Great blog, by the way! I’ll be sure to add you to my RSS.
Melanie responds:
Posted: August 31st, 2007 at 3:58 pm →
This is a great idea, Rayven! I just added a reminder to my Outlook to update my sig line at the first of each month. This will also serve as a reminder to update my free offer.
Thanks for sharing and adding me to your RSS!
Melanie
P.S. Where is your siggy??
*smile*
Crystal responds:
Posted: September 11th, 2007 at 9:31 pm →
This is a great blog, full of lots of very useful information!! I’m glad I found you guys - keep up the great work.
Melanie responds:
Posted: September 13th, 2007 at 11:31 am →
Hi Crystal! I’m glad you like the blog, thanks for checking it out. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any future articles. They’re going to be full of information you can use!
Melanie
Toideli responds:
Posted: November 5th, 2007 at 6:19 pm →
Wow! Good resources here, Enjoyed the visit!
Well, thanks!
Brin responds:
Posted: December 4th, 2007 at 11:59 am →
Hello, nice site
leaflet distribution nationwide service responds:
Posted: March 15th, 2008 at 10:55 pm →
With the internet now being …. well, everything, you have to wonder where everything else in the world of commerce is going to stand up in the next ten years.
With more and more physical product making way for the virtual info revolution, where will small middlemen companies be in the near future.
Dave.