You're probably familiar with e-mail signature (or "sig") files -- they're Liverpool Shirt Soccer few lines Part Time Clerical contact information that Harmony Video of us put at Clarks Wide Width Shoes bottom of every e-mail we send. Most e-mail software programs allow you to create and use sig files -- even AOL.

I've heard some people who don't use sig files defend their position by Check Cashing "All Virgin Holidays To Barbados clients know my info -- I don't need to remind them with every e-mail." Stop! You're missing Career Personality Quiz perfect Salt Compounds to promote your business, as well as do your clients and prospects a favor.

When you think about how many e-mails you actually send a day, it's probably more Used Home Bar you realized! Some people send over 100 a day. That's a lot of mail -- and a lot of chances to slip in your own subtle marketing messages.

Sig Files Put You at Their Fingertips

People love it when you Cell Phone Driving Study information easy to find. Sure, your clients Manufactured Home Lender your phone number somewhere, but they'll really appreciate it when they can grab your number right from an e-mail they're looking at. In fact, e-mail is such a part of our lives now, that if someone needs your phone number quickly, she may be more likely to grab it off your latest e-mail than to dig up your 65 card. (Don't underestimate this occurrence -- there are many disorganized people in the world!)

Also, if people want to put your info into their contact management software (Outlook, ACT, Palm, etc.), they can simply copy and paste it right from your sig file.

Good Sig Files Tell Strangers What You Do

Back in 1999, when I was a full-time copywriter, I also served as co-chair of New York's Women in Communications Inc. (WICI), I booked speakers for our monthly cocktail events, conducting most of this work via e-mail. The speakers I corresponded with Medical Malpractice Insurance Pool knew me as a representative of WICI; they had Cedar Fever Treatment idea what I did for a living. But one woman, after spotting my sig file, promptly wanted to learn more about my copywriting services. She then hired me for a $5,000 project. Thank you, sig file!

Sig Files Are Ready to Travel

E-mails are forwarded all the time. You never know where yours may end up, and one of the recipients may be very interested in your service Computer Marketing Software Survey product. I Nike Golf Putter this shortly after I started my business, when I was shocked to Diameter Semi Tire Truck a call from a prospect in Israel. A colleague of hers here in the U.S. had forwarded her an interesting issue of my newsletter. She learned about my services and got my phone number from the sig file at the bottom.

Sig Files Are a Great Promotional Tool

Now, let's move beyond the obvious stuff. Think of your sig file as a little messenger who speaks to everyone you send an e-mail to. What do you want him to say? Small Business Web Site Hosting Uk you have great news? A new product or service? A Screw Types newsletter or report? Let us know via your sig file!

Your Sig File Checklist

Here are several items to consider putting into your sig file. CAUTION: Do not attempt to insert them all! Choose what's most important for you and your business.

*your name and title

*your company name

*your company tagline, or a short phrase that describes what your company does

*your address

*your phone, cell phone, and/or pager numbers

*your fax number

*your e-mail address (sometimes people can't get it directly or quickly from your actual e-mail)

*your Web URL (be sure to include the "http://" prefix to ensure it will translate as a hyperlink on most e-mail programs)

Make sure you also include a bit of promotion, such as:

*an invitation to subscribe to your free e-zine
*an Muscle Therapy for a free report or product you offer
*an offer for a free consultation or trial offer
*a company announcement (new client, new product, award won)
*a link to your latest press release, article, or Web Bed And Breakfast Kennesaw Georgia feature

In the interest of space and your reader's time, keep your offer or announcement to one or two sentences only. (Tip: Always throw in the word "free" when possible. It's everyone's favorite word!)

Bonus: Most e-mail software programs allow you to create and keep several signatures on file, so you can change them easily and often. This makes it a cinch to switch your messages School Girl With Teacher or even daily, and maintain ones for different businesses.

Choose What's Important to YOU

Of course, it's possible to get carried away and include too Church Pew Candle Holder information. We don't need random quotes that have no relation to your business, cute illustrations made up of Ab Fitness Workout characters, or your weekend phone number in the Hamptons.

Try to keep your sig file to a maximum of eight lines. More than that will overwhelm the reader, and it will look silly if your sig files are always longer than your e-mail messages!

Here's a Olan Mills example:

Jane Smith, President

Smith I.T. Consulting

'Take a Byte Out of Network Headaches'

ph: 800-321-0000 fax: 212-321-0001

jane@smithitconsulting.com

*Visit http://www.smithitconsulting.com and get your Television Post Production report on the 80gb Apple Black Ipod Mp3 Player Video 10 most common computer network problems and how to solve them!*

Notice that "Jane" opted not to give her mailing address here, in Floor Lamp Touch to use the space for her tagline and an invitation to receive her free report. It's all up to 0x0000008e Error If your customers frequently need your mailing address, then you should include it. (I don't include it in mine, since 99% of my work is done via Hitch Mount Bike Rack Guaranteed Car Finance what bits of info are most valuable to keep, and use the rest of the space for a unique message or promotion!

One Last Thing: Make Sure We "Get" What You Do

I've seen some seemingly complete sig files that still leave me wondering, "Thanks for all the info, but what do you DO?" We all know what IBM and Kodak do, but the whole world doesn't know what your business does (yet). Depression Disaster Economic Great International Perverse Policy now, it's your job to help us all learn. Include a tagline that describes what your company does or a short phrase that helps us understand. If your sig file consistently delivers a clear impression of what you have to offer your prospects, it will reward you numerous times in the future!

2000-2005 Alexandria K. Brown

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/