| |
| |
|
Email Marketing Information |
|
|
|
Signature File Dos and Donts
Signature files have been around since, well, before most current Netizens were even aware that e-mail existed. Most will use their signature file as a quick identifier of who they are and what they do and provide a link to their Web site while those online for personal use will serve up witty, clever and many times interesting quotes. If online for commercial gain, the most important reason to use a signature file is that your signature file allows you to promote your Web site indirectly, by simply going about your daily online business. Whether you are posting on message boards, e-mailing other site owners or participating in mailing lists, your signature file gets your basic information and a link to your Web site in front of everyone you e-mail or those who may just read your post on a message board. Signature files are the ultimate in online passive promotion when used properly and effectively. Let's first cover the DON'Ts: DON'T have everything about you including the kitchen sink in your sig file. If you have a Web site, include a pointer to your URL to ensure the recipient can find out whatever they like about you - that is really what your sig file is for. Keep it to 4-6 lines max. To have your pager, cell, home, business, work, accreditations, associations and slogan about how great you are will lead to the perception that you are tad bit overbearing. DON'T throw in any sales pitchy type hype. Credibility online is very difficult to attain and maintain without undermining your efforts. Refraining from overzealous sales hype that ends in multiple exclamation marks lends to you being perceived as a seasoned professional. A short and sweet comment about your product or service is sufficient. Let your Web site do the selling for you! DON'T include formatting in your sig file (or your business e-mails). This includes ASCII formatting, colors or attaching any animated graphics. If I had a dollar for every formatted sig or e-mail that then messed with my reply by formatting it as well or worse yet by looking like doo-doo because I read all my e-mail in plain text - I could retire. If you wouldn't turn your name or title bright red on your company letterhead - don't do it in e-mail. DON'T close with your signature file reflecting anything but proper punctuation. Capitalize your name formally: John A. Smith, John Smith or John. Not typing your name formally with appropriate capitalization reflects a lack of education and busy savvy. DON'T start using your sig file until you have verified, reviewed and double-checked that all the information is correct. Send yourself a couple e-mails and test your Web site link. I see signature files with errors every day! Sigs with errors can give the impression that you lack attention to detail. Now to the Do's: DO make sure that your signature file contains the basic info a recipient needs to contact you. No need to include your e-mail address - that is automatically noted at the top of every e-mail you send. The only instance where you would want to include your primary e-mail address in your signature file is if you are using a different or secondary e-mail address to send the e-mail in question. DO setup your e-mail program to automatically append your signature file and make sure to include your sign-off so that you do not have to type your name with every e-mail. So, for example you can have: Thank you, Web Site Address Here Slogan Special Tip: You want to align your sig's text with spaces rather than tabbing. Tabs and text are displayed differently on different machines, which can make your layout look yucky. Also keep in mind that you want to keep your sig file to 70 characters or less, as that is the set screen default width for most e-mail programs. DO make sure that when you include your Web site address that you add the "http://" before your site's URL. In some e-mail programs and online applications without the http:// the program will not recognize the address as a link and it may not be clickable within your e-mail. One of the neato things about sig files is they allow you to have every e-mail be only one click away from your Web site. Don't miss this opportunity by forgetting the http:// . DO have several signatures that you can switch dependent on tone or issue at hand. Sig files are an excellent way of setting a tone and directing the ongoing communication's priority or level of formality. Sincerely, Best, Regards, Respectfully can be used differently depending on whom you are communicating with and the tone you would like to set. You can also set up signatures that have your formal name and a less informal version to set a comfort zone with the other party such as Judith versus Judi. Keep in mind to not be overly informal too soon with new contacts. Formalities are in place for a reason - especially in business communications. DO have signature files that relay a different message based on where and to whom you are e-mailing. If you are marketing on message boards or newsgroups, use a signature file that reflects your new product or the current promotion that is directed to that specific audience. Different terms and words produce a different response depending on the market. Be sure to include a call to action such as: Download now... Contact Us today about... Get your free... - you get the idea - sans hype. Don't use multiple exclamation marks or question marks. The beauty of your sig file is that you do not have to say anything about your own site in the body of a posting ... unless it would be relevant or appropriate and it is the proper forum. Sigs are a great way to subtlety market to those you do not know. Keep in mind however, that the last thing you want to do is post gratuitously or send an e-mail with a one word answer just for the sake of getting your signature file in front of readers. That is one of the oldest tricks in the book and the other members will know what you are up to and may complain directly to you and/or the moderator. Credibility lost. DO keep in mind that your signature file will naturally add to the perception of who you are, what you believe in, if you follow the rules and if you know how to use technology - or not. Quotes are fine and sometimes apropos depending on the conversation's tone and topic; however, keep in mind who will be reading the e-mail and the perception your opinion via the quote you include will leave. Humorous quotes are best left to personal e-mail. You also want to make sure to have all your e-mail basics covered by visiting: http://www.GetNetiquette.com. So, there you have it. The basics you need to know to use signature files properly. Use these tips to build your own personal library of signature files. I have over 75! Always update and work on your signature files - there is always something new to say about yourself or your business! About the Author:
MORE RESOURCES:
Email-Marketing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Email Marketing 2005?Do's & Don'ts Email Marketing 2005?Do's & Don'ts1. Make sure all your email recipients are opt in or double opt in. Email Marketing Best Practices Now that we've explored the importance of sending permission-based email, let's take a closer look at some of the techniques and practices that the most experienced email marketers use. These best practices can make the difference between rapidly growing your list through word of mouth, increasing your sales, and building strong relationships and losing subscribers to list attrition, aggravating customers, and getting your messages blocked before they even reach your recipients. How Opt-in Email Marketing Helps You In Your Online Business The consumer of today is increasingly bombarded by marketing messages from various media channels. For those that tire of the constant onslaught of ads, they have the option to "opt-out". Lesson #2: Different (and Profitable!) Ways to Use Smart Autoresponders So, autoresponders allow you to automate the process of instantly replying to someone who either 1) asked for more information or 2) did something (such as buying from you).Friend, when you start putting the wheels in motion to consistently follow up with your prospects, you'll start seeing the incredible results this amazing tool brings!For example, you can use your autoresponder to. How Can You Be Sure That Your Marketing Efforts Will Generate Profits? There are several ways to ensure that your adverts are responsive let me outline my top ten response boosting techniques:1. An attention grabbing headline is crucial. Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing Given the inherent problems with traditional marketing techniques, it`s important to master the BASIC STRATEGIES FOR INTEGRATING EMAIL into your overall campaign.As I`ve just shown you, sending out an EMAIL CAN BE MUCH CHEAPER than other marketing methods. Email: When You Dont Get a Response The lack of an email response is an issue I have grappled with many times especially since I rely on email as a primary means of communication rather than the phone because of my hearing loss.You email a client, follow up, and whatnot. Increasing Email Deliverability Most email marketers know that it is important spam-check email messages before sending them out, as this may identify potential issues that cause emails to be marked as spam.It should be noted however that the results generated by the spam-check feature should act as guidelines only. An Introduction to Auditing Your Email Audiences Organisations such as the BPA have been providing auditing services for magazines and event audiences for many years. Providing advertisers with independent evidence that your audience are who you claim them to be is an effective point of differentiation and extremely helpful when selling your proposition to would-be advertisers. How To Write E-mail Messages For Phenomenal Results Would you be interested in getting 10 times better results from your current e-mail marketing campaigns?While the above is a hypothetical figure, it sure got your attention didn't it?Though most successful marketers use e-mail marketing as an income-generator, only the ultra successful are truly maximizing their profits with it.What sets them apart? And more importantly, how can you create profit-pulling solo e-mails that put thousands more into your bank account fast?It's no rocket science. Benchmark Study of Email Database Services -- Email Appending and ECOA Match Rates Revealed --NEWTON, MA, (November 3, 2004) - FreshAddress, Inc., a leading email services provider, released the industry's first benchmark data on email appending and ECOA (Email Change of Address) solutions. 4 Steps To 1,000.. 2,000..3,000 Subscribers In Days! Everyone who has been marketing online for sometime already know the value of an email list. An email list, filled with targeted subscribers who opt in, is the most valuable asset for anyone with an online business. 14 Ways To Persuade Your Web Site Visitors To Give You Their Email Address 1. Ask visitors to subscribe to your e-zine. Run Profitable Contests Using Autoresponders Running a contest for your e-zine subscribers or web site visitors is one way you can generate interest and give more exposure for products or services you want to promote.A contest could be as simple as spotting a word or a set of words within an e-zine's issue or searching for a graphic on a site. Newsletters that Work Offer a newsletter in a time frame that will be easy for you to manage.Although doing a newsletter is a great idea, do not be too quick to jump on the bandwagon. 9 Tips To Help You Write More Powerful Emails 1. Make the effort to learn about the etiquette (these days known as "netiquette") involved in writing emails. 3 Essential Tools for Email Marketers Marketing your business with email is an art.It's very easy to get accused of spamming nowadays. What Do Your E-Mail Messages Say About You? There probably isn't a business person alive who hasn't at one time or another experienced total frustration along with an inability to resolve a difficult business situation via e-mail. Sometimes without giving it much thought an e-mail is sent in anger. Creating A Newsletter And Making Your Website Magnetic Creating a newsletter is an ideal way to drive repeat traffic to your website but its design, format and implementation need to be carefully considered in order to achieve the desired results.Signing UpBefore you begin creating a newsletter itself attention needs to be paid to the way in which your website will facilitate the capturing of customers' email addresses and other information. Website Promotion Through Newsletters Website promotion is certainly a main focus of all business owners and their respective Web sites; however it is not something that happens overnight. This is because once you have a new Web site it takes a bit of time before search engines upload your URL and it becomes part of search results.
|
| home | index |site map |
| © 2006 |
