Improving Your Email Signature
Now that you’ve updated your website for the new year, its time to think about other aspects of your online presence. What is the #1 most overlooked online marketing area? Your e-mail signature! The email signature, the small file amended to each e-mail you send out, is an excellent place to put your contact information, photo, and a brief description of your services without creating an obnoxious ad. E-mail signatures are a subtle, no-cost way to pass along your contact information to others and a practical way to save time when writing emails every day. To make sure your signature is a success, there are a few rules you should follow.
Signature Rules
- Don’t make a signature that’s too big. Online the size of your text/image is equivalent to the volume of your speaking voice…people shouldn’t have to strain to “hear” your message over your email signature. 5 lines of signature in a traditional (14pt and smaller) font size are more than enough.
- If you have room, use a tagline. Add a tagline explaining your services, service areas, or listing your designations. If your message is forwarded to strangers people will see your contact information and know what you do for a living.
- Shy away from animations and flashy distractions. Again, you want your message to be heard first and foremost. Also, many email clients and browsers will not display this type of information in an email.
- If you’re lacking in space you don’t have to include your email address; it usually goes in the email header anyway.
- If nothing else, include the URL to your website. That’s what your website is for, telling people all about you and what you do! Images: You can certainly add a headshot or photo to your signature, but make sure you keep it small. Also, be aware that some email clients are set to not download images automatically for safety reasons.
As a neat alternative you can always pull all of your contact information (cellular, email, physical work address, social networks, blog address, URL, etc.) onto your ‘Contact Me’ page and just link to the page in your email signature.
