Email Signature: Your Digital Business Card

You use it every day but did you know it is one of the easiest most cost effective ways to promote your business? I'm talking about your email signature - the little marketing power tool that can go from your desk to the other side of the globe with the push of a button. Today we'll talk about what to include in your email signature and creative ways you can use it to promote your business.

What is an Email Signature?

An email signature is that few lines of text you place at the end of an email. For personal or more casual emails, many people simply use their name as their signature and possibly an email address or phone number following their name. However, if you plan to use your email signature for business, there are other things that should be included for the best results.

Your email signature can be created in your email program. You can also create your signature in a graphics program like Photoshop and save it as a jpg file which can be embedded into your email.

What to Include in Your Email Signature

Your email signature should be a mini directory of who you are and how people can contact you. It should be included in every email you send. The following is the information that should be included in your email signature:

• First and last name
• Title
• Company
• Contact phone number (This should be the best number to reach you. Some people include a cell number in addition to a business number, but it's not a requirement)
• Email address
• Company URL
  

In addition to the items above, you may want to also include other places people can find you such as your blog URL or a link to a social network profile. If you'd like, you can also include a photo or company logo in your signature.

Tips for Effective Email Signatures

• Try not to use more than six lines in your signature. Some email programs cut off information longer than that. If you do use more than 6 lines, make sure your important contact information is included within the first six lines just in case.
• Use color in your signature. If your company has specific colors, try to use those in the signature. Make your name one color and the rest of the information a different color. 
• Make sure your website address and email address are clickable links. This will make it easier and faster for your recipient to contact you.
• Advertise a special offer or announce a new product or service (i.e. Click here to download our FREE special report)
• Create a different email signature for each target market your company caters to.
• Configure your email program to include your signature in new emails as well as replies and forwarded emails. 
• Use a font that's easy to read
• Don't use all caps as this implies screaming or yelling

How to Market Using Your Email Signature

Your email signature doesn't have to be limited to just your emails. Here are some other places you can include your signature:

• Your website
• Your email newsletter or e-zine
• Written correspondence
• Online forums 
• Your blog
• In comments posted on someone else's blog
• Articles you've written
• E-cards

Your email signature is your digital business card. Use it wherever your online travels take you. It's a fabulous and free way to promote your business and let the world know who you are. Before you send out one more email, use these tips to create your own email signature today! And for help getting it set up in your email program, check out our article on Outlook Customization.