How to Use Signature Files to Give Your Email The Personal Touch That SELLS

By Alvin Apple
Posted Wednesday, November 24, 2004

If you have a home business, then you're probably constantly concerned with getting your name and your business information out there. You probably send out a lot of e-mails, post on message boards, and submit articles to business e-zines. These are excellent ways to get your name out there, but are you taking full advantage of the visibility these forums create?

One of the best ways of creating new business is to include a Signature File with everything you post, send or submit. What exactly is a sig file? It's that little bit of bio information at the end of an e-mail, article or posting, usually a sentence or two with your url. This is your opportunity to let people know who you are and to direct them to your business. If they liked what you wrote, then they can immediately to your site and find out more about your product or service.

Now you may already include your url at the end of your correspondence, most business people do. That's great, but is it enough? Not quite. Of course it's great to have your url so that anyone who's interested in what you're saying can immediately check out your business site, but wouldn't they be more likely to click if you included a short description of what you do? The trick to a catchy sig file, is that one sentence that makes you stand out. For example, rather than closing an e- mail or posting with

Jerry Jensen
(http://playpianoperfectly.com)

try something a little more descriptive and catchy, like

Jerry Jensen

Check out Jerry's revolutionary approach to playing the piano at: (http://playpianoperfectly.com)

or take it one step further,

Jerry Jensen
Jerry can answer all your questions about playing the piano professionally. E-mail him at Jerryj@ivories.com, or check out his web site: (http://playpianoperfectly.com)

By adding that one line to your signature, you can totally change the customer's perception of your business, and that little extra bit of information could be the difference between a trickle of new business and a flood.

So you see, it's not enough to just give an address, you've got to give people a reason to click. You've got to spark an interest in what you do. By creating a short, catchy and descriptive sig file, you can really put yourself ahead of the pack. There's money to be made out there if you just know how to do it.

About the Author
Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they will enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all his helpful strategies, including his latest article "Getting the Word Out: Successfully Promoting Your Online Business," at (http://AlvinApple.com) Reach Alvin at 801-328-9006 or alvin@drnunley.com.