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Online promotion using signature files

A signature file, commonly known as a sig file, is the set of text that you attach to the end of all of your emails that identifies you, your company, and your products and services.

Your signature file should contain the following information:

• Your name,
• Your business or company name,
• Preferred means of contacting you, and
• Marketing slogan or information showing the clear benefits of contacting you.

Your sig files should always identify the person writing the email, the company you work for, and the preferred means of contacting you. For example, if you prefer that your potential customers contact you via email, you should include your URL and email address in your sig file. If you prefer that your potential customers contact you via your 800-number, then you should include your 800-number in your sig file. It is not uncommon to include all of your contact information in your sig file.

Signature files are a great way to promote your online business without offending the people who read your messages. If you offer free information, products, services, or tips on your web site, you can include a simple line pointing people to your free products or information. For example:

(URLs in the above examples are fake.)

Signature files are very important for building brand name recognition, especially if your web site is a good source of information. We have bookmarked many web sites that we found via sig files because the web site was a good source of information. People are more likely to buy from you if they have bookmarked your web site - it usually means that they trust your information.

If you post to newsgroups, moderated discussion groups, UseNet, etc., potential customers will visit your web site from the information in your sig file. You can change the message in your sig file depending on the discussion topic. For example, if there is a discussion about online marketing, you can put the URL of your web page offering free online marketing tips. If your company specializes in copyright laws, your sig file can point to a free report on copyrighting that people can download from your web site.

Sig files should only contain 6 lines of information, maximum. After 6 lines, your visitors will tend to lose interest.

If you have any specific questions about our search engine marketing tips, or if you would like permission to republish this marketing tip on your web site or newsletter, please use our contact form or email us at info@grantasticdesigns.com.

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Related search engine and online marketing tips:

• Email etiquette: losing business when you miss manners

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• Copywriting for web sites, search engines, and directories

• Web site design, search engine, and marketing considerations