Small Business Marketing and Networking

A highly effective and simple marketing method used to drive traffic to your website and customers to your door is available to you today in every email you send and every online post you make. This simple marketing method involves nothing more than a few lines at the bottom of your emails and forum posts known as your signature. These electronic signatures are typically a few lines long and can convey important information about you and your business and entice customers with your services.

Email Signatures

Each time you send out an email to a client, prospective client or any other vital contact, you have the opportunity to display some information about your business. A signature is a quick and easy way to mention some of the basics about you and your company. When you send out emails to clients and other contacts, your signature line might include your name and job title and the name of your company. A direct link to your business website should be included.

When communicating with someone online you can’t offer them a business card or write down contact information on a piece of paper. You need some way to leave an impression and make it easy for people to contact you. By leaving your name, title, and website address in your signature, customers and business associates can quickly access your business website. You can also include your company phone and fax numbers or even your corporation’s address if you would like. Some experts suggest leaving out specific contact information in order to encourage people to visit your website to learn more about your company.

It is important not to create a signature that is too long. Your goal should be to create a signature that is somewhere between four to six lines in length. This is ideal because you use enough lines to inform readers about your business without taking up too much space. Utilize your signature lines wisely and creatively to have the most impact on your marketing and promotional objectives.

Your signature can include much more than general information. Keep your signature updated by making changes often. Some of your contacts may receive correspondence from you on a regular basis and you can use various signature lines over the year so that readers do not see the same lines all the time. When your business is hosting special events, you can use a line or two of your signature to make an announcement or tell your reader that your business is offering a special sale or promotion.

Forum Signatures

Forum signatures are used in much the same way as email - they provide a means for you to tell others about your business. As in email signatures you can use a forum signature line to announce the grand opening of your business, new products and services, special events, promotions and contests and just about any exciting news related to your business. Hundreds or even thousands of people have the opportunity to view your signature line in a popular forum. Take advantage of this fact by making the most of your signature lines.

When creating your signature for forums, there are some important factors to keep in mind. First, remember that you must create a signature that follows all the guidelines and rules of that forum. Some forums do not allow you to promote your business or to include certain information and many forums limit the number of lines available to you. If the forum rules allow you to offer a direct link to your website, you should do so. With the large number of people that could be visiting the forum, you have an excellent opportunity to attract more potential clients to your site.

Again, as in email signatures, you should create a fresh signature every so often. Have a signature that includes fresh news about your business. You should also consider including a quotation in your signature line that reflects your company’s mission or motto. These quotes can catch people’s attention and provide you with an opportunity to convey more details about the “heart” of your business.

Conclusion

The signature that you use at the bottom of emails and forum posts can serve as an informative business card and an effective marketing method for your business. Your signature can provide important details about you and your business and drive traffic and customers to your website. Take advantage of this free and effective marketing tool today!