In keeping with last issue’s theme of comparing “real life” to “cyber life,” let’s take a look at how you promote your business.

When you are in a “real world” business situation, such as meeting new people, how do you describe yourself? You would never just say, “Hi, I’m Jane Doe,” and leave it at that. You usually let those people know not only who you are but what you do. “Hi, I’m Jane Doe. I run the local widget shop.”

You tell them your name, but also tell them a bit about who you are. Whether you’re trying to strike up a conversation, fishing for a new prospect or just trying to help that person remember you, you need to let them know a bit about you.

So are you doing that when you send an email?

I’m not talking about the body of the email, but in your signature.

If you’re ending your emails with just your name you’re wasting a very good marketing opportunity. Why not tell people about your website and your business?

Rather than ending an email with “Jane Doe” it’s better to end with

          Jane Doe
          Sales Manager
          Widget World -- 666.555.7777
          www.widgetworld.com
          Jane@widgetworld.com

This additional information in an email can be even more effective than in “real life”. Quite often an email is passed on to others, which means several people are going to see that message. Also, many people take the information you give them on an email and put it in their contact file. So when they do need a widget they’ll remember you and give you a call.

This doesn’t apply only to business email, even your family and friends need to know about your website so they can tell others about it.

And best of all, most email programs have a way to set up your “Signature File” to appear automatically each time you send an email.

Let’s review, a good signature at the bottom of an email:

• Your name and title.
• What you do.
• Your website address
• How to get in touch with you.

As a bonus, a signature file on your email doesn’t cost you anything.

So make the most of your emails, whether for business, family or friends. End them with a good signature file and parlay them into more web traffic and more business.

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