Internet Promotion: Email Signatures
Perhaps one of the most important methods to promote your web site is
including some advertising in each and every email you send and all
newsgroup postings that you make. DO NOT spam the newsgroups by sending
useless messages. Instead, make useful postings which include your
signature. People will be interested enough to visit your site as long as
you appear to be an intelligent, knowledgeable person.
This is generally done by defining an email signature in your email client.
It's pretty simple to cause Outlook 2000, for example, to send a couple of
additional lines for each and every email that you send. It's equally simple
to do the same thing with Outlook Express.
Your email signature might read:
Visit my web site at http://www.internet-tips.net/
Anything which helps to promote your site or service is fine (excluding
profanity and the like). You should keep the signature to just a few
lines - no more than 6. Also, it's a good idea not to include any pictures
and to stick with straight text (not HTML). This way everyone can see your
ad, which is the whole point.
One additional word of caution about email (and newsgroup) signatures: some
words will trigger spam filters. This can be especially annoying on
newsgroup postings. I had a 900 number in my signature which caused an
automated spam checker for newsgroups to send my posts straight to my ISP!
The postings were on topic and definitely not spam, but they were treated as
such. Naturally, this could also cause good email spam filters to also block
your emails.
Before you create your email signature, it's a good idea to sit down for a
minute and determine what your objective is.
- If you want to advertise your web site, it's a good idea to include a
small ad and a hyperlink.
- If you are a salesperson, it may be wise to include your phone number and
extension.
- Some people like to include a favorite quote.
Some cautions include:
- Do not include your pay-to-surf, moneymaking or affiliate links in your
email signature. Not only is it considered tacky, but these things can
trigger spam filters and get your emails automatically deleted. It's better
to include these items on your website and put a link to that site in your
email signature.
- Do not include profanity or harsh language.
- 900 numbers can also trigger spam filters.
Be sure to use standard formatting in the signature.
- Avoid any special fonts or colors
- Do not include graphics
- Do not use HTML
- Keep the width to 65 characters or less
- Do not exceed 6 lines
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This
website includes over 1,000 free articles to improve your internet
profits, enjoyment and knowledge.
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