Why Your Email Signature Is An Important Marketing Tool (and How to Get It Right!)
If you’re still using “Sent from my iPhone” or, even worse, not using an email signature at all, it’s time to step up your game. These days, email signatures are an important marketing tool and every professional should have one.
With that said, read on below to learn more about what an email signature is, why it matters for your brand, and how to create one that works. With any luck, after you read this post, you’ll be able to create a signature that helps generate more business for you.
What is an email signature?
Simply put, an email signature is a footer that is automatically-inserted at the bottom of your email. It’s often placed just after your sign-off message in the email and it includes relevant details about you and your professional career, as well as information on how to get in contact with you.
However, these days, an email signature has to be more than informational. Rather, in today’s professional world, it’s viewed as an extension of your brand. To that end, it’s important that you take the time to set up an email signature that reflects how you would like to be seen by your clients and colleagues.
Why your email signature matters
On a surface level, it can be helpful to think of your email signature as the digital equivalent to your business card. It’s a convenient way to store all of your business information in one place, to introduce new clients or contacts to you and your company, and to reinforce brand recognition.
When done right, though, it can also be a tool that can help you to generate more business. Most email signatures these days are action-oriented and include simple ways for the readers of your emails to find out more information about your services. By encouraging them to take that extra step, you’re increasing the chances that they will eventually hire you to be their agent.
How to create a create a great email signature
Now that you have a clearer idea of what an email signature is and why having a professional-looking one is important for your business, the next step is to go over how to create an email signature that works. Take a look at the tips below for more guidance.
1. Use a template
If you’re looking for the easiest possible way to make this happen, use a template. Many marketing companies — like Hubspot, for example — offer free, pre-formatted email signature templates that you can use to ensure that yours looks professional and appropriate.
When using one of these templates, all you have to do is input your information in the requested fields and then copy and paste the result into the space provided by your email provider. Once all that’s done correctly, you new signature should auto-populate at the bottom of every email you send.
2. Make sure all your contact info is included and up-to-date
It almost goes without saying, but make sure to include all your relevant contact information in your signature. By that we mean, at a minimum it should include your full name, your company name and job title, your email address, your phone number, and your website.
If you’re looking to take your email signature to the next level, you can also include your office address and office phone number, any special designations you hold, or your NRDS number.
Once you have your email signature in place, remember to update it whenever necessary. It doesn’t look the best to have an out-of-service phone number listed or to have your website URL redirect to the wrong place.
3. Consider adding a photo and a company logo
Today’s email signatures are becoming increasingly visual. Keeping that in mind, you may want to consider adding a photo of yourself and/or your company along with your accompanying contact information.
On that note, make sure that your photograph is a professional one. If you have a headshot that you’ve used for other marketing products, that’s likely your best choice. If not, choose a photo of yourself from the shoulders up where you’re smiling and looking directly at the camera.
4. Link to your social media profiles
Believe it or not, your email signature is a great place to link out to your social media profiles. Again, doing this will help your clients find out more about you and your brand. However, as an added bonus, it may also help you gain more followers.
There are two ways to go about doing this. On the one hand, you could include social media buttons. If you think that will make your signature will look too busy, you can also include a call to action at the bottom of the signature, instructing people to visit your profiles.
