How to create an Effective Signature File. A signature file is a file that is appended (added) to the end of your email message. The same information listed in this article can be used for your business cards or used when talking to a prospect in person. I strongly suggest that you create multiple signature files or business cards so that you can choose which is most appropriate for a particular prospect. If you don't have an email program that allows you to create multiple signature files, I would suggest using Eudora Pro (you can get it for FREE at http://www.Eudora.com). Eudora Pro also has MANY additional benefits such as the ability to create a follow up message that can automatically be sent to your prospect even while you are sleeping! One of the best uses for signature files is that it offers a VERY low-key way to advertise your opportunity or products. If you aren�t using a signature file with every email message, then you are missing very valuable marketing opportunities. People with common characteristics use bulletin boards, chat rooms and newsgroups making them a targeted place to find prospects that might be ideal for your opportunity. For example, there are newsgroups for sales people, or people interested in health etc. Often, many bulletin boards, chat rooms, newsgroups etc. will not allow you to promote your opportunity or your products. You can however answer questions and help others and simply append your signature file after you have helped someone with your email message. Now anyone reading your message can see the value of your message, you won't be blatantly advertising, yet they�ll see your signature file that is a FREE advertisement in itself! When creating a signature file, it's important to remember the reason for your signature file. The reason for your signature file is to motivate people to examine your opportunity or products. It is NOT to sell them anything. A signature file is too brief to effectively sell anything so your only goal is to get them to check out your offer! How to create an effective signature file! The most effective signature files are made up of 4 key items as follows: 1) They are short and list a benefit first (your contact information can come later as prospects are most interested in the benefits not you). 2) They provide an added bonus or reason for someone to take action immediately. 3) They have an actual link someone can click on to either send you an email or go directly to your web site. 4) They provide your contact information. Let's address each item individually as follows 1) The first line of is considered as the heading. The heading must grab the readers' attention immediately or they will go elsewhere! You want to list a benefit immediately to grab their attention and it's best to only list 1 major benefit. Too many benefits can confuse the reader. Headings that use a question or use the phrase 'Learn how to' work well. If you use a question for a heading, you want to ask a question that demands a 'yes' response. For example, "Are you tired of too much month at the end of your paycheck?" or "Would you like to have more quality time with your loved ones?" When using the phrase "Learn how to", you want to list something that people want and follow it with a benefit. For example, many people want to lose weight or have more time with their loved ones. Examples of headings with "Learn how to" followed by a benefit are as follows: "Learn how to lose weight easily and enjoy the process" or "Learn how to have more time with your loved ones while working less!" Another way to make a "Learn how to" phrase effective is to give specific numbers in your ad. It is best NOT to use round numbers like '5' or '10'. You MUST make sure that ANY numbers you use are realistic. Any false advertisement can have severe consequences so when in doubt, do NOT overstate any numbers. Examples of great headings with the phrase 'Learn how to' followed by specific numbers are as follows: "Learn how to lose 3 inches in 13 days or less!" "Learn how to have an extra 47 minutes with your loved ones every day!" Another great way to enhance a heading is to use a guarantee. Specifically it's better to offer a 'Better than money back guarantee' rather than a money back guarantee. After all, which would you prefer? To offer a 'Better than money back guarantee' you want to find FREE giveaways to give your prospects in addition to the products you offer. Make sure the FREE giveaways you offer have a high perceived value. If someone isn't satisfied with your products, then refund their money in full and allow them to keep the FREE giveaways. It is critical that you MUST provide whatever you offer and clarify your offer when someone contacts you. Example(s) of a headline with a 'Better than money back guarantee' are as follows: "Lose 3 inches in 22 days or receive more than your money back!" "Have more energy in just 8 days �better than money back guarantee!" 2) In step 2, you want to provide an added bonus or reason for someone to take action immediately. Therefore, you might say something such as: "And receive valuable FREE gifts immediately" or "And receive valuable FREE gifts immediately just for looking" "And learn how to make FREE long distance calls" or "And learn how to save thousands on your taxes" Make sure that your bonus does NOT confuse your prospects by offering something that is completely different than your heading. For example, if your heading talks about losing weight or having more energy, use the general statement "And receive valuable FREE gifts immediately just for looking" (don't use 'learn how to save thousands on your taxes'). If your heading mentions a benefit like owning your own business, then saving thousands on your taxes would be appropriate. 3) Step 3 to an effective signature file is to direct someone where to go. Specifically, when directing them to your web site you will want to say the following and include the "http://" as this will create a link that someone can click on and go immediately to your web site: "Go to http://www.YourWebAddressHere.com" or "Click on http://www.YourWebAddressHere.com" 4) Step 4 is to include your contact information. Keep it short and make it easy for someone to reach you. When using a phone number it's best to use an 800 number if you advertise outside of your local area. Also, it's best to use some type of phone service (voice mail system) than can follow you if you are frequently on the go. Examples of step 4 are as follows: Contact John Doe at 800-111-2222 or JohnD@aol.com Call Mary Doe at 800-777-8888 or email at MaryD@aol.com Follow the 4 steps to an effective signature file and make sure you do NOT ever mislead anyone. You may want to bold and even add 1 color to key words to attract someone�s attention. Do NOT use more than 1 color as it defeats the purpose. Also using ALL caps does not work as well. You can capitalize a word like 'FREE' that is effective at grabbing someone's attention. Sample(s) Would you like to enjoy more quality time with your loves ones? Receive valuable FREE gifts immediately just for looking! Go to www.YourPrivateWebSite.com Your name, phone number, email address here Learn how to Lose weight quickly, and ENJOY the process! Receive valuable FREE gifts immediately just for looking! Go to www.YourPrivateWebSite.com Your name, phone number, email address here Learn how to lose 3 inches in 13 days or less! Receive valuable FREE gifts immediately just for looking! Go to www.YourPrivateWebSite.com Your name, phone number, email address here