An e-mail signature is an easy, free, effective marketing tool. If you don't use one, please commit to using this info to create one TODAY.

See examples of e-mail signatures here

Here are the chapters in How To Build Your Ideal Practice In 90 Days that mention e-mail signatures:

• Internal Marketing assignment
• 'Using Autoresponders To Market Your Practice'
• 'Get Results With A Call to Action'

For tips on composing effective e-mail messages, check out
Effective E-Mail Communication

A good e-mail signature has 3 key elements:

1. POWERFUL HEADLINE
This lets the reader know what you can do for them; the big benefit.

2. COMPELLING CALL TO ACTION
Your desired result is to motivate your ideal client to act immediately.

3. CHOICE OF CONTACT METHODS
You offer a choice between e-mail, telephone, web site, etc, so prospect can choose what is most comfortable to them.

A good e-mail signature answers FOUR CRITICAL MARKETING QUESTIONS:

1. WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
Is it clear to the reader what is being offered? Any opaqueness, confusion, question marks go off in your head?

2. WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
The big benefit(s) are very clear and directly stated... not implied, the reader doesn't have to guess.

3. CAN I TRUST YOU?
How do I know you are safe and credible? Can I find out easily enough if I want to?

4. DO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS?
Do I WANT to engage you? Do I feel COMPELLED to click my mouse or pick up the phone? Do I feel good about myself in deciding to engage you? What's my motivation? Am I being motivated by fear, shame, or being empowered to make a good choice? Do I want to tell all my friends immediately, or do I need to see if you're for real first?

PROGRAMMING YOUR E-MAIL SIGNATURE

This is very easy to do once you figure out how. Almost all e-mail software will allow you to append a signature, and if it won't (or until you figure out how) you can paste one in.

For Microsoft Outlook Express, click Tools, Options, Signatures. You can design your signature in another document, and paste it in.

For an example, see mine below. More are available here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ David Steele, MA, LMFT, CLC * Practice Development Coach
David@BuildingYourIdealPractice.com * http://www.BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

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A good e-mail signature is inviting and includes a compelling 'call to action,' such as signing up for your newsletter, getting a free e-book, taking an on-line assessment, etc. Since you send e-mail anyway, this is effortless. In addition, when your e-mail gets forwarded, others will see it as well.

BONUS TIP: GET A DOMAIN NAME

Choose a registrar such as:

• MyDiscountDomains.com ($8.88 per year, includes some good features for the best deal I know)

• GoDaddy.com ($8.95 per year)

• Verio.com ($19.00 per year with discounts for multi-year payment in advance)

1. If you change your ISP you won't have to change your e-mail address with everyone you know

2. It provides a professional image. Which looks better to you- barb123@aol.com or CoachBarb@GreatRelationships.com?? In addition, I would NEVER use a free e-mail service such as Yahoo or Hotmail for professional correspondance. Then, your e-mail address will market for you every time you send an e-mail.

Effortless... You do NOT need a web site to get a domain name- you can use it for e-mail alone.

Then, when you are ready to put up a web site, you will have your domain all ready to go. I suggest you create a name that speaks to your mission, purpose, and vision.