This article was contributed by Harry Wilson who works as Head of the Digital Marketing Department at Globex Outreach. There’s no denying that email is a vitally important communication tool, both in our personal and professional lives. Whether you’re corresponding with a friend or trying to land that dream job, email is often the first (and sometimes only) impression you make. One of the main issues that people have with emails is finding out a way to stand out from the crowd. It’s estimated that the average person receives around 100 emails per day (once you factor in work, personal correspondence, and spam), which means that your message is competing with a lot of other noise. Think about it, do you really remember the name or details of the person that sent you that one email last week? Probably not. So how can you make sure that your emails are getting noticed and, more importantly, remembered? One way is to have an awesome email signature.
Why a personalized email signature is important
Your email signature is often the last thing that people see before they make their final judgment about you (and what your email is regarding) so it’s important that you take the time to add a personal touch so you can leave a lasting impression. After all, last impressions are just as important as first impressions – and this is especially true when it comes to email correspondence. For example, if you’re sending off emails to employers as part of a job application process, it’s crucial that your signature makes you look professional and competent. Recruiters are likely receiving hundreds (if not thousands) of emails, so you need to do whatever you can to make yours stand out. If you’re sending out correspondence as part of an email marketing campaign, your signature could make all the difference in whether or not someone clicks on your call to action. The more personal you appear, the more likely someone will be to trust you and want to do business with you. With that said, here are five ways you can add a personal touch to your email signature:
Include a headshot
When it comes to email, there aren’t many things more personal than a headshot. Think about it, when you open an email and see a photo of the person who sent it, you’re immediately drawn in and more likely to pay attention to the email’s contents. A headshot also helps to build trust and credibility, which is essential if you’re corresponding with potential customers or clients. If you’re sending out marketing emails, for example, you want people to feel like they know who they’re doing business with – and including a headshot is one of the best ways for them to be able to put a face to the name. With that said, adding images to your signature can be a bit of a hassle (depending on what email client you are using). If you don’t have a basic grasp of coding, you could struggle with clients like Outlook that aren’t as user-friendly as some of the newer alternatives. The good news is that you can use a signature generator to take care of all the hard work for you. Simply upload the content you want to include and the tool will handle the rest.
Provide links to socials
These days, it’s not enough to just include your contact information in your signature. People want to be able to connect with you on multiple platforms, which is why it’s a good idea to include links to your social media profiles. This is especially important if you’re trying to build a personal brand or establish yourself as an expert in your industry. By including links to your social media profiles, you’re giving people the opportunity to follow you and see the work that you’re doing – which could lead to more business down the line.
Add a handwritten signature
A handwritten signature is a great way to add a personal touch to your email signature. Not only does it make you appear more friendly and approachable, but it shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make a connection. You can either write a signature by hand and scan/upload it to your computer, or you can use a digital signature tool to create a handwritten signature that looks just as good (if not better).
Display a quote
A quote is a great way to add personality to your signature and give people a glimpse into your beliefs or values. And since many of us have quotes or famous sayings that we live by, why not share them with the world? Including a quote in your signature is also a great conversation starter. If someone reads your quote and wants to know more about it, they’re likely to reach out and start a conversation – which could lead to a business relationship down the line. Just make sure it’s appropriate to your industry and audience.
Show your current projects
Finally, if you’re working on any interesting projects, why not mention them in your signature? This is a great way to show potential clients or customers what you’re capable of and get them interested in working with you. Your current projects also give people a better understanding of what you do, whether that be personally or professionally. Sometimes, job titles can be ambiguous, or even misleading. But if you include a brief description of your current projects in your signature (and links where appropriate), people will have a much better idea of what you do and what you’re passionate about.
Final thoughts
An email signature is a great way to add personality to your correspondence and make a lasting impression on the people you’re emailing. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make your signature stand out – you just need to get creative. With that said, even a small effort will go a long way. So if you’re not sure where to start, just focus on including the essentials and then you can experiment with different elements and see what works best for you.
About the author
Harry Wilson is the Head of the Digital Marketing Department at Globex Outreach. He helps clients grow their online businesses and occasionally writes blogs to share his experience with other professionals.
