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Add a signature to your email messages

It's a simple principle of Internet marketing that you include the URL of your Web site on your stationery, business cards, brochures, etc. But how about in your email messages?

Email messages should typically include a signature with your contact information, including your Web page address. For instance, my signature looks like this:

Bob Hoffmann, Web Coordinator
Extension Communications & Educational Support
Washington State University
311-C Hulbert Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-6244
Ph: 509-335-7744
http://eces.wsu.edu/webtips/

Now mind you, it would be utterly inefficient to type that into each and every email message that I send. Fortunately, email programs allow you to automatically add a signature to the end of your messages.

Adding a signature to Microsoft Outlook

1. Start with the Tools menu, then click Options, click the Mail Format tab, then click the Signatures button. (Or: In Outlook 2007, when writing a message, you can go to your Message tab, select the "Signature" button, then select "Signatures..." in the drop-down menu.)
2. Click the "New" button to create a new signature. Type your signature into the text box.
3. On the right of the Signatures window, you can choose the email account to which you will apply the signature. You can also choose to add it to all new messages, and separately to replies and forwards.

What all do I put in my email signature?

How about your name & title, mailing address, phone & fax numbers, and Web site URL? Some people put in a slogan or marketing message, the WSU nondiscrimination clause, or the like. Outlook can hide your email address in the "From" field, so you may want to add this as well..

If you have an email program other than Outlook, just search your program's Help files for "Signatures."