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With the split testing of our webform running on the squeeze page, we can do a quick set of steps today to improve our emails long term.

Today’s 30 Day Autoresponder Challenge Steps:

• Create a signature for the follow ups and broadcast messages
• Change the default address that goes on the bottom of every message

Let’s get to it…

Why Use A Signature?

While we were writing the first four messages of our new campaigns, I showed you a code I was putting on my messages: {!signature}. I put this after the p.s. at the bottom of each message where I want the signature to show up.

You could just as easily use the same code and put it at the top of each email, or in the middle, to use as a sponsor ad (ezine style). However, I’m using it at the bottom because I want the central message of each follow up to take a priority.

My signature will be used to provide timely reminders in emails that are otherwise evergreen. This will require me to remember to change my signature now and then. I’ll set up reminders in my Freemind to-do maps.

You can always leave the signature off on particular messages, like I’m doing for my message 2. If your message has 1 clear focus, and you want absolutely no distractions, then simply leave off the {!signature} tag.

By the way, {!signature} is the field code in Aweber. It’s likely different if you are using a different system (if they even have this function at all).

Creating The Signature

To create the signature, you’ll need to login to Aweber and go to My Lists, Global Fields. We’ll talk about the address box in a minute.

First thing about the signature box is it will show up in both the HTML and the text versions of your messages exactly as they are. I haven’t tested whether HTML is allowed in there, but earlier it wasn’t, and for today at least I want to keep it very simple.

Remember the length of each line in your email, and keep to that width in your signature as well.

Some people like to add ++++++++ or some other symbols to break the signature from the rest of the email. I usually don’t do that because I’d rather it look like it’s part of the message.

Also, some people like to put 20 links in their signature, and that too, is a bit overwhelming. Typically I go for up to 2, but right now I’m going to do 4.

When writing my signature, I think what’s urgent, timely, and most likely to help me achieve the goals I set out when I started the list.

Right now, there’s a big discount on an internet marketing seminar in January I’ll be presenting at. And I also keep my schedule on my blog for other events. So I’ll be putting my affiliate link for the seminar, and the link to my overall schedule.

I also know that I want people to keep current with what I’m up to beyond the autoresponders, and give them a sense of community with me and others that are reading these emails. So I’m going to link to my Twitter and Facebook profiles. Many will add me/follow me, and that’ll help my social networking growth as well.

At some point in the future, I may change the signature to promote my free IM Success Toolbar, or one of my coaching programs. If I’m gearing up for a new virtual or live workshop, then I’d promote that in the signature for a couple weeks.

The big picture is, if I include that {!signature} tag in almost all my messages, then one change on this page in Aweber will instantly change all the future follow-ups and broadcast messages, no matter which each individual reader is seeing during that time.

I hope you’re starting to see the power of this area of your message!

Here’s what my signature looks like for now:

Let’s meet up in person! Check my schedule for upcoming events
where I’ll be presenting, teaching, or participating:
http://IMSuccessEvents.com

Top pick: Featured Faculty At NAMS 3 in Atlanta
http://IMSuccessEvents.com/nams

Follow on Twitter: http://FollowBob.com
Connect On Facebook: http://Facebook.com/BobJenkins

I use the full url with the http:// so that the links will become clickable in HTML and text emails.

And remember: you can use {!signature} on BOTH follow up AND broadcast messages.

Change Your Default Address In Your Messages

Since we’re on this page, and the signature takes such little time to do, let me add one quick suggestion.

When you set up your account with Aweber, you put in your address. If you don’t have a business address separate from your home, then you’ll see that your home address is what’s included in this box. That’s going out on the bottom of every message you send.

If that gives you the willies, then you’ll want to change that address. But it has to be a real address where you can be reached in order to comply with CAN-SPAM laws. It may be worth the money to you to get a PO Box at your local post office, or a shipping/box store like UPS or MailBoxes, Etc. This is what I use so that they’ll take care of picking up packages for me as well.

When you change your address, put it all on one line to keep that part of your message simple. This will always go on the bottom of your messages, right above the subscriber options/unsubscribe link.

That’s it for today – short and sweet, but using a signature is a very powerful way to focus attention on specific things when you want to.

Bob Jenkins
DiscoverAutoresponders.com

p.s. Want to share your signature with us? Post it below as you make your comments for today!

p.p.s. Did you find this 30 Day Autoresponder Challenge through a search? Start from the beginning and learn how to get your autoresponder list up and running fast. It’s free!

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