Tech-Talk: Signature Lines

Before we jump into the Tech Stuff with both feet (is there any other way to embark on a new endeavor?), I thought I would take a minute and ask you a real simple question…

What would YOU like to see covered?

See, I have been on the Internet for more years than I will admit to, and have a technical background to boot. So sometimes, it’s easy for me to forget that not everyone knows how to update themes, use a custom image for a PayPal button or how to track traffic on your website or blog.

I do have some topics planned for our Tech-Talk Thursdays, but would really prefer to post something you actually care about. And perhaps even in the order you care about learning it. So, here are some suggestions to get the creative juices flowing. Leave me a comment here and I will add them to my list. And if there is something you urgently need to know, feel free to use the Ask An Expert link at the top of the page!

• What’s an FTP Client and does it bite?
• How can I find out how many people are coming to my site?
• Is there a way for Google to tell ME when they index something I care about?
• How can I add something to my theme on my Wordpress blog?
• I installed a plugin, now my theme is broken, do I have to shoot it?
• I want to sell a product, how can I receive money?
• I want to have a clickable link on my MySpace comments, what’s all that gobble-d-gook?

Now that your mind is all a whirl with the possibilities, let’s address one of the most searched technical subjects…signature lines.

Examples Of Signature Lines

It’s a social world now a-days, with people spending more time in forum’s, discussion groups and in their email program. Did you know that each of these places can send free traffic to your web site ?

If you read any posts in a forum or joined in a conversation in a discussion group, I know you have seen them, those small blurbs at the bottom of each post. Perhaps you just didn’t know how to create them. In this article, I will show you exactly how to build them. From now on, every time you post or reply on a forum, a mini ad will display, directing web visitors to your site.

I guess I don’t have to tell you that *good copy* is important, however, discussion of what good copy techniques are — is a little outside the scope of this post.

Just the mechanics first.

HTML Version

A signature line can look like anything you want, but a Heading, Description and Link are pretty standard. I will use those for these examples. And before you send in comments about my *good copy*, please know that I am just using simple phrases to demonstrate my point.

Some forum’s or bulletin boards allow HTML, and some require BBCode. Don’t panic. It’s really not hard and they are pretty similar.

<strong>Stop Buying Leads And Start Attracting Prospects</strong>
My free videos will show you how to become the <strong>Hunted</strong>, 
rather than the <strong>Hunter</strong>.<br/>
<a href="http://Recommended.byCenay.com/stop-buying-leads">Help me
stop buying leads</a>

This is what the ad looks like *in real life*.

Stop Buying Leads And Start Attracting Prospects
My free videos will show you how to become the Hunted , rather than the Hunter .
Help me stop buying leads

I guess I forgot to put my name in it, as would be proper in any signature line, but I did that on purpose. (I tend to *sign my name* without even thinking about it, so I didn’t want my name shown twice, which would look down right silly, or perhaps even worse, a bit egotistical).

BBCode Version

The BBCode is slightly different. Basically, there are only three major differences.

• BBCode uses square brackets ( [ ] ), instead of angle brackets ( < > )
• BBCode doesn’t require the quotes around the web addresses
• BBCode uses "b" for bold, not "strong"

Otherwise, they are almost identical. Here is that exact same ad, written in BBCode.


[b]Stop Buying Leads And Start Attracting Prospects[/b]
My free videos will show you how to become the [b]Hunted[/b], rather than the [b]Hunter[/b].
[url=http://Recommended.byCenay.com/stop-buying-leads]Help me stop buying leads[/url]


Standard Practices

I probably don’t have to say this, but I will. It’s generally acceptable to have 1 or 2 links in your *sig line*, but frowned upon to have more. Obviously, there are exceptions, but it’s a good rule of thumb.

It’s also acceptable (and might be preferable) to actually display the URL as the final line. If you are in a forum where the members might be printing out the content and sharing it with others, you should show the URL. Clickable links are great, but the address doesn’t print if they send it to the printer.

Yep, you lose a little *link love* when your anchor text doesn’t contain your keywords, but if the content is *likely* to be printed more often than not, show your links.

To do this, just replace the link text with the actual address.

Hope this helps. Drop me a note if you have any other questions.

About The Author

Cenay Nailor is an Internet, Affiliate and Networking Marketing success coach with mad technical skills she loves sharing. Visit her blog and sign up for a weekly injection of Tech-Based Marketing help, sent right to your inbox. http://www.CenayNailor.com

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