Hello everyone!

How's your business? Fine I hope!

In this report we are going to talk about one of the greatest marketing tools online. Singnature Files (or Resources Boxes).
Right away I know your reaction; you're saying "I already know about SIG files and how to use them; I'm using them everyday."

It's funny how many other marketers online feel the same way and jump to conclusions when you mention the topic of SIG files. They feel it's nothing major like publishing your ezine or copywriting your ads or sales letters.

This reminds me of the little termite. When you view it with the eye, it seems very harmless or that it can't do very much damage. But let a bunch of them get into the foundation of your home. You'll have major problems! The foundation of your home will be ruined, and this can cause the value of your home to depreciate.

The same applies when using SIG files in your online marketing arsenal. You shouldn't over look them or take them lightly. The same attention you give to writing ad copies and sales letters; should be the same energies used for your SIG files. Because writing a bad SIG file can ruin your responses to your ads, sales letters or any other marketing tools you may use.

What is a SIG file or a resource box?

If you look at the end of almost any email you've received you'll see a SIG file.

IE:

John John
CEO
xyz company
xyz@abc.com
http://www.xyz.com

The sender use their SIG file to give you a brief description of who they are and what products or services they have to offer. You can also find SIG files being used on messages boards, opt-in mailing list, discussion groups, guest books and everywhere else on the web.

If your SIG file is used to give the reader information about your website, products or services; then you can consider it sort of like an ad, right?

And as I always ask, "What's the purpose of any type of advertisement?"

It's only purpose is to inform? It's to entertain or show off? It's to let everyone know you are the CEO of the xyz company, right?

Wrong! The only purpose for any type of advertisement is to make the sell! That's it! If you're in business not to make money, then you're in the wrong business. The only purpose for your SIG file is to lure the reader to your site, so that they will make a purchase.

Now let's take another look at the SIG file.

John John
CEO
xyz company
xyz@abc.com
http://www.xyz.com

Will this SIG file motivate you to visit the xyz site? It doesn't do anything for me. I wouldn't visit the site. But now let's take a look at how you should wirte your SIG files.

You are aware or have heard of the A.I.D.A. formula, right? This formula states that any ad you write should Attract its reader attention. It should create and Interest and the Desire to Act upon your offer immediately. Commit this simple formula to memory. You can use it when you write your ads, sales letters, SIG files or any other type of advertisment. By implementing this formula into your SIG files your responses will increase dramatically.

But before you can effectively use the A.I.D.A. formula, your ads or SIG files must answer the most important question to its reader, "What's in it for ME? Why should I visit your site? What benefits will I receive from visiting your site? etc..." This means your SIG file must be packed with "client centered" benefits.

The SIG file above won't be effective because it fails to answer any of these questions. If you are using similar SIG files as the one above; your SIG file will also fail. Now let's try to rewrite the SIG file. This time we are going to use the A.I.D.A. formula and pack it with "client centered" benefits.

John John
Do YOU need MORE traffic to YOUR site? Click Here NOW!
FREE resources & marketing tools! Send for FREE Report NOW!
xyz@abc.com
http://www.xyz.com

I know what your first reaction was when you saw this new SIG file. "But he didn't let them know what position he holds at the company, or his title. He didn't even give them the name of his company. What's the use?"

You're absolutely right. I excluded that information. Not that it wasn't important, but it has no relevance in your SIG file.

It is said that most of your ads will only have 30 seconds to capture the attention and interest of its reader. If you fail to catch their attention in this time frame, you might as well hang it up. So it's essential that you eliminate useless words and only use effective words that show "client centered" benefits. Remember your SIG file should be very brief, not wordy. Only contain 5 or at the most 6 lines of text. We will discuss the reasons for this later.

But for now let's look at our new SIG file. Does it contain "client centered" benefits? Does it answer the A.I.D.A. formula? Does it answer the "What's in it for ME?" questions?

Does this SIG file catch your Attention? If you're a webmaster and you want more visitors to your site, yes it does.

Does it create an Interest? "MORE traffic". The webmaster knows that the more visitors they can get to their sites the more sales they'll make. Yes, this ad does create Interest.

Does it create a Desire to act on this offer immediately? Yes, it does create a sense of 'urgency'. If you want more hits to your website you must "Click Here NOW!" or "Send for FREE report NOW!"

Does this SIG file call the reader to Action? Yes, it tells the read exactly what to do next to take advantage of this offer. "Click Here NOW!" or "Send for FREE Report NOW!"

Overview:

1. Your SIG file should be concise. No more that 5 or 6 lines. Don't write a SIG file with a long list of all the programs you're involved in. This is a turn off. It's just like visiting a site with only a long list of links to all the webmaster's associate programs. This is ineffective and can also confuse the reader; because they wont be able to determine which link to click. Provide a link to one of your main pages where they'll be able to find your other links. Eliminate useless and irrelevant words. Remember to use and test several SIG files. You can use a different one for each advertising medium.

2. Remember to use the A.I.D.A. formula. Your SIG file should Attract and grab the reader's attention. Create an Interest and a Desire to act on your offer now (sense of 'urgency'. Tell the reader specifically what Actions to take next, if they want to take advantage of your offer. "Click here" or "Send for report".