How to Create an Email Signature--Adding Lines of Text and Embedding Links in Outgoing Emails

An email signature allows you to customize outgoing mail. This article is a step-by step tutorial for creating an email signature.

Email Signature

Why create an email signature? An signature adds a personal touch to your outgoing mails. In its basic form an email signature moves beyond typed letters and makes mail friendlier-looking.

Creating a custom email signature means that you can enter your name in font that looks like a written signature.

Embedding Links in Email Signatures
Savvy entrepreneurs also embed links in email signatures, pointing to their sites and getting the word out about goods and services. An signature can work as an effective marketing tool, working away in the background--and, best of all, it's a free form of advertising.

How do you create a signature in an email program? For this tutorial, Microsoft Outlook will be used as a guide.

How to Create an Email Signature

Microsoft Outlook should be opened to access email signature settings.

1. Select the "Tools" tab. A drop-down menu will appear
2. Locate "Options"
3. Look for "Mail Format" in Outlook. It's the third tab over
4. The fourth section down is entitled "Signatures."
5. Select "New," type in a name for the signature, then press "OK"
6. In the large horizontal box, type in text to create a simple email signature and press OK

Creating a Custom Email Signature

• Customization options under "Edit signature" allow for selection of different font styles and sizes. Certain fonts look like writing and if a personal touch is desired, these are a good choice for users who want to sign their name and have it appear at the end of each email as written signature text.

• Text may be bolded (B), italicized (I), and underlined (U).

• Different colors can also be selected for a fun-looking signature. Click on the arrow beside "Automatic" to select a different color for text. Click on the colored box to choose font color before typing.

• Signature text can be centered or placed to the right or left by clicking on the icons that depict text in those positions.

• An electronic business card can be inserted (if it has been created in Address Book Contacts).

• A picture may be added by clicking on the picture icon, represented by a square displaying a scene with mountains. Users select a picture and then click on "Insert" for it to show along with their custom email signature. Place cursor to insert picture where desired.

Embedding a Link in an Email Signature  
One of the best features of signatures is that they can be used to link to websites or blogs.

• Choose text to be highlighted, which serves as the anchor text for the embedded link

• Run mouse over the selected words

• Click on the embed tool (the chain icon) in the email signature program

• A box will open allowing users to either paste or type in a URL to the right of "Address" or they can select a file, which will automatically load the URL

• Press OK. The text will be linked and point to the desired site

Email signatures are easy to create and allow for greater flexibility when sending mails. Once an signature has been saved, it will load each time you send email, proving a convenient "set-and-forget" feature.

Money-Making Tip: Embed links to your sites in outgoing emails, to build your brand, generate visitors, earn revenue.

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