Officieel Blog Walter Verbiest: Learning how to smile

zaterdag 19 december 2009

Learning how to smile

That ‘s not easy to do.

Life keeps on getting weirder every day. Ik know when people smile at you and touch you, it helps a lot. We all are just learning how to fall and to climb back up again. Nothing is perfect, nothing is really new. We are just learning how to live together.

How can I learn to smile?
I have never learned that my teeth are a fantastic instrument to make contact. Instead I learned to cover up my teeth with a closed mouth pseudo grin, which has since become my natural response to whatever causes me to want to smile. I "don't ever smile," according to others. Though you may not see anything particularly wrong at my smile, it's been a lifelong struggle I'd finally like to conquer.

I have no idea how to do this. That's where I hope you can help. How can I learn to smile?

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DON'T bother with banners

For one, banners are not novel any longer and customers screen out what they are use to
seeing. In ad terms it's called "selective perception". Our minds don't have time to interpret
every item we see, so we only look for what's new, relevant and different. Click-through on banner ads are notoriously low, so make sure you’re not spending more on banners that you can realistically recoup in sales. They can't perform worse (industry average click-through for display advertising is at around 0.05%), but they are simply putting "lipstick on a pig" as the saying goes. To really evolve the banner ad is, simply, too much hard work. It would force ad networks to change how they operate and it would force website owners to have to adjust their websites - most of which have enough trouble managing their content.

Banners have become so intrusive they are no longer noticed. In the strange paradox of
advertising, that which tries to get noticed too much, get tuned out and overlooked. Some types of advertising have been overwhelming to the user. How far can you go?

The Banner advertising is dropped from 75% to less than 10% now. It is ‘passé’. It is interrupting and we want the annoyance level down. Certainly with pop-ups for that manner. It all has to do with when and where.
Pop-under adds performs remarkably well. It is a type of window that appears behind the browser window of a website that a user has visited. In contrast to a pop-up add, which appears over (on top of) the browser window, a pop-under is less obtrusive as it hides behind other windows.

Not only for Banner advertising but for every method to advertise your business: “Test before you launch an entire campaign!”

Perhaps we have to make banner advertising great. Not better. Not good. Great. It's going to take some creative minds and it's going to take some gutsy advertisers and ad network operators to make a serious run at it. What do you think it will take to make banner advertising great?

Personal Qualities for Vital Human

Be proactive (personal insight)

understand the power of the choices you make day in day out
Discover how you can overcome a lack of motivation and resistance by developing initiatives
Learn how you realize your goals, even when circumstances seem to work against you

Being proactive is the recognition that you are responsible for your choices
Many people like to shift their responsibilities off on others or external events
Typical are phrases like: "I can not help it", "That's the way I am", "I can't do that", "They have not ensured that ..."

Proactive people focus primarily on their own behavior and their own thoughts
They say things like: "Maybe I can do it differently", "Let's see what's possible"

Proactive people focus their attention on what they can affect
To do so, you have to know yourself, your good and bad qualities
So investigate your own behavior by using your self-awareness

The way you speak is a good indicator to see if you are proactive or reactive.

Examples of reactive language:
"If I..."
"That's the way I am"
"I can't"

Examples of proactive language:
"I will do..."
"I can do it differently"
"I can chose"

When you use a lot reactive expressions it is like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You feel like a victim and you come into a negative spiral.

There are 5 ways for you to win...

(from Mike Dillard from Magnetic Sponsoring)

1: You win when you’re comfortable. This person’s primary goal is to just go through life as comfortable as possible. They don’t want stress. They don’t want to be pushed or challenged. They don’t like conflict. They just want to go through life on cruise control, hanging out with their friends, and having a good time.
Everything they do is designed to support their pursuit of comfort.

This is your average, life-long employee who’s more than happy to have a safe, stable, comfortable job.

If you push this person away from that goal, and challenge them or their routine lifestyle, watch out.

2: You win by being liked. This person’s primary goal in life is to be liked by others. They want acceptance from everyone, and will do just about anything to reach that goal. They’d rather be liked, than be right or wrong.

When you put someone like this in a leadership role, the business will usually fail because they won’t be willing to make hard decisions that would anger someone. They would try to please everyone all the time because their ultimate motivation is to be liked by others.

3: You win by being right. This person is usually an expert in a specific field like a professor or a lawyer. People who win by being right, don’t accept criticism and aren’t open to new ideas.

They tend to reach a glass ceiling when it comes to money, their career, and relationships, because they can’t accept their short-comings in order to move past them and achieve personal growth. Arguing with this person never works because they’ll always find a way to prove you wrong, even if it means sabotaging your company in the process.

In order to win, this person must be right.

4: You win by winning. This person is an achiever. Their primary motivation is to win. They are very competitive, and will do whatever it takes to win. They won’t quit, and they’ll constantly push themselves to gain the edge they need.

This category describes all successful entrepreneurs and athletes. Winning is their reward, and on the dark side, some of them will go too far and compromise their integrity in order to do so.

This type of person doesn’t care if others don’t like them, and they welcome discomfort because it provides them with new opportunities to win.

5: You win by losing. This person wins by being a victim. They want sympathy from others or their spouse. Just when things start to get better, they will sabotage themselves, and say, “I knew it wouldn’t work”, giving them their victory once again.

There lives are always filled with problems because they don’t win unless they lose, so they create circumstances and excuses that help them fulfill that destiny like, “Your book won’t teach me anything new. I don’t have the money. This is just another scam. I’ll give it a try…”

Most likely, you see a little of yourself in each of these categories.

I am constantly evaluating and improving myself, and will do whatever it takes, (with integrity), to be the best. Period.

Attraction Marketing

Build Your Business Smart with Attraction Marketing

generate massive leads with Blogs, SEO optimization, E-zine & article submission, Social Networking, PPC, & more…

Dear Friend,

You may have learned the hard way…

Chasing friends and family or inviting strangers to meetings is FAR from following a PRACTICAL business plan.

Maybe you’ve tried the “cold-calling” game?

(Ouch!)

For most, cold-calling is a fast-track to complete burn out, and it usually burns a huge hole in your wallet while you’re at it.

“I spent years chasing friends, family and strangers. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on leads. I saw success, but very few people could follow what I did.”

If your business is based on either of these two models you’re working way too hard and wasting a lot of money and time… and you’re probably working harder on your ‘belief’ system than anything else just to stay on the treadmill another day.

Maybe You Thought Online Advertising Would Be the Answer?

Not So Fast…

You might have tried online marketing but you’ve learned success is more than putting up ads, promoting landing pages, and blasting out emails to your list—the formula is more specific.

Yes, Internet Marketing CAN BE Simple and it Certainly CAN BE Lucrative.

The Question Is…

Do you want to learn how to do it the hard way… or the RIGHT way?

There are two types of people who learn Internet marketing the ‘hard way.’

1. Some learn on their own with hard-knocks “trial and error”… picking up e-books and training packages along the way, which are helpful but often incomplete.
Learning by “trial and error” might get you there after passing through a lot of struggle, and sure, almost any training package can help if you’re going it alone…
The problem with most training is that it only takes you half way (at best)… the rest you have to figure out by yourself. Or, it just costs too much!
A training might share a powerful concept that gets you excited, but it rarely takes you to the next level where you see exactly what to do in simple ‘click here, click there’ terms. That could save months—if not years—off your learning curve.

2. Then there are the people who don’t bother learning anything—they put their faith into ‘free systems’ designed to promote the system’s creator more than actually helping others build a prospects list or team of their own.

That never works for anyone but the system’s designer...

Success (Part 1)

What to do when your stress levels are increasing?
Are you trying to manage and grow your company but until now it is a painful story?
The business has become the master... and the business owner a slave of his own creation? Wouldn't it be nice to find ways to liberate and empower business owners and their employees so they could enjoy doing business again?
Success is determined by the use of predictable, repeatable, simple actions. But not just any actions,but the right actions.
Wouldn't you want to accomplish more in less time and with less effort?
"People buy when they are ready to buy, not when you are ready to sell!"
So you have to follow up your prospects and customers on a regular basis so you are on the right place when it is their time to buy. Create moments of interaction with your prospects and customers.

Success (Part 2)

Bring your website to the next level. You have to capture and retain the attention of the viewer.
1. A good website should attract viewers,
2. provide an interactive experience for them,
3. provide you with additional leads.

If there is one investment you must do is to optimalize your website so that your web presence is assured. You want your website to be more than an ad in the yellow pages. You need an updated site, not static, to generate interest.
"A Supercharged Website" requires videos, user communities, and every other form of social networking interaction.
You have to demonstrate them that you are an entrepreneur!

The visitor has to have something to do. Give them something free to download. Offer a free report or whitepaper. Ask for their opinion on a blog entry. Do something, anything, and once the visitor responds, you 'require' the following information: name, address, phone number, and email. You have got a qualified lead (stayed on your website long enough to take action).

Success (Part 3)

Your supercharged website is your gateway to a larger audience
If you don’t change that, you’ll be sitting on the porch with your product
Gathering, sorting, and using lead information to begin create moments of interaction with your prospects
You need to have a workable prospect database that you can market to later
Prospect requests information and the lead comes in. Prospects are added to a database. Prospects receive a variety of follow up information targeted to their interests through email, direct mail, voice broadcast and more!
“You know what? Whether you buy from me today or not, you’re important to me. I am going to keep your information.”
The messages you send to your prospects need to have a purpose or some value attached in order to be effective. Don’t expect your prospects to immediately see the value of your product. Show them the value.
Why you? Why should your prospect choose you as the company to do business with? What have you offered them that others can’t?
Add value and add revenue. Any knowledge that they will appreciate, without adding the fear of the ‘hard sell’.
You’re keeping your name in front of the prospect. Your prospect will think of your consideration the next time they buy products like yours and a sense of obligation will encourage them to visit your store. You’re building trust.
Build your own fan club. Share what you know. And follow up by Free Reports, Free Whitepapers, Downloads, Emails with tips and tricks and stories, Links to news articles, Newsletters, And so on…
Your customers want you to be real with them, straight up, helpful and sincere. They don’t want the slick salesperson. Reveal your personality. Use conversational language. Laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Discuss the ‘stuff’ of your personal life. Talk about what you like, what interests you, what annoys you. View prospects and customers as friends.
Show your product, don’t tell! What can your product do!
And when they buy… keep it simple, keep it short, and keep it interesting.

Success (Part 4)

How to turn people that bought from you once into lifelong customers?

By giving them the experience they deserve and creating a relationship of loyalty and trust. How? By consistent follow-up.
Why do customers don’t return? They had a bad experience (the service is too slow, the food is cold, the employees didn’t talk kindly, I had to wait,… Customers don’t feel special. They want to be the ‘special’ customer. And it doesn’t stop with the sale. You have to encourage the customer to return.

Keep a database!

Here a fantastic example!
Picture this: a customer calls you up and says, “Hi, I recently bought product X. I really like it. I was wondering if you have any more.” This is wonderful! Of her own choice the buyer has returned to you. Now it’s time to capitalize on the situation. You ask for the customer’s name and plug it into your database. Luckily, not only does your customer’s name show up, but you know the day she last came in, exactly what product she bought, and you’ve made a note that she had three kids in tow when she came in before.
Rather than answering your customer with a dull, “Yeah. We have more,” you say: “You know, Nancy, I remember when you were in here last. You had your kids with you. How are they doing?”
A stunned Nancy says, “They’re doing well. Thank you.”
She’s too stunned to say anything more, so you say, “We certainly have product X in stock. Will you be in to pick that up today? I know it’s tough to get around with three small children.”

You’ve got a loyal customer!

Success (Part 5)

Lifelong customers come from following a few basic ideas: keep a database (you know what they want, you know their price range), make your customer feel special, understand the value of your customers, and deliver your product or service as promised. You will minimize customer dissatisfaction!

You have the ability to create that loyalty through the relationship you build with your customer.

When you keep on working on this relationship, your customer will become a ‘super-customer’. One who spends significant amounts of money in your business, loves you, and brings in dozens of referrals.

By keeping a customer database, you know what interests them. Dangle M&Ms in the face of a chocolate lover, and they’ll respond. Offer them carrots, and they may not even turn their heads.
“Dear Customer,
Recently you purchased product X. Product X is a phenomenal product. But you know, it’s not the only thing that can fill your needs and wants. I think product Y is a good match for you, also.”

You need to ‘sign up’ your customers for life. Create a monthly subscription, membership, club, or any number of other possible revenue sources. Once you have a ‘monthly product’… sell your customers on the idea. Why not sell your newsletter. Start a ‘members-only’ blog or forum. Just don’t miss your chance to build your bank account on a weekly or monthly basis.

Selling should continue indefinitely. Be bold. The worst outcome is your customers saying no.

Consumers want convenience. They want speed. It has to be safe. That’s why they are going to shop online. Make your product easier to buy than your competition, or you will find your customers buying from them, not you.

Success (Part 6)

Automate your financial tasks
Collect your money, take care of credit card processing capabilities, collections, payment plans, invoices, notifications, and other money matters.
You have to take care of this! You don’t have to lose time to deal with tracking down customers in an attempt to get your money, late payments or bad checks, refunds.
Manual systems don’t work! Put your finances on autopilot.
Payment expectations should be consistent and clear to customers. When possible have a no payment no product policy. Have a systemized collections process.
With the right type of system, you can not only create invoices, you can track payment histories and manage any number of payment plans. You can be alerted of upcoming or past due payments. Furthermore, your system should be able to instantly produce reports for you. Learn which products are selling best. Discover what your sales totals have been for a particular month.
The system can do it all for you, whether you’re an accounting genius or not.
You can’t be the perfect entrepreneur. At some point in time everybody needs additional skills, markets, and time they don’t possess. Not to assist you, but help you do more than either of you can do on your own. 1 + 1 = more than 2!
Most referral programs don’t work because most people are usually thinking about themselves and their families. Another reason for a lack of growth is the time it takes.
What can we manage this?
The value of each of your partners is going to vary. The ones who are offering you significantly more business deserves more payment, no? How do we know this? We have to track this information.
Employees will never care about your business like you do. It has to become a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship.
Use real ‘salesman’ to reach out to your customers. A few minutes for them saves you a lot of time.
The more affiliates and partners you have, the less time it takes you to reach a larger audience.
And remember good software programs can make your job a lot easier.

Success (The End)

You need to accurately track marketing efforts. Once you are aware of your marketing successes and failures, changing tactics is practically effortless. Sales are your best indication that your message is being heard loud and clear.
Be sure that your marketing messages are not a shot in the dark. You need to know what marketing messages have an impact, and which are not.
Change your message, use new graphics,… and see if the response improves.
Also here technology can help you tremendously. Tweak and improve your messages. Test and test again, if you want to get the best results.
The pattern is simple. Put together a marketing campaign. Try it out. Measure the results. If you don’t get a good response, tweak the message, and try again.
If you are interested in finding out how to automate your own business, please visit this link

DO get yourself fully licensed and legal

People do not realize the importance of being fully licensed. Don’t think that because you have a website on the internet, that is all you need to be successful.
The penalties are very sincere when the government finds out you are not working correctly according the e-laws of that country or doesn’t pay taxes.

The people you are going to work with, your customers seek legitimate businesses to work with.

1. The exponential growth of the internet and online activity raise a number of new regulatory issues and legal questions

Intellectual property concerns, copyright, trademark, privacy, etc. How does copyright apply to digital content? How can national laws apply to activities in cyberspace? Can privacy and data protection exist on the Web? Can electronic commerce really be secure? Should governments tax cyber trade? Can cyberspace be regulated by one, or by many authorities? Most existing laws apply to the pre-cyberspace world.

In the modern era of electronic technology, many people want to get their work done quickly with little effort. At times, people forget or do not consider the legal and ethical values of their procedures. In traditional commerce, it's not easy to start a business. You must implement strategies that follow rules and regulations enforced by government. Electronic commerce makes it possible to do almost any kind of business in a very simple way. What makes it simple? The reason is that existing legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms are not strong.

E-commerce presents a world of opportunity for doing businesses, reaching global markets and purchasing without leaving the home or office. E-commerce can provide opportunities to improve business processes, just as phones, faxes and mobile communications have in the past. However, just as any new business tool has associated issues and risks so does e-commerce. It's important to understand the legal issues and potential risks to ensure a safe, secure environment for trading with customers and other businesses.

2. Electronic Transaction

Not in every country but it is always better to use an electronic signature to satisfy any legal requirement. At least be sure your name and address is underneath every communication. Is it necessary to follow these rules? Until today these questions are unanswerable. But imagine how you respond to anonymous emails and websites?

Global companies have the responsibility to deal with some of the legal issues such as how to form contracts, abide by consumer protection laws, create privacy policies and protect databases. As of now, there is no comprehensive set of laws or regulations that exist for international electronic commerce. It is difficult to establish uniform worldwide laws for e-commerce, but be aware to put yourself in order with the laws of your country.

3. Privacy & Security

While shopping on the Internet, most people typically do not think about what is happening in the background. Web shopping is generally very easy. We click on a related site, go into that site, buy the required merchandise by adding it to our cart, enter our credit card details and then expect delivery within a couple of days. This entire process looks very simple but a developer or businessmen knows exactly how many hurdles need to be jumped to complete the order. Customer information has to pass through several hands so security and privacy of the information are a major concern. The safety and security of a customer's personal information lies within the hands of the business. Therefore businesses have to give the customer first their guarantee, and second peace of mind, that the information passed over is of no risk to any invading eyes.

In traditional and online trading environments, consumers are entitled to have their privacy respected. Websites should provide the customers with choices regarding the use of their personal information, and incorporate security procedures to limit access to customer information by not authorized parties. Privacy policies and procedures should be clearly explained to customers. Although respecting consumer privacy rights is a legal requirement, it also represents good business practice. If customers trust a site and business then they are more likely to trade with it.

4. Copyright & Trademark

The internet has been described as "the world's biggest copy machine". Older technologies such as photocopying, recording and taping are bound by rules and regulations regarding quantity, content, quality and time constraints. In contrast, on the Internet one person can send millions of copies all over the world.

Generally, a trademark can be owned by an individual, a company, or any sort of legal entity. When someone else tries to use that trademark (e.g., your distinctive name or logo) without authorization, it could be considered an illegal dilution of the distinctive trademark. If someone uses a trademark in such a way as to dilute the distinctive quality of the mark or trade on the owner's reputation, the trademark owner may seek damages.

A number of important recent developments have occurred in the field of copyright and related issues that have far-reaching implications for the industry, and are being addressed in legislatures, judiciaries and international forums. During the last couple of years, new laws have passed in some countries to ensure effective protection and enforcement of rights in the digital era. At the same time, copyright industries are also adapting their business methods and uses of technology to exploit digital opportunities, while guarding against new risks.

5. Online Terms, Conditions, Policies and Laws

At the moment, most online privacy policies are produced by private businesses for individual companies. Governments are developing legislation to support and strengthen the privacy protection measures of many businesses. These initiatives are aimed at regulating the storage, use and disclosure by businesses of personal information.

Privacy legislation is designed to protect a person's personal information. The privacy laws of their host country affect overseas companies. Every organization should be very careful while applying terms and conditions for the electronic transaction for internet users. Privacy and security policies not only reflect the organizations practice but also the rules and regulations for doing business with the company. Major issues regarding the legalization of electronic transactions include the following.

— Ensure proper online contracts.
— Record retention obligations.
— Original documentation, in terms of TAX and VAT requirements.
— Import/export regulations.
— Exchange control regulation.
— Foreign data protection law.

6. Legislation Dilemma

Electronic transactions separate e-business from traditional types of businesses. When a transaction takes place, Who has jurisdiction? Who has the authority to apply law over the transaction?

For example, if you buy a laptop in your local computer store, you know your legal rights. If the computer does not work when you take it home, and the store refuses to settle up, then you can probably take the dispute to your local small claims court. But if you buy the same computer online, from a vendor on the other side of the world, perhaps through a dealer based in yet a third country, then your rights are a lot less clear. Which country's protection laws apply: yours, those in the vendor's home country, or those of the intermediary? Without knowing which particular set of laws apply, it's impossible to know whom to sue. Small claims courts don't work in cyberspace.

A little legislation can go a long way toward helping parties to establish better boundaries to work within. When a transaction that takes place between two different parties located in two different countries goes wrong then a number of complex questions arise.

This is not the first time the question of extra-territorial jurisdiction over Web content has been raised. In November of last year, Felix Somm, ex-manager of CompuServe Deutschland, was cleared on appeal of pornography charges brought against him in Germany after newsgroups carried on parent company CompuServe's US servers were found to contain pornographic material. The judge determined that it was technically impossible for Somm to close the illegal newsgroups in question [2]. Following in the footsteps of the CompuServe's case, Yahoo is arguing that it would be technically impossible to block only French citizens from access to its online auctions if should the auctions contain objectionable items.

7. E-Business and Legal Issues

Before developing an e-commerce site a registered domain and a registered trademark should be established. There must be some copyright protection on the site. The business must ensure that it displays the terms and condition/policies within its site. Security involving the privacy of a user's data is always one of the main concerns while doing business online. Defining rules and regulations for the advertisement of the site by placing banners on other known sites is another. It is of great value when dealing with such complex issues to consult an attorney who specializes in the issues of cyberspace.

8. Conclusion

Most of the legal issues surrounding electronic commerce are not new. Lawyers should, however, be able to recognize the increased significance of certain legal issues to the online environment. In understanding the technical, contractual, intellectual property and regulatory issues, which have enhanced importance in the new economy, the lawyer is well placed to assist clients in pro-actively minimizing their exposure to legal liability.

The popular view of the Internet as an unregulated medium is not true. The laws of the world's jurisdiction still apply when you surf the Net: the only difference is that the way they might apply. The colonization of cyberspace is both technology and opportunity driven. Indeed technology is at the same time both a threat as well as a solution, because on the one hand it challenges existing legal and regulatory infrastructures and yet offers the solution to many of those threats, including security, integrity and authenticity.

[information comes from an article from M. Ali Nasir Source: Ubiquity, Volume 4, Issue 49]

DO's and DON'ts of signature files

Signature files have been around since, well, before most current Netizens were even aware that email existed. Before the Web, folks generally had basic contact info and included their favorite quote to indicate their feelings or perspective on certain issues. Now, most will use their properly left-aligned signature file as a quick identifier of who they are and what they do and provide a link to their Web site while those online for personal use will still serve up witty, clever and many times interesting quotes.
The most important reason to use a sig file is that signature files allow you to promote your site or opinions indirectly, by simply going about your daily online business. Whether you are posting on message boards, emailing other site owners or participating in mailing lists, your signature file gets your basic information and a link to your Web site in front of everyone you email or those who may just read your post on a message board. Your sig file’s contents can help you solidify yourself as an astute technology user, a caring human being and if you have a business to soft sell your enterprise to your contacts. Signature files are the ultimate in online passive promotion when used properly and effectively.
Let’s first cover the DON’Ts:
1. DON’T have your signature file start right after the last sentence line in your email. Looks unprofessional. Make a point of setting up an extra line break in your email program or just be sure to hit "enter" one extra time when typing your email is completed. Keep your sig file no more than 4-6 lines. No, there is no law that will send you to the pokey if you break this guideline however, this is a role that most follow and is a recommended guideline so you don’t appear too pushy.
2. DON’T have everything about you including the kitchen sink in your sig file. If you have a Web site, include a pointer to your URL to ensure folks can find out whatever they like about you – that is really what your sig file is for. To have your pager, cell, home, business, work, accreditations, and slogan about how great you are will lead to the perception that you are tad bit self-enclosed. You also do not need to include your full “all about me” signature file on every email in ongoing conversations or with those who already are aware of all your information. Instead, for ongoing conversations, use a simpler less info-packed version, maybe one that just includes your most used sign-off and your name.
3. DON’T use inflammatory quotes in your signature file. Hey, everyone has the right to an opinion – that is one of the great things about the online environment is the free exchange of information and ideas. I’ve seen many a witty and humorous quote in emails. However, to intentionally have a quote you know is very controversial or offensive simply isn’t courteous to those you email. Save those type of "opinions" for those who know you well and will understand your need for attention.
4. DON’T throw in any sales pitchy type hype. Credibility online is very difficult to attain and maintain without undermining your efforts. Refraining from overzealous sales hype that ends in exclamation marks tends to lead to you being perceived as a seasoned professional. A short and sweet comment about your product or service is sufficient. Let your Web site do the selling for you!
5. DON’T use formatting in your sig file (or your business emails). This includes ASCII formatting, font colors and bolding or including graphic files in lieu of a plain text signature. Graphic files many times are displayed as attachments. You are in essence then contributing to the recipient’s attachment folder unnecessarily requiring they have to weed through your signature file graphics to get to the important attachments they were expecting. If you wouldn’t turn your name or title bright red on your company letterhead – don’t do it in email.
6. DON’T close with your signature file reflecting anything but proper punctuation. Please capitalize your name formally: John A. Smith, John Smith, John. Not typing your name formally with appropriate capitalization reflects a lack of education and business savvy.
7. DON’T start using your sig file until you have verified, reviewed and double-checked that all the information is correct. I see signature files with errors every day! Sigs with errors lend to the perception that you lack attention to detail.

FACTOID: Sig-Separators
You may be asking what is a sig-separator? In the beginning of all this when folks used Newsgroups quite a bit (now known as groups) it was important to have a “–” and a line break before your signature file. (Hyphen, hyphen, space, newline.) At that time Newsgroups were pretty much it and had quite heavy traffic. So to allow the smooth flow of conversations, the sig-separator allowed news software to strip out signature files when replying. Check with your newsgroup or group as to if a sig-separator is desired or required for participants. Here’s an example:
–

There is a downside to sig-separators though. Top posters will find that the entire previous post (which is then below the sig because they are incorrectly top posting [Learn how to properly reply and down-edit your e-mails.]) is then removed. Top posting in general doesn’t lent to clarity in your communications let alone when using a sig-separator that strips out the previous conversation below your sig. Therefore it is best if you don’t put your signature file as the very last thing in an e-mail to refrain from using a signature file separator.
The majority, unless online from the start, have never heard of a sig-separator and many feel this traditional sig-separator looks rather silly when interposed into a regular e-mail. So the jury is out as to whether sig-separators will ever be able to gain a foothold in regular e-mail and communities that prefer a letter-like style.

Now to the Do’s:
1. DO align your sig’s text with spaces rather than tabbing. Tabs and text are displayed differently on different machines, which can make your layout look yucky. Also keep in mind that you want to keep your sig file to 70 characters or less, as that is the set screen width default for most email programs.
2. DO make sure that your signature file contains the basic info folks need to contact you. No need to include your email address – that is automatically noted at the top of every email you send. The only instance where you would want to include your primary email address in your signature file is if you are using a different or secondary email address to send the email in question.
3. DO setup your email program to automatically append your signature file and make sure to include your sign-off so that you do not have to type your name with every email. So, for example you can have:
Thank you,
John A. Smith
Widgets Sprockets
Web Site Address Here
Slogan or Additional Information Here
4. DO make sure that when you include your Web site address that you add the "http://" before your site’s URL. In some email programs without the http:// the program will not recognize the address as a link and it may not be clickable within your email. One of the neato things about sig files is they allow you to have every email be one click away from your Web site. Don’t miss this opportunity by forgetting the http:// .
5. DO have several signatures that you can switch dependent on tone or issue at hand. Sig files are an excellent way of setting a tone and directs the ongoing communication’s priority or level of formality. Sincerely, Best, Regards, Respectfully – each can be used differently depending on whom you are communicating with and the tone you would like to set. You can also set up signatures that have your formal name and a less informal version to set a comfort zone with the other party such as Elizabeth vs. Lizzy. Keep in mind to not be overly informal too soon with new contacts. Formalities are in place for a reason – especially in business communications.
6. DO have signature files that relay a different message based on where and to whom you are emailing. If you are marketing on message boards or newsgroups, use a signature file that reflects your new product or the current promotion that is directed to that specific audience. Different terms and words have different affectivity depending on the market. Be sure to include a call to action such as: Download now… Contact Us today about… Get your free… – you get the idea – sans hype. Don’t use multiple exclamation marks or question marks.
The beauty of your sig file is that you do not have to say anything about your own site, in the body of a posting … unless it would be relevant/appropriate and it is the proper forum. This is a great way to subtlety market to those you do not know. Keep in mind however, the last thing you want to do is post gratuitously or send an email with a one word answer just for the sake of getting your signature file in front of folks. That is one of the oldest tricks in the books and folks will know what you are up to and may complain directly to you and/or the moderator. Credibility lost.
7. DO keep in mind that the perception your signature file gives will lend to the perception of who you are, what you believe in, if you follow the roles, if you know how to use technology – or not. Quotes are fine and sometimes apropos depending on the conversations tone and topic, however, keep in mind who will be reading the email and the perception your opinion via the quote you include will leave. Humorous or controversial quotes are best left to personal email.
So, there you have it. The basics you need to know to use signature files properly. Use these tips to build your own personal library of signature files. Always update and work on your signature files – there is always something new to say about yourself or your business!

Officieel Blog Walter Verbiest

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zaterdag 19 december 2009

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