Emails can be intimidating. Whether you are sending an email or receiving one, the professional tone can be daunting. After all, communication does not translate well through text. Interpreting information through text can seem appropriate to the sender, but not suitable to the receiver. Thus, creating awkward clarification emails. Believe me, we have all been there with our bosses and professors.
However, emails do not always have to be intimidating. We can showcase a bit of personality with email signatures to lighten up the energy.
When we think of email signatures, we think of the contact information styled in Times New Roman font with emphasis on the bold and italicized quote of Eleanor Roosevelt or Bill Gates. It’s very professional, but very intimidating. So, start thinking of email signatures as a marketing campaign.
Email signatures are the paperless business cards.
So, what exactly do we put in our email signatures? Well, it’s best to keep our email signatures simple and short. Your information should be expressed in 3-4 lines. Here’s what you need:
The Necessities:
- Full Name
- Position
- Tagline
Remember: This is your first impression on your receiver. You will want them to remember your name. You want to set your current status as a student and/or the current position of your career. For your tagline, you can link your website, LinkedIn profile, or a quote. Example:
Jane Doe
Student. Freelance Writer.
janedoewrites.com
The Optional:
- Picture
- Logo
- Social media Links
- Email and Phone Number
A picture and logo are completely optional. Yet, it will help you outshine others based on presentation. It is a sneak peek of your personal brand. Plus, it shows you are not a boomer. The color palette, themes, and professionalism can affect this. Social media links are something to be careful about. We are talking about professionalism. Be wary about the information you want to share. Keep an eye out for an email and phone number. The receiver already knows your email, but it can end up in the wrong hands. Try to create an email separate from your personal and business life. The same thing goes for your phone number.
Onward to the Creativity and Personal Brand.
Creating your email signature can be fun and presentable. Ideally, you would want to create a signature color palette (it’s best to stick with two colors plus black) or a theme. This will set the mood you will present yourself. Think of the significance of colors, and how they are projected. Have the same mindset for fonts- only stick to two. Canvas is a great website to begin and design your email signature, they have so many templates to choose from.
Remember: Think of email signatures as the business cards to your personal brand.