Despite the myriad of tools and technologies we currently have at our disposal, email remains one of the most effective mediums businesses use to connect with their target audiences. In fact, a whopping 81% of SMBs still rely on email as their main primary channel of customer acquisition, with 80% depending on email for their retention strategies.
Given the importance of email in driving business success, it’s critical that you make every element of your newsletter as impactful as possible. However, while most marketers focus on the things such as the subject line, opening, and the call-to-action, the email sign-off is often overlooked – even though it’s the last thing your subscribers will see when reading your email.
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Why are email sign-offs so important?
Your sign-off is the perfect opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your readers. It’s a chance to thank them for their time, reiterate your brand’s key message, and encourage them to take action.
For example, if the purpose of your email is to promote a new product, your sign-off could include a call-to-action to check out the product page on your website. Or, if you’re sharing industry news, your sign-off could be a call to action to subscribe to your blog for more updates.
Your sign-off is also an opportunity to humanize your brand and build a rapport with your subscribers. By adding a personal touch, you’ll make your newsletter seem more like a conversation than a sales pitch.
With that in mind, here are four creative ways to sign off your email newsletter for maximum impact:
Always include your basic contact information
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many businesses forget to include their contact information in their email sign-offs. Your contact information should always be easy to find, and it should include your business’s name, address, phone number, and email address. Try to include your social media links as well, so your subscribers can connect with you on their preferred platform.
To make things easier for yourself, you should create a custom email signature that includes all these details for you automatically. That way, you can focus on the content of your email knowing that your contact information will be included at the bottom.
If you have a physical location, you might also want to include a link to your Google Maps listing. This way, if your subscribers want to learn more about your business or stop by for a visit, they can easily find your location.
Add a headshot
When reaching out to your subscribers, you want to try and make yourself seem as approachable and relatable as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by adding a headshot to your email signature. This will make your emails seem more personal, and it will help your subscribers put a face to the name.
If you have a team of employees who send out email newsletters on behalf of your business, you can include headshots for all of them. This is a great way to show off your team and make your business seem more personable.
Just make sure that the headshots you use are high-quality and professional. You don’t want to include a grainy or unprofessional photo, as this will reflect poorly on your business.
Use a handwritten signature
A handwritten signature is a great way to add a personal touch to your emails. This simple gesture will make your subscribers feel as though you’re taking the time to write to them individually, which will help build rapport.
The easiest way to create a handwritten signature is to use an online signature generator. All you need to do is type in your name and choose from a variety of different handwriting styles, and the generator will create a professional-looking signature for you in seconds.
Alternatively, you can write your signature on a piece of paper before scanning it and adding it to your email signature. This is a bit more time-consuming, but it will be sure to give your signature an authentic and personal feel.
Draw on testimonials and social proof
Today, consumers are more skeptical than ever before. People are constantly bombarded with marketing messages, and as a result, they’ve become experts at ignoring them. Not to mention the fact that there are so many scams and false advertising claims out there, it’s no wonder people are hesitant to believe what they see.
In light of this, you need to do everything you can to win the trust of your subscribers. One excellent way to do this is by drawing on testimonials and social proof in your email sign-off.
If you have any positive reviews or testimonials from satisfied customers, be sure to include them at the end of your email. This will help show your subscribers that other people have had success with your product or service, and it will make them more likely to believe in your claims.
You can also include social proof by sharing any awards or accolades your business has received. If you’ve been featured in any publications or if you have any industry-specific accreditations, be sure to mention them as well.
Bonus tip: Add suspense
To wrap things up, here’s a bonus tip that will help you create a more memorable email sign-off: add some suspense.
If you have any upcoming sales, events, or announcements, be sure to mention them at the end of your email. This will leave your subscribers eagerly awaiting your next email, and it will help to improve your open rates in any subsequent correspondence. However, don’t give any false promises!
Make sure you can deliver on whatever it is you’ve teased, and you will have a more engaged and loyal subscriber base as a result.
