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PRESENTATION OF YOU - Your Blog Signature (Part 3)

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Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

In this blog series, we've been focused on our blog signatures and how we can best utilize this part of our digital presentation. You've worked hard on a blog post and have connected with your reader. What will you offer them next so they can stay with you and not move on elsewhere? This is where your blog signature comes into play. This is part 3 of the series and we are on the final stretch! (note: if you want to catch up on part 1 or part 2, you can use those links to get there)

In the illustration below, you'll see the example that we are using to demonstrate what can be done. Your signature might not include a map like Nick's but maybe just a photo or two. However, I'm sure you have some ideas by now! In our ActiveRain settings, we can indicate what we want to show up automatically after each of our posts.

In order to set up your blog signature, you need to click on your photo (avatar) in the upper right corner of the page above, choose "My Home". Once there, on the left hand sidebar, look for and click on "Blog Settings". On that screen a few items down you'll see the box where you can set up your blog signature. I'm going to give you a tech tip right now though: Don't compose your blog signature here! Instead start a new blog post draft (a post that will never be actually be published). Unlike the blog settings page, a draft post has two advantages. (1) the editor box is bigger and gives a little more room to compose in, and (2) on a blog draft post, you have a "preview" button that you can see how your creation is coming along and you can get it just right before you commit to it. Once you are happy with your creation, just copy and paste it into the blog settings screen

So, now that you are on a new draft blog post to create a signature. Let's take the first step from our example. You probably are familiar with the concept as a table in page layout apps. We're working on the web, but similarly Microsoft Word has tables for layout. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets are essentially big tables. Tables have cells for content, you can organize into rows and columns. In our case, we need a very simple table. One row, two cells (or two columns). The reason why a table helps us keep things neat is because if we have text on the right column and there happens to be more content on the right than on the left, we don't want it to wrap around the image and come over to the left margin. Our table cell creates a hard boundary that contains our text where we want it.

In ActiveRain blog editor, notice on the toolbar there is a button for creating tables. Once you click it, you will have a pop-out that allows you to indicate how many rows and columns you want your cells to be. See the illustration below, we want just two cells across.

If you are familiar with the main content area of an ActiveRain post, this width is 700 pixels wide (good to know when you are formatting your photos for posts). However, the signature area is padded with extra space which leaves us only 680 pixels for our signature. So, immediately after you create the table, click the table button (pulldown) one more time and click on table properties. In the dialog above you can see how to set the 680 width. (See the snapshot below if you are curious about how we determine the width by using the "Inspect" tool in our browser window).

After you set the overall width, next click to set your cursor in the left column cell. Once there, go back to the table button, this time choose cell > cell properties. You'll need to set the width of the left column to 340, which is exactly 50% of the total. This step is important as it helps us create white space between the left and right sides as you will see below.

In the left cell of the table, we simply need to insert the image (composition) file that we created in part 2 of this series. Important Note: the width of the inserted image is very critical. In the image properties box that pops up when inserting images, set the width of the image to be 330 (see example below). If  you don't set the width, your two equal column layout will not work. Also, by setting 330 (shy of the 340 halfway point), there will be some white space between your image and the adjacent text making it more readable. Tech tip: when you set a specific width in the image dialog box you'll need to either Tab to or click in the height edit box. Notice the "constrain proportions" setting is, and should be on. But until you click in the next box, it doesn't actually recalculate the height. If you insert without doing this, your image will be very oddly stretched.

Now, on the right cell of the table, we can begin entering the text that we want to show.

As you enter the text in the right column, you'll note that it is aligned vertically in the middle. As you add more text, the right column will grow taller and the left and right columns will become more equal in height. Using a 12 point font is something you may want to consider for better readability. (select your text and then use the toolbar to set your font height). Also, time for another tech tip that many aren't aware of. Paragraphs are typically styled on the web to have space after in order to separate it from the next paragraph below. Sometimes when you press ENTER you don't want that extra space between. For example you are typing out your address which is multiple lines tall. Press Shift+ENTER after each line and you are inserting what is called a "line break" (i.e. new line, but same paragraph). That way your text will not have the extra white space between lines since you are not ending the "paragraph".

One of the mistakes that I see far too often is the "too much information" or TMI syndrome in a signature. (hint: if you have to scroll to get from the top to the bottom of your blog signature, that's a clue that it is too long) Let's pick just the essentials and give them some really useful choices to work with. For starters, your name (don't forget that!) and a short bio paragraph is helpful that explains the basics about who you are and what you do is a good starting point. Your phone number is also a critical piece of info if you want to hear your phone ring. Your website link is also a critical funnel element. (I find it extremely distracting when people show several website addresses, pick one - your main target destination and show that). I like a link that says either "My Blog" or "See my other recent posts" which points to your blog home page which lists all your posts. That may seem unnecessary but a guest to ActiveRain may not be aware of any other easy way to find your other posts. It is very convenient for us to give them a quick way there. Finally, a link that enables them to email you is also very useful. However, a word of caution, using a mailto: link in plain text on a website is an invitation for email spambots to harvest your email address and add you to their spam list. I recommend that you have your email link go to your website contact page where you should have a contact form where your email address cannot be harvested.

Are you still with me? Time for a seventh inning stretch?? ⚾

I know this all may seem like a lot, three fairly long blog posts about this topic to get here. I hope you see the potential! A little time invested has a valuable and worthwhile result. We still have to talk about social media icons. (I'm tempted to go to part 4 post, but hang on with me just a little more and we can close out this series now... and I can move on and blog about something else LOL)

     

First of all, let me say Craig's rule about social media icons. If you don't post to a platform, don't show your social media icon for that site.  For example, you may have a twitter account, but only tweeted once in 5 years. If that is the case, let's not show twitter. That is just a frustrating experience for somebody clicking to go to a place where there was no benefit (remember this is our opportunity to build TRUST). The typical social sites you will probably consider showing are: Facebook (page), Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube. Again for emphasis, if any of those sites are not your thing for posting content (yet), then do NOT show your icon until if and when you do have a meaningful presence there.

If you search google for "free social media icons" there are all kinds of results. But as you read the fine print, most require attribution. You could put it in small text somewhere but to me this is just a nuisance I want to avoid. I've been looking around for some that do not require attribution and iconmonstr.com is one site that thankfully does not require attribution (however, I am happy to plug them here now) And as a bonus gift to you for sticking with me through this entire series, I've made it one step easier for you. If you like the gray circle icons shown above, you can copy/paste them from this post into your own signature editing screen. I have already downloaded them from iconmonstr and uploaded and formatted them to a good size. The only thing left for you to do is create the hyperlinks to your own sites.

The final result of our three-part series on blog signatures will produce something like this:

One final tech tip: You will need to select what you created in the draft blog post and then copy and paste it into your signature box on you blog settings page (see above notes). However it may be a little hard to select everything because of using table formatting. I suggest you use the source code button to view the HTML (don't worry about what it says), just copy and paste the HTML from here over to the similar source code window in your signature editor.
 
Time to call it a wrap! We've covered a lot of ground in these last three posts. Whether you are creating a blog signature or even writing blog posts, many of these concepts can be helpful to you (e.g. creating composite graphics in publisher or powerpoint, using screenshots, creating tables for layout of your content. If you try this out and get stuck on something, you get bonus points for the effort! Post your question in the comments below because others may have similar questions or feel free to use the contact form on this blog page (see above right) to send me an email with your question. 
I hope to see some new signatures out there in the coming weeks. If you do create a new signature, please come back and post a comment and let us know!
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Craig Daniels
This blog is all about technology and helping you to use it smarter! Your digital footprint is your chance to attract new clients. What kind of impression are you making via your website, blog, and social media? We’ll be talking about that! Are you as productive as you can be? What apps might help you out? Do you know how to use all the best tools inside the apps? I enjoy photography and videography, you can expect to see those topics also on this blog.
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PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments(17)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Great information. Thanks for putting this together. Bookmarked for future reference.

Dec 07, 2019 05:48 AM
Craig Daniels

thanks Nina, I'm glad for the bookmark. I hope you make it back to try it out! :)

Dec 07, 2019 06:59 AM
Debbie Holmes
John L. Scott - Boise, ID
Gets the job done!

Wow!  I guess I need to revisit my signature. I am just treading water in this digital world.

Dec 07, 2019 05:53 AM
Craig Daniels

as we do more and try new things it definitely gets easier. Hope to have given you some ideas. thanks Debbie

Dec 07, 2019 06:59 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Okay, I'm going to have to carve out some time to get this done. Thank you Craig!

                                     You're Featured in BananaTude

   

                                                         

Dec 07, 2019 06:43 AM
Craig Daniels

good morning Debb! I've done quite a few signatures for others now and hoped my notes could shave off some of the learning curve for others too. It's a good milestone when we have a signature that works well. I look forward to see what you create. give me a shout if you get stuck with anything :)

Dec 07, 2019 07:02 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Craig - thank you for this.  I have put this on my to do list.  It is very helpful.  I have learned so much over the years from Active Rain.

Dec 07, 2019 07:02 AM
Craig Daniels

hi Grant - I'm glad this has put an idea into your planner. Yes, this community still thrives as a place to share and learn! 

Dec 07, 2019 05:27 PM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

What a lot of time and effort you put into these posts, sir. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.

Dec 07, 2019 07:59 AM
Craig Daniels

Hi Mimi! There's a lot that goes into a polished presentation. The more I have to detail the specific steps, the more I realize all the little details that have to be mentioned. I hope people can benefit but the effort is worth it I'm certain. :)

Dec 07, 2019 05:29 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thank you Craig Daniels - it's more a matter of taking the time. You provide great instructions in your posts. However, if I get stuck, I'll let you know. ;) 

Dec 07, 2019 08:01 AM
Craig Daniels

Yes, it does take a little time. Worth it though, right?? :) I'm glad to help. Glad to see your visit. :)

Dec 07, 2019 05:31 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I have been enjoying this series on blog signatures, Craig.  It's a rainy weekend here in Sacramento, but I have remained busy.  Perhaps tomorrow I can knuckle down and work with mine.

Dec 07, 2019 04:10 PM
Craig Daniels

Hi Myrl. You probably don't get to say "rainy weekend" in CA too much but glad you are busy! Maybe as winter approaches and things slow down a bit, people might have some time to work on projects like this. thanks!!

Dec 07, 2019 05:34 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Craig, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Dec 07, 2019 04:12 PM
Craig Daniels

awesome, thanks!

Dec 07, 2019 05:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Craig- So detailed and I absolutely love it. This also reminds me how much I've missed your posts here. 

Dec 07, 2019 04:36 PM
Craig Daniels

Hi Kathy. I enjoy helping explain things that might easily be overlooked and missed. I hope to make some of the 'techy' things less intimidating. Great to see you always!

Dec 07, 2019 05:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                              what i learned

                                              Thank you, Craig. 

Dec 07, 2019 06:40 PM
Craig Daniels

"what I learned" words I love to hear, thanks!

Dec 08, 2019 04:02 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Craig Daniels ,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured you post in her "Ah-Ha"  moments for the week. I've book marked it..so much excellent information..my head is swimming! Just one of the things I learned was setting your photo at 330 will allow a little white space between the photo and the text..who knew??

Dec 08, 2019 07:30 AM
Craig Daniels

so great to see you Dorie (don't forget the 330 trick only works when your left cell is 340  ) thanks for stopping by!

Dec 08, 2019 12:06 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I'm bookmarking the whole series. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable and very helpful information!

Dec 08, 2019 08:12 AM
Craig Daniels

so glad you got to browse through the series Sharon. hopefully there's more than one takeaway from it all!! thanks

Dec 08, 2019 12:07 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Excellent tutorial, Craig. Thanks!

Dec 08, 2019 01:52 PM
Craig Daniels

thanks Carol, glad you came over to check it out :)

Dec 12, 2019 03:21 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post! I can see why Kathy chose to highlight it this week!

Dec 09, 2019 07:06 AM
Craig Daniels

hi Kristin, good to see you again. thanks for coming over to check it out :)

Dec 12, 2019 03:22 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Craig, Thank you!  I needed to add an Instagram social share button and had forgotten how.  I really appreciate the refresher, although I didn't go through all your steps.  I just really wanted to add the Instagram button.

Dec 09, 2019 06:02 PM
Craig Daniels

hi Gail! yes, through this 3 part series I figured there were several additional take aways besides just making a signature. glad you got something from it :)

Dec 12, 2019 03:23 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Wow, Craig, this is intense! So much good information. Saving it so I can pend more time on reviewing it and the prior 2 posts as well.

Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge and time!

Jeff

Dec 11, 2019 09:11 PM
Craig Daniels

hi Jeff - haha yes, it could have easily stretched to a FOUR part series, but I figured it was time to wrap this up and move on to other topics. I hope you are able to get some ideas from these posts when you have time for them. great to see you always.

Dec 12, 2019 03:24 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, again, for sharing your excellent advice on blog signatures.

Dec 22, 2019 11:55 AM