How To Create an Effective Blog Signature

By
Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

Every single blogger on ActiveRain should be utilizing the blog signature feature. A blog signature is a block of text that appears in the "Posted By" section of every blog post. Imagine a visitor has found their way to their post and just made it all the way to the bottom. They are very impressed by what they just read! You should take advantage of this opportunity! Tell them first of all who you are and what you do! Give them ways to contact you. Give them links to other things that you'd like to share with them so you don't lose them. Let's talk in this post how to create an effective blog signature.

The best blog signatures are the ones that are just the right size, not too small, not too big. I like to think of a postcard as a good analogy to the right-sized blog signature. (i.e. if you are scrolling to view the entire blog signature, that is not a blog signature, but a blog POST size... too large)

And if you have ever tried to design a postcard, you would have quickly learned that you have to pick only the most important information. You may start with an idea of all kinds of things to say, but when you realize it won't fit, some of it gets the chopping block. Pick only your best things to share.

My suggestion to you is to answer these questions for your readers:

  1. WHO are you? (you need to give your name and I also suggest your photo so they can connect a friendly face with the name)
  2. WHERE are you? (if you are selling real estate in a specific location, if they are on the other side of the country, then it means they won't need to call you)
  3. HOW can you benefit me? (give them a big picture of what you do... let's hope that aligns with their need... and why they just found your post) 
  4. HOW can I contact you? (call, text, and email/contact form)
  5. What if I want to read more from you first before I've decided I want to contact you? (share your blog page link, website link, social links)

In order to set your blog signature, you need to go to your "My Home" page. From there, go to the left side navigation. Choose My Blog > Blog Settings then scroll down until you see the Signature edit box (shown below).

However, at the time of this writing (January 2022), I suggest that you do NOT use this page in order to create your blog signature layout. What? Let me explain.

I say this because of two reasons: the editing box is too small and the toolbar has only a limited set of tools (Tip: while it is true that you can use the handle at the lower right corner of the edit box to make it taller vertically, it still is not the best place to initially create your signature.)

I suggest instead that you create a new draft blog POST (a post that will never actually be published, but only to create a layout). In this view, you will then have a large editing area and a full set of tools to work with while you create it.

I have written posts in the past about creating more complex blog signatures. In this post I want to show that it can be very simple also. I want to demonstrate a sort of "template" that anyone can use if you follow along.

Let's take a look at how the blog signature will look when completed and then afterward we'll dive into the pieces of the puzzle that you'll need.

We are going to cover my 5 basic points outlined above. However, the first thing to do is create a layout "container" called a table. In the table we will have two cells in a single row - which in essence gives us two columns for our text. One column is on the left, one on the right. 

Websites are created in a language known as HTML. One of the primary elements of HTML that we use all the time is called a paragraph. Paragraphs are typically styled as having white space before and after so that one paragraph of text does not run into the next which would make it harder to read. But there is a technique you should know that we will put to use here. If instead of pressing the Enter key, you press the Shift+Enter combo, you will be doing what is called a line break. In other words, you will have a new line of text BUT it will be in the SAME paragraph. This means your two lines of text will be held tighter vertically without extra space in between. Let's take a look at our signature and see where that technique will make our signature look nicer.

In our signature template, let's format the text in such a way as to make certain things pop out. We'll make the name a larger font and also the telephone number a larger font. We can make some of the text bold also. We can add a horizontal line in the left column as a visual styling element.

You should share whatever social sites you are active on. If you are NOT active on a site, don't put it! (for example if you did one tweet to try twitter in 2014, don't put your twitter icon! Another PSA, everywhere that you are showing a link to your Google+ page, please remove that asap!!) In this tutorial, I'm only showing you how to do social links with text labels. Stay tuned for an updated post soon on how to easily do social media icons. But let's keep it simpler for now so you can get a signature created and in use!

If you saw my recent zoom presentation, you'll know my strategies on creating a fantastic "About Me" page. If you don't have an about me page yet, you can also link to your profile page (for now).

People love to read blogs. If someone just dropped in from a google search, they will not realize the easiest path to your own blog home page. Give them a link here! 

If you have a website outside of ActiveRain... link to it!

When you show your telephone number, and if it is your mobile, I highly suggest you caption it as CALL OR TEXT. Some people will much rather make first contact in text message as an introduction and ask you to call them back. At least you should give them the option.

Finally, let them be able to email you. However, putting your email address in plain text on any web page is asking for your email address to be harvested for spam lists. That's why the preferred method to get an email message is for you to use a contact form (ideally with a captcha type spam block so you can make sure you are getting contacted by a human and not a spam robot).

You can link to a contact page that you already have on your website, or you can use the AR contact page for you. There's a little "hack" to get to a plain contact page that you can use. Go to your "My Blog" page on AR and on the right sidebar contact widget, click "send message." When you leave the message box blank, the system will redirect you to a new page asking you to fill in the message details. This page is the one you should grab the URL from and use in in your "Email Me" link in your signature.

And that's it! I look forward to seeing a round of new signatures out there. Please come back here and post and comment update when you've done one so we can check it out!

I step you through the entire process in the video below in case you prefer to watch to learn instead of reading about it. Creating a signature does not take that long but the ROI is great. Grab a cup off coffee and join me in a Craig's Classroom video below.

Video tip: press the F key after starting the video to watch in full screen

Posted by

Follow My ActiveRain Blog
See when new posts come out!

Read More Blog Posts

My YouTube Channel

About Me

Email Me

I appreciate every new subscriber
to both my ActiveRain blog AND
my YouTube Channel!

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.
Are you ready to learn?
Welcome to Craig’s Classroom!

PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments (36)

Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

This is a really valuable tutorial, Craig.  Thanks for providing it!  It has prompted me to work on mine!

Jan 26, 2022 10:26 PM
Craig Daniels

I look forward to checking out any updates Myrl.

Jan 28, 2022 05:20 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

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

Jan 26, 2022 10:26 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

You all seem to have this down pat if I do say so myself. Love and light

Jan 26, 2022 10:34 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Thank you Craig Daniels for all the information and examples. I only hope and pray I can follow your instructions and be as successful as you and Kat Palmiotti.

I really appreciate all that you do!!! 

Jan 27, 2022 04:19 AM
Craig Daniels

I will keep an eye out on your creation. Let me know if you need help with any part of it.

Jan 28, 2022 05:20 AM
Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I remember doing this previously when you posted a tutorial about the blog signature but I can certainly revisit since my signature likely still needs some work.  Thank you so much for putting these tutorials together, they are always so very helpful.  I am not sure why I wasn't following your YouTube channel before, but I am now!

Jan 27, 2022 05:27 AM
Craig Daniels

I'm glad you found some of my new suggestions helpful Brian. And thanks for the youtube support!

Jan 28, 2022 05:25 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Craig Daniels, Great info for everyone in the Rain.  I am going to look at mine when I am done writing this comment.  Thanks for the tips! 

Jan 27, 2022 06:35 AM
Craig Daniels

I see some of our newest members haven't figured out the blog signature yet Sheri. I hope this helps and glad I could also give you some ideas to check out on a refresh. thanks!

Jan 28, 2022 05:26 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

A lot to digest here, Craig. I will have to return and slowly work my way through this post. Thank you. 

Jan 27, 2022 06:36 AM
Craig Daniels

Thanks Debb. I hope you find something to benefit from here.

Jan 28, 2022 05:26 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Craig:

Thanks for an excellent presentation yesterday. So much great information for us all.

And a special thank you for this post. Bookmarked since I have a bit of work to do - my signature is one of those that just might be too intense and long! LOL.

Jeff

Jan 27, 2022 01:10 PM
Craig Daniels

Concise and on target Jeff. Let's see what you come up with ;)

Jan 28, 2022 05:27 AM
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Phenomenal info Craig, thank you!

Jan 27, 2022 02:54 PM
Craig Daniels

Thank you for saying so John. appreciated!

Jan 28, 2022 05:28 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you. I have some work to do!

Jan 28, 2022 06:36 AM
Craig Daniels

Thanks so much Paula. I hope it gives you some ideas for your signature as well.

Jan 28, 2022 06:58 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Hi, Craig.

Your presentation on Zoom was excellent. Yet, I would be wrong if I said that I could follow you directions from memory. Thanks for the detailed post.

Jan 28, 2022 06:53 AM
Craig Daniels

Thanks John. I was sad to miss the live presentation but in this case it was opportunity for the recordings to be available for people to re-watch parts as necessary!

Jan 28, 2022 06:59 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Craig,

What a great post this is!  And thank you for illustrating it so well.   Wishing you a great weekend. A

Jan 28, 2022 10:39 AM
Craig Daniels

thanks! I hope this helps anyone who wants to make the update!

Feb 02, 2022 12:59 PM
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Oh my ... mine must have been ten years old   Mine had googleplus on there... I chose to make mine clean and simple what do you think?

Mar 01, 2022 12:49 PM
Craig Daniels

Thanks Caroline for jumping in right away and making some changes! I left a couple of comments on your most recent post. thanks!!

Mar 01, 2022 01:33 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for your advice.

I hope we will be seeing many improved blog signatures.

Mar 02, 2022 05:50 AM
Craig Daniels

thanks Roy

Mar 20, 2022 04:01 PM
Deepak Chauhan Asso-Broker, MLO
Versailles Property - Irvine, CA
RE and Loans. IRVINE, CA (949) 748-9834

I was looking for some help, and I think I found it.

Mar 03, 2022 12:36 AM
Craig Daniels

that's great to hear!

Mar 20, 2022 04:01 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

OK, Craig. I've been working on this and tried to get fancy by creating a beautiful image via Canva. I have struggled all day trying to get the social media icons to be live links but alas, I am not being successful. Take a look at what I have created thus far.

Mar 20, 2022 02:43 PM
Craig Daniels

I'll email you how you can fix it.

Mar 20, 2022 04:01 PM
Craig Daniels

we're going to use an HTML imagemap value to solve your problem

Mar 20, 2022 04:46 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Hi Craig, Can you please let me know what size parameters are needed for the signature, using Kat's as the example? 

Apr 07, 2022 08:15 AM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 
This video will step you through the process. Our blog signature max width of 636 pixels. If you make a table like I show in the video, you have to set the width to 636 or you will get a horizontal scroll bar (not good).

Apr 07, 2022 09:29 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Thanks so much Craig!

Apr 07, 2022 09:34 AM
Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Excellent information, Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day and a blessed week.

Feb 05, 2023 02:55 AM