8 More Ways to Maximize Your Email Signature As a Professional Translator or Interpreter
Believe it or not, my two previous blog posts on how to maximize your email signature (which you can find here and here) are a couple of my most popular posts to date.
Why?
Because everyone uses email these days… and thus, an email signature.
Since it's unlikely that email is going anywhere anytime soon… why not use it as a way to share information about your business or projects?
So, as a third installment of sorts, here are some new ideas for how to make the most of your email signature.
1. Include your credentials in a visual format. I've seen a lot of colleagues do this well. If you happen to be certified by a credentialing body, or if you have earned a certificate related to a certain tool that makes you even more valuable to your clients, insert the logo for your certification credential or certificate. Include a hyperlink to your profile page in a directory or the website hosted by the body where you earned the credential or certificate so potential clients can click on it and understand the value of this professional milestone.
2. Share your speaking opportunities or professional development plans. Mention any virtual conferences you're attending this year, especially those where you'll be speaking. If you're planning to attend a client-facing conference, this is a great way to let your potential customers know that you're staying on top of what happens in your field. Include and a link to the conference website so people can learn more about your presentation or make plans to attend and meet you.
3. Make it easier for potential clients to reach out to you. If you live and work in a country where WhatsApp is often used, you might think about including your WhatsApp number so clients can easily send you a message (similar to just sending a text message). When they do, send them a recorded voice message in reply. This adds a personal touch to your initial interactions with a client that will set you apart!
4. Drop a link to your blog or vlog for clients. This is something that a lot of freelancers don't think about including in their emails, but your clients also like to consume good content (as long as it's relevant and useful to them). So, if you have a client-focused blog, vlog, or even a YouTube channel to share, make sure you tell clients about it in your email signature!
5. Give away free and valuable content. Perhaps you recently gave a presentation that your ideal clients would find valuable. Include the link to your slides or a video of a presentation you gave. Clients love free information, and by giving them a copy of your slides or handouts, they also get a better taste of the expertise you have to offer… expertise that essentially benefits them.
6. Offer them a special guide. Create a downloadable PDF for clients that guides them through the process of reaching a specific goal (ideally one you can help them reach!) or shares valuable information that would be of high interest to them. Let clients know they can receive the guide via a free download. You can share it with them via a simple click from your signature or in exchange for their email address to be added to your client-focused email list if you have one.
7. Share a link to a special project you worked on (with permission from that client of course). Whether you recently created a portfolio, or you want to share a book or website you translated in order to get more projects of a similar nature, your email signature is a great place to showcase these accomplishments subtly and market your services at the same time.
8. Mention your other skills. Perhaps you’re trying to grow another area of your freelance business in order to diversify. Whether it's editing, localization, proofreading, copywriting, or something else that complements your current service offerings, share your skills so clients know they can count on you when their needs change!
Be creative when it comes to your email signature. You don't have to only include your contact information.
I like to change up my signature every few months. And I've noticed that just by doing that, people tend to pay more attention to it.
What other ways could you spice up your email signature?
