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| | The Minding Your Own Business Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Signatures | Views: 1826 | | Apr 16, 2006 1:22 am | | Signatures | # | 
Audrey Okaneko | | Reg,
I read your post with interest. I started a new topic as one of my "dislikes" is having to weed through a thread with 35 messages. I tend to skip those and often miss great information.
It was your suggestion that instead of just my URL, I also add a commercial to it, to let folks know what I do.
Remember, I come from an AOL background having owned a community there for several years. AOL rules were very strict, a URL was fine but no call to action as a call to action was considered an ad.
So, I'd love to hear others opinions on signature use here on Ryze. Do you suggest a call to action, or just a URL? Reg is right, my URL does not let folks know I sell scrapbooking supplies.
This is a great topic and I'm glad Reg answered my post with his suggestions. Thanks!!!
Audrey
http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com
(scrapbooking that is ) Private Reply to Audrey Okaneko | | Apr 16, 2006 2:49 am | | re: Signatures | # | 
Kurt Schweitzer | | Audrey,
I'm glad to see you're active again, both here and on WBBC.
One of the things Reg missed in his comment is that some of us prefer to use the features of the simple editor rather than going to the effort of preparing full-blown HTML for our posts. This way we don't have to worry about any tags, because paragraphs are automatically tagged, and text in the form of http://mywebsite.com are automatically converted to links that open in a new window.
Personally, I don't think signatures are necessary on Ryze. After all, my picture and a link to my Ryze Home Page always appear next to each of my posts. If someone wants to find out more about me or what I might sell, all they have to do is click on it!
I say let's focus on conversations and sharing ideas, and leave advertising out of our posts. I'd MUCH rather read interesting posts than boring ads!
Kurt SchweitzerPrivate Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Apr 16, 2006 3:32 am | | re: Signatures | # | 
Reg Charie | | Hi again Audrey,
I can understand completely when you say you come from an AOL background.
They were about my first experience with the internet back in '94 and I guess
nothing has changed.
Since you did not change your signature I am going to take a wild guess and say
you are not quite sure how to make it into an anchor text.
here is how I suggested it look
See our site for a full selection
of scrapbook supplies. Binders, inserts, cutouts and pages.
and here is the code to use to make it look like this.
[a href="http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com">See our site for a full selection
of scrapbook supplies. Binders, inserts, cutouts and pages. [/a>
I have changed the first < to [ so that we may see the code here. Change it back
to use it.
If you want to change the text, just replace the "See our site for a full
selection of scrapbook supplies. Binders, inserts, cutouts and pages. " to
whatever you want.
Audrey, I do a great deal of networking both here in Ryze and on other forums
where I can give a hand.
http://webproworld.com is but one such
forum. One of my posts is in this thread:
http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=62581&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
In cases of networking on forums, I only participate if a signature file is
allowed. (Some forums are still stuck in the AOL mentality).
One of the things Reg missed in his comment is that some of us prefer to use
the features of the simple editor rather than going to the effort of preparing
full-blown HTML for our posts. This way we don't have to worry about any tags,
because paragraphs are automatically tagged, and text in the form of
http://mywebsite.com are
automatically converted to links that open in a new window.
No I didn't Kurt. Apparently that feature is only available for full
memberships.
If you use the free membership text input your URLs are not converted.
Aside from that, using anchor text instead of a straight URL helps considerably
with your search engine rankings.
While a straight link to your site still counts, one with your keywords in it is
given more relevance.
Personally, I don't think signatures are necessary on Ryze. After all, my
picture and a link to my Ryze Home Page always appear next to each of my posts.
If someone wants to find out more about me or what I might sell, all they have
to do is click on it!
Ok, that is your opinion. If you want to make the readers go through the
trouble of going to your Ryze page then looking for links to your business or
personal sites, so be it.
I subscribe to the concept of never putting your visitors more than 3 clicks
away from their intended destination.
I want to make it as easy as possible for them to find out what I do.
Networking is marketing. Marketing is presenting your information. Information
is presented in your links.
I say let's focus on conversations and sharing ideas, and leave advertising
out of our posts. I'd MUCH rather read interesting posts than boring ads!
We are not talking about ads, boring or not.
We are talking about attaching a signature to the (interesting) posts.
Doing so gives me value in return for reading, researching, (if necessary) and
replying to a post.
Reg
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nothing. Private Reply to Reg Charie | | Apr 16, 2006 3:49 am | | re: re: Signatures | # |
Audrey Okaneko | | Kurt and Reg,
Wow...thank you both so much for your input.
Kurt, it feels good to be back..thanks for the welcome.
I have ALWAYS used a URL under my name. I too believe that making it easy to lead folks to my site is essential. However I've never taken it that step further and used words with my signature.
Reg raised an EXCELLENT point. Maybe he knows someone who is looking for scrapbooking supplies. But from my URL he does not know what I sell. So, I could lose a potentail referral based on nothing more than Reg not knowing what I sell.
When I try to use the html code provided, my post no longer shows paragraphs or formatting etc. :( So, what's the secret to having a clickable signature and keeping the posts formatted?
Audrey :)
www.scrapping-made-simple.com
Private Reply to Audrey Okaneko | | Apr 16, 2006 4:18 am | | re: re: re: Signatures | # | 
GiGi Gaggero | | Audrey writes:
"When I try to use the html code provided, my post no longer shows paragraphs or formatting etc. :( So, what's the secret to having a clickable signature and keeping the posts formatted?"
Me too Reg.. the signature link you made me.. I think I messed it up when I used it.
g
Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | Apr 16, 2006 5:08 am | | re: re: re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | It is a habit for me to write my posts in my html editor and I forgot one thing.
If you are including a html code function you have to do the whole post in html.
Mostly this just means putting a break tag to make a new line.
([br> first bracket changed). Use 2 for a new paragraph.
RegPrivate Reply to Reg Charie | | Apr 16, 2006 1:02 pm | | re: Signatures | # | 
Denise O'Berry | | Audrey --
Reg is right on about a signature. But you do need to use caution. Always remember to check the network guidelines. Some networks (on and off Ryze) do not allow signatures for some reason.
On this network, I allow signatures because I think it's a great way to network. And I believe it's important to make it easy for people to find out more about you. Although people will visit your Ryze page when you post to a network, why not make it easier for them?
Over a year ago, I wrote a tip about growing an online forum that was focused on Ryze. One of my main points in that tip was:
Use a signature file.
This is one of the most underused tactics I've seen on Ryze. If the network allows it, use an informative signature file on every post you make to a network. Don't assume that people will click through to your Ryze profile and read through your page. Most won't. Make it easy for them to find out more about you by using a signature file.
And Tip #61 in my 101 Nuggets to Power Up Your Schmooze-Ability guide is:
61. Use a signature file. This is your online business card. It should include your name, contact info and a call to action to get them to do something further. An acceptable length for ‘sig’ files is four to six lines.
On Ryze, you have to know a bit of html to get your signature to work like Reg suggests. That makes things a bit more difficult, but not impossible.
Best regards,
Denise O'Berry
Need help? Get your daily dose of Small Business Tips.Private Reply to Denise O'Berry | | Apr 16, 2006 2:06 pm | | re: re: Signatures | # | 
Jan Verhoeff | | I've gone both ways, using a signature file/html or a url link, or nothing.
I have to agree with Kurt that, those who want to locate me will do so, it's not difficult. However, if I'm wanting to build business, I have to network and market my business. So I often use my links in the post, or after my name, as an aside to the typical signature line.
I do prefer to use the url link rather than an HTML file for my signature - because I'm not a full fledged member here and I just use the simple code, to keep from adding time to the process.
Jan Verhoeff
Refresh your market - build your business
http://janverhoeff.com Private Reply to Jan Verhoeff | | Apr 17, 2006 3:37 am | | re: Signatures | # |
Kurt Schweitzer | | A few more comments about signatures and Ryze:
Last time I checked, posts in Ryze forums were not being indexed by any search engines. Home pages (both personal and network) were, but not forum posts.
Because of this, I don't bother to "SEO" any links in my posts.
Also, although I've been a Gold member for a couple years now, I seem to remember that the HTML editor is available to all members. Personally I've tried it and decided I didn't like it.
Signature "files", on the other hand, are a relatively new feature available only to paid (Gold and Platinum) members. When I tested them I discovered that a signature with HTML added to a post caused the entire post to be treated as HTML. I decided that I'd rather just use the simple editor.
To each his own!
Kurt SchweitzerPrivate Reply to Kurt Schweitzer | | Apr 17, 2006 4:15 am | | re: Signatures | # | 
Michael R Clayton | | Hi All,
If the community or site you post in allows you too.
I usually post my ryze url under my name or if not I
post a blog profile.
These are the ones I use mostly. It depends where I am posting.
Most places I post allow this. Some allow you to advertise in your messages also and post urls.
Some communities like Adlandpro allow you to have footer codes with all your urls listed.
Regards Michael Clayton
http://www.whitepage.com.au/rexiedexie/8709
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/272422/
http://www.ryze.com/go/rexiedexiePrivate Reply to Michael R Clayton | | Apr 17, 2006 5:02 am | | re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | Last time I checked, posts in Ryze forums were not being indexed by any
search engines. Home pages (both personal and network) were, but not forum
posts.
Because of this, I don't bother to "SEO" any links in my posts.
Ryze forums ARE being indexed Kurt.
Google "First, it depends on your definition of an arm and a leg. $100?
$1000? 10000?" and you will see Dean Hua's post in this forum.
http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=623795&confid=313 as #1
Also, although I've been a Gold member for a couple years now, I seem to
remember that the HTML editor is available to all members. Personally I've tried
it and decided I didn't like it.
Signature "files", on the other hand, are a relatively new feature available
only to paid (Gold and Platinum) members. When I tested them I discovered that a
signature with HTML added to a post caused the entire post to be treated as
HTML. I decided that I'd rather just use the simple editor.
It takes me about the same length of time to compose my post in my html
editor as it would to type into the silly little window.
Less if you consider that I do not have to spell check as my editor has that
pleasure.
Reg
First page SEO
results.
DotCom-Productions
NEW Blog "In the life of a webmaster".
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nothing. Private Reply to Reg Charie | | Apr 22, 2006 10:52 pm | | re: Signatures | # | 
Stephanie Chandler | | Hi Audrey,
Great topic!
I personally make sure to use my signature every time I post or write anything (unless it's not allowed). I keep a simple Word doc with a shortcut on my task bar with a few different versions so I can just copy and paste when needed. You never know where your post will show up, and I think it should be part of everybody's overall branding strategy. Also, if the site you're posting to indexes their pages for search engines, you are helping to naturally add links back to your website.
On a side note, if you put the http:// in front of your URL, it will make the link "hot" or "live" on most systems (so readers can click through to your site).
Best of luck,
-Stephanie Chandler
Author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide” (Aventine) and “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books and Other Information Products” (Wiley, December 2006). Visit http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.
Private Reply to Stephanie Chandler | | Apr 22, 2006 11:26 pm | | re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | Stephanie, putting your link as
http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com a directory of resources for entrepreneurs,
is good, it would be much better to put it
as
BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.
Reg
First page SEO
results.
SEO, Design Marketing and
webmaster's resource
DotCom-Productions
NEW Blog "In the life of a webmaster".
MetaCryL - Business Promotion - FREE - 38 Days of eBooks.
0Grief - Zero Grief Hosting. See my
new Ryze Network, "Telling it Straight". Private Reply to Reg Charie | | Apr 23, 2006 1:19 am | | re: re: re: Signatures | # | 
Larina Kase | | Hi Reg,
I tried the formula you posted:
[a href="http://www.yoursite.com">Replace this with your text[/a>
The first brackets have been changed from < to [ so you may see the code. Change them back to use the code.
Do you just type that formula into your signature file or email (changing the brackets back)? I know others got it to work, but I haven't yet and I'm still determined.
Thanks!
Larina
--------------------------------
Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA
President, Performane & Success Coaching LLC
For free marketing tips, go to http://www.PAScoaching.com
Private Reply to Larina Kase | | Apr 23, 2006 2:22 am | | re: re: re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | Larina, here is how the above link looks in code view
[a href="http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com"]
BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.[/a]
all < and > have been changed to [ and ]
The http part should be the url to your site.
The text between the ] and [ brackets is what is shown as a link.
Tags work in pairs.
A pair is composed of an opening and closing tag.
In this case [a href= is the beginning of the opening tag.
The link between the " and the " are directing the browser to go to go to the url and is part of the opening tag.
This tag is finished by the ] after the domain and its "
The complete opening tag is [ a href="http://anysite.com"]
any text put between the ] bracket at the end of this and the closing tag will be shown as a link.
[/a] is the closing tag. Private Reply to Reg Charie | | Apr 27, 2006 7:05 pm | | Signatures - HTML | # | 
Deena Gainor | | Hi everyone. I recently joined Ryze but only just discovered this network. It's amazing. You guys share a lot of helpful information! Thanks for that. I am extremely excited to explore some more!
Just to give you a little background info, I have no experience with HTML. When I had my website created, I kept hearing the term and my head would start spinning. I finally took it upon myself to learn a little bit (just in the past day or two) - and yes, it is a very LITTLE bit, but it helped me to understand a little about what is going on.
I was also able to organize my Ryze page yesterday using some of these codes. Of course, it is very simplistic, but much better than what I originally had. And, believe it or not, I really enjoyed it. I just Googled "HTML" and came upon several helpful & instructional sites that covered some of the basics for free. Here are two I found helpful:
http://www.web-source.net/html_codes_chart.htm
http://www.pageresource.com/html/index2.htm
These sites have a list with some of the most basic and advanced codes. I copied & pasted these codes into my Ryze page and then adjusted the information as needed. It was so much easier than I thought it would be.
Of course, it doesn't replace the services of someone who actually KNOWS what they're doing (and it sounds like there are several people here that are blessed in that way!) but it is a start.
Anyway, I am looking forward to participating more in this network. Thanks for the great opportunity.
Sincerely,
Deena Gainor
Global Getaways
International Travel Consultants
http://www.myglobalgetaways.com
PS: For paragraphs - you can also use a P instead of two BR.
Private Reply to Deena Gainor | | Apr 27, 2006 7:43 pm | | re: Signatures - HTML | # |
Reg Charie | | PS: For paragraphs - you can also use a P instead of two BR.
Yes you can but doing so means you have to "close" the tag with
a /p
It is just faster to do two br tags than p + /p
Reg Private Reply to Reg Charie | | May 12, 2006 8:50 am | | re: Signatures | # | 
Leo Hanes | | Hey, it's always nice to meet a fellow networker!
Signatures are subject to each networks guidelines
Hope business is going well for you!
PS: I just recently relocated to Tilburg, Netherlands
Leo Hanes
http://YouNeedCallsToday.cjb.net - Probably the best free generic training coursPrivate Reply to Leo Hanes | | May 12, 2006 4:22 pm | | re: re: Signatures | # | 
Richard Kuper | | Signatures are a great way to provide information about your wares or services.
Richard
--------------------------------------------------------------
R.L. KUPER, Inc. - on the web at: http://RLKI.com
Business, Quality, and Information
Management Consulting
since 1985
Is your business in business in spite of itself?
Then you need to contact us
Because it needs to be:
Written | Analyzed | Designed | Improved | Explained (TM)
--------------------------------------------------------------
http://TheKuperReport.com - The KUPER Report
http://ThisIsMyStore.com - The Place To Shop (TM)
http://TreasureZoom.com - The Place To Shop For Collectibles(TM)
http://ThisIsMyStore.com/sales.html - What's on Sale?
http://ThisIsMyStore.com/jobs.html - Shop for Jobs or Employees
http://ReadTheOpEdPage.com -- The Op Ed Page
--------------------------------------------------------------Private Reply to Richard Kuper | | May 12, 2006 11:20 pm | | re: Signatures | # | 
Cindy Hargreaves | | This is a great thread, until now i have just been using my website address without a tag line.
Cindy Hargreaves
http://cahargreaves.tripod.com. - for your escape from reality.
Private Reply to Cindy Hargreaves | | May 13, 2006 12:39 am | | re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | Cindy, better to use a link like this:
Mum's Talk - A weekly column
about the trials and tribualtions of being a mother.
(ps
tribualtions
should be tribulations)
Reg
Private Reply to Reg Charie | | May 14, 2006 4:13 pm | | re: re: re: Signatures | # |
GiGi Gaggero | | Cindy,... I clicked on the signature hyperlink Reg made for you... it was nice to read that first thing in the Morning on Mums day.. nice to reflect! Anyway, It does look more professional and also can interest readers to search further ...with an that awesome tag line it's a great walk in to the sale! Happy Mum's Day to everyopne! Private Reply to GiGi Gaggero | | May 14, 2006 7:16 pm | | re: re: re: re: Signatures | # | 
Dean H. | | Reg is partly correct. Ryze pages and the posts are indexed, though not all.
And while he does make a good point about the anchor text and it's SEO benefits, there are also caveats to mention. Primarily, the SEO benefit of a well anchored sig is meaningless unless you are engaging in complete and holistic SEO for your entire website. Basically, if your only SEO strategy is to engage in well anchored sigs and some basic H1 headers, then I wouldn't bother. I've always said that good SEO is that which covers all aspects of your website-- the onpage & offpage factors.
I could easily sit here and create a well anchored sig along the lines of, "Maryland Web Designer", but it's not a big deal if the rest of my website isn't optimized for that keyword.
Just a thought.
---------------------
H. Dean Hua
Chief Web Evangelist
Sachi Studio | http://www.sachistudio.comPrivate Reply to Dean H. | | May 14, 2006 8:25 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: Signatures | # |
Reg Charie | | And while he does make a good point about the anchor text and it's SEO
benefits, there are also caveats to mention. Primarily, the SEO benefit of a
well anchored sig is meaningless unless you are engaging in complete and
holistic SEO for your entire website. Basically, if your only SEO strategy is to
engage in well anchored sigs and some basic H1 headers, then I wouldn't bother.
I've always said that good SEO is that which covers all aspects of your
website-- the onpage & offpage factors.
I could easily sit here and create a well anchored sig along the lines of,
"Maryland Web Designer", but it's not a big deal if the rest of my website isn't
optimized for that keyword.
The idea is to use anchor text that relates directly to the page to which it
links.
No sense putting anchor text describing butterflies when your page deals with
kitchen cabinets.
Merge a weblog and a website into one
cohesive online presence would be a good example for Dean's site.
The site need not be completely SEO'd. Since the anchor text leads to 1 page,
only that page need to be done.
Given that the majority of traffic will come from the search engines, SEO is the
best ROI.
SEO is not a "do it and forget it" kind of thing. To have the best results it
must be ongoing.
Reg
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Private Reply to Reg Charie | | May 23, 2006 9:53 pm | | re: re: re: re: re: re: Signatures | # | 
Amanda Martin-Shaver | | Hello all,
I am new to this community and just wanted to say thank you for an interesting topic and advice.
Kind regards
Amanda Martin-Shaver
Xocai Healthy Chocolate
http://xocaiglobal.com/?passkey=nuggetsPrivate Reply to Amanda Martin-Shaver | | |
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