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Q: I want to feature something about me and my business that’s powerful, yet catchy in my e-mail signature block, what do you suggest?

A: Cool question! While your decision/execution might be influenced by your product, service, company culture or industry image, (i.e., conservative or creative), here’s the fun part: there are no rules!

You can use your “signature block” space like it’s a blank billboard or palette of possibilities. And there’s no cost.

Zip. Nada. Bupkus!

You can reference a personal philosophy or mission statement; a favorite quote; an upcoming sale or special promotion; a specific product or service; valuable content, i.e., free stuff at your Web site, which might include downloads, podcasts, streaming videos, special URLs or blogs; brief biographical or historical information or special awards and recognitions, about you and/or your company.

Yet remember, while it’s okay to be tastefully “self-promotional,” it’s especially valuable when you’re stressing the results, benefits, advantages and outcomes you deliver that help others achieve and exceed their goals.

Here are some simple examples:

My close friend, speaker and author, Chuck Reaves, always includes: “Teach Others!” and “In the history of recorded time, no customer has ever said, ‘Your price is too high,’ and meant it.”

Chuck then provides links and references to help you sell value.

Elaine Parkerson, a client and friend, who is the president of Primary Insights, a qualitative research firm, follows her contact info with: “Face-to-Face / Eye-to-Eye / Heart-to-Heart,” “You and your consumers” — for clarity, confidence, and competitive edge.

Gabriel Adler, who’s a friend and one heckuva talented softball player, (who I play ball with two nights a week), lets people know he’s a “Microsoft Licensing Specialist” (MCP-SAM) in the Great Lakes Region with CDW and includes their tagline — “The Right Technology. Right Away.™”

Recently, I saw brilliant execution by Raul Rubio Guevara, a new subscriber to “The Results Report.” Here are just a few of the effective and impacting things Raul includes in his e-mail signature block (my comments are in parentheses.)

“If you see something you like, call me today!” (Raul urges you to take action. Why? Because it’s in your best interest!) Following Raul’s name, he lists his designations, i.e. ABR, CRS, GRI. (Letters like this, convey credibility. By the way, you gotta earn ‘em and deserve ‘em. No phony online accreditations and degrees allowed.) And after Raul’s designations, he includes “Bilingual Agent” (he speaks your language, whether it’s English or Spanish!) “Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!” (He’s interested in a long-term relationship, not a singular transaction.) “Marketing Your Home For All It’s Worth!” (Never met a seller who wants their home marketed and sold at a “steal.”) Okay, the preceding is plenty. But Raul ain’t done.

He goes on to urge an e-mail reader to visit his Web site for valuable and complimentary information on buying or selling a home, obtaining online home evaluations, state-of-the art property marketing and home search tools, and even financing options.

But wait, there’s more...

Raul even sneaks in a request for referrals, with these winning words:

“The finest complement I can receive is a referral from my valued customers. A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you trust!” (Whoa! That’s great stuff!) Raul rules!

So what are you going to do?

You can either simply “sign” your name. Or, you can “write” your future!

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Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer who lives part-time on Marco Island. His clients call him a “business-growth specialist.” Send an e-mail to jeff@jeffblackman.com or go to www.jeffblackman.com to subscribe to his free e-letter.