Marketing Legalities - What Does Your Signature Say About You?

When you send out emails for your business, do you sign your messages as...

Your First Name
OR
Your First Name and Your Last Name?

It's unfortunate to write this, but it is necessary to market yourself correctly in order to avoid unnecessary legal risks. Don’t present yourself as an individual, if, in fact, you are an established business entity.

If someone reads your email, they may assume that you, as an individual, have sent that email. If there is ever a reason for liability, as an individual you probably don't have a business entity protecting you.

You want to be clear that you're sending the email for your business instead, and also your position within the company.

Here are two good examples...

Example 1:

Susan Smith, Managing Member
Smith Widgets LLC

Example 2:

Joe Franks, President
Frankly Widgets Inc.

In these examples, both writers identify themselves by name, because that personal touch that is necessary in emails (and in many forms of marketing). However, they also list their company titles and the full names of their businesses.

So, how are you signing your emails? Sometimes the little things in life (and in business) make all the difference for success!