another important part of a dream journal (which some people dont do) is before you go to bed look over/listen to it.
i listen to my dreams on a tape, sit back, take deep breaths, and it really does get me ready for sleep and puts me in the mind set for dreaming
doing this also helps us to DILD, as it can cause a previous dream to re-occour or it will at least cause your re-occouring dream themes to pop up which will help you to recognise its a dream.

ps, a quick note about dream signs, if you have a dream signs that arnt exclusive to your dreams ie, you see them in real life to. eg people on skate boards. when you see a person in real life on a skate board, do an RC, and seek out skate boarders, go to a skate park and everytime you see a skate boarder , do a RC.
this is very linked to what 'Brandon Heat' said