Business card overload? Remember your email signature!

For most people, they're just an afterthought, but I'm always forgetting where I put my cards or just not bringing enough with me to events. For an easy and quick way to make a connection, email is great when you're caught unprepared, not to mention its vital role in day-to-day business.

You can add as much information as you want to your signature. Besides the usual phone number, fax number and address, be sure to include your company logo. As well, your signature is a perfect place to add some social media marketing flair.

When you are a small business, you want two main things. First, you want your customers to know that they are everything to you and that you will do your absolute best to take care of them and their needs. Second, you want to get your name out to the consumer market and general public so you will be able to grow your business. A blog is one of the best ways to accomplish these two things in today's Internet-driven marketing world.

A blog will help your customers feel that you actually care about them and are striving to meet their needs. Creating loyal customers is the best way to grow your business, as the word-of-mouth advertising they will provide is priceless.

The Web, including this very blog, is full of information on what small- and mid-sized businesses should do in order to make their websites powerful tools to increase revenue and customer reach. For a change of pace, here are five things that will actually harm your online efforts.

New Media Plus, Inc., is hiring graphic designers/Web designers to begin working immediately.

NewMediaPlus provides cost-effective solutions to social media, graphic design, Web development and Internet marketing needs to individuals and small- to mid-sized companies. We provide the highest level of customer service through 1-on-1 interaction with knowledgeable staff members, eliminating any intimidation for our clients.

The ideal candidate will be a strong designer to create and lay out websites, print ads, banner ads and other graphic needs for our clients.

HTML and basic programming would be great, as well as a knowledge of server technologies. You should be very familiar with PS, Fw, Dw Fl, Ai and have a knowledge of social networking platforms. All projects are developed with SEO in mind, and you should have some basic understanding of how to optimize websites.

NewMediaPlus is a start-up company and there is tremendous opportunity from working with us at this stage. Initially, we are hiring people on a per-project basis that could turn into a permanent position. We are looking for someone who can start immediately.