1. Do you have an elevator pitch?
2. Email marketing gets integration fever
3. Increase sales with keyword-rich hyperlinks
4. Tip: Do you have a user manual for your business?
5. Recipe: Hot Toddy

We're Hsuan-min Chou and Blythe Howard-Chou, founders of Jumping Bean Communications. Do you know someone who can use our marketing writing or technical writing services? Forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague, or point them to www.jumpbean.com.

1. Do you have an elevator pitch?

Imagine this: You're in an elevator with a new client. The client asks you pointblank, "So, why should I buy your service, and not Acme's?" If the first word out of your mouth is, "Um," you've lost the contract. And "Um" isn't even a word!

Keep your potential customer in the palm of your hand with an elevator pitch >>

Did we do an outstanding job on your collateral? Don't keep it inside. Tell the world! And we'll take 10% off your next project.

What company doesn't use email as one of its marketing tools? But is it using email correctly? Do the response rates increase when emails are sent out? Or, egad, is the company only using email?!

If companies only use email, they're not harnessing email's power. The key is to make your emails a productive part of your marketing strategy and overall marketing campaign. Once you have the short, snappy content, you can drive the same message using different vehicles, such as your:

• Web site
• Save-the-dates
• e-Newsletters
• Direct mail

At Jumping Bean, we can take your existing content (brochures, Web site, papers, etc.) and create response-friendly emails and newsletters. We've helped develop email campaigns for several clients, including Learning Insights, Visa, and others. Contact us today!

ADV: 5-star rated Transtastic Auto Repair "has definitely made loyal customers out of us," says Liz T. For quality oil changes and other car maintenance, call Steve at (773) 661-5100. Tell Steve you saw this ad on Jumping Bean.

3. Increase sales with keyword-rich hyperlinks

Now that the Web is a little more than 10 years old, it's odd that some companies continue to use hyperlinks that are completely misleading.

Especially since search engines are drawn to hyperlinks. The thought-process is "If it's hyperlinked, it MUST lead to something of value." And if your link is misleading, you've probably lost a customer who now thinks of you as not being on the up-and-up.

At Jumping Bean we make sure your hyperlinks and headlines grab a search engine's attention and keep it—without being misleading. For more information about making sure your hyperlinks are search engine friendly, contact us at info@jumpbean.com.

4. Tip: Do you have a user manual for your business?

Some day, some time, you or your family may experience a major health crisis that will take you out of commission for a bit of time. Maybe a day, a week, a month. Maybe even a year.

Once you are at a place where you can think rationally, you're going to have to wonder: How am I going to run my business?

A few years ago, Jumping Bean ran into TWO major health crises that brought a stop to business.

Were deadlines met? Were bills paid? How did we stay in business? >>

Make your day run more smoothly and efficiently with our timesaving tips. Got a tip? Send it to tips@jumpbean.com. You might see it in the next issue of "bean news!"

5. Recipe: Hot Toddy

Even though it may be 50 degrees today, you just know Old Man Winter has one more rock-em-sock-em snow in his bag of tricks. So why not welcome his punch with open arms, cuddle up near your closest heating device (i.e., a girlfriend, wife, and/or a cat), and drink a hot toddy courtesy of Epicurious and Jumping Bean Communications.

Ingredients

• 1 cube sugar
• 2 ounces bourbon, rye, Scotch, Canadian, or blended whiskey
• Slice lemon
• Nutmeg

Yum, yum in my tum tum >>

Expand your culinary world by trying one of our recipes. If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share, send it to recipes@jumpbean.com, and you just might find it in the next edition of "bean news!"

ADV: 5-star rated Transtastic Auto Repair "has definitely made loyal customers out of us," says Liz T.

For quality oil changes and other car maintenance, call Steve at (773) 661-5100. Tell Steve you saw this ad on Jumping Bean.

New Clients
Active and Able
The Beloved Community
  (Taproot Foundation)
MediaBank
Specialty Services
Spencer Stuart
Walgreens

Thanks...for your work in the short time you were here. We'll certainly keep you in mind... for additional freelance help.

Manager
Corporate Branding and Creative Services
Discover Financial Services

Play and Feed a Hungry Person!

Did I overhear right that you were leaving after today? Bummer... You were a great help.

Copywriter
Walgreens

You did a wonderful job and I know The Beloved Community appreciated it!!!

Account Director
Taproot Foundation

Hsuan-min's writing style is approachable and easy-to-read—quite an accomplishment when writing about software and technology concepts!

Carolyn Calzavara
Director, Global Marketing
Decisions Made Easy

Excellent product, packaging, and shipping. Would gladly do business again.

eBay buyer: gravyshoes

Amy has definitely expressed her positive feedback with your work and is impressed with your strategic copywriting abilities!

Recruiter
Visa Account
Direct Mail Agency

Hsuan did a wonderful job writing the copy for our Web site. He was creative and detail oriented, met all of our deadlines, and was a joy to work with. We were very pleased with his work and would definitely use him again.

Kim Schilf
President
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
Read the case study

Thanks for the awesome piece! I'm completely happy with Blythe and Hsuan's work.

Jonathan Howell
Graphic Designer
Photoplay Design