1. We're Back!
2. What Can We Do for You?
3. That's Great! But What Else?
4. Ready to Revise That Web Site?
5. Lesson Learned: Don't Skimp on Health Insurance
6. Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken
7. Tip: Want to Sign Your Signature Electronically?

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

1. We're Back!

Hsuan-min and Blythe are back and ready to rumble! We hope that you've had a great summer, and didn't miss the newsletter too much. What are we thinking? Of course you've missed us! Now we're ready for you to inundate us with writing projects that need a helping hand.

2. What Can We Do for YOU?

To review, here are the types of marketing materials we can write for you:

Over the past few months we've worked to diversify our roster of clients. In addition to writing for our regulars (technology and communications-oriented businesses), we've also written collateral for a/an:

• Educational publication
• News analysis Web site
• Chiropractic office
• Real estate agent
• Clothing boutique
• Woodfiller manufacturer

To see samples of our work, please visit www.jumpbean.com. You will also find previous newsletters, so if you lost that recipe for Bubble Tea you know where to find it. For more information, call Hsuan or Blythe at (773) 562-6093, or send an email to info@jumpbean.com.

3. That's Great! But What Else?

Well, geez, so demanding! But that's why we like you. You want more and more—you won't settle for anything less than the best! But we can't do everything, which is why we have a host of campadres to round out our team:

Graphic Design & Web Developers
Nick Gracilla: Neoteric Design
Jonathan Howell: Photoplay Design
Michele Kruegel: Kruegelisms.com

Printers
Ben Bodelson: Nova Printing

Promotional
Lee Kotler: On Time Promotions

4. Ready to Revise That Web Site?

If you don't yet have a Web site—or if you're hankering to redo the site you have—then October, November, and December are the months for you!

We're offering 10% off all Web site copy that we contract through the end of the year. Whether you need two pages, 22 pages, or 200 pages, we'll find the "write" words to market your products and services. Plus, if you need a topnotch Web designer or developer, we can team up with one mentioned above.

5. Lesson Learned: Don't Skimp on Health Insurance

Times are tight all over. If you're a small business like us, you may find yourself tempted to skimp on health insurance—or cancel it altogether. Based on our own experience with Hsuan's illness and recovery, the best advice we can give you is DON'T!

Yes, health insurance is expensive. But you don't know when you'll need it, and it's worth every penny when you do. That $100 to $200/month premium may seem like a lot right now. However, when you're looking at hospital bills that approach $1,000,000, there's nothing better than learning that you owe only a small percentage of the total.

6. Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Ever had good kung pao chicken? We haven't found a Chinese restaurant in Chicago that can do it. In fact, we'd rather go to a dive for KPC rather than a respected restaurant—because we know what to expect: Lots and lots of grease! But for those of you who don't like drinking oil, here is a recipe that is simple and tasty.

Ingredients:
12 oz chicken breast
4 tablespoons oil (preferably, corn or peanut)
2 dried red chilies seeded and but into pieces
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
4 slices ginger
1 tablespoon sherry
3 scallions cut into rounds
roasted peanuts

Marinade:
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon corn starch

Sauce:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
dash of chili sauce
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
dash of sugar
1 1/2 cornstarch
6 tablespoons water

FULL RECIPE

What other recipes would you like to see? Send your favorite to info@jumpbean.com, and you just might find it in the next edition of "bean news!"

7. Tip: Want to Sign Your Signature Electronically?

Do you use email-to-fax services like E-Fax, but find yourself annoyed when you need to sign a document? That means you have to print the document, sign it—and then go to the fax machine on the next floor. . .big waste of time.

Here's a better way: Scan your signature and insert it into whatever document you have open! Here's how you do it:

READ MORE

Got a tip? Send it to info@jumpbean.com. You might see it in the next issue 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