1. Need effective landing pages? We can help.
2. Don't put those unwanted holiday gifts in the basement. Sell them on eBay!
3. New industries: Beverage machine manufacturing and freight management
4. Is blogging a useful marketing technique for businesses?
5. Need help with your holiday stress?
6. Tip: Give the gift of giving.

We're Hsuan-min Chou and Blythe Howard-Chou, 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. Need effective landing pages? We can help

First of all, what is a "landing page?" A landing page is a specific Web page that a visitor reaches after clicking a link in an ad, email, or newsletter. Often, this page is optimized for a specific keyword or phrase.

Jumping Bean has been writing landing pages since the mid-90s. An agency had asked us to write several technical briefs for Ameritech's consumer DSL services. These briefs told the story about how Ameritech's DSL was faster than dial-up and cheaper than the cable competition.

Our landing pages are short and sweet, and they complement the primary messages that you want to convey to customers. Plus, we can also help you tailor registration forms for your prospects to fill out.

Read more about creating an effective landing page from Business Know-How.

If you missed that issue on blogs, just visit the Archives page. You can find that, plus all past issues of "bean news!"

2. Don't put those unwanted holiday gifts in the basement! Sell them on eBay!

You may appreciate the thought behind Grandma's sweaters, but she probably doesn't know that you lost weight and no longer wear XXL.

If you'd like to recycle that sweater, why not sell it on eBay?

We can help you improve your sales by making sure

your eBay listing includes:

• What you're selling
• What's so great about it

• THANKS, perfect transaction. eBay buyer: spency0n6p

  Why someone would want it

Do it now and tell us what you want to sell!

Learn more about our eBay services!

3. New industries: Beverage machine manufacturing and freight management

Over the last few months we have expanded our roster of clients. Recently, we developed marketing collateral (slicks and PowerPoints) for IMI Cornelius, a renowned beverage machine manufacturer. Check out the collateral.

We have also written technical documentation for the freight management company, CFA Software.

We have also written copy and documentation for the technology, financial, wellness, and education markets.

4. Is blogging a useful marketing technique for businesses?

That's the question on everybody's mind, it seems. As we discussed last month, blogs can be a great new way of talking with the public, your customers and clients, and even your employees. The danger is losing control of your corporate identity.

We think that hosting a blog can only improve your business and increase customer satisfaction in certain specific circumstances, such as support. With a corporate blog you can regularly take the pulse of what your customers need.

Let Jumping Bean start a blog for you. After a few blog entries, we'll put the blog in your hands—or you can keep us on to blog for you. Contact us now at info@jumpbean.com.

5. Need help with your holiday work load?

Are you stressing out because half your company is going to be on leave this month? This is where freelance copywriters (and technical writers) can save the day!

Bring us in and let us finish up your projects:

Contact us today to make your holidays stress free!

6. Recipe: Tasty egg nog

No, this is not egg nog from a carton. It's actual homemade egg nog. And not only will it bring some much-needed holiday cheer (unless you use bad, non-sterilized eggs!) to your winter doldrums, you can say to yourself, "Wow, egg nog really isn't that bad after all!"

1 quart milk
1 cup superfine or confectioners' sugar
1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeds scraped out
12 large eggs, separated
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups bourbon
1 cup brandy
Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Chocolate shavings, for garnish

FULL RECIPE >>

— Food Network

What other recipes would you like to see? Send your favorite to recipes@jumpbean.com, and you just might find it in the next edition of "bean news!" Expand your culinary world by trying one of our recipes.

7. Tip: Give the gift of giving

If you'd like to purchase beautiful gifts and support various artisans, visit A Greater Gift, which offers "fair trade handcrafts and foods from around the world."

A Greater Gift promotes living wages, women's rights, and eco-friendly production through partnerships with small-scale artisan and farmer groups. No child exploitation is used to make their products.

You can purchase gifts online, or at one of their Chicagoland stores.

Got a tip? Send it to tips@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