1. Start the new year off right: Hook your readers immediately and win that sale!
2. Don't put those unwanted holiday gifts in the basement. Sell them on eBay!
3. What's changed? Our phone number
4. Recipe: Crab cakes and greens
5. Tip: Forgot to turn on Track Changes in Word? Don't worry, you can still compare those documents

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. Start the new year off right: Hook your readers immediately and win that sale!

Jumping Bean wants to wish all of you a Happy New Year! We hope it's a prosperous 2007 for all. And what better way to start off a new year with a bang than to win sales?!?

Consider this bit of sage advice:

"As often as possible, start your paragraphs with sentences that hook readers and drive them deeper into the copy."
— Karon Thackston, Business Know-how

That advice was one of the first things my manager at Open Port told me. And it's one of the best pieces of advice Jumping Bean has ever received.

For more information on writing that killer opening sentence, read "Opening Sentences That Close the Sale" at Business Know-how.

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

Are you like our parents? Do you put unwanted/unused gifts in the attic or basement to sit, dusty, sad, and unused? And do you do this every year?

Well, make 20007 the year you clear out that basement (and turn it into a rec center) or empty that attic (and turn it into a swingin' pad à la Greg Brady).

You can do this and make a little money on the side by selling all that detritus on eBay! And we can help you improve your sales by making sure your eBay listing includes:

• THANKS, perfect transaction. eBay buyer: spency0n6p

  What you're selling
• What's so great about it
• Why someone would want it

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

Learn more about our eBay services!

3. What's changed? Our phone number

In case you missed last month's "bean news," we just want you to know that Jumping Bean Communications has moved.

Our phone number has changed to (773) 562-6093. You can still reach Hsuan at (773) 562-6093. Our email, of course, remains the same (info@jumpbean.com).

Do you want to advertise your business/service on Bean News? Take a look at our client list, and you can see the industries we cater to. Send an email, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

4. Recipe: Crab cakes and greens

Crab cakes and greens is a simple dinner that Blythe and I like to make a couple times a month. Not only because it's easy, but because it's tasty as well. Impress your SO when he/she comes home from work! Ohh la la (just remember to turn on the kitchen fan or else everything will smell crabby!).

Ingredients
Package of seasoned crab cakes (Trader Joes, Issacson & Stein Fish at Fulton and Halsted)
Collard greens (Trader Joes, Stanley's Fruit Market at North and Ashland)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove chopped or minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock

FULL RECIPE

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.

5. Tip: Forgot to turn on Track Changes in Word? Don't worry, you can still compare those reviewed documents

Ever have to compare documents in Microsoft® Word™? For example, perhaps you sent out a document for review, but you forgot to turn on Track Changes. What happens? Your document comes back with changes, but you can't see them!

In the olden days (you know, before computers invaded every aspect of our lives), it would be a veritable pain in the rump to have to go line by line to see what changes were made.

But with Word (and I'm sure with WordPerfect™ and Open Office™), you can combine two (or more) documents together and see what changes were made.

To compare documents:

1. In Microsoft Word, open your document.
2. Click the Tools menu and select Compare and Merge Documents. The Compare and Merge Documents dialog box appears.
3. Choose the file you want to compare with your open document and click Merge.
4. Voila, Word essentially combines your documents and displays the revision marks to see where changes are.

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!"

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