1. Increase sales with keyword-rich hyperlinks
2. Achieve financial success with technical writing
3. Need experienced SEO copywriters? Look no further
4. Tip: "Hey, stop that auto-hyperlinking, man!"
5. Recipe: Irish Coffee

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. 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 non-descriptive hyperlinks—or hyperlinks that are completely misleading.

Dare I say that hyperlinks are just as important as your headlines? Find out why >>

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.

2. Achieve financial success with technical writing

I know, technical writing is often last on your list of things to do. But time and time again, users want documentation. They may not read it straight through, but they like to have it. It's their safety net when they run into difficulties.

Plus, if your product comes with no manual or online help, there's a good chance it will be returned. And that's not good for anyone's bottom line!

Read this informative article from the Society of Technical Communications about how technical writing can increase your business (PDF). It's an oldie, but a goodie!

Excerpt
The companies also told us that they recognize the importance of the discipline [Technical Writing]:

• 74% of respondents said that good documentation tends to lower their servicing costs
• 83. said that quality documentation contributes to the company's profitability
• 91% said that a quality document adds value to the product or service of their company

With Jumping Bean you get experienced technical writers who can develop online help and printed documentation for your Windows® and Macintosh programs.

Contact us at info@jumpbean.com.

If you know of a business that needs our marketing or technical writing services, give us a ring (773-562-6093). We'll be forever thankful and you will receive 10% off your next project.

3. Need experienced SEO copywriters? Look no further!

What do you look for when shopping around for an SEO (search engine optimization) copywriter? Common thought is that all you need to do to write effective SEO copy is to throw keywords all over a page, add your product and company name—a few commas and semicolons for good measure—and voila, you have SEO-ready copy, right? Right?

We've been writing SEO copy for 10 years
How do we know our SEO copywriting isn't only good—it's great? Over the last 10 years we've learned what to ask, how to interview, and what keywords to keep and cut (because not all keywords are good keywords).

Give us a ring at 773-562-6093
We'll get you started on copy that gets you results!

4. Tip: "Hey, stop that auto-hyperlinking, man!"

Ever say that to Microsoft Word as you type a hyperlink? Don't get me wrong, auto-correction an be very helpful (i.e., typing "(tm)"becomes ™; typing (c) becomes ©).

But when you need to give your Web designers copy that has all that auto-nonsense in it, they can get hot and bothered. And chances are, there are so many of those "auto-corrections" in your doc, your designer is liable to have a catatonic fit.

So what do I do to placate designers I work with? Simply turn auto-formatting off.

1. In Microsoft Word 2000-2003, click the Tools menu and select AutoCorrect Options...
2. Click the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
3. De-select all the options and click OK.

Your designers will love you because you've made their lives that much easier. Now if you'll only get the VP of marketing to do the same thing...

5. Recipe: Irish Coffee

"Morning is the time to pity the sober. The way they're feeling then is the best they're going to feel all day."

Supposedly that's an old Irish saying. To the folks at Jumping Bean, it means celebrating St. Patrick's Day all day long. And what better way to do it than with a pint/cup/mug of Irish Coffee?

This Irish Coffee receipe will perk you up (for the morning) before bringing you down (for that cat-nap on the couch).

Ingredients

• 2/3 part freshly brewed coffee
• 1/3 part Irish whiskey
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• Lightly whipped cream

Top o' the mornin' to ya! >>

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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