1. Achieve financial success with technical writing
2. Don't forget PR when optimizing your site for search engines (B2B Magazine)
3. Recipe: Black bean tortilla soup
4. Tip: Auto-correction: Who needs it?

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1. 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.

If you found this story interesting and insightful, forward it to a friend or coworker, or point them to www.jumpbean.com/newsletter.

2. Don't Forget PR When Optimizing your Site for Search Engines (B2B Magazine)

With search engine optimization increasing 44% in 2005, it's not enough to simply optimize your company's Web site. You have to put work into optimizing your external communications, such as press and news releases.

As these articles are distributed through major wire services and posted on key industry Web sites, the major search engines begin to locate and index the releases. If the article is properly optimized with hyperlinks back to the company's Web site, there will be a corresponding increase to a company's overall search engine ranking over time as well.

John W. Elliott is CEO-founder of Power PR (http://www.btobonline.com/article.cms?articleId=24312)

Jumping Bean can write copy that includes the keywords you need. Or we can help you find a SEO specialist.

Miss that article on developing a creative platform? To find that article and previous newsletter issues, visit our archives page.

3. Recipe: Black Bean Tortilla Soup

This is a terrific summer soup with a little (tho' optional) pizzazz! It takes a bit of time to make, but it's well worth it. And if you have a small family like ours, it can last several meals (or be frozen for a later date).

Total time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups ( 1/2 pound) rinsed dried black beans (not soaked)
Salt
1 sprig epazote, optional
2 dried ancho chilies
3 garlic cloves
1 onion, peeled and halved
1 Roma tomato
6 cups chicken stock, divided
1 Tbsp. olive oil
6 corn tortillas
Oil for frying
1 cup cilantro leaves
12 ounces queso fresco, crumbled

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!"

4. Tip: AutoCorrect Problems

Is autocorrecting in Microsoft® Word driving you crazy? Sometimes, I would love to just turn the whole thing off, but it has some useful features so I don't—I just tailor it to my needs. Here's how you do it:

• Stop this crazy thing! If Word's autocorrecting feature is correcting something that is perfect the way it is, then simply press Control-Z (or Edit menu, Undo) to undo it. Word records autocorrections as if you were typing it yourself, so a simple undo will do. The great thing is that you can find the Edit : Undo option in any Windows/Macintosh program where you input text.
• Does your name just happen to be Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvim John Kenneth Loyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor Willian Xerxes Yancy Zeus?*
  
  Why not turn that ghastly-long name into "auto-text"? What's that? Well, in Word, AutoText is a great time-saving feature. Simply click the Tools menu : AutoCorrect Options : AutoText tab. Enter the word in the Enter AutoText entries here and click Add. Later, as you type, the suggestion will appear. Simply press the Enter key, and the phrase will be inserted into your document.
• If you're feeling vaguely ee cummings-ish in your writing, click the AutoCorrect tab and uncheck Capitalize first letter of sentences.

And here are some nice things AutoCorrection does when you type:

* Yes, this is a real name! http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1534419

Got a tip? Send it to tips@jumpbean.com. You might see it in the next issue of "bean news!"

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LP Presbyterian Church
Motorola
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Spencer Stuart
Walgreens

You are doing a wonderful job!! You'll have to let me know "who" gets this positive feedback so you can have good referrals going forward!!

S.G., Manager
Motorola

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

T.G., Manager
Corporate Branding and Creative Services
Discover Financial Services

Nice work. I really like the tone [of your catalog copywriting].

VP New Business
Specialty Store Services

Play and Feed a Hungry Person!

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

B.S., Copywriter
Walgreens

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

J.R., 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!

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