1. Blogs, blogs and more blogs!
2. Case study: Jumping Bean completes Novarra's direct mail campaign
3. Do you need user-friendly technical documentation?
4. Close out your Q4 marcomm projects
5. What's changed? Our phone number
6. Recipe: Coffee concentrate

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 documentation services? Forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague, or point them to www.jumpbean.com.

1. Blogs, blogs and more blogs!

Everyone seems to have a blog. My cousins have blogs. Several of our friends have blogs. I'm expecting my folks to get into the blogosphere once they figure out that dial-up is so passé!

But what about businesses? Is blogging a useful marketing technique for businesses? And how much time do your writers have to spend on a corporate-friendly blog?

As Debbie Weil* says:

We're entering an age of more open, honest, and authentic corporate communications. Blogs are a key enabler of this new way of talking with customers, employees, the media, and other constituencies.

But can businesses get into the blog game and not lose control of their corporate identity? We think that hosting a blog can only improve your business and increase customer satisfaction in certain specific circumstances, such as support. Why?

Since customers will complain about something whether you like it or not, it's better for you to give them a platform on your own site. With a corporate blog you can regularly take the pulse of what your customers need, and where their complaints can receive candid (not canned) company responses.

* Debbie Weil is publisher of the "WordBiz Report" and author of The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right.

Forward to a colleague: Share this issue of "Bean News with a colleague!

2. Case Study: Jumping Bean completes Novarra's direct mail campaign

Novarra, a developer of instant wireless software, was about to launch its new wireless product for supply chain management, InstantWireless. Part of their product launch plan called for sending out direct mailer cards to potential customers who had made significant investments in J.D. Edwards WorldSoftware and OneWorld applications—the target audience for InstantWireless. The direct mailer card would generate prospect leads by instructing people to visit the Novarra Web site and download a white paper that described the benefits of InstantWireless.

The problem? The launch was one week away—and they still didn't have a white paper ready.

Read how Jumping Bean developed a white paper for Novarra that was on time and within budget.

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

3. Do you need user-friendly technical documentation?

If you need online help or print documentation, Jumping Bean can work with you and your programmers to create user-friendly technical documentation, such as user guides and online help.

Plus, if your product comes with no manual or online help, chances are it will be returned.

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.

4. Close out your Q4 marcomm projects

The early bird gets the worm. Or so they say. Why not get a jump on your outstanding projects to make the holiday season that much less traumatic?

We can help you finish up projects that have been sitting in the queue for months. Remember that white paper your copywriter started last December? Well, now he's gone and what do you have? An outline? A frickin' outline?!

Bring us in. We can finish up that white paper, and a whole host of other collateral such as:

We can help you craft your holiday greetings

We can also help you craft your holiday greetings if you haven't purchased cards yet. Partnering with local artists/graphic designers, we can help you send out one-of-a-kind holiday greetings. Start now, so we can plan for printing.

Our featured graphic designer is Michele Kruegel of Kruegelisms Creative. All of Michele's cards are water color and digital illustration, and have blank interiors. Please contact Michele if you would like to purchase some cards.

5. What's changed? Our phone number

Jumping Bean Communications has moved from its rental property, and has finally put thousands and thousands of dollars on a dilapidated outhouse in a remote part of Chicago. Our phone number has changed to (773) 562-6093.

Our email, of course, remains the same.

6. Recipe: Coffee Concentrate

Do you love the convenience of instant coffee but not the taste? Well, I found this little recipe for coffee concentrate in Cooking with Coffee by Carol Foster (and MFK Fischer). Not only is making coffee as easy as instant (once you actually make the concentrate), it tastes better—better than even the stuff that drips from your coffee maker!

Making the concentrate

Ingredients:
1/4 pound coffee, regular grind
2 cups cold water
Makes enough for 8 cups of coffee

1. Put water and coffee in a glass jar, stir, and cover/chill for 24 to 48 hours.
2. Strain through a coffee filter into a clean container.
3. While it drips through the filter, you should press the grounds from time to time
4. Squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the filter.
5. Discard the grounds, and store the liquid in the refrigerator.

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.

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New Clients
Active and Able
Motorola
Specialty Services
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

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!

Recruiter
Visa Account
Direct Mail Agency

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

VP New Business
Specialty Store Services