1. Small Businesses! Use PR to increase sales
2. Yes, we know Content Management Systems
3. No payroll system? Pay for your projects using PayPal
4. Recipe: French onion soup tres simple
5. Tip: Using your phone to keep track of reminders, due dates, anniversaries, etc.

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. Small Businesses! Use PR to increase sales

When first starting out, most small businesses are focused on the cost of running their business, and the return on their inventory (or service). Getting people to buy your product or service is, after all, the goal.

And when you're in a recession, you not only need to tell people why they need your product or service—you need to do it quickly, effectively, and without it costing a fortune.

Thanks to everyone who took advantage of our 10% off special! We wish a very profitable 2009 for all.

2. Yes, we know Content Management Systems

Having spent 5 months with content management systems with our last client, Jumping Bean can confidently say we're well adept with working with CMS. In fact, we've been working with CMS' in 3 of our last 5 onsite clients.

CMS' we've worked with include Vignette, SharePoint, and Interwoven. And it seems that once you learn one CMS, it's relatively easy to learn another.

You can rest assured that when we're brought on board, we can get started right away!

Think we did an outstanding job on your collateral? Don't keep it inside. Tell the world! And we'll take 10% off your next project.

3. No payroll system? Pay for your projects using PayPal^€

Are you a small to mid-sized business and don't necessarily have a good, reliable payroll system? Or want to use your business credit card for your projects? Well, if you have an Internet connection (and what small to mid-sized business doesn't?), then you can do the PayPal dance.

When using PayPal, you can pay invoices by:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Bank transfers
• And, of course, PayPal

It's faster, easier, and safer than sending a check by mail.

By April we will have it all set up. Stay tuned...

^€ Applies to projects less than $500.

Is JBC ahead of the times? "Teleworking: Real Value for Virtual Workers" illuminates the advantages of having employees (or contractors) work from home. From reducing costs to more satisfied employees read more about it here (Registration required) >>

4. Recipe: French onion soup tres simple

Ahh, the French. Only a few years ago, the French were persons non grata. But I think all has been forgiven.

And what better way to forgive and forget than to make your beloved a simple, bistro-ish Valentine's Day meal: French onion soup >>

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!"

5. Tip: Using your phone to keep track of reminders, due dates, anniversaries, etc.

I've been trying out tools to keep track of appointments for years. In 1999, my friend John B. gave me his old Palm Pilot II (I think he won another one in a contest). And although Palm handhelds are great (and really kill the boredom on the plane and train), they are limited. I can't carry one everywhere I go because they're just a tad too big (and, no, I don't have a man-purse). And unless you have a Treo, there is no vibrating alarm.

But I do carry my phone everywhere I go. >>

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!"

Hsuan did a great job writing competitive response pieces for our internal sales team.

He understood our goals... and made them easy-to-read so HP’s team could quickly address potential situations with customers.

Andy Binder
Director, HP

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

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

Amy has definitely expressed her positive feedback with your work and is impressed with your strategic copywriting abilities!

Recruiter
Visa Account
Direct Mail Agency

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

B.S, Copywriter
Walgreens

Thanks! I really appreciate all your hard work [on the EMEA course catalog]!

D. Carter, Manager
Motorola University
Motorola

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

E.W, VP New Business
Specialty Store Services

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