It’s here! After months of hard work, Shannon and I are so pleased to announce that our book, TypePad For Dummies, is now on bookshelves. Want to know what you can expect to find inside?
- A basic explanation of blogging technologies, geared toward newbies to get them up to speed. We explain RSS feeds, Rich Text, SEO, and more.
- We explain why TypePad might be a good fit for you (and why it might not), breaking down its features in comparison with other blogging platforms. We show you how to set up your TypePad account and determine the pricing level you need, and we tell you how to import your existing blog to your TypePad account.
- We explain every single element on your TypePad dashboard, walking you through left-to-right, top-to-bottom. You’ll be navigating the newly redesigned dashboard easily before you know it.
- We explain setting up your blog (and what all those optional settings mean), writing your posts, and how you can read your stats on your dashboard.
- We give you some solid ideas on what makes a good blog post and we show you how to maximize your use of your Compose Editor — you can format your font, insert files and images, and change how and when you schedule your posts to publish.
- Social butterflies will appreciate two chapters devoted entirely to interactive aspects of blogging: comments and other social media (such as Twitter). We tell you how to integrate all of this with your TypePad blog.
- Want to customize your blog design? TypePad’s design module recently went through an overhaul, but we walk you through the new module step by step. We show you how to make the most basic design changes (such as applying existing themes) to the much more complex (tweaking your own CSS). We explain how to put an image, text, or list in your sidebar.
- Want to earn some money via your blog? We explain some of your options for monetizing and show you the tools you need to make it happen.
- Lastly, our “Parts of Ten” section lists our top ten blogging tricks, our ten favorite TypePad resources, ten Typepad bloggers we think you should watch (and learn from!), and ten blogging etiquette tips to help you make your (positive) mark in the blogosphere.
This is just a sampling, of course; the book covers a huge range of TypePad-related issues (400 pages’ worth!). If you’re a beginning-to-moderate TypePad user, we feel confident you’ll find plenty in this book to help you make your TypePad experience even better.
The TypePad Giveaway
Now, a giveaway!
- One lucky winner will win a free copy of the book plus a free year of TypePad service which is good for any level of TypePad except Business Class (approximately a $145 value).
- Nine winners will receive a copy of just the book.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll close down comments Friday night and draw ten random winners. I’ll announce the winners on Monday and contact them via e-mail. At that point, winners will have three days to contact me or I’ll have to choose another winner.
Thanks so much for your support! Shannon and I do what we do because of readers like you and we appreciate you.
I’ve been super excited about this book as soon as I heard you and Shannon were a part of it! Even though I’ve been blogging with Typepad for over 3 years, I feel like I barely know anything beyond how to post. Hopefully this book will nudge me into exploring more of Typepad’s features.
When I first started with Type Pad in 2005, I was surprised there was no reference guide available beyond the typical Help resource. It is long overdue and I’m delighted it is finally here. I’ve tried some other platforms but always come back to TypePad because it is organized the way I am. Thank you for giving us a manual.
Typepad? What is Typepad?
I must need the book!
Wow — I so need this book! I went on Typepad the other day to update our blogroll and I couldn’t remember how to get to the typepad lists! I am completely lost when it comes to the technical side of blogging. Please! Pick me!!
Ooh! Blogger has been making me so frustrated lately and I’ve been wanting a change. This would be perfect!
I’ll toss my hat in the ring too. Maybe it will get me off my duff to do some housekeeping on my blog!
I would love to win! I haven’t used Typepad before, but have always enjoyed the look of it, so I would love to try it out.
i’ve been dying to see your book! i LOVE typepad!
It would be great to win this. I am going to start a new blog and do not want to use blogger anymore. So I am looking around at my options. I just don’t know a lot about typepad.
I’m all in!
I really could use this book and even more the TypePad account. Count me in!
A how-to book would be really nice while I tinker around on my blog. That way I don’t have several windows open while I’m trying to do something.^^
i remember back in the day when i moved from blogger to typepad- and i have been singing it’s praises ever since! i am excited to check out the book- i need to give copies to some friends!
If it works for Seth Godin…. it must be worth trying. I look forward to reading your book. Thanks, Brady
I would love to go back to typepad at some time. The blogs are just so nice looking. Congrats on the book!!!
Love the blog. Love typepad. Excited about the book! Congratulations!
Every little bit helps…I love this blog and would love the book. Crossing fingers now.
A “For Dummies” book is EXACTLY what I need in the blogging world! Also, I just plain like winning stuff.
Long overdue and I look forward to reading whether I win it or buy it. The opportunity to win a paid year of TypePad service is impossible to resist. Please toss my name into the proverbial hat.
Thanks!
Oh, this is very cool! I didn’t realize this book was coming out!
Being a completely bored stay-at-home mom, I would love to start blogging, but don’t really know how to start. I would love to win this and get rolling into the blogosphere!
Congratulations on your book!
My brother blogs with typepad and I almost made the jump but then decided to stick with blogspot for now. This would be fate telling me that Typepad is for me! Feeling lucky!
Wow, congrats on your book, i will definitely have to check it out!!
This book sounds wonderful!!! Glad to hear there is one out there that explains it all in one place. My friend has been telling me that typepad is great. I’m using blogger right now for basic blogging but contemplating using something else for a sales site for my art.
Congrats on the book. I never feel like I use more than the basics with TypePad and I am looking forward to learning more with your book.
I’ve been on Typepad for almost 2 years now, but I know there are lots of tips and tricks that I’m missing. I have been looking forward to the release of this book!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Congrats on the book! Love you blog! And all I want to do is learn TypePad.
Congratulations on the release of the book. I’d love to win a copy and see if TypePad is right for me.
Since I have about decided to finally buy a domain name and all that jazz,
I would love to win this to have some ideas on which ways to go.
BTW is there going to be a moms night out this year?
Steff
Way Cool!! Good luck to everyone.
~~blessed be…
Yahoo! I would love to win this! I love blogging, and I love Typepad, but I know I can do better! Thanks for pulling this book together!
I will definitely be reading this book. As a Typepad user,
it would be great to read.
I’ve been wanting to change platforms, we talked at Blissdom and now you’re having this giveaway. I hope that’s a sign!
Please enter me!
I am wanting to go deeper and further with my blogging… sure this will help!
Melanie:
Talk about needing help – Here I am. Been working over a year to get a website going. I want to start blogging but I am confused about many things. Just found your blog yesterday and now I know for sure I need help. Good Luck with your book.
I finally decided to start a blog, and looking for tips, I found your giveaway offer.
I guess it was meant to be.
I wanted to congratulate you on two of your many achievements — not only do you have this great book out, but you are the ones who managed to finally get me into technology! ThankYou!
When I first started with Typepad over a year ago I looked for a Dummies book on Typepad and was disappointed not to find one. It’s wonderful that it’s finally here!