Typepad 101: This or that?

Typepad offers a lot of features - this we know - but sometimes you may not know which of those features to use for what you're trying to accomplish. We're here to help!

Post or Page?

Pages are used for static content - contact pages, biographies, lists of links that you don't want to include in your sidebar, etc. You might update or correct it on occasion but it's not timely like a blog post. You can use Pages for supplemental information for your blog or use a series of Pages to create a traditional site, all on Typepad. We've used that concept to build our Knowledge Base - everything you see uses Typepad's Pages feature.

Posts are timely, so they're included in your blog's RSS feed, while Pages are not. Another benefit to Posts is that you can organize them using the Categories feature to help your readers find related topics more easily. Pages stand alone and aren't linked to one another so we recommend using categorized posts if you have a group of articles you want to link together, like recipes or book reviews.

Notes TypeList or "Embed Your Own HTML" Module?

TypeLists are great if you think you'll be using the content on more than one blog or if you want to have several items all together in one list under one heading. You can create and manage TypeLists via the Library link at the top of any page.

The "Embed your own HTML" module is associated with an individual blog's design, via the Content page. You can add any code you'd like and come back to the Content page to add/edit/remove that code later. The module does not show a header on the blog, just the output of the code you've entered.

We have more information about adding custom sidebar content in our Knowledge Base.

Basic or Advanced Templates?

In almost all cases, we recommend using Basic Templates. You have acess to features, like Custom CSS and the head module, that will allow most users to customize their design to their heart's content without getting into template code.

There are times when Advanced Templates are the better option - if you want to create a non-traditional layout, have special formatting you need to use, etc. However, because Advanced Templates are coded by hand using HTML, CSS and Typepad tags, we strongly suggest seeing if Basic Templates will work before committing to Advanced Templates. You can always reach out to us to check!

Have you ever wondered which feature to use? Let us know in the comments and we can lend a hand!

Wanted: One Support Superstar

You're an active, happy Typepad blogger with a passion for helping other bloggers. When it comes to engaging your audience you've got all the right moves, with stellar communication skills and plenty of experience with social media. Your customer service skills are bar none, and you dig making other people happy. You love design, HTML, and CSS, and you're pretty good at it, too.

Sound familiar? Then have we got a job for you.

The Typepad Team is looking to grow by hiring one new Community & Support Administrator. It's a part-time position, which is perfect if you're looking to fill your extra time with a fun, challenging job that will net you the camaraderie of a great team - oh, and some cold, hard cash, too.

Check out our official listing below, and if you think the job is for you, head over and apply right here.

Typepad Community & Support Administrator (part-time)
Customer Service | US - Remote, United States

We are looking for an active blogger who has a passion for helping others blog with Typepad by responding to questions from the community. The right person will elegantly answer questions from bloggers with a wide range of product expertise. Issues can include helping users sign in to Typepad, troubleshooting code errors, providing recommendations for updating a blog's design to name a few. This is a remote position and equipment will be provided.

Responsibilities:

• Prioritize incoming inquires from the Typepad community
• Answer questions about getting started with and using Typepad
• Troubleshoot and resolve customer issues

Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge of the Typepad blogging platform
• Excellent customer service service skills and desire to delight
• Ability to provide instructions for both new and experienced bloggers
• Excellent communication skills - email, social media, forums, chat, etc
• Experience with Windows and Mac operating systems
• Experience with Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari browsers
• Familiarity with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other social media tools
• Availability to work Saturday and/or Sunday for at least 8 hours each week
• This is a part-time position for 20 hours per week

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience in web or email based customer support
• Experience with CSS, HTML, and website design
• Knowledge of mobile platforms - iOS, Android, etc.
• Knowledge of SEO
• Actively blog using Typepad
• Availability to work evenings and weekends